Information Concerning Masuzaki

S/D (29-30 September 1948) by Sartiano

PO, graduate of Nakano School of Intelligence and assigned to WAH under ITEZONO in July; demoblized 25 August. KISHIMOTO was his Immediate superior. The guerrilla Officers on morning of 10 August were informed by the CO of execution with information to assemble in front of detention barracks, where 7-8 Flyers were entrucked, ITEZNON and OHTSUKI were there; OHTSUKI said he was going to execute a Flyer with the bow and arrow he had.

On arriving they saw soldiers carrying coffin of Jap pilot just executed by firing squad. One or two soldiers werethen ordered to enlarge the pits. OHTSUKI prac­ticed archery. Two or three Officers then arrived by staff car. ITEZONO then formed the soldiers in two lines, saluted field grade Officer (TOMOMORI?), then designated all Officers present to participate in the execution, then asked for those especially versed in kendo, and PO Satano was selected/ MASUZAKI believes. Five flyers were executed, then SATANO beheaded the sixth.

The 7th Flyer was made to stand by himself, and OHTSUKI's 1st affow was wide, the second hit his rightforehead, blood dripped from cheek, and someone ordered a stop and the Flyer was executed.

The 8th Flyer, blindfolded, was brought to center; 3 Officers with large physique poised for karate two to three meters away, the 1st delivered first blow to diaphrara, and the Flyer vent down on right knee, evidently said "Help me," got up, was hit by a tall Officer whom MASUZAKI believes was 2nd Lt. Yamamoto. PO YAMAUYE then performed the third karate, kkcked him in scrotum; FTyer fell, and someone pricked him with sword. MATSUNAGA also hit him. MASUEAKI heard no order for these men to commit karate.

PO NARAZAKI arrived about this time - MASUZAKI heard he double timed from WAH - he was still perspiring. TOMOMORI gave NARAZAKK whisky, and either TOMOMORI or ITEZONO ordered him to perform kesagiri, bring sword over left shoulder drawing it to lover right. A medical NCO examined the wound; MASUZAKI heard the collar bone and one rib bone were cut, believes the Flyer died instantly.

The group was then assembled, told that the Flyers were not Prisoners of War, to keep the execution secret. MASUZAKK heard that KAKU participated in the karate later MASAZAKI believed it was WAKO who told them to keep the 10 August execution quiet.