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KAKU, Takanobu S/D (16 Sep 48 - Sartiano) Probationary Officer at Western Array Hdqrs from 5 Aug 45 to 13 Aug. Trained at Nakano School of Intelligence (guerrilla warfare), at Western Army Hdqrs under Maj ITEZONO and Capt. KISHIMOTO. On morning of 10 Aug. order that all personnel assemble, 15~16 Probationary Officers did near truck at stockade on which 8 prisoners were loaded, and they then entrucked about 0900, went to Aburayama, where a Jap execution had just been completed. Col. TOMOMORI arrived with MATSU about ten minutes later. A pit was being dug, Probationary Officer OHTSUKI was practicing shooting. The group formed on TOMOMORI, who asked for volunteers, and about half - 1st Lts, - raised their hands. 1st Lt. OTOSU then severed over half the 1st flyer's neck, 1st Lt. KUROKI severed almost completely the head of the second, ditto the third flyer by 1st Lt. EGUCHI. The fourth flyer had his neck half severed by a captain who defendant later heard was WAKO from, he believes, PROBATIONARY OFFICER NISHIDA. In most of these decapitations, the sword was then thrust through the heart. 2nd Lt. OHNO made a shallow wound^.n the lower part of the head of the fifth flyer, then thrust the sword through his heart. Probationary Officer SATANO then completely severed the head of the fifth. ITEZONO or TOMOMORI then said to try karate and Probationary Officer NODA ran toward the flyer from five meters, slipped, then tried the punch to the stomach and the flyer fell. NODA volunteered; ITEZONO said someone could try karate on the flyer previous to this. Probationary Officer YAMAUYE then struck the flyer in the diaphram. An officer then performed the karate exhibition (doesn't know whether it was YAMAMOTO). ITEZONO then turned to the Probationary Officers on the right (including defendant) and said "You fellows try karate" so &-6 of them went up to the flyer. Defendant struck him in the abdomen, the others hit him. TOMOMORI then said to stop and the flyer was beheaded by 2nd Lt. OHNO (this was his second flyer), or more than half severed the head. Defendant believes YAMAUYE was ordered by ITEZONO to try karate because he was reputed to be the best. Defendant states his participation was “voluntary,” that hatred for the enemy built up as he watched the execution, and he didn't want to be looked upon as a shirker. Defendant made ,no protest. Defendant believes ITEZONO's intention was to kill the flyer by karate. Probationary Officer OHTSUKI stood about ten meters in front of the eighth flyer, the 1st arrow missed, the second struck the left forehead and the flyer fell then righted himself. A medical orderly then rubbed the blow around the flyer's heart. Defendant believes TOMOMORI then ordered this exhibition to stop, NARAZAKI then arrived on foot or shortly before, and defendant believes he was ordered to perform kesagiri (reputed to be excellent in kendo.) The sword went through the left shoulder, the medical orderly examined him and said the wound extended to the fifth rib, the flyer was shoved in the pit, and TOMOMORI said the execution must be kept secret. Participants in the karate. KODA, Probationary Officer NISHIDA, Probationary Officer MOMOTA,
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