Statement Concerning Motomori

Case
USA v. Kiyoharu Tomomori et al.
Statement Title ATIS translation of statement taken by Oki
Record Type Statement
Subject of Statement Yasuo Motomura
Statement Provided By Ginzaburo Oki

ATIS Translation of statement taken by Oki 5 October. (Please note in Oki file)

A superior private in the Operations Department, Code Section, of WAH from February to 25 September 1945. On orders of Cpl. OKADA Defendant was sent on a detail to the seene of the murder of American crewmembers in mid August 1945 (15 August execution). About 1400-1500, under OKADA, they blindfolded the crewmembers at the guardhouse, put them on the truck, and got on with them. 6-7 2nd and 1st Lieutenants, 3 POs (quartered in the Headquarters gymnasium) 2 M/Sgts (personnel members of air defense operations room, he believes) got on the other truck with Col. SATO, and they then went to the scene. Defendant believes there were 12-13 flyers.

The scene was in the mountains near the crematory. The Prisoners were given water, taken to a level area. One 2nd Lt. and 3 POs took 4 crew members to some slightly depressed ground, Defendant followed. One of the POs used karate on 1 crewmember, who started to run away, hut the 2nd Lt. and the POs pulled him hack, and one be­headed him. The 2nd Lt. then beheaded a crew member, and 2 POs then beheaded the remaining 2. Defendant does not know the circumstances of the other group.

Pvt. 2nd Class SUETSUGU (not to he confused withthe guerrilla boy) was near when a 2nd Lt. and a PO said to them "Why don’t you fellows take a stab at it?" SUETSUGU then stabbed the chest of the corpse of a crew member with a dagger or borrowed sword.

After the beheadings were completed, the corpses were placed oh something resembling a box and tied with rope and hauled to a point near the road. In the meantime about 10 Os and NCOs of the Judicial Section came to this place and exhumed 6-7 corpses buried there previously, wrapped them in blankets, carried them to a point near the road. Defendant stood guard on the road, then returned to Head­quarters by car.

The crewmembers wore their uniforms and shoes at the time of execution. SATO and NAKAMURA told Defendant not to mention to anyone about the scene of the execution. There was a navy Officer present, a personnel member of the operations room.