ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2348 24 November 1950
FIELD REPORT (521 - MISD - 0272) 21 November 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KIM, Hong Suk (金弘錫) (김홍석) |
| PW NO: | #453 |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| DUTY: | Bn CO’s Orderly |
| UNIT: | 507th Unit 5th Bn |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 16km S of KAPSAN (甲山) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 17 Nov 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMCHU KUN, SONDON MYON, CHAN RI. (咸州郡 宣德面 場里) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | YO HUN KUN, UKI MYON, TOMMI RI (永興郡 鏡城面 德美里) |
| INTERROGATOR: | Cpl TAKEUCHI |
PW was very cooperative and willing to furnish information.
Length of service: 2 mos 20 days
Education: Primary School (6 yrs)
Age: 20
Physical Condition: Good
Reliability: Good
3. MILITARY HISTORY:27 Aug 59 - Inducted at HAMHUNG (咸興) and attached to the 507th Unit, 5th Bn, Ind Communication Plat.
Received 18 days of communication and military training. PW was later assigned to the 5th Bn HQs as Bn Commander's orderly.
o/a 28 Sep 50 - The entire 507th Unit departed HAMHUNG by train.
o/a 5 Oct 50 - Arrived at KILCHU (吉州).
6 Oct 50 - The 5th Bn departed KILCHU by train and arrived at TANCHON (端川) 7 Oct 50. 507th Unit HQs departed for CHONGJIN (淸津) and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Bns also departed by train to their assigned destinations between TANCHON and CHONGJIN (name of places were unknown).
26 Oct 50 - After being engaged in battle in the vicinity of TANCHON the 5th Bn started retreating north,
o/a 5 Nov 50 - Arrived at the designated assembly point, HYBSAN JIN (惠山鎭). The original Bn strength of 700 men was down to 220 man. The majority had been killed or had deserted at TANCHON.
6 Nov 50 - The 5th Bn of 220 men and several other unknown units (possibly the 588th Unit, 401st Unit, 294th Unit and 245th Unit) were combined, (total strength of approx 1,500 men), departed HYESANJIN by trucks and arrived at MAEDONGYON (name of a high mountain) approx 6km N of PUNGSAN (豐山). Engaged in battle daily hereafter with UN troops. HYESANJIN was overcrowded with soldiers. There were also quite a few army nurses (destination of units unk).
While engaged in battle the 5th Bn received orders from higher HQs in KAPSAN to hold the position and destroy all UN tanks and trucks in the area.
Troops of the 5th Bn were equipped with rifles (200-250 rds ammo) and one anti-tank grenade. The Bn also carried dynamite.
17 Nov 50 - While engaged in battle at a point about 16 km S of KAPSAN PW killed the 5th Bn CO and his executive officer (Capt, name unk) with a submachine gun and fired a signal flare for the Bn to retreat. He then surrendered to UN forces.
4. KNOWLEDGE OF OTHER UNITS:While enroute to HYESANJIN PW heard a conversation between the Bn commander and his executive officer stating that a NK unit comprised of Rcts had already entered CHAN PAEK HYON (長白縣), MANCHURIA through HYESANJIN to receive military training. (Designation and size of unit unknown.)
5. ORGANIZATION:The 507th Unit comprised 5 Inf Bns (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th). Each Bn comprised 3 Inf Cos, a HMG Co, a Communications Plat, an anti-tank Plat and a 45mm Arty Plat.
Strength of the 507th Unit was estimated to be approx 3,500 men. Commanded by a Colonel (name unknown).
The 507th Unit HQs and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Bns were last seen at KILCHU 6 Oct 50. While at TANCHON the 5th Bn was equipped with two 45mm Arty guns, 4 HMGs, 2 trucks and 7-8/82mm mortars.
Prior to retreating north from TANCHON the Bn had lost 2/3 of the original strength and all of the above equipment. The Bn strength when PW deserted was down to 165 men (observed Bn CO’s daily casualty report addressed to army HQs at KAPSAN). (Obs 17 Nov 50)
6. CODE NUMBER:The following ware the 5th Bn’s flare signals used while engaged in battle at MAEDONGYON area (fired by flare pistols).
1. One White -- Caution! Large enemy concentration ahead
2. Two White -- Retreat!
3. One Blue -- Assemble at Bn HQs
4. Two Blue -- Enemy tank in sight
5. Three Blue -- Fight to death
PW states that the above signals ware changed quite frequently.
For the AC of S, G-2:
TEN EYCK/SHORT
