Statement Concerning Ohtsuki

OHTSUKI, TAKASHI  [Marginal Note: Sugamo 24 Apr 47 ]

Statement of Ohtsuki (24 March-8 April 1947)

26, farmer, drafted 1943, made PO 1944, attended guerilla warfare school from January to 31 March 1945, assigned to WAH Guerilla Unit under staff section, 20 April 1945. His immediate superior officer was Capt. Yoshio Kishimoto, while Lt. Col. Katsuya Yakumaru was the staff officer in charge of the guerrila sec­tion. In June 1945, Maj. Tatsuo Itezono arrived at headquarters and took com­plete charge of the guerrilla unit under Yakumaru. Ohtsuki remained with guerilla unit: until 25 August.

Guerilla Unit: Under Yakumaru, Itezono was in command. Under him Capt. Kishi­moto, then 2nd Lt. Suetsugu and Yamamoto. Ohtsuki was next as a PO. In early July 1945 20 POs and 5 1st Lt.*s arrived from Tokyo, all graduates of Nakano Intelligence School. Among the POs were Noda, Satano, Narasaki, Yamauye, Kako, Nishida, Koyama, and, Ohtsuki believes, Kitagami and Enoki. Among the 1st Lt.s were Ono, Kuroki and Eguchi.

The members were studying the structure of guerilla units formed under division, regimental, and small headquarters and forming plans as to how they were to be used in case of invasion. They were to combat the enemy by ambusing, night raids, sabotage, etc. They trained in the above, and in turn trained for 2 months about 50 NCOs and soldiers from the various headquarters who in turn were to assist in the instruction of others Ohtsuki was to form a plan, the construction and location of the bases of operation and strategic vantage points for the various guerilla units. There were about 70-80 guerilla units under Wit with about a total of 7-800.

In late July 1945 Ohtsuki overheard 2nd Lt. Suetsugu tell another that it seemed as though PCS were taken to KIU Hospital. Someone said something about amputating an arm.

1st heard of 20 June execution 2-3 days after it took place. PO Ohnishi of LS told Ohtsuki that a beheading of PCS had taken place in Headquarters a few days before, said he had beheaded one or some of the Prisoners, that Wako of LS had beheaded some of the Prisoners.

9-10 August execution: About noon on prior day, Itezono came to the guerilla unit office, located the headquarters building on 2nd floor next to Adjutant Section, about 3 in office, Kishimoto, Ohtsuki, and girl clerk. Itezono told Kishimoto that the Staff Section was going to kill the PCS the next day.

Under the Chief of Staff there were about 8 high ranking officers heading various departments. These men, their assistants and office help were known as the Staff Section. The guerilla unit was considered a part of this section.

Ohtsuki asked Kishimoto if a military commission had sentenced the Prisoners to be executed. Kishimoto did not say, but said that he thought that the high ranking staff Officers had conferred and decided to execute the Prisoners, giv­ing the impression that the flyers were not tried by military commission. Ohtsuki believes Itezono left that impression.

OHTSUKI -2-

About 0900 the next morning, Itezono entered the guerrilla unit office where Kishimoto and Ohtsuki were present, said they were ready to go to the execution of the PCS and told Ohtsuki to take a bow and arrows and participate in the exe­cution. Ohtsuki was in charge of distribution of bows and arrows to the civi­lian National Defense Units under WA. About 200 bows and 800 arrows were dis­tributed for training purposes; about 800 bows were stored at Headquarters waiting distribution. After the war, Ohtsuki burned them under orders of Itezono.

The cross bow was about 1 meter long, the part held in the hands shaped like a gun stock;near the outer end a bow about 80 centimeters in length was set into the stock with just the bow string above the surface. The stock was grooved about 3/4 of way back where the arrow fit. To cock the bow, the front would be placed on the ground, and, while standing, the butt against the stomach. The string would then be pulled back with both hands and placed over a catch. Then the arrow would be inserted into the groove, aimed like a gun. The arrow was of oil soaked bamboo, about 60 centimeters long and 6 millimeters in diameter. The arrow tip was about 1-g- centimeters long, round, of cold rolled steel, pointed like a sharpened lead pencil. Another type used was about the thick­ness of 3 razor blades with a slightly pointed tip measuring about 5-6 milli­meters from the end of the shaft to the tip of the arrow. Ohtsuki believes that the plans for these bows and arrows were drawn up by Fukushima.

Prior to 9-10 August, Ohtsuki never had seen a bow used, but a civilian archery instructor at WA told him a person could be killed from 30-40 meters.

Ohtsuki was told by Itezono that he would participate, got a bow and about 15 arrows. Itezono told him to hurry to the truck. Kishimoto handed Ohtsuki his camera, told him to take a picture if he made a good hit, but Ohtsuki said he didn’t know how to operate a camera.

Ohtsuki went across to Lt. Yamamoto’s office, told him of bow and arrows and execution, left in truck. Ohtsuki made no protest about going. The prisoners were sitting on the center of the truck floor, blindfolded, clothed in dirty American Air Corps uniforms, 18-20 Japanese soldiers were also in the back of the truck, with many civilians and soldiers standing near as observers. Kusumoto, head of the adjutant section, and his assistant, an air-corps captain, were watching. Itezono, standing near the drivers cab, told Ohtsuki to hurry, so he quickly climbed aboard, as Yamamoto came running out to say he was going. Itezono or Kusumoto told several persons to walk to Aburayama, the truck leav­ing about 0945.

There were 8 Caucasian Prisoners wearing American Air Corps Uniforms. They ar­rived at Aburayama about 1015. 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 farther up in the field were preparing to dig a pit. Ohtsuki noticed Wako and Ohno of LS and several officers nearby. Ohtsuki then walked towards the road and noticed a field grader’s sedan parked there. Tomomori and Enatsu then passed and walked to where Wako was standing. Itezono approached Tomomori, saluted him, apparently made some sort of a report. Itezono then told Ohtsuki to prepare this arrows, Ohtsuki cutting off about 25 centimeters from the front part of the arrow and inserted the arrow head with the help of a medical corps sgt, preparing about 15.

OHTSUKI -3-

Itezono then picked up a bow and arrow, hit an arrow into a pine tree about 40 yards away. He then told Ohtsuki to practice, Ohtsuki retrieving the arrow. Itezono used the round tip with slightly pointed end arrow. Ohtsuki then shot 2 arrows about 50 meters, retrieving the bows.

Ohtsuki then returned, noticed that all the PCS were smoking, with the soldier-interpreter talking to them. Ohtsuki watched about 5 minutes. Then a LS cor­poral or sgt. said to strip the Prisoners, and the first and second were stripped to their shorts.

Kishimoto told Ohtsuki that Itezono, while not actually a staff Officer, was the acting staff Officer in charge of the Guerrilla Units for WA ; he was billeted with the WAH Staff Officers.

Ohtsuki stood about 6-7 meters from the pit. The first Prisoner was beheaded by an officer or PO.

The 2nd 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. 6-7 persons were standing in front of Ohtsuki, 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 with­ drew the sword, washed it and the blood off his pant leg. The Frisoner gave a loud cry, moaned as he lay in the pit, face downward, until stabbed in the heart. Blood spurted from the sword wound.

After the execution was finished, Tomomori said, "I will give whisky to all of the executioners." Tomomori did pour whisky into a small glass cup and was giving it to the executioners, including Satano and Eguchi, Narazaki;and Itezono was standing next to Tomomori.

PO Satano then stepped forward to the edge of the pit, Ohtsuki about 2 meters from the pit. The Prisoner sat on his haunches, and Satano completely severed the Prisoner's head.

The 4th Prisoner was beheaded by an unknown officer. All the Prisoners were stripped and barefooted. In most cases the Prisoner let out a loud cry as the sword hit his neck.

The 5th Prisoner was brought to the pit, and a LS officer, taller than average, severed his head, washed his sword.

As the 6th Prisoner was brought up, Ohtsuki rejoined the group in front of the pit-- about 4 meters in from the edge. Ohtsuki believes that 1st LT. Kuroko be­headed the Prisoner. There was then a rest period of about 5 minutes.

Itezono then told Ohtsuki that he was to shoot the Prisoner with a bow and arrow, and Ohtsuki stopped about 20 meters in front of the pit, the LC NCO leading the 7th Prisoner to the pit and made him sit on the edge facing the spectators.

OHTSUKI -4-

Itezono told Ohtsuki to go forward to 8-9 meters from the Prisoner, to shoot in a sitting position. Ohtsuki aimed at the Prisoner's forehead, was nervous, and the first arrow missed, the 2nd arrow missed. Ohtsuki then moved 2 steps closer on the advice of Tomomori, he believes. The 3rd arrow then missed, but the 4th arrow veered off after striking the Prisoner and the arrow fell to the left of the Prisoner, having grazed his forehead, causing a wound about 1 1/2" in length about-1" above the eyebrow. The arrow used was of the sharpened lead pencil tip type. The 5th arrow missed the Prisoner, Ohtsuki inserted the 6th, when Tomomori, Ohtsuki believes, said "Stop". On the first 3 tries, Ohtsuki used the round type, arrow head with slightly pointed tips, on the last two the sharpened lead pencil type. Itezono meant for him to kill the Pri­soner; he aimed at the forehead, attempted to do so.

At this time the personnel that walked arrived. Someone said that Narazaki was good in Kendo,to Itezono, and Narazaki then walked towards the Prisoner; sitting on the edge of the pit, and beheaded him.

Correction: the 1st group of about 25 POs from Nakano Intelligence School were being trained at WAH under Itezono, Kishimoto, and Suetsugu. With the exception of 8-9 POs the rest were transferred to various army divisions about 11 August 1945 as guerrilla warfare instructors, 8-9 POs left at headquarters. Then about 15 Prisoners from the Futamata Guerrilla Training School arrived as re­placements.

The last - 8th Prisoner, was tall, stood about 15 meters from the pit facing the spectators (those to be decapitated had their backs to the spectators.) Itezono in a loud voice said Karate would be tried next. Tomomori and Enatsu were still standing in the same position, Itezono on the left of the Prisoner about 2 meters away, Ohtsuki next to him. PO Noda stepped forward, took off his jacket, walked up to the Prisoner and in a boxer's stance with closed fist delivered several blows to the Prisoner's diaphram and stomach using both fists, one after another, then kicked the Prisoner in the scrotum a few times with the tip of his shoes, using his, Ohtsuki believes, right foot, striking the Prisoner about 4 blows.

The Prisoner reeled back a few steps, let out a loud cry when kicked in the scrotum once or twice. When Noda was delivering the diaphram blow, Itezono told him to suck his stomach in.

Itezono then said in a loud voice that one good in karate at Nakano Intelligence

School should try karate on the next Prisoner. PO Yamauye stepped out, and at first delivered 2 diaphram punches with his closed fists, right and left, then kicked the Prisoner in the scrotum twice with the tip of his shoes, using his right then left foot, then delivered 2 diaphram blows using his right and left fists. When the Prisoner was kicked in the scrotum, he let out a loud cry and bent forward. When Yamauye made the 3rd diaphram punch, the Prisoner let out a loud moaning cry, fell backward on the ground, got on his feet by himself. When Yamauye delivered his 4th diaphram blow the Prisoner was unable to stand on his feet any longer and sat oh the ground.

OHTSUKI -5-

Then Ohtsuki believes Yamamoto came out from the spectators, grabbed the Pri­soner's arm (left), pulled him up, then, holding the Prisoner's left arm, kicked the Prisoner in the scrotum once with his left foot, then kicked the Prisoner's left leg just above the knee using the tips of his shoes. He started to fall backward after a blow to his scrotum, but Yamamoto made him stand straight again, holding his left arm. Ohtsuki doesn’t believe anyone told him to use his karate on the Prisoner. Ohtsuki doesn't recall Tomomori ordering anyone to stop karate.

Itezono and Enatsu then approached each other, talked, and Itezono turned to the group of 15 POs in front of the Prisoner and said in a loud voice that all of the POs stop up and try Karate on the Prisoner, and they all moved up, with 6 of them taking turns delivering the diaphram and stomach blows, including Nishida, Narazaki, Koyama, and, Ohtsuki believes, Karu. Each man delivered one blow, then receded. While they were trying out their karate, Enatsu, 3-4 meters from the Prisoner, showed them how karate should be done, then said Futamata should also try the karate, meaning the Futamata Guerrilla Training School.

Ohtsuki then walked up to the Prisoner (noticing that PO Nishida was near), delivered 1 blow in the Prisoner's side with his left fist, and 3 others hit the Prisoner in the abdomen, and the Prisoner reeled back a step without making any noise. Then Ohtsuki grabbed the Prisoner's right arm, and Yamamoto pulled on the Prisoner's left arm and made him stand upright again. At this time Ohtsuki believes Itezono said "stop," so Ohtsuki released his hold, walked back. Itezono then rejoined Tomomori and Enatsu.

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.

After several minutes Tomomori said he would give whisky to all the executioners and Eguchi, Satano and Narazaki among others received whisky. Itezono then had them fall in in front of Tomomori, who delivered a speech that the flyers were not PWs but American combat personnel, this said in an easy manner. Itezono then dismissed the formation, and the pit was filled with dirt.

The spectators and participants boarded the truck a little after noon.

They were only taught that a person would become unconscious from karate, but killed if several karate blows struck.

An official Japanese army execution is carried out by a firing squad; this was an illegal execution. Ohtsuki never heard that these 8 American Prisoners were tried, although a person to be executed must be first tried by a tribunal. Itezono ordered Ohtsuki to participate, was in charge of the execution.

Executioners present: 2nd Lt. Ohno of LS, 1st Lt. Eguchi, Kuroki of Guerrilla Unit, PO's Satano, Narazaki of guerrilla unit. There were two others, one Ohtsuki believes was 1st Lt. Yoshida of the Ls, the other a 1st Lt of the guerrilla unit.

OHTSUKI -6-

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.

Ohtsuki arrived back about 1230-1240. Kishimoto asked "How was it?" on Ohtsuki's return, he not going.

Ohno used terrific force in hitting the 2nd 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. 

Ohtsuki now believes Yamamoto was wholding the Prisoner's left arm from the be­ginning of the Karate exhibition.

The bodies were left in the pit.

In October 1946 Ohtsuki met Ohno in Osaka, who said he was quite worried because he had beheaded 2 Prisoners, but thought that the superior Officers that attended the execution would be held responsible. Ohno had read about Yokoyama and his staff sent to Sugamo. Ohtsuki was called to Fukuoka by Oki. 

On 15 August 1945, Yamamoto and Ohtsuki, on temporary duty at the Civilian National Defense Corps at Hirao, were ordered back to WAH by Itezono. Yama­ moto left immediately, Ohtsuki returning slightly afterwards about 1400, went to the Guerrilla Unit Office:, .where about 14 officers and POs were present. Itezono ordered all the guerilla unit's equipment to be destroyed, and Ohtsuki burned all the bows - 7-800 and a few arrows, including those of the execution. At about 1700 Ohtsuki reported destruction to Itezono, then went to Hirao, re­ turning from there about 1900. All the POs were packing in preparation to move to Futsukaichi.

An NCO in the corridor told Ohtsuki of the execution of PCS held that day in which some of the guerrillas had attended. Ohtsuki left around 2000.

Ohtsuki noticed on his discharge on 2 September that the detention barracks where the Prisoners were confined were torn down. Ohtsuki was discharged on request to Kusumoto (head of the adjutant section) and Yakamaru.