ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2378 27 November 1950
FIELD REPORT (521 - MISD - 0282) 22 November 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KIM San Bong (金相鳳) (김상봉) |
| PW NO: | 475 |
| RANK: | Pfc (兵士) |
| DUTY: | Gunner |
| UNIT: | 524th Unit, 30th AAA Machine Gun Bn, 2nd Co, 2nd Plat |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | HONGGUN (洪君) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 16 Nov 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | PYONGAN NAMDO, PYONGWON-KUN, PYONGWON-MYON PYONG-NI (平南道 平原郡 平原面 芙茖里) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same |
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Physical Condition: Good
Length of Service: 2½ months
Reliability: Good
PW was very cooperative. He is somewhat emotional and immature, but his sincerity cannot be doubted.
During PW's school days, he organized a secret group consisting of 28 members, which called themselves the "Anti-Communist Group." Their main purpose was to make their school democratic. At this school, as well as in other schools, all students were forced to join a communistic political group (民靑 团体). PW was leader of the anti-communist group which secretly met at a restaurant. Here he told what he had heard from his uncle, who was democratically inclined, and who was later thrown into prison. He also related what he had heard secretly over the SEOUL radio.
The members of this secret group were respected by many other students. They were mainly political leaders of democratic ideology at the school. They were encouraged in their belief by an English speaking teacher (Korean) named KIM Myu Shi (金潤植).
Consequently, there were but 10 students of this school who actually joined the Communist Party. This secret group conducted a pol among the students of the school, and learned that one-third of the students were pro-Communists, one-third anti-Communists and one-third neutral.
Upon being inducted, PW and three others were instructed by their teacher, KIM Hyu Shi to gather as much information as possible and do whatever they could that would be detrimental to the NKA.
Thus, all through PW’s military service, he tried hard to gather and record information about the NKA. These records he turned over to the UN capturing unit when he surrendered.
PW stated that he brought back with him 4 others whom he has influenced, together with three Russian made PPSH machine guns and two rifles. PW added that he is willing and eager to cooperate with the ROK in unifying KOREA.
3. MILITARY HISTORY:o/a 7 Jul 50 - PW and 500 other students from PYONGWON (平原) Higher Middle School (高級中學校) were given military physical examinations. PYONGWON was originally named YONGYU (永柔). PW and 300 others deserted prior to induction. The remaining 200 students were sent to WONSAN (元山). It was later rumored that the majority of these also deserted. only 30 of them actually reaching WONSAN.
30 Jul 50 - PW was captured by his school teacher and taken to his school where 37 others were assembled and guarded by a Security Force (Name unk) Jr Lt. This group of students was sent to SUKCHON (肅川) by truck to receive physical examinations.
31 Jul 50 - PW and 49 other students were sent to PYONGYANG (平壤) by truck.
1 Aug 50 - PW and 20 others were assigned to 524th Unit, 30 AAMG Bn. PW was assigned to 2nd Co, 2nd Plat. The remaining students were assigned to other units in the PYONGYANG area. PW received a uniform. PW attended classes on antiaircraft machine gun for about a month and a half.
o/a 15 Sep 50 - PW and 150 others, mainly gunners and squad leaders, went to OPPA (漁波) (located between. SUNAN (順安) and SUKCHON) to obtain thirty-six 12.7mm Russian made antiaircraft machine guns (1938 model "CHECHAROBU SHUPAKIN" Phonetic). PW observed 200 or 300 of these guns disassembled in crates. AAMG units in this area were all here to obtain these guns (Hearsay).
o/a 18 Sep 50 - 36 guns were completely assembled on a hill located just south of SOPO (西浦) RR Station (10 km N of PYONGYANG).
19 Sep 50 - 130 men from the 30th AAMG Bn (half of the strength) left SOPO on ten trucks (together with food, 225 boxes of ammunition, and the antiaircraft guns. The remaining troops (approximately 150) were ordered to follow by first available transportation.
o/a 1 Oct 50 - The convey arrived at HAMHUNG (咸興). 16 machine guns and 60 men were unloaded, The remaining troops and supplies were transferred to a train.
10 Oct 50 - The party arrived at TANCHON (端川). 12 machine guns and 45 men (1st Co) were transferred to a train going to CHONGJIN (淸津). PW heard from the men at they were going just NW of CHONGJIN to defend the hydro-electric power plants. PW and approximately 30 others continued their trip to HONGGUN (洪君).
o/a 15 Oct 50 - Arrived at HONGGUN. They unloaded two machine guns and installed them in the mountains near #1 hydro-electric power plant (2 Sqd from 2nd Plat, 2nd Co). On the same day two guns were installed at KOOONG (古城) #2 power plant, two at SANNON (上農) and two at TANCHON #4 power plant, PW and 9 others were stationed at TANCHON. The Co commander was also with them.
o/a 22 Oct 50 - The guns were removed, loaded on hand-carts, and pulled by the men toward HONGGUN by order of the CO. After pulling the carts for 12 km, CO, upon hearing of the approach of UN Troops ordered the firing pins to be removed from the guns and the guns abandoned.
o/a 24 Oct 50 - Group arrived at HONGGUN and found the 2nd and 3d Plat of the 2nd Co already assembled at #1 power plant.
o/a 25 Oct 50 - The two Plats started to retreat taking along with them 4 machine guns (o/a 23 Oct 50, the machine guns at #2 and #3 power plant were removed and brought to #1 and #4 bringing the total at these plants to four).
o/a 26 Oct 50 - Due to the weight of the guns, the troops were no longer able to carry them. All four guns were hidden in the woods approximately 24 km South of KAPSAN (甲山).
o/a 27 Oct 50 - The 2d and 3rd platoons arrived at KAPSAN.
o/a 28 Oct 50 - Left for HYESANJIN (惠山鎭) to receive orders from higher headquarters.
o/a 30 Oct 50 - The platoons arrived at HYESANJIN. PW saw numerous stragglers walking toward HYESANJIN. HYESANJIN was filled with military personnel. The prices of commodities were 20 times as high as in the other parts of the country due to the heavy demand.
o/a 31 Oct 50 - 30 men from PW’s Company and 10 other recruits left HYESANJIN on foot for the front lines. Recruits were unarmed but the others each had a rifle with 170 rounds (16-PPSH submachine guns included with 72 rounds each). This group was headed by the 2d Co CO and accompanied by a sanitary inspector (Lt), a political leader (Lt) (民靑 指導員), and a supply officer (Jr Lt) (準備課長).
o/a 2 Nov 50 - This group arrived at KAPSAN. From HYESANJIN to KAPSAN, the road was filled with stragglers going North. Every house in KAPSAN was filled with military personnel.
The officers reported to the KAPSAN-KUN Communist Headquarters (甲山郡 共産黨 本部) and received orders to send the men to the front whether trained or not, and whether armed or unarmed. This group left for the front.
o/a 4 Nov 50 - The group arrived at SAMNAM (三南) (24 km South of KAPSAN) and reported to the Front Line #1 Headquarters (防衛司今部). Since this Headquarters was within the range of UN fire, the commander of the Front Line #1, Defense Headquarters picked 13 men out of this group including PW, and left for a small five-house village located 2 km SE of KAPSAN where his new headquarters was to be established. That night, a house was confiscated and telephone lines were laid to the front lines. PW and the 12 others were assigned as headquarters guards. The remaining men were sent to the front. One men was selected as the commander’s personal orderly.
9-12 Nov 50 - PW and 12 others went to get the machine guns abandoned in the woods prior to their arrival at HESANJIN.
13 Nov 50 - Returned to headquarters with the machine guns. That night, they heard from Headquarters guards toot the commander had left for KANGGYE (江界).
14 Nov 50 - PW and 15 others were told by the remaining officers to take the machine guns to HYESANJIN. When this group arrived at KAPSAN, they received a telephone call cancelling their orders. They were ordered to return with two machine guns to the front and to fight. PW and six others, (two of them Communists) left for the front 3 km South of KAPSAN, when the two communists went into a civilian house to rest, PW and the four others deserted.
16 Nov 50 - PW and four others surrendered to a UN patrol at HONGGUN.
4. PERSONALITIES:KIM Um So (金應諸) (김응서), Lt, 25, Political Leader (民靑 指導負).
Km Song Tek (金撰澤) (김선택), Jr Lt, 28, Supply Officer (準備课長).
YUNG Kyu Sam (尹奎三) (윤규삼), Lt, 27, 524 Unit 30th AAA Bn 2nd Co CO.
CHE Un Nin (崔應仁) (최응인), Lt Col, 32, 524th Unit Commander, 30th Bn Commander.
5. CODE NUMBERS:524th Unit - Directly attached to Defense Department (民族 保街部).
6. ORGANIZATION:The 524th unit was directly attached to the Defense Department. Originally, this unit consisted only of one AAA machine gun battalion (30th AAA Machine Gun Bn). The strength was three companies, and each company had three Plats. Each platoon (22 men) consisted of 4 squads; one machine gun to each squad (5 men).
o/a 1 Sep 50, at PYONGYANG, another AAA machine gun Bn (31st) was organized, PW believes its strength was smaller than that of 30th Bn. At OPPA, the 31st Battalion received only 20 machine guns.
Primary mission of 30th Bn was to defend the electric power plants in HAMHUNG, PUNGSAN and CHONGJIN area. The 31st Bn was to defend the transformers, tunnels and railroad points in HAEJU (海州), HWANGJU, and PYONGYANG area.
PW believes the 524th Unit is no longer a fighting unit due to the loss of guns and leaders. (30th Bn CO was said to have deserted from his Bn at CHANGJIN Reservoir (長津) just before UN Troops landed at HAMHUNG.
7. CHARACTERISTIC OF 12.7mm AAA GUN:Caliber - 12.7mm.
Maximum range - at 45° angle 3,000 m.
Effective range - at 45° angle 1,000 m.
Type of ammo - 2 types (tracers and regular).
Purposes - To attack low flying fighters and paratroops, Regt'l and Bn guns, locomotives, vehicles, armored cars and troops.
Maximum rate of fire - Approx 300 rounds per minute.
Every 4th round - tracer.
Ammo case - 170 rounds (Russian letters written thereon).
Signt - Ring sights.
Total weight - 150 kg.
Crew - 5 men (sqd ldr gunner and 3 ammo bearers).
8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:o/a 15 Sep 50 - Approximately 200 - 300 of these AAA machine guns came by train from RUSSIA. PW heard his Bn Commander telling his Plat Ldr that there were 300 machine guns here. 110 were going to the ground forces and the remainder to the navy. With the exception of 56 guns taken by this 524th Unit, PW believes all were taken to defend SEOUL (京城) and INCHON (仁川). This gun was ineffective although he was told that this was one of the most effective weapons used to combat aircraft. PW never saw a plane shot down with this gun.
The Front Line #1 Defense Headquarters was the advance headquarters for the former HAMHUNG District Defense Headquarters which evacuated to HYESANJIN from HAMHUNG. It was attached to the NKA, or thought to be, because the highest ranking officer wore an NKA uniform, although there were also members of the Security Forces present. It appears that everything available was gathered together to make a delaying stand at this point under what remained of the ranking unit stationed at HAMHUNG. The Front Line #1 Headquarters or the headquarters evacuated from HAMIHUNG to HYESANJIN did not appear to be the Front Line Headquarters of the NKA.
Information obtained from the Front Line Defense #1 Headquarters in KAPSAN during the period 4 Nov 50 - 14 Nov 50.
The Headquarters was transferred to a small village 2 km SE of KAPSAN o/a 4 Nov 50. Three villagers’ houses were used as headquarters. This Headquarters consisted of Headquarters CO (Sr Col), Executive (Jr Lt), Operation Chief (Sr Lt), Operation Officer (Jr Lt) and some other unidentified officers and men.
Two telephone wires were laid from here to the front CP which at that tine was in SAMNAM (三南) (SANG-NI).
At this time, the units defending this area were the 588th, 568th, 507th, 401st, 1942nd, 249th and 294th. These units were supposedly either regiments or battalions. PW heard the Operations Chief say that the total strength of these units was not more than 1,000.
There were continuous complaints fron the front lines, but casualties were said to be very low during this period, When there was no more ammunition for the 82 mm guns, 40 mm guns were rushed from HYESANJIN. Morale was very low. PW heard the Headquarters Commander phone to a political leader in SANNAM to shoot the Commander of the 568th Unit (Regimental CO - Col) for missing a chance to fire on a UN convey which was within his unit's firing range. Later PW heard from this political leader that he had killed the commander and did not feel too good about. it because he was lower ranking than the commander.
PW also heard a report stating that one regimental commander was killed by one of his own officers who was believed to be anticommunist. This Jr Lt was immediately killed by an unknown higher ranking officer.
During this period, a Lt Col who was the culture chief of a Bn (文化部大隊長) and his staff, were also killed because they were considered responsible for the defeat.
o/a 13 Nov 50, the Headquarters Commander, before leaving for KANGGYE, gave orders to the front CP that they would be shot if they retreated again.
PW heard that all unarmed recruits in the HYESANJIN area would be sent to an unknown place in MANCHURIA to be trained until weapons arrive from RUSSIA.
PW overheard the staff say that GHQ was located in a small village near KANGGYE.
HYESANJIN:
When PW was at HYESANJIN o/a 31 Oct 50, he heard many stragglers making complaints about continuing this unnecessary war. Troops and stragglers had no weapons and they all seemed to be non battle tested troops. The estimated total strength at HYESANJIN was 10,000 to 20,000. Ammunition was supplied to the front lines thru HYESANJIN from RUSSIA by truck. Food was obtained from local self-government committees (地方 自治 委員會).
US PW: o/a 10 Nov 50, at SANNAM, one US soldier was captured with a jeep by the troops of 588th Regt. His personal possessions that had monetary value such as a ring, and a watch were taken, and he was shot. The jeep was used by the 588th Regt. This information was transmitted by telephone from the 588th CP to the Front Line headquarters CO and overheard by PAK Ki Ung his orderly.
SURRENDER LEAFLETS: 12 Nov 50 - 13 Nov 50 at KAPSAN Area, PW saw many UN leaflets. PW was happy to obtain one because this was what he needed to surrender to US troops.
For the AC of S, G-2:
SHORT
