ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3860 8 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MIDI 0263) 8 February 1951
| NAME: | CHANG Pan Soon (銭柏膆) (CCF) |
| AGE: | 25 yr |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| UNIT: | 50th Army (Code Name: LIANG SHAN PU (■三部)), 150th Div (Code Name: 3rd Bn), 449th Regt (Code Name: 2nd Co), 3rd Bn, 8th Co, 3rd Plat, 7th Sqd. |
| DUTY: | Asst Sqd Ldr |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School 4 yr |
| DATE & PLACE OF CAPTURE: | (CS427350), 050600 Feb 51 |
Very cooperative, information considered fairly reliable. Unobservant as to routes taken. Not recommended for further interrogation.
a. Chronology:
449th Regt crossed the YALU River over the ANTUNG-SINUIJU bridge by rail about 4 months ago; 448 and 450 crossed about two days before. Unit arrived at CHARYONGWAN on the same day. Here the unit deployed by companies at a mountain in the vicinity of CHARYONGWAN (XE4513). After about 4 days 449th Regt reassembled and returned to SINUIJU. After approx 20 days the unit marched to vicinity of (CS427350) 4 Feb 51 via CHARYONGWAN and SEOUL. Crossed the HAN River at a place believed to be at (CS326525) about a month ago. Regt had engaged in two battles since crossing the YALU River. The first battle location was unknown to PW, but the second was at the place of his capture (CS427350).
4 Feb 51, Plat of two squads was called to the front line from the reserve area. PW was asst sqd ldr of one of the (8 men) squads. When the platoon arrived at the front line (CS427350) CCF and UN forces were already engaged in a fire fight. After engaging for approx 6 hours PW was ordered by the plat ldr to withdraw to his rear. However, instead of withdrawing with his Plat, deserted and surrendered.
b. Organization and Strength (Present):
150th Div composed 448th, 449th and 150th Regt.
449th Regt had 3 inf bn, engr co, signal co, and an arty co. The original strength of the Regt, when crossing the YALU River was 2,500 to 3,000 men; however at present, only 1,000. The decrease in strength was caused mostly by arty and frostbite.
3rd Bn had 7th, 8th, 9th, rifle co and a Heavy Weapons Co. The original strength of the Bn was 500 men, but at present about 300 men.
The 8th Co had 3 platoons and a 60mm Mortar Sqd. Present strength about 70 men, while originally it was 120 men.
Present average Co strength of 449th Regt was about 70 men.
c. Deployment of PW Own Unit:
Prior to PW surrender the 3rd Bn CP was located approx 3 km N of (CS427350).
8th Co CP was established approx 2 km N of (CS427350).
The 1st Bn CP was near (CS427350); exact location unk.
d. Status of Arms, Ammo and Equipment:
8 Feb 51 prior to his surrender, the 8th Co was armed with 2 x 60mm Mortars with 10 shells each; HMG with 2,000 rd; 5 LMG with 500 rd each; 7 US SMG M-2 with 80 rd each; 30 rifles with 70 rd each; 3 pistols with 20 rd each; 6 dynamite explosives (3 kilograms); 200 grenades, and 2 Antitank Mines.
Heavy Weapons Co had 6 x 82mm Mortars with 20 shells each and 10 rifles, 70 rd each. Originally, the Heavy Weapons Co had four HMG, but these were all distributed to the Rifle Co.
No ammo or weapon supply was received after crossing the YALU River.
e. Status of Food and Clothing:
Food supply was foraged from villagers. PW received an average of two meals a day.
No clothing issue was received since crossing the YALU River four months ago. However, 31 Jan 51, 449th Regt troops received new canvas shoes.
f. Mission and Intentions:
Mission of 449th Regt was unknown but he was told by Co Comdr to defend the (CS427350) area and to repel all UN Forces approaching the area.
g. Personalities:
WONG Tu Su (文興樹), 36 yr, 3rd Plat Ldr.
h. Medical:
Not aware of any epidemic diseases in his Co, Or in other units of the 449th Regt. Although cold weather prevailed, the troops in his Co were generally in good physical condition.
i. Propaganda:
Majority of the troops in PW Co at one time or another, picked up UN Leaflets. After reading the leaflet, troops intended to desert but did not have the opportunity to do so.
j. Enemy and UN Air:
Did not know why his unit had no air support. He does not know whether air support may be expected in the future.
All troops in 449th Regt were afraid of UN air strikes, because of the severe bombardments. However, there were no casualties in his Co due to UN air strikes since all troops hid themselves in their foxholes when aircraft were sighted.
For the AC of S, G-2:
YAMADA
