Statements Concerning Inada-Hollandia Case

INADA - HOLLANDIA case

_______________________

AMAGUCHI, Ihei

S/D (30 Jun - 6 Jul 48 by Chedester)

Address: Yamagata-ken, Mogami~gun, Mamuro-kav/a-imura, Oaza, Ara-machi, 126.

Captain and 22nd Airfield Batalion CO, Col. SAITO, CO, 11th Air Sector, ordered defendant to search for enemy flyers, and he detailed Lt, HARUO SEKINE (KIA) , who reported next day at 1100 that one prisoner was turned over to 6th Air Div. Hdqrs, That PM he overheard some of his soldiers stating the prisoner had been executed in the mountain behind #2 Maintenance Company. Defendant then called SEKINE, learned the prisoner was interrogated at 6th Air Division Hdqrs, then taken to #2 Maintenance Company area and executed on orders of General INADA.

ARMIOTO, Minoru

S/D (12 Jul 48 by Chedester)

Address; Tokyo to, Meguro-ku, Eami-meguro 7-1192.

2nd Lt,, Intendence Section, 6th Air Div Hdqrs. About the middle of April 1944, at Hollandia, an officer told defendant a flyer had been brought in and executed at 6th Air Div. Hdqrs. 6th Air Div. Hdqrs commander INADA undoubtedly gave the order — was the only one with the authority, OKAMOTO should know about this.

In the fall of 1944, at SARMI, defendant led an expedition to capture crashed flyers, All four were killed with a grenade, (about half of statement will be redlined).

S/D - (7 Oct 1948 by IWASAHl) - INADA, CO, was responsible.

FUNAKI, Teisaku

S/D (26 Jul - 2 Aug 48 by Chedester)

Address: Aomori-ken, Minami, Tsugaru-gun, Saruka-mura, Oaza Ke.raata, Ipponmatsu, 6.

Sgt, Maj., 22 Airfield Batalion Hdqrs. In latter part of April, heard two PWs were brought in, taken to Division Hdqrs. and few days later heard that Sgt. Major YOSHIBO HATANO beheaded one, doesn't know who killed the other.

HANAWA, Hisao

S/D (5-10 Aug 48 by Chedester)

Address; Ibargi-ken, Namekata-gun, Tamatsukuri-machi, Ko-5356,

Sgt. Major, battalion Hdqrs,, then guard commander, heard that a consolidated plane crashed in April 1944 and two flyers were captured, confined at 2nd Maintenance Company, and several days later heard they were sent to a Kempei unit. Denies beating flyers or digging their graves.

(Will probably not use him.)

INADA - HOLLANDIA - 2

HASEGAWA, Masao

Address: Shizuoka-ken, Shite-gun, Fujieda-cho, Hon

Paymaster Captain, 6th Air Div Hdqrs, Intendence Section, from 17-18 March (trek of 50 days to Sarami by foot began about 23 April), dispatched to Pim for supplies, did not hear of prisoners, and at reunion in 47 of 6th Air Div Hdqrs concealment was not discussed.

(Of doubtful value)

HATANAKA, Hideaki

S/D (13 Jul 48 by Lynn)

Address; Okayama-ken, Katsuta-gun, Toyota-son, Kaki 1593 banchi.

S/Pvt 2 Mainto, Co, 8322 Airfield Bn (also known as 22nd Airfield Bn), 6th Air Div Hdqrs was under IHADA. In March or April 1944 a flyer was captured by Tashiro of 2nd Maintenance Co, heard he was killed by Hatano— most of the people knew it, Hatano, a friend of defendant, told him about deceptitation. Defendant denies being present at execution.

KAWAHARA, Masayoshi

S/D (22-23 Jul 48 by Chedester)

Address: Nagasaki-ken, Nishi-S Onogi-gun, Ikiriki-mura, Sasaego, 2201

S/Pvt. 2 Maint, Co., saw prisoner brought in in mid-April 1944, wore American fatigue uniform. Defendant heard Hatano beheaded him, with Okaguchi and an unknown. 6th Air Div, Hdqrs, man participating. Defendant thinks the pri­soner was kept about four days. Defendant was ill in the dispensary at the time,

KAMEYAMA, Fumio

S/D (14 Jul 48 by Lynn)

Address: Ikayama-ken, Asakuchi-gun, Tamashima-cho, Oaza Kashiv/ajima Aza Sengomyo,

In April 1944 a Pvt, of 22nd Airfield Bn., 1st Maintenance Co., a medical aide. Knows nothing of flyers.

(Of little value).

KURODA, Takefumi

S/D (20-30 Aug 48 by Chedester)

Address; Chiba-Ken, Makuhari-machi, Maka, 210

Major, (Questioned one prisoner (American) at Hollandia in April 1944, First learned 23 August 1948 from UMEMOTO that HATANO had executed a prisoner. Final authority for the execution order laid on the 6th Air Div. Hdqrs. commander.

INADA - HOLLANDIA - 3

MORISHITA, Kiyoshi

S/D (28-29 Jun 48 by Neal)

Address: Gumma-ken, Oumma-gun, Minowa-machi, Yahara 710.

Hygienist S/Pvt., 22nd Airfield Bn., was told by co-workers Mamoru HIHASAKA (dead) and Shinichi SHINODA (dead, he thinks) of Allied prisoners taken. About a week or ten days before Sarmi retreat of 23 April 1944, defendant heard that a Consolidated plane crashed near Lake Sentani and two flyers parachuted. 2nd Lt. Tashiro of 2nd Maintenance Company went with subordinates to scene, but one taken by KEMPETAI, the other dead, Tashiro taking the one from KEMPETAI Hdqrs to the 2nd Maintenance Co. Defendant heard th4 flyer stayed there for a week, was then beheaded by Hatano. Defendant heard the flyer had a lipstick marked handkerchief, was Australian, a 2nd Lt., was beaten when he refused to go to the execution grounds

MORITA, Shiro

S/D (10-16 Aug 48 by Chedester)

Address: Tochigi-ken, Nasu-gun, Kanata-mura, Minami-Kanamara, Shinden Tsubo.

Captain,Intelligence Staff Officer, 6th Air Div Hdqrs. Didn't hear of execution, until Okamoto stated it at Legal Section. Talks of PWs and camp, but all prior to April 1944,

(Of little Value)

NAKANO, Masahara

S/D (23-28 Aug 48 by Chedester)

Address; Toyama-ken, Naka, Niikawa-gun, Namerikawa-machi, 200/

Medical Captain, 6th Air Div Hdqrs, About middle April 1944, after seeing American plane crash,defendant saw American flyer at 6th Air Div Hdqrs Adjutant's Section; had handkerchief with lipstick mark, interrogated him, 2nd Lt. Nawachi beat him with a tree limb, defendant hit him in the shoulders.

Defendant believes that it was one day later C/S TOKUNAGA ordered about 20-25 officers of the 6th Air Div Hdqrs to assemble at the usual place in front of INADA's quarters, whereupon they all saluted INADA on the C/S*s order, where­ upon INADA made a short speech that the prisoner had been executed, then returned to his headquarters. TOKUNAGA then made a short speech, saying that INADA had decided to execute the prisoner according to Japanese military custom; that it was to be kept secret.

NAKAYAMA, Yoshito

(See following page)

INADA - HOLLANDIA - 4

NAKAYAMA, Yoshito

S/D (22-23 Jul 48 by Chedester)

Address: Nagasaki-kenf Nagasaki-shi, Doinokubi-cho, Egawa, 1579.

1/C Pvt, 2 Maint. Co., testifies that about 17 April 1944 an American flyer was brought in to battalion Hdqrs, questioned by SUZUKI and UMEMOTO, believes he is man in photo of Howard L. Golden. Defendant heart the prisoner was executed maybe the next day.

OKAMOTO, Sadao

S/D (10-11 Jun 48 by Chedester)

Address: Chiba-ken, Higashi—Xatsushika-gun, Tsuchi-mura, Naka-Shinjuku, 280.

Lt. Col, 6th Air Div Hdqrs. INADA, CO., Gives sketches. About 15 April 1944, Saski told defendant prisoners were held at KEMPETAI Hdqrs; the plane crashings of Sentani Lake (believes it was a bomber.) SASAKI talked directly to INADA about the bombers. 1-2 days later SASKI interrogated them, later told defendant he had executed the prisoners. (Implies they were Americans), Defendant later heard a rumor that Sgt Maj AOYAMA had beheaded a prisoner at this execution.

(Some red-lining - also some original Japanese)

OSHIMA, Hideo

S/D (2-9 Jul 48 by Chedester)

Address: Hyogo-ken, Himeji-shi, Kameyama, 195.

1st Lt, 22nd Airfield Bn., signal platoon leader and acting adjutant. About mid-April 1944, defendant relayed order to bring in prisoners from KEMPETAI Hdqrs to Sekine, who requested defendant go. In the meantime, Lt. TASHIRO had been sent to assist the KEMPETAI to search for the prisoners of the crashed bomber and returned after 2-3 days and reported he found and buried one or two dead American flyers and brought back their effects. While TASHIBO was searching, defendant went to pick up the prisoner held by the KEMPETAI, who was an American flyer. Lt. TATSUYA SUZUKI was with defendant. They brought him back to Headquarters and defendant never saw the prisoner again, but SUZUKI told defendant he was taken back by the KEMPETAI.

Apparently there were two prisoners, the natives bringing in another prisoner directly to Air Div Hdqrs, he thinks, and SEKINE told defendant this prisoner was executed in the mountains near 2nd Maintenance Co. by HATANO.

(Some redlining)

INADA - HOLLANDIA - 5

SASKI, Masataka

S/D (17 Jun - 1 Jul 48 Chedester)

Address: Yamaguchi-ken, Ube-shi, Oaza, Kiwanami, 145

Major Staff Officer, 6th Air Div Hdqrs from 16 March. 1944; admits previous lying, now states that in mid-April 1944 an American prisoner was brought to Div. Hdqrs. about 1300 and INADA told defendant to interrogate him and report back to defendant. The prisoner was beaten. Defendant heard a rumor he was executed.

(SAITO - on following page)

SAKAI, Shiro

S/D (30 Jul - 2 Aug by Chedester)

Address; Tokyo, Adachi-ku, Yanagihira-cho, 131

Sgt. Major, 22nd Airfield Bn. Hdqrs. In mid-April 1944 watched American bomber do down. Lt. TASHIRO went out to search for flyers, returned empty handed. About 4-5 days later, defendant saw an American prisoner at 2nd Maint. Co. about 0800, heard he was taken to Div Hdqrs for interrogation. S/M HATANO invited defendant and WO Yoshikani SUZUKI to go with him. and prisoner into the mountains during the forthcoming airraid, so defendant got a lunch, got near top, rested at which time two pilot captains (not from 6th Air Div Hdqrs) joined them — defendant believes they got permission from 6th Air Div Hdqrs to watch the exe­cution.

30-40 minutes later another 2nd Lt. and 5-6 EM arrived from 6th Air Div Hdqrs. HATANO then blindfolded prisoner (1st defendant knew of execution), the EM dug a grave, the 2nd Lt., attached to 6th Air Div Hdqrs from a land service unit, was in charge of the execution. HATANO told defendant an old captain in Div Hdqrs was to take charge, but refused. One of the two captains took pictures of HATANO with his sword raised over the prisoner’s heed. (Sketch)

Defendant then beheaded him, he was buried, and grass was put on top to conceal the fresh dirt. That evening or next day HATANO said the execution was secret and that the Div had not permitted anyone to watch,

(Some possible red-lining)

S/D (6 Oct 48 by IWASAKl)

INADA, Div, commander, ------- would have had to approve.

SAKIDA, Yoshiji

S/D (5—6 Aug 48 by Chedester)

Address: Ishikawa-ken, Nomi-gun, Kawakita-mura.

Cpl of 6th Air Div Hdqrs. Knows of no flyers nor executions.

(Of no value)

INADA - HOLLANDIA - 6

SAITO, Suvamatsu

S/D (22-24 Jul 48 - by Chedester)

Address; Akita-ken, Yamamoto-gun, Fujikoto-mura, 196

Sgt 22nd Airfield Bn. About mid-*April 1944 an American flyer was brought into 6th Air Div Hdqrs. Defendant then heard that HATANO beheaded the prisoner, that an officer (maybe Captain) went to execution from 6th Air Div Hdqrs.

SATO, Kesao

Address: Miyagi-ken, Shigama-shi, Akasake, Gogendo, 72

S/Pvt, 4th Air Army Hdqrs (2 miles from 6th Air Div Hqs). Never heard of prisoners or executions in Hollandia area in April 1944.

(Of no value)

SHIBUYA, Tsugio

S/D (17-22 Jul 48) by Chedester)

Address: Kumamoto-ken, Kumamoto-shi, Kojo-machi, 1-1/

S/Pvt, 6th Air Div Hdqrs. About 15 April 1944 heard plane shot down, that natives buried one dead one, brought one live one to KEMPETAI. One morning an If CO and enlisted man brought one flyer to 6th Air Div Hqs, heard he was an American, heard he was beheaded by HATANO.

SHIMA, Shohei

S/D (22-24 Jun 48 by Chedester)

Address: Tokyo, Shinagawa-ku, Nishi-Shinagawa, 5 Chome, 1012.

PO, 22nd Airfield Bn. Defendant saw prisoner about 1000 in mid-April 1944 while interrogated-by KEMPETAI The flyer was wearing "short American kahaki pants", had a lipstick-marked handkerchief. Defendant heard he was taken to 6th Air Div Hdqrs, supposes he was taken to 1st Maint. Company area. During Sarmi retreat defendant heard that Hatano had beheaded him, thinks there are grounds for the rumor. Did not discuss concealment of war crimes in post-war club of unit.

SUGITA, Jiro

S/D (5-6 Aug 48 by Chedester)

Address: Saitama-ken, Hiki-gun, Matsuyama-aachi, Oaza Matsuyama, 5453

Captain, 6th Air Div Hdqrs, left 12 April with old C/S and old CG, ITABANA. never heard of prisoners. When defendant left INADA was commander.

(Of little value)

INADA - HOLLANDIA - 7

SUZUKI, Tetsuya

S/D (13-15 Jul 48 by Chedester) 

Address: Tokyo, Koto-ku, Fukagawa, Toyosu-machi, 5—1.

1st Lt., 22nd Airfield Bn, saw consolidated plane shot down in mid-April 1944, and battalion sent out searching party. 2-3 days after crash a KEMPETAI unit notified 6th Air Div Hdqrs and 22nd Bn. they had captured one flyer, and OSHIMA and 3—4 EM accompanied defendant near there (defendant went on as to another mission), and rejoined him, with the prisoner, on the way back, and the prisoner was later taken to the 2nd Maintenance/Company.

Shortly afterward everybody in Bn Hdqrs began talking about the prisoner who was to be executed in the mountains by HATANO, and everybody on one occasion began crying "Let's go, let’s go." ISHII told defendant HATANO was to kill a prisoner, HATANO pushed the prisoner along. Defendant accompanied them to a flat area atop a hill; HATANO said he would take him further in Defendant left and about three hours later HATANO went by Battalion Hdqrs and said he had completed it.

About 4-5 days later a 2nd prisoner was brought to 2nd Maint. Company, rumored that natives brought him in. Defendant thinks HATANO executed both, but maybe Utaro FUJIMOTO executed the 2nd, Everyone in the Air Div Hdqrs knew of the executions.

TABUCHI, Takashi

S/D (13 Jul 48 by Lynn)

Address; Hyogo-ken, Kobe-shi, Ikutaku, Tamamoto-dori, 3 chome, 120 banchi.

S/Pvt. of 22nd Airfield Bn, 2nd Maintenance Company, recalls a B-24 was shot down in Sentani Area around April 1944, heard an American flyer was captured and executed by HATANO. Defendant then states the flyer was kept two nights, then executed by HATANO.

TAKIMOTO, Nagatoshi

S/D (14 Jul 48 by Lynn)

Address; Kumamoto-ken, Arao-shl, Haramanda, 15 banchi.

Sgt, Maj. of 2nd Maintenance Co. recalls that in about March or April 1944, someone said an American flyer was held by 1st Maint. Co., later heard HATANO executed him in the morning in the mountains. Denies Uto's story that he was at the execution,

TANAKA, Eikichi

S/D (12 Jul 48 by Chedester)

Address; Aomori-ken; Sannoe-gun, Hirasaki-mura, Oaza, Okita-Omote, Aza Waseda, 6-3

S/M, 2nd Maint. Co., hospitalized from Feb to 20 April 1944, never head of prisoners.

(Of not value)

INADA - HOLLANDIA - 8

TATSUKI, Hideto

S/D (24-26 Jun 48 by Chedester)

Address; Hiroshima-ken, Tukuyama-shi, Higashi-machi, 637

2nd Lt., 6th Air Div Hdqrs, CO guard section, dispatched 6 days some distance from Hdqrs, in April 1944, only heard in Wewak (43) one prisoner was brought to 6th Air Div Hdqrs.

(Of little value)

TOKUNAGA, Kenji

S/D (20-28 Jul 48 by Chedester)

Address; Yamaguchi-ken, Shimonseki-shi, Ozuki, 1127,

Colonel, C/S, 6th Air Div Hdqrs, from 6 April 1944, IHADA arrived about 12 April 1944, About 14 April 1944 Major SAEKI and Major HARADA came to defend­ant's office (was still with 14th Flying Brigade Hdqrs. until 16 April) said two prisoners captured, told them to interrogate them and contact OKAMOTO of 6th Air Div Hdqrs,

Morning after defendant moved quarters and office at 6th Air Div Hdqrs, HARADA came alone and suggested they execute the prisoners; defendant didn't know division policy, so asked what was opinion of other staff officers, and he said the same. Defendant told him to see INADA and get his decision. Either that afternoon or the next HARADA came and asked defendant to relay the execution order since the 4-5 executioners were gathered at headquarters. Defendant asked HARADA if the Division Commander approved it, he said yes, so defendant proceeded to a small clearing in the jungle where the executioners awaited, told them to execute the prisoners end bury their bodies carefully, that HARADA was in charge.

Defendant believes this took place about 15-16 April 1944. Defendant thinks he received a report the next day from HARADA, thinks he forgot to mention anything about theseprisoners to INADA.  Defendant thinks INADA took command about 13 April.

TOTSUKA, Sadaji

S/D (19-22 Jun 48 by Chedester)

Address; (Tokyo-to, Nakano-ku, Egota, 1-122.)

1st Lt., 1st Maint Co., 22nd Airfield Bn, heard rumor in mid-April 1944 of four bomber flyers crashing at Lake Sentani, that KEMPETAI captured one, who was brought to 6th Air Div Hdqrs (defendant saw an order re this prisoner from 6th Air Div Hdqrs to 22nd Airfield Bn.) The prisoner was brought to the 2nd Maintenance Co., beheaded by HATANO (who subsequently died).

INADA - HOLLANDIA - 9

UMEMOTO, Genjiro

S/D (6-9 Jul 48 by Chedester)

Address; Nagasaki-ken, Nishi-Sonohi-gun, Kabashima-mura.

1st Lt., Intelligence, 22nd Airfield Bn. In mid-April 1944 TASHIRO went out to capture crashed flyers, 1-2 already dead. The next day or so defendant was called to 6th Air Div Hdqrs to act as interpreter for one of the prisoners. The prisoner was an American 2nd Lt,,’was struck twice with a pole by NAKANO, One or two others hit him with hands. 2-3 days later HATANO told defendant he volunteered to be the executioner at 6th Air Div Hdqrs.

UMEMOTO, Genjiro

S/D (19-30 Aug 48 by Chedester)

About 9 July 1948 OSHIMA told defendant that AMAGUCHI asked him not to mention that HATANO beheaded a prisoner at Hollandia.

UTO, Isao

S/D (8-15 Jul 48 by Chedester)

Address; Kagoshima-ken, Aira-gun, Fukuyama-machi, 2918.

2nd Lt., 2nd Maintenance Co. In mid-April 1944, Lt. TASHIRO searched for parachuted flyers; later said the flyers were dead or injured, and about same time defendant saw prisoner inside battalion headquarters, believes he was interro­gated by 6th Air Div Hdqrs. Defendant saw him again 2-3 days later. He had a lipstick-marked handkerchief. On retreat to Sarmi, defendant heard HATANO had volunteered to behead the prisoner at 6th Air Div Hdqrs, that TABUCHI, HATANAKA, SHIBUYA, and TAKIMOTO went along.

WATANABE, Shin

S/D (1-6 July 48 by Chedester)

Address; Yamanashi-ken, Minami-Tsuru-gun, Shimo-yoshida-machi.

S/Pvt. 6th Air Div Hdqrs guard, heard one flyer was captured and held at 6th Air Div Hdqrs.

(Of little value)

YAMAGUCHI, Shunichi

S/D (12-14 Jun 48 by Chedester)

Address; Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Yoyogi-tomigaya-cho, 1466.

Captain-Adjutant of 6th Air Div Hdqrs. Did not see

(Of no value).

or hear of prisoners

INADA - HOLLANDIA - 10

YOKOTA, Masaji

S/D (17-19 Jul 48 by Chedester)

Address: Ibaragi-ken, Mito-shi, Nishihara, 3171

1/C Pvt. Messenter, 22nd Airfield Bn. JDefendant heard in mid-Anril 1944 that a prisoner was brought in, this by MIYAHARA and SAITO.

(Of little value)

YONEZAWAYA, Kisuke

S/D (6 August 1948 by Chedester)

Address: Akita-shi, Araya-machi, Koganeya, 197.

S/Pvt. 6th Air Div Hdqrs (orderly). In April 1944 saw a burning American plane, heard of no prisoners.

(Of little value)

YOSHIMURA, Seizuke

S/D (16-18 June 1948 by Chedester)

Address: Tokyo-to, Arakawa-ku, Ogu-machi, 1 Chome, 1070

L/Pvt. 6th Air Div Hdqrs Staff. Knows nothing of prisoners.

(Of no value)