ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3349 14 February 1951
FIELD REPORT (2 Div - LDI - 0102) 2 February 1951
| PW NAME: | LEE, Zai Yong (30) |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | CCF 42nd Army, 125th Div, 373rd Regt, 2nd Bn, 4th Co |
| DATE & PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 1 Feb 51 at Hill 453 |
| INTERROGATED BY: | Cpl HAMAMOTO |
Through PW was suffering from a leg wound, he was cooperative; however, because of the short time that he has been in the Army, information was limited.
While engaged in battle on 1 Feb 51, PW was wounded at Hill 453 and captured.
a. Unit Location:
After their attack was repulsed, PW believes that 373rd Regt retreated back to where they were prior to attacking the UN Forces at Hill 453. PW believes that they are still there. (A small village located approx 28 km N of Hill 453.) Strength of the 373rd Regt was estimated by PW was being approx 700 to 800 men. PW thinks that 80 to 90 wounded were evacuated during battle to where the Regt retreated.
b. Supply:
During the 20 days the 373rd Regt was at this small village located approx 28 km N of Hill 453 prior to their attack, they received food (30,000 bags of unpolished rice, 100 lbs each), clothing, and ammo (ammount u/k). Heard from Bn CO that supplies were transported by train to CHUNCHON (CS9490), from place u/k. PW received new issue of clothing including shoes which he states came from CHINA. Also heard during this time that the 373rd Regt objective was PONDO-RI (CS7428).
c. Unit Organization and Strength:
When at TOKCHON, Co CO told them 42nd Army consisted of 124th, 125th and 126th Div. 42nd Army’s objective was to reach HAN River by 20 Feb 51.
O/a 2 Dec 50, 125th Div Hq left TOKCHON but, 373rd Regt departed this area one week later (reason for this unk). 124th Div left TOKCHON o/n 25 Nov 51. Objective of this unit unk. 126th Div movements unk.
125th Div strength estimated at 10,000 men. This Div consisted of the 373rd, 374th, 375th and an Arty Regt. PW saw 6 to 7 mountain Arty pieces size unit unk in this Arty Regt which at present is believed to be together with the 373rd Regt.
d. Weapons:
2nd Bn, 373rd Regt: 2 mortars (Jap made), 9 small mortars (Jap made), 5 HMG, 20 LMG, M-1 rifles, 1 fn ea sqd. Most soldiers carried Japanese model 99 and 38 rifles. 160 rd of mortar ammo were carried on 5 horses, and each rifleman had 40 to 50 rd of ammo.
e. Clothing:
Winter clothing is worn by every man.
f. Medical:
Observed nor heard of any contagious diseases.
g. Morale:
Morale is low due to the small amount of rice rationed to each man and also because they were doubtful of winning the war although their leaders are constantly telling them they will.
For the AC of S, G-2:
OJI
