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Statement of Wako (25 Aug - 5 Sept 1947) 1st Lt. Sadayoshi Murata was the prosecutor who detained those 4 American flyers, received in May 1945, their names included in the daily reports sent to Chief of LS. The Chief of LS (Ito) directed Murata, the prosecutor, to determine the charges on which the flyers would be tried by a military commission. Murata charged the flyers with indiscriminate bombings. Wako believes he took Murata's report regarding the charges, made about April or May, directly to the CG (Yokoyama) who approved it, and it was then taken to the Adjutant Section and then sent to the minister of War, This report was made about April or May. No reply was had for about 2 weeks, so Murata sent a telegram to the Minister of War to approve or disapprove the charges. Wako believes an answer was received that no such correspondence had been received, and another report was sent after getting the CG ’s approval in May or June. Wako faintly recalls that a reply of approval was obtained by the Adjutant Section (Jin) and then sent to the Chief of the LS, Wako then turning it over to Murata, who sent it to the CG (Yokoyama). The CG's han was on it. In late May or early June a meeting was hold in the office of the Chief of LS; attending were Ito, Sato, Murata, Wako, and another, concerning the punishment of the 4 PCS.Several days after the above mentioned meeting, Ito, Sato, Wako, and Perhaps Murata had a 2nd meeting. Several days after the- message was received from the War Minister approving the trial, Sato came to the LS to attend a meeting oiled, by Ito. Ito, Sato, Wako and perhaps Murata attended - this is the 2nd meeting descrived above. Sato and perhaps Murata'knew Wako was going into Yokoyama*s office to ask for his approval, (to hold executions) Wako then told Ito that he had obtained the.CG(s approval to execute the 4 PCS held by LS without trial. Ito replied, "alright." Wako then went to tee- Murata, who said he understood, this about 1400. Sato sent Wako a message that he was going to add 4 more PCS to those 4 to be executed. The 8 flyers were- taken to the area of the pit accompanied by Murata Wako, Uernura, several guards, and several officers from other units. Present: Sato, Murata, Shimzaki, POs Ohnishi, Saito, Shimomitsu and Soda. (One of the POs here named was not there. Sgt. Maj. Uernura, also there.) When the last 3 flyers were beheaded, Murata was just standing by, watching. The following day Wako heard Ito say that he had/ made a report to the CG. Several days later, Sato sent a messenger to Wako bringing a copy of the false report that was to be sent thru the CG to the Minister of War. According to this report over 10 PCS held at WA were killed during the bombing'raid at Fukuoka 19 June. Wako showed this report to Murata and either Wako or Murata was compiling a report for the Minister of War regarding the disposition of LS' 4 flyers. |