ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2339 22 November 1950
FIELD REPORT (521 - MISD - 0266) 20 November 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KIM Che Kon (金在建) (김재건) |
| PW NO: | #454 |
| RANK: | Jr Lt |
| DUTY: | Platoon Leader |
| UNIT: | 26 Brigade (634 Unit) 120mm Mortar Bn, 2nd Co, 2nd Platoon |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | SERI (端里) 15 km SW of PUNGSAN (豐山) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 14 Nov 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMNAN DO IWON KUN SO MYON NAMMUNRI 13 (咸鏡南道 利原郡 西面 南門里 13) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above |
Reliability: Good (very cooperative and observant)
Length of Service: 2 months 16 days
Education: Middle School (5 yrs)
Physical Condition: Good
Age: 19
3. MILITARY HISTORY:Inducted 24 July 50 at PYONGYANG (平壤) and was immediately sent to the PYONGYANG #1 Officers Training School.
13 Aug 50 - Appointed Jr Lt upon completion of training.
13 Aug 50 - PW and 15 Jr Lts departed PYONGYANG by truck,
16 Aug 50 - Arrived at NAMCHON (南川) approximately 20 km north of KUMCHON (金川) and assigned to the 26 Brigade.
o/a 30 Sep 50 - The entire 26 Brigade departed NAMCHON on foot and arrived at CHORWON (鐵原) o/a 3 Oct 50.
5 Oct 50 - The 2nd Co of the 120mm Mortar Bn departed CHORWON, 7 Oct 50 marched to YONGPYONG (永平) and was attached to the 2nd HMG Bn of the 26 Brigade.
11 Oct 50 - PW and the 1st Platoon Leader of the 2nd Co deserted. At this time the 2nd HMG Bn was preparing for action.
5 Nov 50 - At KOTORI (古土里) and vicinity PW saw elements of the 38th Div in combat formation, Realizing escape through this area was impossible, PW reported to the 38th Div Headquarters at HAGARURI as being lost from his unit's convoy retreating to NANAM (羅南). Due to the fact that PW wore an officer's uniform he was welcomed and well treated.
While at KOTORI PW observed an unk CCF Unit of about 200 men equipped with rifles and two 120mm mortars.
Hearsay (from Div Supply Officer) the 38th Div was equipped with two Joseph Stalin Heavy Tanks. Strength and Org was unknown.
6 Nov 50 - At YUDAN-NI (油屯里) (approximately 12 km NW of HAGARU-RI (下楊里) PW observed the 47th Div Headquarters. Hearsay (from Div Headquarters’ Officers) the 47th Div was reorganizing at this point. (The 47th Division was the former Hamhung Division.) Observed elements of the 47th Div at a point 4 km NW of YUDAN-NI (油屯里) equipped with one 76mm Antitank Gun.
A large unit of the 47th Div was also stationed in an unknown village about 2 km south of YUDANNI (油屯里). Also heard this Division was preparing to retreat to FUNGSAN (豐山). The 47th Div was commanded by a Lt Gen (2 stars - name unk).
13 Nov 50 - PW observed elements of the 249th Inf Unit at YAKSURI (藥水里) (small village located in a valley approximately 5 km west of FUNGSAN). PW was informed by a farmer that the above unit comprised about 1000 men equipped with rifles, pistols and two heavy machine guns. (The farmer was forcibly ordered to haul the two HMG's with his mule wagon.)
14 Nov 50 - PW surrendered to UN Forces at SERI (端里).
4. ORGANIZATION:26th Brigade comprised 4 Inf Bns, 4 HMG Bns, 2 Tank Bns, 2 Eng Bns, 1 x 45mm Mortar Bn, 1 x 82mm Arty. Bn, 1 x 76mm Anti-tank Gun Bn, and a 120mm Mortar Bn.
Organization and strength of Bns were unk. However, PW heard that each Bn was under strength and poorly equipped.
Strength of the 26th Brigade is estimated to be well over 5,000 men.
The Brigade Headquarters equipment includes 3 Russian trucks, 2 jeeps and a sedan.
120mm Mortar Bn is composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3d Cos. Each Co was equipped with 6 120mm Mortars and 1/3 of men armed with rifles.
The 120mm Mortar Bn strength was 520 men. Believes that each HMG Bn was equipped with 9 HMG’s.
Having no tanks, the two Tank Bn’s were converted and used as Inf Bns.
5. DISPOSITION OF 26th BRIGADE AS OF 11 OCT 50:Brigade Hqs in YONCHON (漣川), 2nd HMG Bn with 4nd Co 120mm Mortar Bn attached, in YONGPYONG (永平), 1st Co of the 120mm Bn in MAJON-NI (馬戰里), 3d Co unk and the other Bns were located in the vicinity of YONGPYONG and YONCHON in combat formation.
6. PERSONALITIES:NAME: LEE Jae Un (李在雲) (리재운)
RANK: Maj Gen
DUTIES: 26th Brigade Commander
AGE: About 30
REMARKS: According to Hearsay from field grade officers of the 26th Brigade Hq's Gen LEE had just returned from the USSR after completing 6 yrs of Military Training at the Russian Military Academy and Military College and was appointed 26th Brigade, Commander, at NAMCHON (南川) during the early part of Aug 50. PW believes that General LEE and the 26th Brigade are presently in KANGGYE (江界) reorganizing. PW heard prior to desertion, that the Brigade would retreat to KANGGYE.
NAME: LEE San Jik (李相稙) (리상직)
RANK: Major
DUTIES: 120mm Mortar Bn CO
AGE: 28
NAME: LEE Jon Il (李宗日) (리종일)
RANK: Major
DUTIES: Ass’t CO and C/S of 120mm Mortar Bn
AGE: About 26
REMARKS: The above two officers were originally with the CCF in MANCHURIA and were assigned to the 26th Brigade during the latter part of Aug 50 at NAMCHON (南川). Major LEE San Jik spoke good Korean, however, Major LEE Jon Il spoke rather poor Korean. The officers on assignment to the Brigade wore CCF Officers uniforms.
7. FOREIGN ELEMENTS:Three Russian officers, a Lt Colonel and two Colonels were attached to the 26th Brigade Hq’s operation section. These officers were last seen on 9 Oct 50 while visiting the 2nd HMG Bn Hqs at YONGPYONG (永平).
In addition there were 8 other Russian field grade officers attached to various units of the 26th Brigade. The above-mentioned Russian officers were seen in civilian clothing during the day and in army uniforms after dark.
For the AC of S, G-2:
SHORT
