ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3908 9 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MIDI 0318) 28 February 1951
| NAME: | YU Li (栮一) |
| AGE: | 30 yr |
| RANK: | Interpreter (2d Lt) |
| UNIT: | 42d Army, 125th Div, G-2 Recon Co |
| DUTY: | Interpreter |
| NATIONALITY: | Korean |
| OCCUPATION: | Office Worker |
| EDUCATION: | High School 2 yr |
| PLACE AND DATE CAPTURED, SURRENDERED: | PW surrendered to 27th BCB 260630 Feb 51 at SOGU (CS-885489) |
Although PW has limited service in CCF, he was cooperative and volunteerly gave all information about CCF. Information is considered reliable. Not recommended for further interrogation.
a. Brief Chronology:
Inducted 3 Sep 50 into the Recon Co, 125th Div, 42d Army at TIERI, MANCHURIA.
42d Army crossed YALU River from CHIAN 20 Oct 50. The army proceeded southward via MANPOJIN, KANGGYE, HUICHON, PUKCHANG-NI, SINCHANG-NI, ICHON, CHO■WON, CHIPO-RI (CT5323). 124th Div crossed 38th parallel in the lead with 125th and 126th Div following. 125th Div arrived TAEWANGDAE (CS829590) 20 Jan 51. The Div departed TAEWANGDAE 24 Jan and proceeded southward and arrived vicinity of MARYONG-NI (CS766504) where it relieved 124th Div, 23 Jan which moved back to CHUNGBANGDAE-RI (CS780678) as reserve. 125th Div CP advanced to KOKSU-RI (CS776414) and remained for 4 days. 26 Jan 51, when CP was forced to withdraw to TAEWANGDAE on account of the overwhelming UN pressure against 373rd Regt at TAEPYON-NI (CS803428), 374th Regt at CHIPYONG-NI (CS800478) and 375th at ■■DUN (CS841430).
The 375th Regt and 126th Div were left at YONGDU-RI to defend that area. 374th and 376th Regt of 125th Div, and 124th Div were ordered to cut off the road between WONJU and HOENGSONG. Upon arrival at KAGONG-NI (DS030355) 14 Feb, the units received approx 300 casualties from air and artillery bombardment. This caused the units to retreat to SANGDADUN (CS952429), where they arrived 15 Feb. The 124th Div remained here, and 125th Div proceeded southward, erecting CP at CHUNGGUHYON (CS943400). The 373d and 374th Regt further advanced to Hill 427.7 (CS928354). Here, the Regt engaged UN forces, however, the units were forced southward resisting on Hill 427.7 for 3 days. 18 Feb, while 373d, 374th Regt and the 125th Div HQ were retreating to CHUNGBANGDAE-RI (CS780678), his Recon Co was ordered to go to MORUN-NI (CS903524) arriving 9 Feb. After remaining here 6 days, the company was again ordered to report to CHUNGBANGDAE-RI where 125th Div located. 240300 Feb, PW deserted his Co while they were on their way. PW surrendered to 27th BCB at SOGU (CS885489) 260630 Feb 51.
b. Organization and Strength:
The 42d Army had 124th, 125th and 126th Div.
The 125th Div composed of 373d, 374th and the 375th Regt, Security Co, Recon Co, Signal Co, Medical Unit, NCO Training Unit and Hvy Weapons Bn.
The 125th Div Hq (Code: 81) was organized with Operation Sec, Intel Sec, Signal Sec, Supply Sec, Personal Sec and Mess Sec.
The 125th Div strength was approx 6,000 men: Div Hq 1200 men, 373d Regt 800 men, 374th Regt 1,000 men and 375th Regt was 1100 men.
c. Deployment of PW Own Unit:
23 Feb 51, PW learned from a written order received from Div CP that 125th Div CP, 373d Regt, 374th Regt and 1st Bn of 375th Regt were located at CHUNGBANGDAE-RI (CS780678). The 2d and 3d Bn of 375th Regt was on top of the ridge between NAERYON (CS885509) and MORUN-NI (CS903534). The 42d Army CP was at CHUNGBANGDAE-NI.
d. Deployment of Other Units:
24 Feb 51, heard from his CO that the 124th Div was in vicinity of CHUNGAN-NI (CS932542) and 126th Div was situated vic 4 km N of YONGDU-RI (CS894554). 12 Feb 51, heard from CO that 50th Army was deployed on extreme right of 42d Army, the 38th Army was deployed in between 50th Army and 42d Army. The V and II NK Corps were deployed on extreme left of 42d Army and the 66th Army was deployed between the 42d Army and the NK Corps.
e. Status of Arms, Ammunition:
The 125th Div had Hvy Mortars, 82mm Mortars, Bazookas, 60mm Mortars, HMG, LMG, Grease Guns and Rifles (M-1), Carbines and Jap M38 rifles.
The Recon Co had PPSH SMG, M-1 rifles and Carbines with an average of 100 rd per man. 30 rd to 50 rd of ammo last received 20 Jan 51, at KOKSU-RI (CS776414) but the source of supplies was unknown to PW. Ammunition was insufficient.
f. Status of Food and Clothing:
All the food of 125th Div was procured from Korean farmers. Fed on the average of twice daily, and amount is not enough.
All troops were issued a set of winter clothing prior to entering KOREA.
g. Mission and Intention:
Present intention of 42d Army was to increase strength and reorganize divisions in vic of CHUNGBANGDAE-NI (CS780678).
h. Personalities:
WANG (fnu) (王), age 35 yr, CG 125th Div
Div Political Instructor (Code Name: 40)
Asst Div CG Name Unk (Code Name: 50)
Chief of Staff of the 125th Div, Name Unk, Code Name: 60
Asst Chief of Staff Name Unk, Code Name: 70
Head of the Operation Sec, Name, WANG (王), age 33 yr
WANG (fun) (王), 33, Head of the Intel Sec (Code Name: 304)
JEN (fnu) (任), 32, Head of the Supply Sec
HAN (fnu) (韓), 27, Staff Member of the Intel Sec
CHO (fnu) (■), 31, 〃 〃 〃 〃 〃 〃
LIU (fnu) (刘), 34 〃 〃 〃 〃 〃 〃
LIU (fnu) (刘), 23 〃 〃 〃 〃 〃 〃
SUN (fnu) (孫), Intel Chief, 42d Army (killed at YANGDONG two weeks ago).
i. Morale:
Morale is low because food and ammo are insufficient, ten percent of 125th Div was suffering from frostbite and 70% of them were suffering from malnutrition. Majority of the troops feel that they are fighting a losing battle against UN forces.
j. Information on Armor, Eng, Arty & Other Special or Technical Info:
The 42d Army has 8th Artillery Div under it. Whenever the Army feels all or portion of this division is required to support any of the infantry divisions under it, it is dispatched for that purpose. Prior to crossing 38th parallel, PW 125th Div was supported by one regt of this arty div, which, with 23 pieces, were allotted 50 rd per gun for that one night’s firing. PW did not know the breakdown of Arty Div.
k. Any Significant Tactics of Warfare Employed by the Enemy:
The 124th and 125th Div mission were to cross HAN River in the following order:
All Inf Troops will walk across from vic SUCH’ON (CS784303) and WANGDAE-RI (CS772312). Non-combat troops will cross from vic YANGHWADONG (CS740347) by boats. All the tanks and vehicles were to cross from CHONYANG (CS710389) and CHOJU (CS799273). The above plan was formulated after detailed reconnaissance by the Recon Co Jan 51.
Sep 50, approx 700 Koreans who could speak Korean and Chinese languages conscripted into 42d Army as interpreter and liaison men.
There were approx 35 NKA troops attached to intel section of 42d Army for purposes of reconnaissance and liaison.
15 Nov 50, PW heard from his CO that an airfield is under construction in vicinity of KANGGYE.
232000 Feb, at MORUN-NI (CS903524), the intelligence chief called the Recon Co officers together to discuss following subjects:
“In order to reorganize 125th Div, all troops will withdraw to the rear and assemble at CHUNGBANGDAE-RI as quickly as possible, with exception of two bn of 275th Regt which will have to remain and defend an area 1 km SW of MORUN-NI until Div completes rearmament and reorganization.
The mission of 42d Army was to defend the northern sector of ASI-RI (CS894354).
Upon arrival of mechanized troops (incl tanks) the 4th general offensive will commence with strong air support. It is the responsibility of all officers and NCO to tell the above to all soldiers, since their morale is low and wonder why they have to keep withdrawing.
l. Propaganda:
PW picked up few surrender leaflets. Although superiors always told him that contents were lies and immediately upon capture he will be shot, PW and others formerly CNA watched for opportunity to desert.
m. Airfield in MANCHURIA:
Dec 1949, PW saw an airfield being constructed just east of HAIRARU (phonetic), with Russian officers supervising. Thousands of people were working there, which he heard will accommodate 2000 planes. No planes seen.
For the AC of S, G-2:
IIDA
