Statements Concerning Itezono

Statement Ohtsuki (24 Mar-8 Apr 47), In June 1945, Major Tatsuo Itezono arri ed at Headquarters and took complete charge cf the Guerilla,Unit under Yakumaru.

Guerilla Units Under Yakumaru, Itezono was in charge, under him Capt. Kishimoto.

9th or 10th August Executions: About noon on’prior'day, Itezono came to tie Guerilla Unit Office, located In the Hq Bldg., on 2nd Floor, next to the Adjutant Section, about 3 persons were in the'office, Kishimoto, Ohtsuki and a girl clerk. Itezono told Kishimoto that the Staff Section was going to kill the Prisoners the next day.

Ohtsuki believes that Itezono left the impression that himi ranking Officers had conferred and decided to execute the Prisoners, giving the impression the flyers were not tried by military committee.

Jibout 0900 the next morning, Itezono entered the Guerilla Unit Office, where Kishimoto told Ohtsuki to take a bow and arrows and participate in the execution.

After the war, Ohtsuki burned them‘under orders of Itezono.

Ohtsuki was told by Itezono that he would participate,got a bow and arrows. Itezono told him to hurry to the truck.

Itezono standing near the drivers cab, told Ohtsuki to hurry, so he quickly come aboard, as Yamamoto came running out to say he was going. Itezono or Kusumoto told several persons to walk to Aburayama, the truck leaving about 0945.

After eaching Aburyama, Itezono approached Tomomori, saluted him, apparently made some sort of a report. Itezono then told Ohtsuki to prepare his arrows, Ohstuki cutting‘off about 25 centimeters from the front part of the arrow and inserted arrow.

Itezono then picked up a bow and arrow, hit an arrow Into a pine tree about 40 yards away. He then told Ohtsuki to practice, Itezono used the round tip, with slightly pointed and arrow.

Kishimoto told Ohtsuki that Itezono, while not actually a Staff Officer, was the acting Staff Officer in charge of the Guerilla Unit, for WA Hq. He was billeted with the WA Hq Staff Officers. 

When the second prisoner was brought to the edge, Ohtsuki believes Itezono issued an order, and Ohno of Legal Section, setpped to the edge of the pit and beheaded the Prisoner.

After the executions were over, Tomomori gave whiskey to all executioners including Satanc, Eguchi, Narazaki and Itezono, 'was standing next to Tomomori.

Statement of Ohtsuki contd... Itezono told Ohtsuki he was to shoot the fourth. Prisoner with a bow and arrow Itezono told Ohtsuki to go forward to 8 or 9 meters from the Prisoner, to shoot in a sitting position.

After using 5 arrows, while inserting the 6th, Tomomori said ’’stop”, Itezono meant for him to kill the Prisoners . He aimed at the forehead, attempted to do so .

At the moment, the personnel that walked, arrived. Someone said that Harazaki was good in kendo, to Itezono. Karazaki then walked towards 'the Prisoner sitting on the edge of the pit, and beheaded him.

Corrections: The first group of about 25 Prisoners from Nakano Intelligence School, were being trained at M Hq, under Itezono, Kishimoto and Suetsugu, with the exception of 8 or 9 Prisoners, the rest were transferred to various  Krmy divisions about 11 August 1945 as Guerilla instructors. 8 or 9 Probationary Officers left at Hq. Then about 15 Prisoners from the Futamata Guerilla Training School arrived as replacements.

Itezono, in a loud voice, said karate would be tried on the last Prisoner.

When Noda was delivering the diaphram blow, Itezono told him to suck in his stomach.

Itezono then said in a loud voice, that one good in karate at Nakano Intelligence School, should try karate on the next Prisoner.

Itezono and Enatsu approached each other, talked, and Itezono turned to the group of 15 Probationary Officers in front of the Prisoner and said in a loud voice, that all of the Probationary Officers step up and try karate on the Prisoner.

After practicing karate on the Prisoner, Itezono said "stop" and Itezono then rejoined Tomomori and Enatsu.

Itezono had them all fall in front of Tomomori (after the executions) and Tomomori delivered a speech that the flyers were not Prisoners, but American combat personnel, this said in an easy manner. Itezono then dismissed the formation and the pit was filled with dirt.

On 15 August 1945, Yamamoto and Ohtsuki, on temporary duty at the Civilian Nat. Def, Corps, at Hirao, were ordered back to WA Hq by Itezono. Itezono ordered all Guerilla Unit Office and equipment to be destroyed, and Ohtsuki burned all the bows, 700 or 800 and a few arrows, including those of the executions. At about 1700, Ohtsuki reported destruction to Itezono, then went to Hirao, returning from there about 1900.

Statement of Yakumaru (18 august 47). On 10 august 1945, 8 Prisoners were executed at Aburayama, Yakumaru hearing about it the following day. These 8 Prisoners were not court martialed, executed in retaliation of bombing of Nagasaki. Yakumaru heard from Itezono that Sato had received authority from Tomomori to execute them. Under Tomomori, Itezono was in direct supervision.

Statement of Yalmmaru. contd . Yakumaru was ordered by Yokoyama to dispose of the personal articles belonging to the Prisoners. All the articles were dumped into the sea, according to Itezono.

Itezono, Kishimoto and Sgt. Maj, Kondo, were responsible to dispose of the articles belonging to the Prisoners, dumped them into "the sea.

Statement of Kusumoto. On 12 July, the adjutant Section was busy preparing to move Hq from the Kaminohashi Hq, to caves at Hirao, on the outskirts of Fukuoka. At 1600 Yukino told Kusumoto that Itezono (Idezono) had given him orders from the Staff Section to give him 11 or 12 captured flyers.

(from Oki)

In February 1946, when Oki was investigating the case, Kusumoto heard/that the authorization for the executions had come from Tomomori, that the direct­ing Officer at the scene was Major Itezono (Idezono) that he, Itezono used NCOs of his unit to perform the executions, that they were performed by the sword, bow and arrow, karate and other means, that Itezono had told him this.

On 10 days or so later Tomomori came down from Tokyo to the Fukuoka Demobilization Bureau. Yakumaru told Kusumoto that he was being investigated by Oki regarding the 12 July executions, that Tomomori denied he ordered the executions, that he and Itezono were brought together and it was determined that Itezono had lied and that Sato had ordered Itezono to state this, and that it was further determined that Sato had ordered the executions on 12 July.

Statement of Oki (9 Nov-13 Nov 47). Oki identifies a 16 January 1946 document as a copy of the Demobilization Ministry report containing the seals of Oki, Akita, Inada and Nishihara,.

In middle February 1946, Oki reported this matter the second time, stated the matter as Ito told him, with the approval of Akita, Inada and Nishihara. In the second report, the second execution was reported as 10 August rather than 12 August, and it stated that Tomomori went to the scene only as an observer, not as in the first report, which states that Idezono reported the coming execution of 12 August to Tomomori, the second deputy C/S and that Tomomori agreed to it, and that the executions were conducted in his presence, Tomomori had come to Oki, said he only observed, this in the presence of Idezono, who then said that if Tomomori says that he only came along to watch to state it that way, but after Tomomori left the room, Idezono stated that Tomomori was the highest ranking Officer present, and that this Was his way of escaping responsibility.

Statement of Yukino (23 Oct 47). About 6 August, Kusumoto ordered Yukino to release about 8 Prisoners. Yukino released them to Major Itezono, put them on a truck and Itezono got in the cab with the driver and 2 Probationary Officers and about 5 guards got on the back.

Statement of Yukino (18 June 1946). On 15 August, about 1300 - 1400, Kusumoto ordered Yukino to turn over about 15 Prisoners to an Officer from Staff Officers Section. Yukino ordered the guards to entruck the 9 Prisoners held in the witness Waiting Room and the 6 in the Detention Bldg. Yukino believes he turned them over to Idezono, who had 5 Probationary Officers with him, and they all boarded the truck between 1430 - 1500.

Statement of Ohno (Minehiro) (8 July 47). A+ the first of July 1945 execution, Ohno took part. Col. Tomomori issued the order of execution to Itezono, who asked for strong, young Officers to setp forward and take\/ part. When no one came, Itezono ordered 2 from the Staff Section, Ohno and 1st Lt. Yoshida.

Statement oi Narazaki (7 Oct 47). Major Itezono was Narazaki’s immediate superior, was supposedly Narazaki’s training officer. Col. Tomomori, of the Staff Section, was directly over Idezono.

The billeting of Narazaki’s group was first floor office, at the right end of the main building, in the center of the WA Hw compound. The office of Idezono was on the second floor, (formerly Kusumoto's office).

On 9 or 10 August, Yamaguchi told Narazaki that all the members of the Guerilla Unit had gone to Aburayama, so they decided to go. Narazaki thought he could report to Itezono there.

When the approached the scene of executions, they saw Idezono and a group of soldiers. One of the Probationary Officers proclaimed that Narazaki had arrived, whereupon Idezono.said to Tomomori that since Narazaki was good at kendo and to let him perform the executions. Tomomori nodded to this, and Idezono told 2nd Lt, Ohno who had already drawn .a sword, to wait, that Narazaki would perform the execution, whereupon Idezono said “Narazaki you perform the execution. Use the ’kesagiri' stroke.”

Narazaki thought at first he would refuse Idezono’s order, but when he looked about he saw Tomomori,the Legal Section Officers and thought the execution legal. After beheading the Prisoner, Idezono also told him to pierce the flyer thru the heart, which he did.

Statement of Otsuki (2-9 July 47). In June, Ohtsuki was sent to WA Hq and worked on Guerilla warfare and at that time, under Capt. Iwao Kishimoto and Major Tatsuo Itezono, until 12 August, then on Civilian Defense and other work.

On morning of 9 August 1945,Itezono ordered Otsuki to quickly carry cross­ bow equipment from his office to Aburayama. Ohtsuki got in a truck with 8 blindfolded American Prisoners under Japanese guards. Itezono ordered the Prisoners unloaded at Aburayama, taken to the place of execution. Itezono told Otsuki to prepare the bow and arrow. Otsuki got a soldier to sharpen the arrow. Itezono tested by firing an arrow at a tree, then had Otsuki practice on the tree. Otsuki believes Itezono ordered a 2nd Lt. to cut the head off the first Prisoner.

Itezono ordered Otsuki to shoot the seventh Prisoner with bow and arrow.

Itezono said to get up 8 or 9 meters in front of the Prisoner. After shooting 5 arrows and missing, Tomomori said stop. Itezono said to Narasaki to "cut off the neck" or "finish it up".

Several officers used their fists on the 8th Prisoner, kicking and punching him. Itezono was coaching in the proper method of striking the Prisoner and told various Candidate Officers to step forward and try karate.

Major Itezono then ordered the Futamata Guerilla Warfare School to step forward. Otsuki was the only one present.

After that Itezono said to stop.

On 15 August Otsuki had all the bows and arrows burned under Itezono's orders, -

Statement of Enatsu(23 Sept-31 Oct 47) At the 12 August execution. After 4 or 5 minutes of silence Itezono told Tomomori he was going to start the execution.

Itezono said the first execution would be by bow and arrow. Tomomori asked if a man could be so killed, Itezono said it was quite effective and accurate. Then ordered the Probationary Officers to bring out the Prisoners, and one stripped to the waist was brought near the center of the field. Enatsu faintly remembers hearing Tomomori and Itezono saying something about a Christain prayer and cross.

When Ohtsuki missed with the bow and arrow, Itezono told him .to move closer, Enatsu believes this one grazed the Prisoner’s head. Itezono then spoke to Enatsu in a low voice, unintelligible, then told him to stop the shooting.

While Enatsu did not think the bow and arrow system was legal, he did not object, since Tomomori, Itezono and Wako a Legal Officer, were there.

After the first flyer had been executed, Itezono announced that the next would be using karate.

Itezono called a Probationary Officer who struck the Prisoner a blow on the chest, then others, and on the 3rd or 4th, the Prisoners cried out with pain, Tomomori then said stop.

When the last Prisoner was executed, Tomomori assembled the crowd, thru Itezono, then told them the flyers had been B29 survivors, not Prisoners.

Sato ordered Itezono to test the Guerilla tactics during the execution, Enatsu learned 1 or 2 days later from Itezono.

Statement of Tomomori (20 Jan-10 Mar 47). Itezono did not work under Tomomori, but under Major Ohashi, Staff Officer of the strategy Section.

Ohashi moved to Futsukaichi Hq, although the Guerilla Unit remained in Fukuoka., with Itezono acting as its head there.

One day Itezono asked Tomomori to make a speech to the Guerilla Unit, to familiarize it with the function of the Civilian national Defense Units.

Statement of Tomomori cont'd ... Itezono also came to Tomomori to coonfer about regulations concerning the forming of the Guerilla Unit, but not its training. 

At the end of the War, Itezono was an instructor of the Guerilla Unit, not in command, he believes that Itezono did issue orders to the unit. Tomomori talked to Itezono 4 or 5 times in about 2 months.

About 1700 or 1800, 6 August, Itezono told Tomomori there would be any execution of Prisoners' the next day, asked Tomomori if he would attend. Tomomori said he might, asked the time and place, Itezono replying at 0830, at Aburayama. Tomomori asked if ;Itezono" would't take him since he didn't know the way, to find out and take him there. Itezono then said was thinking of taking the younger Officers as part of their training.

About 1030, Tomomori and Enatsu left for aburayama in a staff car. Itezono had evidently gone since it was late.

Tomomori noticed Wako, Itezono and 4 or 5 others standing at the end of the pit at the execution grounds.

Itezono did not 'salute Tomomori, did not say the executions were to start.

Itezono ordered formation, after the executions, Tomomori said not the line up, but stand at ease, and spoke to them. Itezono ordered the men to salute, Tomomori returned the salute.

On 1 February, Tomomori told Itezono to correct his version of reports that he had told Tomomori of the torture and illegality the day before, Itezono told Tomomori he had made an error,

All persons involved in the WA Hq atrocities, were called to dinner at Futusukaichi, 31 January, by Kishihara. Tomomori told Nishihara about Itezono's false statement.

1 February, Suzuki interrogated Tomomori. On 2 Feb, Itezono and Tomomori went to Oki wherat Itezono told him that he had not mentioned anything to Tomomori the day prior of the illegality of the executions, did not tell him that bow and arrow and karate would be used.

Atis translation of Oki's Report. Sato states that he does notrrmember the details of the execution in the beginning of august, that Itezono does.

In early August, Itezono sad to Oki, "There will be an execution of flight personnel, Let us witness it." Tomomori accompanied him to the site. There were about 8 Prisoners.

Itezono had nothing to do with the 20 June execution, but was on the scene of the 12 August executions, was ordered by Sato to have the Officers and Probationary Officers of the commando unit under his charge, execute the flight personnel, which he carried out.

As to the 12 June execution, Itezono said "How about punishing them?"

Atis Translation of Oki Report contd... to which Sato agreed, but said to ask the Asst. C/s meaning Fukushima, but he obtained permission from Tomomori. Asst. C/S.

With more bombing, including Hiroshima, hostility increased among certain Officers and Sato ordered Itezono to have his commando unit execute 8 flyers. Itezono mentioned this to Tomomori who was a witness at Aburayama.

Tomomori said he went to the scene of the early August executions on the invitation of Itezono, as an observer, thought the flyers had been sent need, by a military tribunal.

About 7 or 8 August, Itezono told Tomomori that the flyers would be executed the next day, "do you wish to watch?". Tomomori desiring to see a death sentence carried out, said "Lets'go." Itezono said he'd take his men.The above Tomomori submitted by note. Itezono submitted a note to Oki saying that in early August Aihara told him that Sato states that the flyers would be punished the next day, "will you go with your men?". Where­ upon he had it confirmed by Sato, who stated "Will you go with your men and carry it out?"

Itezono asked Yakuriaru the next day, but he said he was not going. Sato told Itezono that since he could not go, he wanted him to take charge of the executions. Itezono further states that it was not manly of Tomomori to say he was merely an observer, to avoid responsibility. Itezono believed the execution the result of a trial, ordered by the CG (Yokoyama).

Contact of Oki with Suzuki:

Suzuki came from Tokyo the first part of March, stayed in Oki's Hirao quarters and Oki showed him the notes written by Tomomori and Itezono, further related to him the summaries of statements by Ito, Tomomori, Itezono Fukushima and Sato.

About the end of March, Oki moved to quarters with Nishihara,who told him he didn’t know the particulars of the investigation, didn’t care to know and thought it was unnecessary for Oki to have the documentts relating to it, in hisposeession. and Oki burned them, except copies of first and second reports, and summaries of Sato, Fukushima, Itezono and others, with the revisions suggested by Inada.

Statement of Kondo (25 Nov 47). Kondo gave Itezono the pistols and bullets, and about 14 or 15 guns and 200 round of ammunition, on 16 August 1945, on orders of Aihara, Kondo burned them (all that was combustible) and the non­ combustible items were dumped into Hakata harbor, by Itezono, Kishimoto and Uchino.

Statement of Ono (Teruo) (11 Dec 47)•Ono studied Guerilla warfare under Itezono, reported each morning for training,

12 August, Itezono said that executions would take place that day, that all Officers under his command would go. They left by truck about 1000, arrived about 1030. Itezono was teaching use of bow and arrow in case of invasion.

Statement of Ono contd... A hole was dug, Itezono told Tomomori it was ready and they could start the execution.

Tomomori told Itezono that he should let the young men perform the executions, those in the Guerilla Unit, without battle experience. Itezono announced that all volunteers should get together. After 10 minutes the decision as to who would execute the Prisoners among the volunteerers, was settled, and Intezono ordered the Prisoners brought up.

Before the firstexecution, Itezono announced that Karate would be used. Then it was beheaded.

Itezono then said there would be a bow and arrow execution, and after several arrows had been shot, Itezono said that was enough, and the Prisoner was executed at the pit.

Narasaki' did such a poor job beheading one Prisoner that he begged for another chance,from Tomomori and Itezono. When he did another poor job, either Tomomori Wako or Itezono said to kill this Prisoner with his sword, which he did.

With one Prisoner left, Tomomori asked Ono if he wanted to execute him but Itezono suggested that Narazaki do it because he was a better man in kendo. Karazaki performed the last execution.

Tomomori and Itezono showed no emotions as to the executions, stayed in about the same position during the executions, about 5 meters from the pit. Ono was with them.