ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2311 20 November 1950
FIELD REPORT (521 - MISD - 0249) 16 November 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KAN Yong Chol (姜龍哲) (강용철) |
| PW NO: | 213 |
| RANK: | 1st Class Pvt |
| DUTY: | Cooking Rice |
| UNIT: | 2nd Div, 4th Regt, 1st Bn, Supply Plat, Food Sq |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | CHONGPYONG (定平) Area |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 9 Nov 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMBUK KYONG SONG GUN TSU ULOM MYON CHICK TON-RI (咸北 鏡城郡 朱乙溫面 直洞里) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above. |
| INTERROGATOR: | SASAKI |
PW was cooperative and talked freely. Information is considered fairly reliable as PW appeared sincere and intelligent.
Age: 22
Education: Primary School (5 yrs)
Reliability: Fair
Length of Service: 7 mos
Physical Condition: Good (weak right lung)
3. MILITARY HISTORY:8 May 50 - Inducted into 2nd Div, 4th Regt, 1st Bn, Supply Plat at HAMHUNG (咸興).
o/a 12 Jun 50 - The 4th Regt departed HAMHUNG by train and arrived at KUMHWA (金化), then marched to HWACHON (樺川).
25 Jun 50 - The 2nd Div advanced to H'YOPCHON (陜川) arriving there in mid-Sep 50. The 4th Regt passed through CHUNCHON (春川), ANSONG (安城), CHINCHON (鎭川), POUN (報恩) and KUMCHOH (金泉) in this advance. PW was often ill and once contracted malaria so he remained in the rear and was treated by the field hospital most of the time.
o/a 29 Sep 50 - PW and a group of approx 100 men, who were mostly members of the 4th Regt began retreating from HYOPCHON. This group, which increased greatly while retreating N, arrived at a small village in the CHONGPYONG area on 9 Nov 50.
9 Nov 50 - PW and his squad leader went out to collect some rice. PW took advantage of this opportunity to escape and surrendered to ROK 26th Regt in the CHONGPYONG Area.
4. PERSONALITIES:Name: CHAE Yon (KANJI Unk) (崔永) (최영) (Hearsay)
Rank: Maj Gen
Age: About 50
Positions 2nd Div CG
Name: LEE Ho (KANJI Unk) (李鎬 리호)
Rank: Col
Age: About 34
Position: 4th Regt CO since Jul 50
5. FOREIGN ELEMENTS:During the period mid-May to mid-Jun 50, PW observed 3 Russian advisors who came to the 4th Regt in HAMHUNG occasionally. Detailed information on these Russian officers was not known.
6. CODE NUMBERS:4th Regt - 328
7. WEAPONS AND PERSONNEL:The 2nd Div consisted of the 4th, 6th, 17th. infantry regiments and a NCO Training Bn, Engineer Bn, and 45mm AT Gun Bn.
The 2nd Div strength was not known but it was almost completely annihilated in the HYOPCHON Area in Sep 50.
The 4th Regt originally consisted of the 1st, 2nd, and 3d Infantry Battalions and a Communication Company, a Transportation Company, a Reconnaissance Company and a Medical Company.
The 2nd Div while in battle was comparatively well equipped. The 1st Bn of the 4th Regt had pistols, rifles, sub-machine guns, LMGs, HMGs, Mortars, and 2x45mm AT Guns but practically all of these weapons were destroyed. PW also observed 4x76mm guns being pulled by horses in the 4th Regt, but these weapons were also destroyed.
8. REMNANTS:PW and a group of 100 men, who were mostly members of the 2nd Div began retreating from HYOPCHON o/a 29 Sep 50. Other stragglers were picked up enroute until the group numbered approximately 1900 when it arrived at the CHOHGPYONG Area on 9 Nov 50.
The men who joined this band of stragglers became members of the 2nd Div. Various units of the NKA were represented in this band but most of the officers were from the 2nd Div.
Many men in this band had deserted but some were caught and shot. PW observed about 10 men being killed in this manner. This execution was usually done when the band was leaving a camping place. The victims were simply shot and left on the ground. The officers and leaders were very strict about deserters and kept careful watch to prevent it.
The band was commanded by 4th Regt CO LEE Ho until 2nd Div CG CHAE Yon joined them somewhere between the 38° and 39° parallel. CHAE YON then assumed command and was still in command when PW deserted near CHONGPYONG on 9 Nov 50. There were also a few staff officers and troops of the 6th and 17th Regts, accompanying General CHAE Yon. PW could not recall the date this change took place.
The band marched an average of 20 Km each night. No marching was done during day because of the danger from aircraft.
Food was obtained from farming villages. The band has not engaged in any action on its retreat northward. It was poorly armed.
When this band arrived in the CHONGPYONG Area on 9 Nov 50 PW heard that stragglers from the 5th Div had arrived there the previous day. It was rumored that the 2nd Div and 5th Div would retreat all the way to MANCHURIA. The day before the band arrived in the CHONGPYONG Area PW observed that they had 4x82mm mortars, with approximately 60 rounds of ammo, 2 HMG with 2 boxes of ammo, 4 LMG with one magazine of ammo, 40 to 50 sub-machine guns, and 1 rifle to every 3d or 4th man. PW estimated that there were 20-30 rounds of ammunition for each rifle and PPSH submachine gun.
The organization of the 2d Division at the time PW deserted near CHONGPYONG was the same as it was originally. General CHAE Yon was observed with the Division on 9 Nov 50.
For the AC of S, G-2:
SHORT
