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ITEZONA, Tatsuo, Major Age - 30 Home - Kagoshima-ken Farmer Entered Army in April 1936 Went to Manchukuo, Probationary Officer in 1939* 2nd Lieutenant 1939, from October 1943 in Staff Hqs., Tokyo, in Intelligence. A Major since 1944. He was transferred to the Intelligence Section, Western Army, Fukuoka, in June 1945, where he remained until 25 August. Itezona was Assistant to Lt. Colonel Yokamaru from 18 June until the middle of July, working on plans for guerilla warfare if Japan were invaded. Also in this guerilla section were: Captain Kishimoto, 2nd Lt. Suetsugu and Probationary Officer Otsuki, Corporal Koji, Sergeant Major Matjiri and Sergeant Major Onishi. 'Kurate' is a method of fighting in which the feet and hands are used, striking the vital points of the anatomy. Kurate was not taught in this guerilla program, although bow and arrow was. From the middle of July until 14 August, Itezona worked on plans for handing the Japanese popul- tion if Kyushu would be invaded. Itezona states that the Amakazu case held the subordinate would not be held liable for killing when done under superior order. In August 1945, the accused (itezona) observed four or five flyers at Western Army who were brought in the compound. Be heard the commotion, looked out again and two of those flyers were in a position as if they had been beaten. In January 1946 Itezona was questioned by Oki as to the 20 June execution, but Itezona claims he knows nothing about it. However, he did attend the 11 August 1945 execution. He first heard of the 10 August execution when Aihara came to his office and told him that there was to be an execution of flyers at Aburayama the next morning at 1000 and asked if Itezona wanted to go. At that time Yakamaru, Sato, Hashiyama and, he believes, Shizozuka were present. Itezona said he would go and Aihara gave him directions and talked to him for ten minutes. Aihara said that eight prisoners were to be executed. Sato then corroborated the contemplated execution to Itezona and told Itezona to take some of the young guerilla officers with him. Sato said Nakamaru would make all preparations. Yakamaru was superior of Itezona. At about 1020 Itezona told Yakamaru that he was ordered by Sato to take some young officers with him. Sato said Nakamaru would make all preparations. Yakumaru was superior of Ito. At about 1020 Itezona told Yakamaru that he was ordered by Sato to take some young officers, that Sato told him to use bow and arrows and 'kurate', but he believes that Sato meant for him to use bow and arrows and 'kurate' before the execution. was the execution of the flyers. About 1030 Itezono told K̶o̶m̶o̶r̶i̶, [Marginal Note: Tomomori ] the 2nd Asst Chief of Staff, in charge of Kyushu Internal Security, about the execution upon Tomomori asking him about it, a̶n̶d̶ Tomomori said he would go and told Itezona to get in touch with the Adjutant Section as to transportation, so Itezona saw Kusimoto, the Adjutant to Yokoyama, who told him to leave at 0830, but Itezona states he believed Aihara arranged his transportation. Itezona now states that Sato told him that they could execute the flyers any way they liked. Itezona asked if they could use bow and arrows and 'kurate' and Sato replied that would be “all right“. Itezona wanted to see how their guerilla methods would work on humans. At 1100 Itezona went to the Headquarters room of the guerilla unit officer. Present at the time were: Captain Iwao Kishimoto and Probationary Officer Atsuki. He believes that thejewere also present Sergeant Major Majiri and Ohnishi,...not too sure of Corporal Kaji. Itezona told them that the next morning at 0900 eight American prisoners were to be executed, that Sato wanted the guerilla officers to participate and that 'kurate' and bow and arrows were to be used for the execution. Kishimoto said he would like to go but could not as he had a sore foot. Otsuki said he would take a bow and arrow with him. Itezona then learned from Kishimoto that 2nd Lieutenant Hajima Shnetsugu had not returned from Saga. After 1330, Itezona went to the building used by the guerilla unit. Present were: Probationary Officer Fukushima, Yamamoto, Narazaka, Noda, Satano, Nakajlma, Nishida, Yonagl, Soma, Ishiodori, Mazaki, Iwasaki, Yamanye, Miyamura, Miyamoto; also, three or more Probationary Officers and also 1st Lieutenant Kuroki, Ono, Eguchi and Otosu. Itezona assembled them and gave them the same instructions, said a truck would take them about 0830. About four of the men had diarrhea and were told not to go, including Probationary Officer Iwasaki. About 1600 Itezona talked to Sato who said that the intelligence investigations of the prisoners were complete and that he believed it dealt with the American Air Force. He recalls that Sato had said the investigation was conducted by the Sixth Air Force when the prisoners were brought in at Sasaguri Fukuoka-ken. Sato said he would attend. At 0830 there was a report by Probationary Officer to Itezona that the truck was ready. Itezona then asked Yakamaru if he were going but he said he was 'too busy'. Itezona then went across the hall to Tomomori and asked if he was going and he too said he was 'too busy' but to go ahead and he would join them later. The truck had about 32 persons in its rear when Itezona arrived, including eight American prisoners. There were three Japanese in the front seat. Some of the prisoners had shoulder straps on their shirts; one, Itezona learned later had an injured left ankle. There were 12 or 13 persons, including two officers, on the ground by the truck. There were eight EM guards in the rear of the truck. With guards and prisoners in the truck were: 1st Lieutenant Ono, Kuroki, Eguchi, Otosu, 2nd Lt. Yamamoto, Probationary Officers Satano, Noda, Otsuki, Nakashima, Mishida, Fukushima, The driver was one 2nd Lt. Nakamura and with him was an Air Corps Major visiting at Western Army Hqs. on the way to Korea who sat in front. Sato was on the ground, but talking to the Major on the truck. Sato then told Itezona that he (Sato) could not go and he expected an air attack because the weather was good and Itezona could take care of everything. The truck left by the rear gate and reached Aburayama between 0920 and 0930. The field was bounded on three sides by trees. The driver, an NCO, stayed at the truck. Soldiers were present at the field, Wako and about nine others were there, including two Majors on the Sixth Air Force staff, the others, he believes, were NCOs. There was blood on a post, suggesting that a Japanese had been tied there and shot by a firing squad. There was also a closed coffin. Wako said he was finished with the execution. Itezona rested about 30 minutes. Ohtsuki had about a 30 inch arrow in his hand, with a two foot cross bow, and about fifteen arrows on the ground next to him. He was cutting off about ten inches of the arrow. The heads were made of thin steel about two razor blades in thickness. Itezona then borrowed a bow and arrow. With the first shot he hit the tree, the second grazed the tree and the third shot fell short. Colonel Tomomori and Major Enatsu then arrived on the scene. Ohtsuki said he was going to use a bow and arrow that day (he was in charge of guerilla bow and arrow training). Itezona then asked Ono which guerilla wanted to volunteer. He invited Enatsu, who declined because his'daughter recently died. He invited the Air Corps Major, who declined. He invited two Air Corps officers already on the scene and they also declined. Wako said the bodies would have to be buried because the crematorium was busy. Itezona so told Tomomori who showed Itezona where to bury them on the edge of the woods. Itezona believes Wako and Nakamura followed them. Three or four soldiers then dug a spot about 4 feet by 10 feet and about five feet deep. Ono then reported that there were many volunteers. Itezona said it would have to be limited to four. Tomomori then asked if anyone would say a few words in honor of the prisoners. Itezona said he had never heard of such a thing. Itezona then told the soldiers to stop digging the pit and found Ono had four volunteers. One soldier brought water in wooden buckets to wash the swords. At about 1000 hours Enatsu told Itezona he thought everything was ready. Itezona then assembled all his guerilla unit. The enlisted men under Nakamura were formed. Then while the Japanese personnel stood in formation, Tomomori told them to go ahead with the execution. Eguchi washed the swords and a blind-folded prisoner was brought to the grave. Stripped except for shorts he was made to sit on his lynches on the edge of the grave. The guard left. Eguchi half severed his head and the flyer fell into the grave. Eguchi and a soldier straightened his body out in the grave and Eguchi washed his sword. 2nd Lt. Ohno of the Legal Section washed his sword and the second prisoner was brought forward. Ohno missed his neck and hit him on the back of his head. The prisoner fell moaning. Wako and Ohno then helped the prisoner up to position and Wako showed Ohno how to use the sword. Ohno then half severed his head and the prisoner fell into the grave. A soldier helped Ohno straighten the body and Ohno washed his sword. Probationary Officer Satano then severed the head of the third prisoner. Tomomori said Satano was very good and gave him a drink of whiskey - he also offered Eguchi and Itezona a drink. On the fourth prisoner, Otosu half severed the head and the prisoner rolled into the grave. Itezona believes Tomomori gave Otosu whiskey, saying “drink this, I don't xxx believe you feel very well". On the fifth prisoner Kuroki heeded two strokes to half sever the head. Itezona believes Tomomori sent some whiskey to Kuroki by Ono. At this time soldiers were rearranging the bodies in the grave. At that time Probationary Officers Narazaki, Yamauye and three others from the guerilla unit arrived, having walked,there being no room for them in the truck. On the sixth prisoner Itezona said “How about trying 'kurate' on this prisoner?“ Second Lieutenant Yamamoto stepped forth and had the prisoner face the spectators. Half way between them and the grave Yamamoto held him by his left arm. Noda, stripped to undershirt, stepped in front of the prisoner. He practiced the diaphragm blow with clench fist, not touching the prisoner. He then stepped back three or four steps, assumed a crouched running position , right arm by his side, fist closed and his ring finger thrust outward - one-half bent. He then ran toward the prisoner and stopped just before reaching him, and in a boxer's stance struck the flyer on the diaphragm. The prisoner slumped forward. Yamamoto, who was holding the prisoners arm, pulled him up straight. Noda repeated two or three times. Enatsu then walked up to Noda and told him that his 'kurate' - was very good, showed him the proper punch, but Noda tried several more times, with no result. Itezona says the prisoner did not fall and lose consciousness as he should have. Itezona then told him to stop and Yamamoto, or one of the Probationary Officers, then took the prisoner to the edge of the pit put him on his haunches and a Probationary Officer, a very tall Japanese from the guerilla unit, half severed his head. Itezona believes Tomomori gave him a drink of whiskey also. Yamamoto held the seventh prisoner by his left arm. Noda tried 'kurate' again. This or former time, the prisoner fell to the ground. Yamamoto pulled the prisoner to his feet. The Probationary Officer Yamanye tried the punch several times. Itezona believes he, Itezona, ordered him to do so since he was one of the best. Yamamye tried three or four times. Yamamoto angered, holding prisoner's left arm by his left wrist, swung out in front of him and kicked the prisoner in scrotum with his foot. The prisoner fell forward pleading “wait, wait”. Yamamoto straightened the prisoner out and kicked him two or three more times. Itezona then ordered Yamamoto to stop the 'kurate'. Tomomori said the 'kurate' was ineffective since the prisoners were all too big. Probationary Officer Narazaki then volunteered. Itezona told him to try 'Kesagiri', cutting through the center of the shoulder down through the lungs. Narazaki measured the prisoner with his sword and struck him a three inch cut into the shoulder. The prisoner fell into the grave. Narazaki then struck his sword in prisoner's heart on Itezona's order to end his life as soon as possible. Tomomori gave Narazaki some whiskey. The eighth prisoner was put in a sitting position facing the crowd. Ohtsuki was ten feet away. Ohtsuki struck the prisoner with an arrow above the left eye brow, making a small wound, the arrow falling to the ground. With the second arrow he missed the prisoner. Tomomori then said to stop. Then either Yamamoto or a Probationary Officer made the prisoner get up, walk to the center of the pit and kneel. Ohno then half severed his head. The bodies were then covered with straw mats and the pit filled up. The Japanese again assumed formation. Tomomori was selected and he then made a speech saying the prisoners were not Prisoners of War but executed enemy, mentioning International Law. About 1130 Tomomori left in a staff ear. The men entrucked arrived back about noon. Itezona reported to Sato. Later Sato or Yakamaru inquired "How was the execution?" At about 1500 that or the next day Enatsu came to Itezona's office and said 'kurate' was ineffective and that he had killed two of five Chinese in China by that method. The day after the executions, Itezona went to see Tomomori who told him the guerillas would use bows and arrow in the event of invasion. That day Kishimoto told Itezona he was sorry he could not make the executions. On the 14th, Sato told Itezona the remaining prisoners would be executed the following day. On the evening of 15 August, Itezona met 1st Lt. Hashiyama, who said he had attended the execution of the American prisoners at Aburayama. He said,he was angry with Sato because he had taken a woman to the executions, who, Itezona believes, was a Western Army Hqs civilian employee. Hashiyama said he felt like killing Sato with the same sword he had used to kill the prisoners. At 1000 16 August, Sato asked Itezona whether the bodies of the 11 August execution had been cremated and was very angry when he learned the had been buried. Fukushima, Tomomori, Sato, Itezona and Enatsu left Hirao where they had been transferred,for Fukuoka, and met with Ito, Yakamaru, Aihara and a 1 st or 2nd Lieutenant from Kempetai and two company grade officers from Hqs. Nakamura came in and in answer to a question, replied that the bodies of 11 August execution had been cremated with those of the 15 August execution. Itezona then left the meeting and burned all his books and papers. On 16 August, Sgt. Uchino and Sgt. Major Kondo assisted Itezona in separating the equipment of the flyers that was combustible. Uchino and Itezona then burned flyers' possessions. Fukushima came to watch them twice. At 1730, Kondo, Uchino and Utezona loaded the other items of the flyers on a truck. Fukushima then came around and told Itezona to dispose of the items in the American planes lying around Hqs. and he did so, loading them in a truck. Itezona then asked Kishimoto to contact the Army Port and Service Command to get a boat and then took a streetcar out to the boat. Uchino, Kondo and Itezona went in the truck and unloaded the stuff into the boat and went out into the bay where they dumped each item separately into the water. Kishimoto was on the boat. At Hirao that A.M., Tomomori and Yakamaru had told Itezona to dispose of the flyers' possessions and dump the non-combustible items into the sea. On 13 October, Sato told Itezona, on a chance meeting, that he thought the execution of 11 August would be discovered and inquired of Itezona whether he intended to go into hiding. In January 1946, Itezona was called to Western Demobilization Office and questioned by Oki and again summoned in February 1946 and questioned. At this time Itezona saw Inada who asked him who ordered the executions and Itezona replied, Sato. Inada said he first heard of the executions in October or November, but he had a half smile on his face, making Itezona feel he was lying. At that time Inada said Fukushima was doing all he could to cover up the executions. Itezona thought Inada knew about the executions all along since as Chief of Staff he would know of the order of the Commanding General and Itezona thought Sato was so ordered by the Commanding General. It was impossible for Sato to order such executions on his own. Yakamaru, Tomomori and the other staff officers knew about it. He thinks Isa might have known about the executions also. He believes Fukushima knew of the executions at the time of per petration, but he isn't sure. Sato, as the officer in charge of flyers, had Fukushima as his direct superior. Akita, in April 1946, told Itezona that if he were asked it would be better to tell everything, but not to talk too much about other people implicated in the execution, other than about receiving the order from Sato. Yakamaru was head of Itezona1s section, but Sato issued orders direct to Itezona who felt prisoners had been given a military trial, since the order had been given by an officer in charge of the prisoners. At the execution grounds, Tomomori, Enatsu, Wako and Ohno of Legal Section did not question Itezona. Suzuki Report - 6 January 1946 (420) On 11 August Sato ordered Itezona, attached to Operations Dept, to "deal severely" with eight prisoners. On 12 August, Itezona had his subordinates so dispose of them at Aburayama. However, Sato told Itezona to get Fukushima's sanction as an added precaution, but instead Itezona went to Tomomori and invited him to attend the proceedings. Biography of Itezona - 26 April 1947 (420) Domicile: Kagoshima Prefecture. Born: 1917 1939 - 2nd Lieutenant - 1944 - Major. Served in Manchuria 10 June 1945 transferred from GHQ to Seibu Area Hqs. Retired - 25 August. |