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2nd Report correcting first. Report by Inspector of Western Demobilization to Minister of First Demobilization (5 Feb 46) (Note to discard summary of evidence attach to Western Area Inspection Legal No 38 of 16 Jan 46.) 1. YOKOYAMA on assuming command of WA in December 1944 insisted that the army should fight to the end, the enemy killed to the last man if invasion. The policy on treatment of captured enemy aircrew personnel was based on Central Headquarter directive that the case be referred to court martial for just course of action if suspicion of infraction of international law. Hostility by bombing (19 June) of some staff members was aroused to point where they felt flyers should be given death with court martial, including SATO, who instructed Capt WAMITSU (MKO), member of judicial section and CO of the Fukuoka Army stockade to have members of Judicial Section (GEN. ITO) kill 8 flyers interned in the Fukuoka army stockade and at the internment camp for enemy flyers at Headquarters on 20 June, the 19 June bombing to be given as a reason for the deaths, and such was carried out. 2. After Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing, about 12 August, SATO ordered ITEZONO and his raiding unit to Aburayama to execute about 8 flyers. ITEZONO agreed for the purpose of raising morale of members of the raiding unit, carried out mainly by such members. 3. On 15 August, with rumors rife, KUSUMOTO asked SATO about the disposition of about 15 flyers; he thought they should be kklled, asked 1st Asst, C/s FUKUSHIMA for approval, although not definite whether he did approve, though SATO took it for granted that he did. On that afternoon of 15 August SATO had Os of the operations room kill about 15. Reason for deletion of Gen ITO: According to Ito's statement of 4 Jan he knew of the execution and how matters after the execution would be handled because of a report from WAKO, approved because he thought it was the idea of higher authorities. In spite of this ITO's statement of 2 February states he was off the post during the morning of 20 June that he was told of the execution on his return in the afternoon, saw about 3 killings, later received from WAKO the report of the execution. Since doubt, whole statement deleted. Reason for deletion of TOMOMORI section: According to the ITEZONO statement of 14 Jan, he received approval from TOMOMORI to have the flyers executed by the raiding unit. When questioned together on 3 February ITEZONO stated his former statement was false and that he had said to TOMOMORI "Aren't you going to observe (the execution) ?" TOMOMORI never approved, thought it was according to court martial and so witnessed it. No evidence TOMOMORI approved the execution beforehand. Thus section concerning FUKUSHIMA and KUSUMOTO also "revised". |