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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2791　3 January 1951

FIELD REPORT (164 MISDI - 1275)　1 December 1950

PW seemed very sincere. He speaks Japanese fairly well. The information, although limited, seems reliable.

Conscripted in the spring of 1947 (month and date, unk) into the Chinese Nationalist Army at SHENYANG (瀋陽), and assigned to the 53rd Army, 116th Div. Between the spring of 1947 until November 48, the PW was trained as a signal man.

In Nov 48, the 53rd Chinese Nationalist Army surrendered to the CCF without fighting, and the entire unit joined ranks with the CCF.

When the 53rd Nationalist Army was integrated into the CCF, the unit was broken up and the troops were dispersed into the various Armies of the CCF which were then in the process of being activated.

O/a Dec 48, the 40th Army (CCF) marched to PEKING (北京) to engage the CNA forces under the command of General FU, Tsu I (傅祚義), the Nationalist General who was then commanding an unknown CNA unit.

Feb 49 the 40th Army successfully destroyed the Nationalist forces opposing it. Between Feb 49 to Mar 49, the 40th Army did occupation duty at PEKING.

Mar 49 the 40th Army marched to HANKOW (漢口), arriving there in Jan 49.

From HANKOW the 40th Army pursued the CNA 125th, 48th and the 7th Armies to KWANTSOU (廣西) and KWANGSI where the 40th Army successfully captured the CNA 125th Army and most of the troops in the 7th and the 48th Armies.

The captured CNA troops were given a few weeks of communist indoctrination and were then conscripted into the CCF.

Dec 49 the 40th Army left KWANGSI and marched to PEI-HAI (北海) in preparation for an amphibious landing at Nationalist-held HAINAN Island. Between Dec 49 to Apr 50 the 40th Army was engaged in amphibious training at PEI-HAI.

Apr 50 the 40th Army made an amphibious landing on HAINAN Island jointly with another unknown CCF Army. They successfully defeated the Nationalist forces.

40th Army was at HAINAN Island being reorganized until Jun 50.

Jun 50 the 40th Army travelled by water to PEI-HAI, where they remained for two days in preparation for travel north.

40th Army marched from PEI-HAI to KWANGCHOU (廣州), arriving there Jul 50. At KWANGCHOU the 40th Army boarded trains and travelled for about 12 days prior to reaching ANTUNG o/a 6 Aug 50.

Upon arriving at ANTUNG each unit of the 40th Army was dispersed in the immediate vicinity of ANTUNG.

PW’s regt, the 359th Regt, was stationed at WU-LUNG-PEI (五龍背) (XE 1651), and the 40th Army Hq was believed to have been in ANTUNG.

The PW’s unit, the entire 40th Army, underwent mountain warfare training between 6 Aug 50 to 23 Oct 50.

On 23 Oct 50 the 359th Regt received orders to march into ANTUNG and to consolidate forces with other elements of the 40th Army in preparation for crossing the YALU River into KOREA.

On 24 Oct 50 at about 2300 hours, the 120th Div commenced to cross the YALU River into SINUIJU (XE 1835). By 2400 hours the crossing was completed.

The PW believed that the 118th and the 119th Divisions crossed the YALU River either before or after the 120th Division’s crossing.

After the crossing, the 120th Div marched to YONHA DONG (XE 2845). 25 Oct 50 the 120th Div marched by night, utilizing the highways and mountain trails, by-passing UIJU (XE 0305), and arrived at KUSONG (XE 9328), o/a 27 Oct 50.

From KUSONG the 120th Div marched by night, in files of two, utilizing mountain trails and the highway, by-passing TAECHON (YE 1322) and arrived at UNSAN (YE 3928) o/a 29 Oct 50.

30 Oct 50 the 359th Regt of the 120th Div marched 12 km west of UNSAN (place name unknown), where it was met and engaged in a firefight until 3 Nov 50. On 3 Nov 50 UN forces withdrew, and the 359th CCF Regt advanced 16 km southeast to an unknown location.

Between 30 Oct 50 to 3 Nov 50 the 359th Regt suffered heavy casualties (an estimation was not available).

O/a 5 Nov 50 the 359th Regt retreated to UNSAN (Reason, unk). Between 5 Nov 50 to 25 Nov 50 the 359th Regt was at UNSAN for regrouping and re-equipping.

25 Nov 50 the PW heard that one regt of the 120th Div was in the northern outskirts and another regt, also of the 120th Div, was in the southern sector of UNSAN.

At 1500 hours on 25 Nov 50, the 359th Regt received orders to advance to KUJANGDONG (BV 4518). The unit moved under cover of darkness, utilizing mountain trails, and arrived at the CHONGCHON River at 2400 hours of the same day.

Although the PW had not seen the 358th and the 360th Regts, he believed that they were in the rear of his regt; it was believed that his regt, the 359th Regt, was the advance force of the 120th Div.

Upon arriving at the CHONGCHON River, the troops of the 359th Regt undressed until they were completely nude and waded across the river in waist-deep water. This crossing was completed at 0030 hours on 26 Nov 50.

After establishing a beach-head, their movement was discovered by UN forces.

On 27 Nov 50 the PW and 20 others were taken prisoners when US forces, lead by tanks, counter-attacked.

The 40th Army consisted of approximately 30,000 troops and was composed of the 118th, 119th and the 120th Divisions.

Each Div was composed of approx 10,000 troops.

The following units were attached directly to each Division Headquarters:

Each Division was composed of 3 Inf Regts of approx 3,000 men each.

Inf Regts of the 118th Div were 352nd, 353rd and the 354th Inf Regts.

The Inf Regts of the 119th Div were 355th, 356th and the 357th Inf Regts.

The Inf Regts of the 120th Div were 358th, 359th and the 360th Inf Regts.

The following units were directly attached to each Infantry Regt:

Troops in the Recon Section usually donned civilian clothes to facilitate movement in enemy territory.

Each Infantry Regt was composed of 3 Rifle Bns, averaging from 700 to 800 troops each.

The following units were attached directly to Bn Hq:

In each Inf Bn there were 3 Rifle Cos of 200 men each.

Each Rifle Co was composed of 3 Rifle Plats and 1 60mm Mortar Plat.

Each Rifle Plat was armed with either 3 Cal .30 US Automatic Rifles or 3 Jap 7.65 LMG’s.

A SCHEMATIC DRAWING OF THE 40th ARMY ORGANIZATION FOLLOWS ON THE NEXT PAGE.

On 27 Nov 50 the 359th Regt secured both hills overlooking KUJANGDONG which was its original mission. From both of these hills the 359th Regt was to attempt to lay protective fire for the 358th and the 360th Regts which were also to cross the CHONGCHON River in KUJANG-DONG.

Up to 25 Nov 50 the 120th Div Hq was located at the base of the highest mountain 8 kms Northwest of UNSAN. Several farm houses were utilized as the Div C.P.

When departing UNSAN for KUJANGDONG on 25 Nov 50, each soldier was issued 5 days ration, consisting of corn and millet. At this time they were also issued 100 rounds of small arms ammo each.

359th Regt received most of its ammo and food supply from the Div Hq at UNSAN. Ammunition was transported to the unit by means of pack horses or trucks operating under cover of darkness.

The CCF troops have been thoroughly trained in night warfare.

During night attacks, the troops were ordered never to use their rifles unless the situation really demanded it. The troops are trained to sneak up as close as possible to UN forces and to use grenades in order that their positions may not be exposed.

During a night attack, a detail of troops are employed to draw fire from UN positions; meanwhile, the rest of the unit is maneuvered to within grenade-throwing distance of the UN forces who have exposed their positions by firing.

Communications between Company to Battalion was by runners or bugle calls.

Between Bn and Regt, communications usually by field telephones or runners.

Between Regt and Division, wireless and mounted (horse) messengers are employed.

Bugle calls, a burst of several shots, whistles, and flares are usually employed for tactical purposes.

Morale among the troops was very low because of the lack of food and medical care, fatigue, lack of clothing, and constant air attacks.

To each CCF company one NK interpreter was attached. These North Koreans were with the CCF prior to the crossing of the YALU River.

The PW believes that the CCF 40th Army is operating independently.

BREAKDOWN OF THE 40th CCF ARMY

NOTE:

? Strength Unknown

Rocket - 2.5 Bazooka (some units were issued captured 3.5 Bazookas)

Each Rifle Sqd armed with a Jap LMG or Browning Automatic Rifle

Div Med Bn is a Field Hospital

Regt - Approx 3,000 Troops

Div - Approx 10,000 Troops

Army - Approx 30,000 Troops

Prior to departing for KOREA, the troops were told that their mission was to liberate all of KOREA. The 40th Army’s mission is to wage offensive mountain warfare.

No armored vehicles were observed with the CCF when crossing the YALU River.

The PW is not a volunteer for service in KOREA. The 40th Army was called a volunteer unit, although the troops did not volunteer.

No instructions had been given to the PW to appear to be a volunteer in the event of capture.

One Japanese doctor was observed with the 40th Army at ANTUNG. A large number of Japanese held in MANCHURIA are technicians employed in factories and armament plants under the control of the CCF.

Prior to entering KOREA the 40th Army was at ANTUNG.

For the AC of S, G-2: