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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2304　20 November 1950

FIELD REPORT (163 - MISDI - 0198)　16 November 1950

(Atchd 1st Mar Div)

PW had no education. He served in the Chinese Nationalist Army for five years; the 9th Army and the 40th Army. He was captured by the CCF on October 1949 at HONAN PROVINCE and was a POW for three months before being assigned to the 377th Regiment, 126th Division, 42nd Army, PW spoke with confidence. Although he had no education, he appears to be of average intelligence. The code numbers given by the POW for the 126th Division coincide with previous reports (See report 163 - MISDI - 0169). This POW is the first to be captured from the 377th Regiment.

PW stated that he had only received two weeks of military training and had no training in rifle marksmanship. The 42nd Army departed from CHIAN (date unknown); PW did not know the whereabouts of the other Regiments of the 126th Division. The 377th Regiment consists of three Infantry Battalions and one Artillery Battalion. PW stated that approximately 7 days ago, the 3rd Battalion was located on a hill East of the CHOSHIN RESERVOIR: only the 7th Company of the 3rd Battalion was in action. (Location unknown - believed to be between the CHOSHIN and FUSIN RESERVOIRS). The 8th Company was on a hill behind the 7th Company and withdrew one day after the 7th Company was committed. Casualties in the 7th Company were unknown to the PW but there were none in the 8th Company. PW stated that the dead were buried and the wounded evacuated.

The PW deserted his unit as it was withdrawing and was captured at HAGARU RI, on 14 November. He was armed with a rifle, 60 rounds of ammunition and three hand grenades. PW stated that he was fed by the natives and was told by them that his unit was heading in a North-West direction.

PW stated that he had only two (2) meals during the three days his unit was in the hills. No food arrived from the rear. Five of the eight soldiers in his wquad were formerly soldiers in the Chinese Nationalist Army and want to surrender but they were afraid they would be killed if captured by Americans. PW estimated that 60 percent of the soldiers in his unit have served with the Chinese Nationalist Army and approximately two-thirds of them have not been influenced by the Communist indoctrination program.

PW stated that a rifle company has approximately 130 men and 13 officers (1 Commanding Officer, 1 Assistant Commanding Officer, 1 Political instructor, 1 Assistant Political Instructor, 1 Supply Officer, 4 Platoon Loaders, 4 Assistant Platoon Loaders). The company is equipped with six (6) LMG’s, with 600 rounds each; two (2) x 60mm mortars, with 96 rounds of ammunition; three (3) Tommy Guns. The balance were armed with rifles, with 60 rounds of ammunition and three hand grenades. The Company had one Korean interpreter.

The Regiment had eight vehicles used for transporting supplies, PW stated that all eight (8) vehicles were destroyed by air attacks.

PW knew the following codes:

PW believes that the codes for the Divisions and the Regiment have been changed, but the numbers used to identify Battalions and Companies are still being used.

PW stated that the Officers in the CCF can be identified by the red braid on the sleeves, around the collar, red stripes on the sides of the trousers and their uniform buttons placed at the center instead of along the right side. NCO's and soldiers are dressed alike. PW received 76,000 yuan monthly. PW prefers the Nationalist Army because it is better fed, better paid and better treated.

While the unit was moving southward, PW stated that he had observed NK Troops moving northward in small group; some of them were armed with rifles.

PW stated that prior to their departure from CHUAN in ANTUNG PROVINCE, they were given a “send off” by the local people. The Communist flag was displayed and they received. gifts of apples, cigarettes, etc,. The natives shouted words of encouragement as they marched.

The Regimental Commander had told the troops that America plans to invade CHI NA from NORTH KOREA, and they were aware that they were to fight against American troops in KOREA.

PW believes that approximately 70 percent of the people in MANCHURIA support the Communist Government and are against CHIANG's Administration.

For the AC of S, G-2: