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ATIS S/D (23 Jan. 1948) #37438 5 August 1945 Defendant assigned to Chugoku District Army Headquarters as a Senior Staff Officer, a Colonel, was relieved 29 November 1945. The Chugoku Army commander was Lt. Gen. TANI, Hisao, the C/S Maj. General Hideitsu, but was injured on 6 August and Lt. General Saburo KAWAMURA became the new C/S in the first part of September. Maj. Masaharu KIKKAWA was assigned to the staff in late August and became Officer in charge of Liaison. During this time a report stating that 9 American air crew members who had been transferred from WAH to Hiroshima, were killed by the atom bomb of 6 August was sent from Chugoku Headquarters to higher headquarters, was false. At the end of August representatives of the International Red Cross investigated the Prisoners of War at headquarters, and Defendant with the Commander, Maj. Tsutomu HIRAMATSU received them, and reported what their investigation had shown; that at the time of the atomic bombing there were 10 or more PWs in Hiroshima, that about 5 were killed by the bombing, therest transferred to the Fukuyama PW camp about 17 Aug. Defendant doesn’t think KIKKAWA was present at the time of this report. About 1 - 2 September Japanese newspaper carried the British announcement that there were no PW casualties in the Hiroshima bombings, and "we" telegraphed the Tokyo PWIB requesting that steps be taken to withdraw that news item. About three September in the evening, as Defendant and other staff Officers were leaving headquarters by truck, SATO appeared in an 2 Gen A Hq. Staff car, asked for KIKKAWA, stated hi name and hq, decided to go with the staff Officers to their quarters. Half an hour to an hour after arrival SATO and KIKKAWA came to Defendant’s room stated that of the 7 flyers of an American B29 captured in Kumamoto Ken around May, the WA killed 6, the plane captain still alive and likely to request an investigation, and that they would like Defendant to allege that the 6 died in the Hiroshima bombing. Defendant stated that with the CG and C/S awav, he could not decide, that their headquarters had not been troubled with PW problems, that they had made an honest report to the International Red Cross and to higher headquarters. SATO Then said that WA personnel would be punished, that everyone from the CG (YOKOYAMA) on down was worried. Defendant promisedto tell the Commanding General on his return. SATO did not mention a meeting with 2 Gen A Hq. or their refusal. KIKKAWA said nothing in particular at this meeting. 3 days later TANI returned, and KAWAMURA, C/S, soon after, to whom Defendant reported this case. Defendant and KIKKAWA were then summoned by KAWAMURA for detailed explanation, after which the C/S went into TANI's office, and 15 minutes later KIKKAWA and Defendant were called in to report to him, who said he would comply with the WAH request to help them, ordered KIKKAWA to take charge ofhandling the case with Defendant to assist him. Telegraphic messages and documents were exchanged between the two headquarters and KIKKAWA was dispatched to WAH to deliberate, whereupon it was decided to allege that 9 PWs were sent to the two General Army Headquarters in early August, escorted by AIHARA, an NCO, and several soldiers. (It was first decided on 6 Prisoners, but the number recorded on the name roster sent from WAH was 9. KIKKAWA then told Defendant that WAH had requested that 3 more be added.) It was also to be made to appear that KITANO - 2 Chugoku Hq. had been requested to detain the PWs at the 1st Infantry Replacement Unit because the 2 Gen. A. Hq. had no facilities, that Lt. Col. ENDO Chugoku staff Officer (who was killed by the bomb) received them, took charge of them, that the detention barracks was destroyed by fire and that the 9 PWs and Jap soldiers were there burned, with only their bones remaining, that the remains of the PWs were buried with the Jap soldiers at the time the fire ravaged ruins weredisposed of and for this purpose the ramains of the American soldiers were to be brought from WAH. KIKKAWA in behalf of the Central District A Area Hq. participated in formulating the plans of concealment, which were evolved around the latter part of September. AIHARA (Aibara) visited the Chugoku Hq. during this period; Defendant doesn't remember when SATO came. An NCO was sent from Central District Army Area Hq. to get the remains of the American soldiers. A report on (these 9 flyers) was submitted to the Minister of War in mid November and a copy was sent to 2 General A. Hq. It was also mentioned in a report on PWs submitted at the request of Am X Corps HQ, at K-ure. All these reports were drafted by KIKKAWA, checked by Defendant, further checked by the C/S (KAWAMURA) and received the approval of the CG (TANI). Defendant recalls that orders were given by higher authorities that that detailed investigation and reports should be made re PWs. No order was made to set up a PW investigation committee at Chugoku. Defendant doesn’t believe the other Chugoku Staff Officers or two Gen. A. Hq. or the War Ministry knew about this plan of concealment. Defendant doesn’t think KIKKAWA was expressly appointed to Chugoku District A Area for the purpose of handling this problem by Gen. Staff Hq. or the War Ministry. Defendant and TANI attended the conference of army area commanders at the War Ministry about 16 - 17 November. Just before dinner TANI called Defendant to a corner, where NISHIHARA, FUKUSHIMA and SATO were present. TANI told them he would assume responsibility for the PW problem, had notified the Minister to this effect. NISHI HARA and FUKUSKIMA said nothing. SATO said "Thank you. We assure you that you will n not be put in an emtaraasing position. Please do the best you can." About 27 November Defendant told TANI and KAWAMURA he considered it best to cancel out previous actions and turn over a new leaf: neither expressed his attitude. Defendant acted in accordance with the CG*s order, whose act was based on comradeship, but Defendant did not care to accept the responsibility, knowing of possible punishment by the OF.
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