Statement Concerning Itezono

S/D (Itezono)  of 23 October 1946  (ATIS 35589)

1. Revision of 1st paragraph of previous report: In early August 1945, Defendant saw 5 or 6 Americans escorted by 3 Kempei coining towards the headquarters entrance from the main gate as he looked out the second floor headquarters window. Ten minutes later Defendant looked out the window again, saw two Americans in front of the entrance, one sitting, the other doubled over in a sitting position, surrounded by army civilian employees and part time headquarters workers. There were two armed Kempei.

ENATSU was speaking furiously to the group; Defendant's impression was that he was restraining the Japs because they struck the American airmen. Defendant believes it was after this a straw dummy of an American was set up at both main and back gates with instructions that they were to be struck or stabbed by any passing Japanese; this was said to have been the idea of either TOMOMORI or someone else to boost the headquarter fighting spirit.

2. Addition to version of mid-August execution at Aburayama: In late March 1946, Defendant was called to headquarters; met AKITA, Sr. Staff Officer, who asked what the JA had questioned him about. Defendant told him that he asked him if he had slashed any American flyers at Aburayama. AKITA then asked why he asked that since the slashers had been identified, produced a paper with a list of executioners, asked Defendant if it were correct, which he confirmed.

AKITA then said that according to SATO the raiding force Officers came to him on the morning of the Execution for permission to execute 8 American airmen, and after receiving it took the airmen to Aburayama, but that he didn't think any such foolishness happened because TOMOMORI was also there, but that, in any event, SATO was still talking nonsense, that when he summoned him he would say that he understood, but outside he tried to evade responsibility by telling outrageous stories, that such conduct inexcusable in a staff officer.

3. Addition to Chain of Command and Transmission of Orders: When SATO gave Defendant the orders in the operations room present were Col. SHINOZUKA, SATO, Lt. Col. Kusu-rimaru YAKUMARU, Adjutant 1st Lt. HASHIYAMA, AIHARA.

4. Addition to description of departure: Part time workers and civilian employees were gathered ground and remained until the truck left.

Service record of Defendant

1936: Entered Military Academy Preparatory School

1944: Made major.

16 June 1945: WAS Operations Section

25 August 1945: Reserve

15 August to 15 October 1945: Operations Section WA to clear up post war business.

Defendant was absent from WAH 20 June, was in Hiaro barracks 15 August.

In the PM of 7 or 8 August, AIRHARA, who was incharge of American airmen, came to Defendant's working place, said there was to be an execution of 8 American airmen at Aburayama the next day - said, "I wonder if you could attend?" Defendant could not consent without approval from the Staff Officer or his superior, so he asked SATO, in Aihara's presence, since he was responsible for the American airmen, if it were true that there would be an execution at 0900 the next day to which SATO replied "Yes, we will do it. There,are many Officers from the raiding force, so why don't you attend?", then explained that the actual proceedings would be handled by Adj.

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NAKAMURA, so members of the raiding force need only participate in the execution; that it was easy since simply a matter of slashing with a saber, added, “Use archery and karate as well,” was in very high spirits. Defendant said “Indeed, then I shall go."

AIHARA showed Defendant where Aburayama was, and Defendant then told 1st Lt. Kono of the raiding force that the raiding force Officers were ordered to participate in the execution, showed him the location, after which AIHARA said that a truck would be going and that they could all ride on it.

Defendant then reported the execution to Lt. Col. Kusurimaru (YAKUMARU), who was in the next room, to which he answered “good.“ Defendant then apprised TOMOMORI, the assistant C/S for the raiding forces, asked if he were going, told him of trying

archery and karate to which TOMOMORI said, “Is that so? Guess I'll go then."; then asked the location, told him to contact the adjutant, and Defendant apprised KUSUMOTO asked him what time the truck was leaving, to which he replied around 0830, said there would be an execution of a Jap soldier that morning and the JA should be present. Defendant then told KUSUMOTO that TOMOMORI was going.

Defendant then went to the fencing hall of the raiding force, told them they were told to use karate and archery, explained the location, told them of the truck.

The next morning an orderly told Defendant the truck was ready to leave, asked Kusurimaru (YAKUMARU) “Shall we go?“ and he replied that he was too busy. Defendant then told TOMOMORI they were ready, and he replied he then had an urgent matter, would go later.

The truck was filled, and SATO and an air corps operations major were standing there. SATO said he couldn't go since American planes were to come over again. The air corps operations major got in the front; Defendant in the back.

At Aburayama were 1 or 2 6th Air Army Officers, a JA Capt (WAKO) and. 2nd Lt. OHNO. Some enlisted men were present. The execution of a Jap had just ended. While rest­ing TOMOMORI and ENATSU arrived. A JA Officer appeared to have been on the truck; perhaps 2nd Lt. ONO. Defendant borrowed a bow from PO Ogi (OHTSUKI), shot about two of his ten arrows at a tree.

Defendant told KONO to assemble the raiding force Officers who wanted to participate, but since the greater major wanted to do so, plus Adj. NAKAMURA, evidently Defendant asked ENATSU and WAKO whether they were going to engage in the executions and they said no. Someone said that the group of NAKAMURA had finished preparation, so Defendant fell in the raiding force, with, the other staff Officers falling in on the right, the EM to the rear or left. Defendant saluted TOMOMORI, who replied, Thank you, and thereafter they were under the command of TOMOMORI.

KONO told- Defendant that the order of participants had been decided, and the performers stepped forward, made preparation, and the Americans were brought forward, naked and blindfolded, by the Adjutant's group. A Jap was speaking English to the Americans, offering them cigs.

Defendant then produced chart of positions of parties.

Defendant believes the last execution was by 1st Lt. EGUCHI, the 2nd by 2nd Lt. ONO

(OHNO?) the 3rd by 1st Lt. OTOSU, the 4th by PO SATANO, and the 5th by 1st Lt. KUROKI.

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The sixth was probably PO NODA, who had declared he would give karate. There were several others, too, and they tried several times without results. It was pitiful’, so Defendant admonished them to stop. Defendant believes PO NARASAKI then stepped up and finished the execution.

Karate was then tried several times on the 7th, by POs NODA, YAMAMOTO, and an unknown Po skklled in karate, Defendant believes. TOMOMORI said “Karate again. The karate victims are all big, aren’t they?"

All the Americans were big, and Defendant warned them to stop, and a lieutenant then executed the victims. When the karate was being executed, the Americans were forced to stand. It seems that ENATSU pointed out that their karate was useless and demon­strated once, but Defendant doesn't remember too clearly. It must have been during the 6th or 7th execution that an American fell on his back waen struck. Defendant thinks TOMOMORI remarked, “The karate of the raiding force is useless.”

A bow was used on the 8th Prisoner from about 3 meters; it must have been performed by a shortPO named OGI (OHTSUKI). Ogi (OHTSUKI) shot from a kneeling position, the American in a sitting position; the first arrow missed, the second struck the left forehead, bounced back after inflicting only a slight wound. When inserting the third arrow the bow string became loose, as TOMOMORI said “Stop”.

Soon JA 2nd Lt. OHO (OHNO?) stepped forward and performed with a sword. During the "2d round" after seeing ONO’s first stroke WAKO instructed him on the entire proced­ure, from the sitting position of the victim to the actual execution. Thereafter every executor followed his example.

TOMOMORI cheered up each executor, frequently gave advice on how to perform the exe­cution. After each execution, the corpse was aligned neatly in the pit. They were covered with straw and the hole filled with dirt on termination. Either WAKO or NAKAMURA commented that the crematory was not available and cremation would have to be postponed. On the afternoon of 15 August SATO told Defendant that NAKAMURA re­ported to him that the cremat on had taken place two or three days after the execu­tion.

After the execution, everyone fell in and saluted TOMOMORI, who lectured, said that “I am much obliged, men.” that today they disposed of the enemy and not Prisoners of War. POs NAKASHIMA, NODA, NISHIDA and FUKUSHIMA of the raiding force were present at this execution.

ENATSU, WAKO, KONO, NAKASHIMA, NISHIDA and FUKUSHIMA did not personally engagein the executions. Since SATO who was responsible for the orders, was unable to attend, those who attended were distressed that there was no 00, but fortunately TOMOMORI, WAKO and ENATSU were there to give frequent and detailed instructions re the exe­cution, so it turned out to be a success. The execution was carried out under the command of assistant C/S TOMOMORI, who was the immediate superior Officer. Defendant was the ranking Officer of the raiding force, was under the impression that they were being ordered to execute persons who had been given death sentences in accord­ance with the Articles of War, because

1. SATO ordered the executions, was staff Officer in charge of the American airmen.

2. Assistant C/S TOMOMORI and Kempei Major ENATSU were present.

3. A JA Officer was present.

4. The superior Officers above mentioned didn't question the execution.

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5. The above Officer personally to various matters concerning the executions.

6. TOMOMORI stated in conclusion that the victims were enemy soldiers, not PWs. 'If unlawful punishment, the participants would have been severely punished by a Japanese court martial.

On the night of 16 August SATO said that FUKUSHIMA told him to execute the American Airmen, but after the war ended told SATO that it was his responsibility; that he was on the spot.

On the day of the order for the execution, Defendant asked SATO whether the investigation of the Americans to be executed the next day (10 August) were completed, and he said, "Oh, well, the investigations are complete and since no further business remains, it has been decided to execute them. Defendant had heard that SATO made frequent trips to the 6th Air Army as to the investigation of American airmen.

SATO gave the instructions as to methods of execution. TOMOMORI, MATSU and the JA (WAKO) made no effort to explain the execution procedure or to prohibit the use of karate and archery. This was Defendant's first execution. Defendant believes Adj. NAKAMURA took care of the clothing and belongings of the Americans.

On the evening of 15 August, on orders of FUKUSHIMA and at the request of Lt. Col. Kusurumaru (YAKUMARU), Capt. KISHIMOTO, M/Sgt KONDO, an unknown sergeant and De­fendant boarded a motor boat and went out into the bay to dispose of pistols, ammo, daggers, boat oars, and round cans which had belonged to the American crewman. Defendant believes there were a dozen pistols and a dozen daggers. Further, it seems that KONDO was carrying a bundle.

On 16 August in there PM, an order was issued to burn the belts, ammo punches of the American crewmen at the ruins of the Daimyo Cho Hq barracks. The guard section was in charge of the disposal; M/Sgt KONDO and an unknown Sergeant burned them. Defend­ant watched the burning. FUKUSHIMA was present.

On 13 October 1945, after a long lapse, Defendant met SATO at headquarters, who told him that he was certain to be arrested and that he should go into hiding. Later SATO told him that their superiors intended to shift the blame to SATO and Defendant, that Defendant should hide as soon as possible.

Such an important matter as an execution is decided at a staff meeting}

In March 1946, Defendant met Lt. Col. Kusurimaru (YAKAMARU) who asked him if they had acted on orders of Sato, and he then said that SATO was attempting to shift the blame on others so that ”you fellows" better tell the truth.

On 15 August in the afternoon, FUKUSHIMA. warned Defendant other subordinate Officers, and staff members about the disposition of the pistols and other weapons and equip­ment of the American airmen. When Defendant told him they had not been settled yet, he reprimanded Defendant severely.

OKI questioned Defendant re the execution, used coercion, tried to be conclusive. TOMOMORI also put pressure on Defendant.

Defendant received an injured eye in the 19 June raid, and had been on tours of Kyushu, and thus not acquainted with headquarters personnel and some of own Officers.