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Statement of Wako (25 Aug-5 Sept 47). 1st Lt Yoshida and 1st Lt Ohno were executioners. Either the 5th or 6th flyer was shot by a bow and arrow, was slightly wounded. Then someone hit the 6th or 7th flyer in the chest, following which he was beheaded.
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Statement of Otsuki (24 Mar- 8 Apr 47). Ohtsuki arrived at Aburayama about 1015, day of the execution (9-10 Aug). The truck stopped a short distance away from the road leading into the crematorium, and the soldiers led the Prisoners up into the field, made them sit down. A few soldiers further up in the field were preparing to dig a pit. Ohtsuki noticed Wako and Ohno of Legal Section and several Officers nearbly. The second Prisoner was brought to the edge by the same NCO from LS, also stripped to the shorts and barefooted. Ohtsuki believes Itezono issued an order and Ohno of LS stepped to the edge of the pit, the Prisoner sitting on his haunches and beheaded him. Then Ohtsuki recalls someone yelled, "Stab him in the heart," and Ohno did so. 6 or 7 persons were standing in front of Otsuki so he saw Ohno raise the sword and the downward stroke, but he didn't see the sword hit. The head was 1/2 severed, and Ohtsuki saw Ohno stab him in the heart. Ohno withdrew the sword, washed it and the blood of his pant leg. The last Prisoner, the 8th, was all, stood about 15 meters from the pit facing the spectators. After practicing karate on the Prisoner for a while, the Prisoner was then led to the pit either by Yamamoto or one of the NCOs, walked in a crouched position. Ohno then severed his head. Executioners present: 2nd Lt Ohno of Legal Section, 1st Lt. Eguchi, Kuroki of Guerilla Unit, Probationary Officers Satano, Narazaki of Guerilla Unit. In the conversation back, it was remarked that Ohno was unable to kill the Prisoner with his sword, hitting the Prisoner's neck without severing it, and having to stab the Prisoner's heart. Ohno used terrific force in hitting the second Prisoner's neck, but didn't kill him because he didn't use proper technique, the Prisoner falling into the pit, Ohno stabbing his heart from the back. In October 1946, Ohtsuki met Ohno in Osaka, who said he was worried because he had beheaded two Prisoners, but thought that the superior Officers that attended the executions would be held responsible. Ohno had read about Yokohama and his staff being sent to Sugamo. |
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Statement of Fukushima (18-25 Aug 47). Sato was responsible for captured airmen because he was in charge cf air defense and tactics, was the one interested in getting information from them. 1st Lt. Ohno was in charge of the Prisoners under Sato; his place was later taken by Aihara. Yakumaru had charge of Prisoner of War records cf Prisoners brought outside of Japan and possibly Ohno and Aihara also took orders from him, Fukushima believes Sato gave orders to Ohno or Aihara and they relayed them to Yukino and Goiyama (who Fukushima believed were responsible for the feeding and care of the Prisoners.) |