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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 4172　21 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MISDI NO. 0325)　3 March 1951

Cooperative during interrogation but appeared unobservant. Information vague and limited.

PW, a member of the 376th Regt Litter Bearer Co, crossed YALU River over a wooden floating bridge Oct 50 with Regt Med Unit, one day after the Regt combat Units. Those 2 units of 400 men followed the Regt and arrived in CHORYON 18 Jan 51. Departed on the following day and arrived near the 38th Parallel and joined the 376th Regt. Remained with the Regt for 35 days, resting and waiting the arrival of men and material. 24 Feb 51, personnel of Litter Bearer Co transferred to 3d Co, 376th Regt as replacements because no reinforcements arrived from the rear. Assigned to 2d Bn, 4th Co. On the same night, 376th Regt crossed 38th Parallel and marched generally in a southward direction for 60 km over mountain trails and arrived at a village 25 Feb 51. Following night at 1800 hr the 3 Bn separated, at which time 2d Bn proceeded 8 km southward and arrived 252000 Feb 51 in vic of Hill 278 (CS822582). Upon arriving at the hill, received UN arty and tank fire and strafed from the air during the daylight hours. 280530 Feb 51 while alone in his foxhole, PW deserted unit and surrendered to UN Forces in the vic of CS828561.

42d Army composed of 124th, 125th, and 126th Div. In addition to the 376th, 377th, and 378th Regt which composed the 126th Div, there were a Security Bn and a Engr Bn attached to Div Hq. Attached to 376th Regt were a Security Co and Med Unit in addition to its 3 Rifle Bn. 2d Bn, 376th Regt consisted of the 4th, 5th, and 6th Rifle Co and a Hv Wpn Co.

28 Feb 51, there were 80 men in the 4th Co, 2n Bn. Originally 160 men but 80 casualties resulted from UN arty action. No replacements in the Co, except those like himself, who were taken and transferred to other units from Litter Bearer Co. Litter Bearer Co now composed of Chinese civilians who were brought from the rear.

20 female Chinese nurses in the Regt Med Unit in addition to 280 men.

28 Feb 51, PW 4th Co was an S slope of Hill 278 in vic of (CS 825575). 5th Co troop deployed 200m NW of 4th Co area on NW slope of hill in vic of CS819582. 6th Co area was on NW side of 5th Co positions in vic of CS814588. Hv Wpn Co was on N slope of the hill vic of CS808592.

2d Bn CP was on reverse side of the hill from the 5th Co area in vic of CS 824583.

376th Regt Hq departed village 8 km N of Hill 278 on the night of 26 Feb 51.

Co equipped with the following as of 28 Feb 51:

Jan 51, Co picked up 30 US M-1 rifles and 3 Us carbines with 150 rd of ammo for each US M-1 rifle and 30 rd for each US carbine. No supplies of ammo received since entering KOREA.

Each man in 2d Bn issued one pair of new shoes during January.

Food procured locally barely enough to exist on. During times when attacked constantly by air or when no rice could be procured, only one meal fed to the men of his Co.

Mission of 2d Bn on Hill 278 to prevent UN Forces from advancing up the road running SE to NW on the SW side of Hill 278. Bn ordered to “stand or die” until reinforcements arrived from the rear, at which time an offensive against UN Forces was to be made.

HU Chi Syo (　　　), 32, Co 2d Bn, 376th Regt,

HO Yui Shuin (　　　), 30, Co 4th Co, 2d Bn, 376th Regt.

Physical Condition of Troops:

Men in Co under physical strain due to undernourishment and fatigue, however, there existed no serious cases of malnutrition. Many men had bad colds. No known epidemics. 19 Jan 51 and 24 Feb 51, there were 30 frostbite cases after 24 Feb 51. 50% of men in Co suffered from skin rashes caused by constant contact with wet ground and wearing dirty clothes.

Observed no CCF tanks since entering KOREA.

24 Feb 51, near 38th Parallel, observed 2 howitzers along a road.

Floating wooden bridges over which he crossed the YALU River in Oct 50, constructed of 8” x 10” x 10” wooden planks laid side by side across the river and anchored at both banks of the river with 2 inch cables.

27 Feb 51, Co CO informed him reinforcements would arrive for the Regt within one month.

On Hill 278 the 4th Co CO ordered his men not to fire upon UN Forces until they approached within 20 meters of position.

25 Feb 51, picked up and read a UN Safe Conduct Pass for the first time. Convinced of its truth immediately and had thought of surrounding ever since.

For the AC of S, G-2: