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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 917　9 September 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0702)　3 September 1950

PW fairly intelligent. Talked freely. Information limited due to his brief service with the 1st Div.

Date inducted: 12 Jul 49, MUKDEN, MANCHURIA.

Training: PW assigned to the 2nd Bn, 497th Regt, 166th Div, composed entirely of Koreans, at MUKDEN, MANCHURIA, Activation date of Div, unknown. Div was fully organized (less artillery units) and armed with Jap M99 rifles, US SMG’s, Jap HMG’s, US 60-mm and 81-mm Mortars. Designation of other 2 regts, unknown.

O/a 21 Jul 49, 166th Div departed by rail for an undisclosed destination.

o/a 22 Jul 49, 166th Div detrained at SINUIJU (新義州). There was no talk of war at this time and PW assumed that the primary mission of the 166th Div was to reinforce the N. Korean units on the 38° Parallel.

Sep 49, 166th Div redesignated the 6th Div. 497th Regt redesignated the 14th Regt. New designations of other two regts, unknown. An artillery regt was also organized at this time (hearsay). Whole division relieved of all weapons brought from MANCHURIA. Disposition of weapons, unknown.

6th Div received a steady flow of new Russian weapons, including 76-mm Field Guns and 120-mm Mortars as of Sep 49, and at the time of PW's departure from SINUIJU, 6th Div was fully armed.

Mar 50, 14th Regt departed rail for undisclosed destination. After a 24-hour train ride, troops detrained at KUMCH’ON (金川) and marched to SIBYON-Ni (市邊里). 14th Regt integrated into the 1st Div and redesignated 1st Regt. 1st Div Hqs and its 2nd Regt stationed at NAMCH’ON (南川); 3rd Regt at KUMCH’ON.

1st Regt mostly engaged in construction of wooden barracks just outside SIBYON-Ni.

Apr 50, PW hospitalized in the regtl hospital at SIBYON-Ni, for intestinal disorder.

16 Jun 50, 1st Regt departed SIBYON-Ni and with rest of the 1st Div, moved up to the 38° parallel (hearsay). PW remained at the regtl reconditioning camp with 35 other patients.

20 Aug 50, PW and 11 others deparated SIBYON-Ni by truck.

25 Aug 50, detrucked 2 km NW of MASI-DONG. Route taken by group; SEOUL, CH’UNGJU (忠州), SANGJU (尙州), NAKTONG-Ni (洛東里), PIAN, KUNWI (軍威).

Almost all highway bridges were impassable, between SEOUL and KUNWI. By-passes (rook and gravel causeways) constructed at all such points. By-passes passable by tanks. PW's truck was ferried only at the HAN River just S. of SEOUL. River barges (capacity 1 heavy truck) operated by civilians were utilized. Highway between SEOUL and KUNWI was in good conditions, passable by both truck and tanks.

PW and companions escorted by the regtl Sgt Major to the 1st Regt Hq located approx 2 km E of MASI-DONG. PW observed only one tent, in a narrow valley, which was reportedly occupied by the Regtl Chief of staff. Two parallel telephone communication wires led into tent. PW remained at the Regtl Hq for a day, during which time, neither the Regt CO nor his C/S made an appearance.

26 Aug 50, PW and 4 others escorted by a regtl runner to 4th Co, 2nd Bn which was deployed on Hill 558, approx 2 km S of MASI-DONG. Remnants of the 5th and 6th Cos were at this time defending Hill 300, approx 300m NNW of Hill 558. 1st Regt had just been pushed back 4 km, by counterattacking ROK forces, suffering casualties of over 400 killed and wounded, 1st and 2nd Bns were hardest hit. 4th Co was the only company left intact in 2nd Bn.

3rd Bn was approx 3 km W ot 2nd Bn, 1st Bn in reserve just south of MASI-DONG.

2nd Regt reported to be somewhere due E of MASI-DOING. Whereabouts of 3rd Regt, unknown.

29 Aug 50, PW captured by ROK infantrymen approx 500 meters W of Hill 558, while drawing water from a stream.

Combat Effectiveness of 2nd Bn, as of 29 Aug 50.

Strength - 80

Remarks - 29 Aug 50, PW heard from his platoon leader that fresh replacements were to be received by 2nd Bn, in the next couple of days.

Heavy Weapons:

81-mm Mortar - 2

Maxim HMG - 3

Remarks - Majority armed with Russian bolt operated rifles. 4th Co had no LMG’s.

24 Aug 50, observed an estimated 20 artillery pieces camouflages with leaves off the KUNWI-T'AEGU Highway, at a point S to 10 km S of KUNWI. Type undetermined, however, pieces were fairly large with long tubes.

24 Aug 50, observed 30 to 40 large Russian trucks transporting artillery shells up to the immediate area of the above artillery pieces. Shells were a tacked just off the road and camouflaged with leaves. Source of artillery ammunition, unknown.

24 Aug 50, observed a column of 2 x T-34/85 and 1 x T-34/76 tanks on the KUNWI-T'AEGU Highway, at a point approx 5 km S of KUNWI. Column was heading towards KUNWI.

CO, 16th Div (redesignated 6th Div) - PANG, Ho San (方好山) (방호산); Maj Gen

Remarks : Served with the CCF.

CO, 14th Regt (redesignated 1st Regt, 1st Div) - HWANG, Sok (黃石) (황석); Col

Remarks : Served with the CCF.

For the Commanding Officer