|
Statement of Yukino- (30 Sept 1947) About 18 Aug . Kusumoto told Yukino to take the ashes to the Miyoko Temple behind Hakata Station, ordered Yukino to have a new box made since the old one was dirty from being buried, which Yukino did, destroying the old one, giving them to the head priest, telling ‘him that the ashes were of American crew members. The names were written on the outside of the box in Japanese, which Yukino read and the priest copied it, having got the list from Aihara that day according to the instructions of Kusumoto. Aihara wrote the names of the 16 flyers executed on 15 Aug in Katakana characters, which Yukino pasted on the outside of the box. |
||||||||
|
Statement of Enatsu (23 Sept - 31 Oct 1947) On a PCS being captured, Sato would be immediately notified. Capt. Aihara would compile a report showing the location of the crash and the number of survivors, names. A report as to names number of PCS received plus number already imprisoned would go to the War Department, circulate through Yakumaru, Sato, Fukushima, Inada, possibly., the the CG (Yokoyama) the Staff Section and the Civilian Air Defense and Guard Section. On Aihara’s report, he would list most of the time, the names of the captured flyers that were sent away. He would prepare a report each time captured flyers were received or sent away from headquarters. The PCS went through these smaller headquarters (of WA area) until May 1945. This report went to Yakumaru, Fukushima, Inada, possible the CG (Yokoyama) ,Maj. Matsuura, 1st Lt. Kochi, Maj. Nakatani, Capt. Aihara. Around 10 June 1945 Enatsu changed offices and was separated from Aihara, so he no longer overheard this information on flyers. Enatsu recalls a regulation (3rd one on handling of PCS) issued by Yokoyama that PCS, were to be confined in the LS detention barracks and guarded and fed by the Adjutant Section, (Jin), that the capturing unit was to make a brief outline of information regarding name, rank, age, unit, base of operations, such records to be forwarded to WAH with the PCS, that they were not to be treated as PWs until cleared. This regulation was slightly revised by Aihara in March or April and Yakumaru then revised it and approved it, submitting it to Yokoyama, and then issued, the greatest changes being that the capturing until was prohibited from interrogating the PCU and were, to send them to WAH immediately, that when they couldn't b^ sent to Tokyo because of transportation difficulties, WAH was to investigate as to whether guilty of violating International Law. In early May Aihara told Enatsu that 2 of the 7-8 flyers crashing near Takeda-Machi had been injured— one had been shot in the chest with a shot-gun; the other had a broken plane. One of the crew members of this ship was Williams. Enatsu believes that Komori came to see Aihara, but Enatsu as a KT officer had authority over the flyers, although he did not. 2 -3 days later, on Tues or Wed. PM, Komori came to the office, told Aihara that he was going to take the wounded Prisoner to KIU Medical College, seemed to be in a hurry. 2-3 days later, around noon, Komori returned and in a loud, boastful voice stated that he had been able to perform a very valuable medical experiment while operating on the American flyer, that he obtained very valuable medical information, that many KIU doctors wanted to conduct medical .experiments on the... Statement of Enatsu Cont'd......... PCS and therefore he was going to take 1-2 AIHARA flyers to the KIU Medical College. At this time Aihara, Maj. Matsuura and 1st Lt. Kochi were present; everyone heard this. Immediately thereafter or the next PM Aihara showed Komori, in Enatsu's presence, a list of names and ranks of the PCS with date brought in. Enatsu examined the list; there were 7-8 names, Williams was on this list. There were 2 red pencilled check marks; Aihara explained that they denoted the flyers who were injured. There was also a small check mark or circle beside one name. Sato then 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 was brought in and was told they were going to take some PCS to KIU. Aihara then pointed out 2 on the same list to be taken, pointed out the one name with the red check, the other with a small check mark or circle, which was that of Williams. 1-2 days later Aihara came in the office around 1600-1700, told everyone he had just attended with Sato, an operation on the American flyer, or flyers, at the University, that it was a ghastly thing, believes he said it was conducted by Komori. He further stated that it seemed that Ishiyama conducted the previous research. Present were Enatsu, 1st. Lt. Kochi and Maj. Matsuura. In early June Yakumaru told Matsuura and Kochi that he was going to KIU for awhile. 2-3 days later, about 9-10 June Aihara again showed Enatsu the list, pointed out 7-8 fivers sent to KIU. Komori came to the office twice, and Sato and Yakumaru once mentioned the flyers V going to the University. After that Komori always called Aihara out of the office. |