Statement Concerning Tanaka

28, was in WA Kempei Tai Hq, at Fukuoka from March 1945, until demobilization, investigating foreigners, such as Chinese and Koreans, a superior private, until late May 1945 when transferred to the Adm Section until Sept 1945, making Cpl. From then on until demobilized, investigated theft of Army goods, now in the fishing industry.

In October, Capt. Yamaguchi and Tanaka were called in to Col. Takata's office who told them to report to the WAH Staff Section, 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. He told Yamaguchi and Tanaka to see Capt Aihara for details, who said that 9 Prisoners had been sent to Hiroshima each with a Japanese guard, that Tanaka was the only KT man. Tanaka thought this strange, since Army regulations provided that KT men were to be sent with all the Prisoners. Aihara said that he was reported as the ranking man on the trip, gave details, said in answer to Tanaka that only one KT man had been sent before, that he didn't know the names of the Prisoners. Aihara pointed out a certain area on a Hiroshima map where the Prisoners died in the atomic bomb attack, said that a Sgt Maj Matsui would be reported as the ranking NCO on the trip.

Tanaka then changes statement, said that after the Sato interview, asked Yamaguchi whether it had anything to do with the WAH executions, who seemed surprised that he knew, said yes, the WAH personnel were all excited, were trying to hide the executions. Tanaka won't say that he disapproved, but didn't like his being selected.

Aihara explained that Tanaka was to give the prepared story if questioned by the OF; after Aihara was thru, they said goodbye to Sato, who told them to tell the story exactly as they had been told. Later Tanaka was transferred to WAH, where Sato told him several times not to worry about the plan. In about October 1946, Capt. Yamaguchi came to Tanaka, said he was sorry he was put to so much trouble, but that since all the responsibility persons were in prison he might as well tell the truth if questioned.