ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3893 7 March 1951
The following information was obtained from recovered American military personnel, who were interrogated upon arrival in JAPAN from KOREA by Central Interrogation Center, TIS. The interrogation was conducted at Tokyo Army Hospital Annex by Capt SHAPPELL.
A convoy from the 38th Inf encountered a road block near PYONGANGNI on 12 Feb 51 and in the ensuing fire fight seventy two (72) men escaped into the mountains. This group was pursued and in a fight which lasted until the morning of 13 Feb all but sixteen men were killed. These sixteen successfully disengaged and made their way further into the mountains. Two civilians, thought to be S Koreas, were met and directed the group in a direction which brought them into contact with N Korean guerrilla forces. In this fight, all but the source and Pfc HANRICK, Co M 38th Inf were killed.
The guerrillas, approximately seventy five in number, took all personal possessions such as cigarette lighters, pens, pencils and military payment scrip. Socks, wool shirt and trousers, gloves, field jackets, pile liners and shoes were taken. Fatigue shirt and trousers were given in exchange. Both men were severely beaten while their clothing was taken.
The leader of the guerrillas then asked them whether they were medics and what division they were from. He next wanted to know where the Div was, what weapons it had and whether any other Americans were in the mountains. These questions were asked every day.
From 13 Feb until their release six days later, source and HANRICK were held in this spot without shelter of any kind and received no food or water. They were constantly watched by two guards while the main force searched the mountains.
On 19 Feb, the guerrilla leader observed that the prisoners were weak, tired and had frostbitten feet. He told them to leave in a certain direction and when they had moved about one hundred yerds, the guerrillas began firing at them. The two sought shelter behind rocks until the firing stopped. At dusk, a civilian was encountered who guided them to the lines of Co C of the 187th Airborne Regt.
During a heavy engagement on 12 Feb 51, near a village thought to be PUNG SU WON, Battery A was ordered to withdraw in order to avoid being surrounded. Enemy fire was continuous, resulting in many casualties so the order was given to escape individually. Source, accompanied by M/Sgt Knight and 2nd Lt Pert, escaped into the mountains. When the summit was reached, men from the 15th Field Artillery, 82nd AAA, 503rd FA Bn and infantrymen were already there. This sizeable group, whose approximate number was difficult to estimate, began moving South and met several S Korean soldiers who had a radio transmitting set. Source personally tried to contact friendly forces but was unable to do so. He then decided to go back behind enemy lines, rear West and then South. He adopted this line of reasoning because he felt that since the enemy knew where the Americans were at the moment they would search for them in the near future but would not suspect their presence behind enemy lines.
Source was joined at this point by the following men; names and Serial Numbers were written down while behind enemy lines at the request of source:
M/Sgt HENRY E. HAMMOND, RA6294292, Btry C 15 FA
Cpl JAMES R. MARTIN, RA18339616, 82nd AAA
Pfc JEFF CRANSHAW, RA34470790, 503rd FA Bn
Pfc JOHN L. HEAD, ER52032736, Btry A 503rd FA Bn
Pvt TRAVE ROSIER, ER44116505, 503rd FA Bn
Pvt LEWIS HEISEL, RA15297250, 503rd FA Bn
Pvt GENE COX, ER55740118
Pvt FRANK WERLEY, RA14366839, Btry A 503rd FA Bn
This group began making their way North for several days, then moved West and South until being discovered by friendly aircraft and evacuated by helicopter on 21 Feb 1951.
At no time was this group in area which was free of enemy troops, and every evening the enemy was heard marching, singing and moving supplies. The mountains through which the group travelled were honeycombed with foxholes, pits and squad type trenches. Many were observed having connecting telephone lines. Source noted that the enemy often transported supplies over mountains instead of utilizing the roads. On or about 16 Feb 51, a large troop movement was observed moving South. Observation was made all day and source estimates 50,000 troops may have been involved.
Source’s group always travelled at night and slept during the day. The highest point of commanding ground was used and all approaches were guarded during the day. Guards, relieved every hour, were posted during the day. A point was always sent out during night marches. Every man in the group always knew any plans which were made. About the third day, while source was acting as the point, CRANSHAW, HEISEL and HEAD left the group, saying they were going down into a village. Theses men were never seen again.
To avoid frostbite, the men took off one shoe at a time and rubbed their feet. Source ripped the legs from his underwear and fashioned an extra pair of socks. Until being rescued the only food eaten was a few rice balls taken from the packs of dead Chinese. Snow was eaten to relieve thirst.
On 19 Feb 51, source was accosted by a soldier thought to be a N Korea, held at gun point for several hours, but escaped under cover of darkness. This was witnessed by M/Sgt HAMMOND. After escaping, source joined his group and continued wandering until 21 Feb 50 when they were recognized by friendly air, and source, Pvt COX and Pvt ROSIER were evacuated by two helicopters. These planes returned immediately to pick up M/Sgt HAMMOND, Cpl MARTIN and Pvt WERLEY
For the CO, TIS:
WEELDREYER
