ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1789 12 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1073) 8 October 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KIM, Chae Myong (金在明) (김재명) |
| RANK: | Sr Lt (大尉) |
| AGE: | 23 |
| DUTY: | Arty technician |
| UNIT: | 10th Div, Arty Regt, Supply Sec |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 yrs) |
| OCCUPATION: | Machinist |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 16 km S of POUN (報恩) (1070-1510) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 1 Oct 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMGYONG-PUKDO, MUSAN GUN, P’UNGGYE MYON, KYEHA-RI 130 (咸鏡北道 茂山郡 豊溪面 溪下里) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | HAMGYONG-PUKDO, KYNGHUNG GUN, AOJI MYON, YONGYON NI ( ) |
| INTERROGATOR: | MORI (FEAF) |
PW talked freely and seemed cooperative. He received 14 months technical training on arty in the NKA and seemed to be quite familiar with the 122mm Howitzer and 76mm guns. PW’s father was a member of the Japanese police force in KOREA, therefore eh was not able to join the NK labor party. No further interrogation recommended.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
5 Dec 48: Appointed to arty technical training center at P’YONGYANG.
4 Feb 50: Completed above course. Assigned to SUKCH’ON (肅川) (899-1860) 2nd Communist Youth Organization, (MINCH’ON) Training Center Arty supply sect as arty technician and commissioned Jr Lt (少尉).
20 May 50: The 2nd Communist Youth Training Center was converted to the 10th Div. Assigned to 10th Div Hdq Arty Sec, Arty Supply Sec as technician at warehouse.
26 Jul 50: Departed P’YONGYANG by train with Div.
23 Sep 50: The Ⅰ Corps and 10th Div Arty Supply Sections were attacked by advancing US Armored units.
24 Sep 50: The Ⅰ Corps and 10th Div Arty Supply Sections were disorganized at KUNCH’ON (金泉). Were ordered to regroup at TAEJON (大田) by 2400 25 Sep 50.
26 Sep 50: Arrived YONGDONG on foot. US forces were in town. PW headed for mountains N of the town.
1 Oct 50: Surrendered to ROK forces at point 16 km S of POUN (報恩).
Last known composition of unit:
PW was with the Ⅰ Corps arty supply sec at KUMCH’ON wile the 10th Div troops were fighting in the KORYONG Area. PW stated the organization of unit was same as given but strength was unknown.
Equipment:
122mm gun: There was one Regt of the 122mm guns in the NKA. These guns were attached to Ⅰ and Ⅱ Corps.
122mm Howitzers: 12 x 122mm M1938 Howitzer in the 10th Div Arty Regt. Present number unknown. Maximum range: 12 km, effective range: 5-8 km. Types of projectiles employed: Fragmentation (榴彈), anti-tank (破甲彈) and anti-steel projectiles. No tracers were used. Weak portions of gun: The recoil system of the gun required most repair. There was 35 kg of air in the cradle and 7.8 litter of liquid (resembles alcohol) in recuperator. The recoil system was frequently checked. The sighting mechanism was also easily damaged.
76mm gun: 24 x 76mm M1942 guns in the 10th Div Arty Regt. Present number unknown. Maximum range - 12 km, effective range - 5 to 7 km, types of projectiles used - Fragmentation (350-0), anti-tank (354-b), and anti-steel (254 NK). Weak points of the 76mm M1942 gun: The recoil system and the sighting mechanism were quite weak.
76mm Howitzer: 12 x 76mm M1927 Howitzers in the 10th Div. Present number unknown. Maximum range - 8.5 km, effective range - 4 to 6 km. Projectiles used were the same as the 76mm gun. The 76mm M1942 gun was the nost effective weapon in the NKA and was sometimes used as a howitzer.
Supply:
The artillery supply for the 10th Div was brought to KUMCH’ON by train and stored in RR tunnels. The ammo was transported to units through narrow mountain trails by truck. The arty ammo was manufactured in P’YONGYANG. Korean characters were printed or stamped on the boxes or directly on the artillery shells.
Personalities:
Name: KIM, Ch’aek (金策) (김책), Unk, 50, CG, Advanced GHQ.
Remarks: PW stated that CG KIM did not wear a military uniform before the war statred. Formerly with the CCF.
Name:KIM Tae Hong (金大弘) (김대홍), Maj Gen, CG, 10th Di.
Remarks: Entered KOREA form MANCHURIA after termination of World War Ⅱ. Was recalled by GHQ in early Sep 50.
Name: KIM, Ung (金雄), (김웅), Maj Gen (소위), Unk, CG, ⅠCorps.
Remarks: PW heard that KIM was from MANCHURIA.
4. GENERAL:1. The 122mm Howitzers and 76mm guns were fired by plts (2 guns) or Btry’s (4 guns). Not more than 4 guns were fired at a time.
2. One gun (gun of the 1st Sec) was used to zero in firing. PW was not familiar with arty tactics.
3. The P’YONGYANG Arsenal (former Japanese) was heavily damaged by US aircraft attack o/a 27 Jul 50.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
