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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1743　9 October 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1054)　6 October 1950

PW had about 4 years army service as NCO, yet his military knowledge was limited. He was a Communist, but surrendered and was very sincere and cooperative. Not recommended for further interrogation.

4 May 47 - Conscripted into NKPA as Pvt. Joined 1st Div, 1st Arty Regt (122-mm) 1st Bn.

20 Jun 49 - M/Sgt. Personnel clerk of Regt.

25 Jun 50 - 1st Div entered combat at UIJONGBU (議政府) against ROK 7th Div.

1 Sep 50 - Arrived KUNWI (軍威), via SEOUL (서울) CH'UNGJU (忠州) and KUMCH'ON (金泉). During the trip, the unit was bombed many times by the USAF.

3 Sep 50 - Commissioned Jr Lt and transferred to 39th Independent Brigade Rear Supply as section leader. At TAEJON 39th Brigade had approx 6,000 men, all volunteers from the SEOUL and TAEJON Area. PW's supply section received 6,000 uniforms, 500 officer's boots, 6,000 ROK made shoes, 6,000 field caps, 6,000 field packs, and 1,000 bags of rice (each bag contained 60 kg). Most of the supplies were obtained from NKPA GHQ in SEOUL.

6 Sep 50 - 39th Brigade moved up to within 6 km N of TAEJON. This position was a hill 150 m high and a good position to avoid US bombings. Worked 20 days digging trenches.

20 Sep 50 - PW heard about the critical situation on the NAKTONG River front and UN Forces in INCH'ON Area by means of US propaganda leaflets. Unit began to retreat.

25 Sep 50 - 39th Brigade received orders from GHQ to retreat from TAEJON to CH'UNCH'ON (春川).

26 Sep 50 - Arrived CHOCH'IWON (鳥致院) on foot. However, UN Forces advance units from INCH'ON (仁川) cut off their retreat.

27 Sep 50 - UN Forces arrived 4 km N of CHOCH'IWON (鳥致院) PW and his unit felt that since they did not have any equipment and were very tired after long marches they did not stand a chance against UN Forces, they determined to retreat from CHOCH'IWON to CH'UNCH'ON and then north of 38° Parallel in small groups.

29 Sep 50 - PW changed his NKPA uniform for Korean farmers clothing.

1 Oct 50 - Arrived CH'ONGJU (淸州) with his plat and found UN tank unit had already occupied the city. PW and his platoon surrendered.

Original organization and strength: 39th Brigade consisted of:

Six (6) Rifle Bn's

One (1) 120-mm Mortar Bn

One (1) 82-mm Mortar Bn

One (1) Guard Plt

One (1) Intendance Plt

Each Rifle Bn consisted of three (3) rifle companies, one (1) 45-mm AT Gun Co, one (1) LMG Co, one (1) Engr Co, one (1) Recon Co.

Each Co consisted of three (3) rifle platoons

NKPA GHQ Rear Supply Officer - PAK, Pong Bom (朴봉범)

Sr Col

40 years

1st Div CG - CH'OE, Kwang (최광)

Maj Gen

40 years

CH'OE had been in CHINA a long time. Served on the Staff of KIM, Il Song (金日成).

1st Div 1st Arty Regt CO - HYON, Hak Bong (현학봉)

Col

28 years

Resident of P'YONGYANG. Honor graduate of P'YONGYANG No 1 OCS.

6th Div CG - LEE, Yong Ho (이영호)

Maj Gen

45 years

From CHINA. One of KIM, Il Song's men.

3rd Div CG - CH'OE, Hyon (최현)

Maj Gen

50 years

From MANCHURIA. One of KIM, Il Song's men.

1st Div Asst Commander: CHO, Yol Kwan (조열관)

Sr Col

From MANCHURIA. One of KIM, Il Song's men.

39th Brigade was composed of mostly ROK "volunteers" and most were actually conscripted by the NKPA. They hated war. The UR airplane attacks and news of INCH'ON landing caused their morale to drop. PW saw US propaganda leaflets many times and these were instrumental in bringing about his surrender.

FOR THE COMMANDING OFFICER: