ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2881 16 January 1951
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS FWD #1 - 0311) 13 January 1951
| PW NAME: | CHANG, Sok Chang (張錫昌) |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| AGE: | 26 |
| DUTY: | Ammo bearer |
| UNIT: | NKA 6th Div, 15th Regt, 2nd Bn, HMG Co |
| EDUCATION: | None |
| OCCUPATION: | Tailor |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | WONJU (原 州) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 7 Jan 51 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | CHUGCHONG NAMDO, HONGSONG-GUN, UNHAE MYON (忠淸南道 洪城郡 銀海面) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | KYONGGI-DO, INCHON, TOHWADONG #219 (京畿道 仁川市 道和洞 219) |
| INTERROGATOR: | Cpl F. MIYOSHI (ATIS) |
Informant was cooperative and willing to give information. Information fairly reliable.
Chronology:
25 Jul 50 - Conscripted at INCH’ON (仁川) and marched during the night taking cover in the daylight hours.
25 Aug 50 - 200 men arrived at SOPUKSAN mountain via TAEJON (大田) and small villages in the mountains. 300 men of the original 500 either deserted or were stragglers. PW was assigned 6th Div, 15th Regt, 2nd Bn, HMG Co. Rest of the men were also assigned to elements of 6th Division which had defensive positions established in the mountain.
25 Sep 50 - 6th Division was forced to retreat from SOPUKSAN due to advancement of UN forces.
Nov 50 - 15th Regt (code 661) arrived at CHAKANGDO (慈江道), CHASONG KANGGYE (慈城 江界地方) area. Upon arrival the 659th and 657th Regt of 6th Division was also located in the same vicinity. 15th Regt assimilated stragglers of other units (percentage of replacement unknown). Rested for 10 days.
25 Nov 50 - 1st and 2nd Bn departed CHAKANGDO.
28 Nov 50- The two battalions arrived at a village located approx 40 km West of CHAKANGDO. 1st and 2d Bn were provided with winter clothing and rifles. They were also issued the clothing of the 3rd Bn.
5 Dec 50 - 1st and 2nd Bn of the 15th Regt (Code No 661), 6th Division arrived at a village (somewhere South of the village 40 km West of CHAKANGDO) where they contacted the 3rd Bn of 15th Regt and gave the winter clothing to them. Meanwhile disposition of other regiments of the 6th Division was unknown.
7 Jan 51 - 2nd Bn arrived at WONJU (原州) via ICHON (仁川), PYONGGANG (平康), KUMHWA (金化), and HWACHON (華川). Upon entering WONJU, 2nd Bn received opposition from UN forces, therefore, 2nd Bn was forced to retreat. PW and 26 men were captured by UN forces. Disposition of the 1st and 3rd Bns was unknown.
Unit Organization and Strength:
| Organization breakdown | Original strength | Date | Present strength | Date |
| 15th Regt (code 661) | 700 | 25 Sep 50 | 1,000 | 7 Jan 51 |
| 2nd Bn (15th Regt) | Unknown | 25 Sep 50 | 250 | 7 Jan 51 |
| HMG Company | 35 | 25 Sep 50 | 50 | 7 Jan 51 |
Equipment:
2nd Battalion:
2 Soviet 82mm M1941 Bn Mortars
4 HMGs
3 Soviet 7.62mm DP LMGs
10 Soviet SMGs
1 Telephone
Unit Duties:
PW stated orders of the 6th Division were to break through behind UN forces and block the bypass of troops while the CCF units pushed from the front. They were also to set up as guerrillas and occupy villages where strength of the UN forces were inadequate. PW stated the above-mentioned orders which company commanders gave to the men were not carried out due to the strong opposition from UN forces at WONJU. Each man was issued 50 rds and the HMG’s were issued 500 rds. No resupply of ammo. HMG and mortars were carried by men while moving. Food was confiscated from villages and the men carried about four days ration of food.
Communication:
Communication was by telephones between Division, Regiment, and Battalion, and runners were used between Battalion and Companies.
Morale:
Morale of the men was low due to lack of military training and exposure to the cold.
Did you surrender voluntarily? If so, why?
Answer: No.
Did you see any United Nation leaflets or hear any loudspeaker broadcasts?
Answer: PW observed leaflet around Oct 50.
Can you describe what they said?
Answer: If you bring this leaflet and give up, we will treat you fairly.
What was your reaction then?
Answer: PW wanted to give up, however, he was afraid he may be killed by his officers.
For the Commanding Officer:
BATEMAN
