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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1172　19 September 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0801)　18 September 1950

PW appeared to be in splendid physical condition. He was of intelligence commensurate to his education background. Not recommended for further interrogation.

22 May 50 - Inducted into the Medical Plt, 1st Bn, 10th Regt, 5th Div. PW received medical training until 10 Aug 50. 1st Bn including medical section transferred to YANGYANG (襄陽). The entire unit arrived at the combat zone in the vicinity of P’OHANG-DONG (浦項洞) o/a 20 Aug 50. The 1st Bn was immediately ordered into the battle.

The medical section became separated from the 1st Bn. It was when he was returning to the front to rejoin his unit that he was captured at HWASAN-NI (花山里).

The 1st Bn, 10th Regt, 5th Div, beside three (3) rifle companies, also had a medical section (1 officer and 6 EM) an engineer platoon, a signal platoon (12 men), a supply platoon (20 men) and a heavy weapons company.

The Hvy Wpns Co 1st Bn, 10th Regt, 5th Div was equipped with 6 x 45-mm Mortars and several Japanese HMG’s. The Signal Plt carried field telephones.

The medical unit had camphor injection, "SERUDONIN", given as injection for malaria, "SURUBAMIN" a medicine in powder form applied to open wound, iodine, mercurchrome (most of these medical supplies were confiscated Japanese goods).

Medical Officer - Jr Lt IM, Chol Su (林i喆洙)

The morale of the 1st Bn was extremely high which can be attributed to the good effect the propaganda speeches made on the men, I.e, "that final victory is ours; let us fight for our homeland."

PW never saw any US propaganda leaflets.

Dysentery preventative innoculations were received by the troops of the 1st Bn at NANAM (羅南) twice a week for 2 weeks prior to departure for the front. The serum was called SIL RYONGJAN (실령산). Atabrine and quinine tablets and COMPOKA, a Japanese serum, were used to combat malaria. Approx 30 men out of 100 had malaria in the 1st Bn. Approx 20 men were evacuated from combat due to malaria.

Majority of combat casualties were caused by shell fragments; about 10 from fragments to 1 from small arms fire. Casualties were evacuated on litters usually assisted by local civilians for an average of 8 kms over mountain roads before further evacuation by vehicles. Average distance between Regt aid station and Div aid station is 16 km. Distance between Regt aid station and Div hospital is 20 km on the average. Evacuation from the Regt aid station is usually by vehicles. It takes approx 1 to 1 1/2 days for a casualty to reach the Div hospital from the battlefield. Seriously wounded cases in the 5th Div were evacuated to YANGYANG (1150-1700) by vehicle then from there to the NKPA General Hospital in P'YONGYANG (平壤) by rail.

Medical aid men in the 5th Div wore red cross arm bands and were unarmed. PW’s unit received instructions not to shoot at enemy troops wearing red cross arm bands or vehicles with red cross markings.

Troops killed in action were buried on the spot with no markers when the fighting is heavy. When time and situation permitted, units usually buried 5 or 6 bodies in individual graves with proper identification for each.

Approx 200 casualties were sustained by the 1st Bn up to the time PW was captured (14 Sep 50). About 30 of the 200 returned to combat with the unit.

PW observed captured wounded enemy troops receiving the same treatment as their own wounded. He does not know of any instance where enemy wounded were killed.

PW observed, on 3 occasions, casualties. receiving whole blood transfusion at the Div Hosp. No knowledge of lower echelon aid station giving transfusions. PW has not heard of blood plasma.

For the Commanding Officer: