Statements Concerning Sato

Statement of Enatsu contd . . . In May 45, P.O, Komori came to Enatsu (probably after the LS meeting) said that one of the Prisoners was seriously shot in the chest by a shotgun near'the heart, that he wanted to remove the shot, that the flyer might die, but probably would die anyway, asked if he could be permitted to operate. Enatsu told Komori he could not help, but that he should see Sato, and tie left. He returned 20 Mins later, said he obtained Sato’s permission to operate on the one flyer. He also told Enatsu he wanted to experiment on that flyer with arterial injections. Enatsu made no comments.

Several days later Sato came in, said in a fairly loud voice that he was going to KIU to see the.research on the Prisoners, asked Aihara if he should take a soldier as' an;interpreter, suggested Nakao, to which Aihara said yes and Nakao mas brought in, was told they were going to take some Prisoners to KIU. Nakao had a strange expression on his face, but agreed, was told to contact Komori by Sato.

1 or 2 days later, Aihara came in the office around 1600 or 1700, told everyone he had just attended with Sato, an,operation on the American flyer or flyers, at the U, that it was a ghastly thing, believes he said it was conducted by Komori.

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

On 15 Aug, at 1400, the Emperor’s rescript was read, and right after that Fukushima, Sato and Kusumoto were talking at the end of the room on the 2nd floor (staff office?) Enatsp. heard Kusumoto tell'Sato and Kukushima that he would then carry out the executions. Enatsu then asked Sato and Fukushima if there was to be another execution and Sato replied they were going to have to execute the remaining flyers because otherwise the former executions would, become known.

About 20 Aug, all RA Officers of WAH were called to Hirao Hq, including Fukushima, Tomomori, Yakumaru, Enatsu, Sato, probably Col. Shinozuko Sato said the killed Prisoners would be divided in 2 groups, planned to say one group was sent to Tokyo, the other killed in the Hiroshima atomic bombing. No one argued against the plan.

About 21 or 22 Aug, 1 or 2 days later, Fukushima, Enatsu believes, called a second meeting, which included Fukushima, Tomomori, Kusumoto, Sato and about 4 or 5 others. It was breaking up when Enatsu got there heard someone say there was a plan to make it appear that the executed flyers had died in the airraid shelter during the bombing attack. Tomomori then told Enatsu he   didn’t think it was practical because the Americans wore scientific might analyze the soil. Sato explained to everyone what was to be said, that the Prisoners had fled from the detention barracks to the dug out, that it received a direct hit, all killed. Enatsu heard no opposition.

Enatsu believes that at the first meeting at Hirao, Sato said that if would be reported that the flyers were sent to Hiroshima to cover the ones sent to KIU.

Enatsu believes that Fukushima approved all of the executions and of sending

Statement, of Enatsu contd . . . the Prisoners to the U., either before or after these incidents took place. As C/S, he was Sato’s superior, only natural that Sato would discuss his plans with him.

Statement of Tomomori (20 Jan-20 Mar 47). If Tomomori had been CG of WA with Prisoners, he would have ordered Sato in charge of Prisoners, to conduct an investigation to obtain intelligence info, which he would report to the Min of War, and the Supreme Ch of Staff, then would had the Prisoners tried by Mil Comm.

On 15 Aug, Tomomori stayed overnight at Futsukaichi, reported to work at Hirao on morning of 16 Aug, whereupon Fukushima told Tomomori in front of Sato, that they had to clean up masters re the Prisoners, asked Tomomori if he didn’t know the flyers didn’t have, a trial, that it was an illegal execution, Tomomori suggested the truth be told, Sato said he could not, said the bodies were still curled, and Tomomori stated that the bodies must be disinterred, cremated, and the ashes prayed over in a temple, to which Sato and Fukushima agreed, Sato said the names of the flyers were not known, Tomomori stating that their names should be determined.

21 Aug at Hirao, Fukushima told Tomomori that it would be made to appear that the Prisoners executed 20 June 45 were killed in a bombing attack, Sato was there, that afternoon Fukushima called a meeting with Ito, Enatsu, Sato, Murata and Tomomori believes Wako.

About 22 or 23 Aug, Sato said that they had been discussing at the previous meeting the ashes, Tomomori again argued against hiding the facts.

Oki report (Atis trans). On 6 Jan, Igawa and Oki examined Fukushima, who stated that the disposition of flight personnel was the task of the 16th A that he had nothing to do with it, but that disposition was effected thry the system of command involving Yokoyama, Inada, Akita, and Sato, that heard of the 20 June execution after it happened.

On 15 Aug, Sato Inferred to Fukushima that the flight personnel would be executed and Fukushima said it could not be condoned, since Japan had accepted the Potsdam declaration, but he later heard Sato border the executions. Fukushima said there were about 4 such occasions, but was not referring" to the other, that he tried hard to. hide these murder incidents from the US Army and so^reported that the 31 unaccounted ror at the surrender according to Sato’s chart, were transferred to Tokyo by air, but Tokyo said no such airplane was unaccounted for, and Oki thought he could cover by saying a special attack unit plane engaged in suicide attack dropped into the sea with the flyers aboard or that it plunged into an American battle­ship. Thus, such a report was sent to the CIC, in Kurume, bearing Fukushima's name that Gato. was then Investigating this particular plane, that he thought the deaths.could be concealed, unless the Demob Min ordered a report of the facts.

That afternoon (6 Jan), Sato stated -that he handled masters re American flight personnel as an air staff Officer, that all were sent to Tokyo to Apr 45, that after May, Tokyo said they .were not to be sent unless especially new information, but to conduct .appropriate disposition of them in the respective armies.

Statement of Oki contd . . . Sato further stated that about June or Jul, Lt. Col. Kikkawa of Tokyo Hq became a Staff Officer of 2nd A, and about 9 Jul, flight personnel thru his liaison were shipped to Hiroshima, that about 45 May, 4 flyers vere transferred to the Western Dist Army Mil Trib Prosecution Office as to violation of Mil law, but that 'from-their exper­iences in Shanghai, Ito and Wako appeared to dislike handling such dispositon, that as the time came for the invasion of Kyushu (Yokoyama) gave his subordinates to. understand that he wanted all Americans killed, even the flight personnel. In about June, Sato asserts that he was shown a letter from a Tokyo MP high ranking official to the West, Dist MP Hq, which carried the impression it was Desirable to take appropriate action vs flight personnel, and Sato realized that the control authorities believed it permissible to execute flight personnel without trial, Sato further relates that a cry for the lives of flight personnel arose among some of the Officers after the 19 June airraid, that Video came to Sato in fie morning of 20 June and said, "isn't it better to execute the flight personnel?" to which Oki agreed, Th^t Akita went to Yokoyama, returned, and said he had given approval, which Oki told Wako, in the PM, told Sato that the execution would start, that he, Sato, said to go ahead with it, that he arrived shortly afterwards, following Ito, that about 4 flight personnel'remained, who were- then decapitated by 1st Lt Toji of the Air Intell Unit. Sato further stated that 8 were decapitated that he heard that Wako"’also performed the decapitation."

Sato, stated that the next execution occurred in the beginning of Aug, that he doesn't know the derails, that Itezono does, that on 15 Aug Maj Kusumoto came to Sato, said "there are sentiments expressed that it is better to execute the flight personnel currently interned, what shall be done about it?" Sato thought, it was better to execute them, states that Kusumoto and he then went to see Fukushima, that Sato went in alone, said that it was better to execute them and asked the opinion of Fukushima, who said "be careful in carrying out the execution," whereupon Sato went out and told the waiting Kusumoto to get ready for the executions end on that afternoon over 10 were executed near Aburayama. While Sato was at the scene he doesn’t remember the names of the executioners, most were Officers from the Air Defense Oper Pm. Sato then stated.that all'the corpses were burned at Aburayama at the time the War ended, and the remains ordered dumped into Hakata Bay, that his report contained a falsification wherein it stated that 31 members of the flight personnel were transferred to an airplane from Imp Hq.

On 15 Aug, Yukino asked Kusumoto about executing the flight personnel. Kusumoto said he would ask Sato, who said "I think they should he punished. However, we will ask Maj Gen Fukushima for his opinion." They went to his office. Kusumoto waiting outside. Sato then came out, said "they shall be punished." Kusumoto readied the automobile and made preparations. Kusumoto found out later that the flight personnel had been executed on noon of that day at Aburayama, believes he was told that 8 were killed.

Murata disposed of the corpses of the executed, took cote of the remains after the War, according to orders of Fukushima and Sato. The cremated remains were thrown in the sea

Statement of Oki contd ... In May 1945, Sato told Akita he would like to dispose of the flight personnel in a manner similar to the Doolittle incident, asked Akita to get the approval of Yokoyama, who agreed with Oki that examination by a military tribunal is supposed to be had, which he relayed to Sato; Akita had never heard of execution of flyers without trial, approval for such had never been granted by Yokoyama.

About April 1945, Sato told Yakumaru that he would assume responsibility over natters concerning flight personnel.

On the night of 14 August 1945, Sato told Oki that flyers were to be executed the next day.

About August he heard some of the flyers had been executed. On 15 August, he asked Kusumoto what they were going to do with the flyers, and he replied that he had discussed the matter of that with Sato, who eventually ordered thathey be punished.

Sato and others were hostile to enemy flyers and caused them to favor punish­ment (execution) of the interned American flyers, and Sato so advised Yokoyama, approval was obtained, and Sato directed Wako to make preparation. Wako reported this to Ito, who as Chief Prosecutor Officer and Chief of the Judicial Section, knew that 4 flyers were being investigated, but he failed to fulfill his duty of advising the Army Commander, and agreed to the execution, although he was aware that the esecutions of tie approximate 8, including the specified 4, was a violation of law.

When Oki was about to write the report, Inada and Takahashi told him to submit the WA report to Tokyo at once, said it was not true that Sato got approval from Yokoyama thry Akita. That Akita was on detached service at the time,that he related this to Sato, who realised his mistake.

On 15 August, Sate cane to Fukushima's room, asked his opinion the executions, he definitely objected.

Sato stated that a short time before the 19 June airraid, Wako came to him and suggested the flyers be executed without trial, since trial would be difficult. Sato agreed, and Yokoyama consented. On 20 June, Ito expressed a desire to execute them when he came to the Air Defense Oper. Room. Wako followed and expressed the sane opinion, and Sato told him to prepare. Sato then stated the info that permission was obtained from Yokoyama, they Akita, on the 20th was a mistake. That after the surrender, Yokoyama told him that it would reflect on the prestige of the Army, if it were known the CG gave permission and to not tell anyone.

Sato stated that he sent the 4 flyers to the Pros Off of the Mil Tribunal, the Ito and Wako sdid trial would be difficult.

Asbo the 12 June executions, Itezono said "how about punishing them?" to which Sato agreed bit said to ask the Asst C/S, meaning Fukushima, but he obtained permission from Tomomori, Asst C/S of 2nd Section.

Statement of Oki contd . . .  Later, on a trip with Sato, he told Oki, that PO Otani (Komori), of the Army Med Sec, said that Yokoyama gave permission to send flyers to KIU, so they were sent to Prof Taniguchi (Ishii) Ishiyama of KIU Med Dept, as experimental objects for saline solution injections, to cure diseases. Later Sate heard that permission had not bee liven, so that it was Sato's responsibility, that since this incident will cause trouble for local inhabitants, he would like to conceal the truth from the U.S. Army. That since the students were threatening Tanichchi Ilshiyama) he was going to see him. Sato further relates that the flyers were sent to the Med Dept before 19 June. One flyer was sent to the 2nd Army about July.

Nakamura was with Murata, when the one box was thrown in the sea, on order of Sate, with Yukino, who asked to go along. They they buried the other box in Hirao.

During the decapitation, Sato and 1st Lt Nakayama (of the Info Sec) arrived, and Nakayama decapitated two Prisoners.

About 2 Feb 1946, Ito told Oki there were, about 16 flyers, May 1945, that Sate opined they should be executed without trial, he disagreed, suggested a trial, but when the documets were examined only 4 were suspected of violating I.L.

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 documents relating thereto in his possession, and Oki burned them, except one copy each of first and second reports and summaries of Sato, Fukushima, Itezono and others, with the revisions suggested by Inada. Oki reported this to Nishihara, Inada and Akita.

Statement of Kubo (24 Nov 47). Kubo guarded only Jap and Koean prisoners, the Staff Section (Sato) furnished guards for American flyers in both buildings.

Statement of Nakamura (1 Dec 47). Nakamura recognizes the picture of Plambeck, and Ponczka, as the one with the shoulder wound, who was taken from the detention barracks after a few days with another Prisoner, by a Staff Officer (Sate) and a medical Officer, PO, with grey hair (Komori).

Statement of Onishi (24 Nov 47). When the Staff Section interrogated the flyers, (thru Sato, Aihara and sometimes Yakumaru), Enatsu of the Kempei Tai, was present. Onishi doesn't know for certain, but thinks that Wako, Ito, Sate and perhaps 1st Lts Murata and Yoshida, discussed the results of the investigation, and decided they,the flyers, should be executed without trial, and then got orders from Yokoyama.

Statement of Nonaka (13 Nov 47).

Sato quit about July 1946, altho absent much of the time before that.

Shortly after Sato went to Tokyo, returned with the paper of names of PWIB, which list of names Nonaka later copied. The list Nonaka brought back, Yakumaru tore up and threw in the basket, looked disgusted.

About Jan 1946, Sate had Nonaka make a list of Amer flyers from a mimeographed list, whieh was given to him, looked like the Tokyo list. Few wks later, Sato gave

Statement of Nonaka contd .. . Nonaka some memoranda which he gave back about April or May, haying been given instructions not to let anyone see it. But Yakumaru did. Nonaka didn't read them.

This list is in Nonaka 18 handwriting, in pencil, was made for Sato in Jan 1946, altho there is an additional notation of Sato and Capt Miller.

Statement of Aihara (11 Oct 47). Sato said "come to the University". Drew Aihara a sketch as to how to get there.

Aihara arrived later, one operation had been completed, they had just about finished another on a second Prisoner. Sato, Yakumaru were present. Yakumaru then suggested to Aihara they go home and the two did go, Sato staying.

Statement of Okumura (17 Nov 47). On seeing the list of 16 names, Okumura observed that there is an additional notation of Sato, witnessed by Capt Miller. A search did not produce the original.

Statement of Isa (9 Aug 47). Because of airraid damage, Isa moved his office about 3 kilometers. The only ones left were Sato and his staff.

Isa was at the office all day on 20 June, talked to Sato.

Statement of Ohno (23 Dec 47). Ohno thought the flyers had been interrogated by Enatsu, since he was a Kempei Tai Officer, and by Sato, since he was inter­ested in air intelligence.

Statement of Tanaka (21 Nov 47). In October, Capt Yanaguchi and Tanaka were called in to Col. Takata's office. Col Takata told them to report to the WAH Staff Section. They went there and were told Col. Sato wanted them, who told them that Prisoners were sent to Hiroshima, without KT escort. That it had been fixed so that Tanaka was one of the escorts, who had gone with Aihara.

They went to see Sato the next day. Was told that Yanaguchi and Tanaka to see Capt Aihara for details, who said that 9 Prisoners had been sento Hiroshima, each with a Japanese guard, that Tanaka was the only KT man. Tanaka thought this strange, since Army Regulations provided KT men were to be sent with all the Prisoners.

Tanaka then changes statement, said that after the Sato interview, he asked Yanaguchi whether it had anything to do with the WAH executions, who seemed surprised that he knew, said yes, that the WAH personnel were all excited, were trying to hide the executions.

Later, Tanaka was tranferred to WAH, where Sato told him several times not to worry about the plan.

Statement of Takada (8 Nov 47). In October or November 1945, Sato wanted Takada to say, if questioned, that about 10 flyers had been sent to Second Central Army Hq at Hiroshima, that they were accompanied by a particular KT Cpl.