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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 4038　16 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (24 DIV LDI 0240)　12 March 1951

Captured by 19th RCT. PW was in good physical condition. Cooperative and of average intelligence. PW was a political officer who was receiving pay and treatment of captain. In the CCF since 40 and a member of the Communist Party from Jul 45 to Oct 50. Oct 50 PW was ousted from the party because he deserted his unit when he learned that they were coming to KOREA. Later apprehended by MP and brought to KOREA under escort. Information should be assessed accordingly. Recommended for further interrogation.

Assigned to 337th Regt Hq as a political officer. O/a 082100 Mar 51 PW and approx 35 others from Regt Hq were sent to 3d Bn as replacements due to shortage of personnel. Enroute approx 12 men deserted from this group. O/a 090400 Mar 51 PW was assigned to 8th Co as Plat Ldr of 3d Plat (former 3d Plat Ldr and Ass't Ldr were KIA). 3d Plat consisted of only 1 sqd of 12 men and was deployed on Hill 834 CS 653614 together with 1st and 2d Plat. PW wanted to surrender but since the ass't political officer from 8th Co was attached to 3d Plat, unable to surrender. O/a 111000 Mar 51 PW wrote a note stating that 3d Plat desired to surrender and sent one of his EM to deliver the note to a villager, who in turn was to pass the message on to UN Forces. Enroute EM was caught by men from his own plat and taken back. O/a 111100 Mar 51 PW and one other were captured by 19th RCT.

As of 8 Mar 51 8th Co, 3d Bn was on Hill 834 CS 653614. 1st, 2d and 3d Plat were deployed in a straight line facing SW. 1st Plat was dug in on N side, 2d Plat center, and 3d Plat on S end of the line. 3d Bn Cp was approx 2 km NE of Hill 834. 1st and 2d Bn were NW of Hill 834. 338th Regt was W of 337th Regt. As of 28 Feb 51 337th Regt CP was at UHYON-NI CS 642606. Believes that the 337th Regt Cp moved 8 Mar 51.

3d Bn mission was not only to defend Hill 834 but to perform a delaying action until higher units could withdraw safely to the rear. Purpose of the Regt and Div is to withdraw to a safe location and reorganize. O/a 110400 Mar 51 overheard a report from 3d Bn CO to 8th Co CO stating that if a withdrawal order was given, 8th Co was to withdraw N of the tributary of PUKHAN River. O/a 111100 Mar 51 observed 8th Co withdrawing N.

Food was procured locally from villagers. O/a 110500 Mar 51 3d Plat received 1 box of S/A ammo (approx 100 rd per man).

Morale of troops is low. Observed numerous occasions where EM refused to obey orders of an officer and EM talk back telling the officer to fight their own war. Also noticed that numerous officers were in a nervous state of mind and arguments among officers were becoming more numerous.

PW picked up UN leaflet and decided to desert his unit but did not have the opportunity because he was too far away from UN forces. Heard broadcast from airplane on four different occasions. It was clear and audible. Majority of troops have no desire to fight and are willing to surrender if they have the opportunity.

9 Mar 51 heard at the Bn meeting that 42d Army was E of the 38th Army and 50th Army located NW of the 38th Army in vic of SEOUL. 5 Mar 51 while eating at the officers mess, overheard that the 26th Army was setting up a defensive position vic CHANGDAN CT 0301 (1:250,000). Heard that the 26th Army had modern Russian weapons.

Heard that replacements were on their way.

Sep 50 while enroute to KOREA observed Russian soldiers constructing an airfield in KAIYUEN, MANCHURIA.

While the 38th Army was N of the 38th parallel it was called "PING SHAN PU" (平山部); presently the 38th Army is called the "WU SU PU" (五四部) or the 54th Unit. To shorten a unit designation, the first digit of the 3 digit number is omitted such as the 337th Regt is called the 37th Regt. While code numbers are utilized the Div will be called Bn, the Regt will be called Co, Bn will be called Sqd, and Co will be called plat.

For the AC of S, G-2: