After the War, Murata or Wako told Ito that Sato went to the War Department and brought back the report that the 16 prisoners were killed in an air raid and made a new report that they had been sent to Hiroshima and killed in the atom bomb incident. Sato then went to Hiroshima to tell them of the new report but was told that 16 was too many to accept and they compromised on 9 or 10. |
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Statement of Murata - 6 January 1947 (420) Murata was told by Sato at the end of the war that a few flyers apprehended in January and February 1945 were sent to Tokyo. About 1400, 20 June, Murata heard from Wako of plan of execution, Wako telling him Sato called him to his office and stated that they would that day execute all flyers held and that Wako was to prepare for the execution, (ambiguous from conversation whether Wako or Sato talked to CG , but execution was alleged to have had CG's approval). On 20 June the flyers were lined up and they waited five minutes for Sato. Wako then went to his office and returned. Sato told Wako to take the flyers to the pit where he would join them. Sato then arrived and stood near the edge of the pit and Wako told Sato he was ready for the execution to proceed. At the end of the execution of 8 or 9 prisoners, Wako reported its completion to Sato. Wako, after the execution, told ltd that Sato would report to the War Department that all prisoners were killed in the 19 June air raid. 4 or 5 days later Murata got Sato's promise to give a copy of the report to the Legal Section as per request of Ito. Sato told Murata to get 2 or 3 soldiers from the Air Defense Unit to dump ashes of flyers in the bay. About 20 August Murata heard Sato tell Ito, Fukushima and Tomomori that he had gone to Tokyo and recovered the Western Army report to the War Department which stated 16 prisoners were killed in an air raid, that he did not have time to recover the report for the Legal Section, but that a Colonel there told him by telephone that all records relating to Prisoners of War had been destroyed. (This Colonel opined to be Oki, but Oki denies this). About 1 January 1946 Sato visited Murata and told him that the Commanding General had told him, Sato, that he should take the responsibility, and further stated that the Commanding General and his Staff interpreted the War Department Directive of April or May to mean to kill the prisoners, although this was denied by the War Department after the War as being a reasonable interpretation. Sato told Murata not to mention that he, Sato, was at the execution of 20 June. In May 1946, Sato told Murata to tell Suzuki that only a part of the prisoners and not all of them were executed on 20 June. |
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Statement of Itezona - 6 Jan 1947 (420) Sato told Itezona to take some of the young guerilla officers to Aburyama to the execution. Itezona was told by Sato that they could execute flyers any way "they" liked (guerilla squad), and said it was okay to use bow and arrows and karate. He wanted to see how it would work on humans. 1600, 10 August, Sato said that the Intelligence investigation of the prisoners was complete. Itezona believing it dealt with,the American Air Force. Sato said that the investigation was conducted by the Sixth Air Force, when the prisoners were brought in; Sato said he expected to attend the execution, but the next morning while he was at the truck talking to an Air Corps Major, while the prisoners were in the truck, he said he would not go as there was danger of an air raid. Sato told Ito to take care of everything. On 11 August, upon his arrival from Aburayama in the afternoon, Itezona reported to Sato. Later Sato or Yokomaru asked "How was the execution?" On 14 August Sato told Itezona the remaining prisoners would be executed the next day. On 15 August Lt. Hashiyama told Itezona that he had attended the execution of the American Prisoners of War at Aburayama and that he was angry at Sato because he had taken a woman to the execution. At 1000, 16 August, Sato asked Itezona whether the bodies of the 11 August execution had been cremated and was angry when he learned they had been buried. Sato transferred to Hirao, but left there with Fukushima, Tomomori, Itesona and Enatsu to meet with Ito, Yakamaru, Aihara and others concerning the executions. 13 October, Sato told Itezona, on a chance meeting, that he thought that the execution of 11 August would be discovered and inquired of Itezona whether he would go into hiding. On January 1946, when questioned by Oki, Itezona stated that Sato ordered the execution. In February 1946, Inada asked Itezona who ordered the 11 August execution and the reply was "Sato". However, Ito thought that Sato was so ordered by the Commanding General. In April 1946, Akita told Itezona not to implicate anyone but Sato. While Yokamaru was head of Itezona*s section, Sato ordered him directly as to the execution. Sato was in charge of the flyers - Fukushima his direct superior. |
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Suzuki Report - 26 April 1947 (420) Sato asked the Commanding G-eneral for instructions as to the disposal of the prisoners, but misunderstood him. About 19 June Sato ordered Wako to dispose of 8 flyers. About 10 August the Commanding General, on Sato’s return from Tokyo, demanded the disposition of 8 flyers interned in the interim. On 11 August Sato ordered Itezona to dispose of the 8 flyers. On 15 August Kuzumoto was told by Sato to dispose of the new crop of flyers. Sato then went to Fukushima. Fukushima claims he told Sato that this was out of the question, that there were other methods, and that he should study them. Sato said, however, that Fukushima said "all right" as to disposition proposal. Sato then ordered Kuzumoto to dispose of the 15. About the middle of May, Sato was told by Ito it would be out of the question to dispose of airmen without trial. Sato ordered beheadings under misapprehension. According to the second report, Sato ordered Ito to dispose of the prisoners, but as a further precaution obtained the sanction of Fukushima, according to Sato, but against the interpretation of Fukushima. There was no witness as to the Fukushima, Sato conversation. Sato claims that he did not misunderstand the Commanding General. |
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Statement of Aihara - 26 April 1947 (420) Sato ordered Aihara to have Watkins sent to Tokyo. |
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Statement of Sato - 26 ApriI 1947 (420) Watkins was brought into Western Army Hqs. 10 May 1945. He was a member of the same crew as Plambeck. Sato never saw Watkins , but he was interrogated by Yamanaka and Nakao of the Intelligence Section. On the orders of the Commanding General, Watkins was sent to Tokyo. |