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(Interned Sugamo) Statement of Ishimura (420, 9 May 47) At 1300 (15 Aug.45) Sato told her to help him clean out his desk; a bit later Aihara came in, told Sato everything ready, left. |
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Statement of Aihara (420, 26 Aprils 1947) Staff, Western Army, May 1944 to surrender. Capt., Duty in electrical field civilian air defense and April 1945 temporary job of taking care of Prisoners, B-29 crew members - received them, made roster of names, records of data and papers taken from them, then turned them over to Administration section. About middle of May about 10 Prisoners held at Administration Section. Most brought in from Kurume, believe captured in Oita and Kumamoto-ken, believes Marvin Watkins among them. Also Plambeck. Remembers name of Williams. Believes he recalls name of Jack V. Dengler. Believes one man had shoulder wound since he saw a bandage through collar of shirt. Between 15 and 20 May, Sato asked for Prisoner roster, since they were to be sent to KIU for operations - about 10 names. Watkins had been sent to Tokyo previously - believes Plambeck's name was on the roster. Sato pointed to two names, said they would be taken to KIU, Aihara put check mark beside names. Sato instructed him to tell Administration Section to prepare Prisoners. Aihara told Goiyama. On that afternoon believes he saw Sato and Komori leave by truck. When Aihara got there Prisoners blindfolded in car. Sato and Komori present. Komori then got in front, Sato in back and they drove away. (Komori had been called to treat the wounded Prisoners.) There were 4 operations, 7-8 Prisoners sent to KIU, and in each case orders to Goiyama given to Aihara by Sato. 6-7 new Prisoners during time of 4 operations. About 8 Prisoners left after operations. Komori and Sato were very good friends. Sato told Aihara that Komori was attached to Headquarters Hospital. Aihara introduced to Komori 2-3 days before first operation. Later that evening Sato told Aihara that Komori a very good liaison man between University and Army and he was to take Prisoners to University for operations by Komori. Prisoners sent to KIU selected by Sato only, who would point out names from roster Aihara would bring. Just prior to second time, Sato cautioned others of necessity of secrecy, which Aihara relayed to driver of car and guards. Sato then came over to truck, cautioned all. At this time Goiyama was standing just outside door of detention barracks, this between 1300-1400. Prisoners then brought out, entrucked, blindfolded, and Komori, Sato, and Prisoners left. That morning - 5-6 days after first operation, Sato asked for roster, picked out about 3 names, which information Aihara gave to Goiyama. Plambeck was either on this or 4th operation. Recalls name Aspinall, Robert J., but not as to second operation. Aspinall was either exe-cuted or of operations. 2-3 days after second operation, heard that Prisoners died as result. Third operation: about 1 June, Sato told him and then or next morning, Sato pointed to Goiyama. In early afternoon Sato told Aihara to come along. Aihara then saw Sato and Komori outside detention barracks, who then got in staff car and drove away. Aihara then caught street car, arrived about 1500, operation already started, believed operation on head. Sato, Komori, 6-7 others there. Hole in man*s skull, Aihara then returned. Heard 3 or 4 days later Prisoner had died. Fourth operation: about 1 week after third. Sato asked where Prisoners not yet crossed off had been captured - about 10 names. Sato checked 2, Aihara gave information to Goiyama that they were to be released to Komori. Plambeck must have been in this 2. (Roster was burned.) Did hear about 7-8 Prisoners died from operations, nothing specific about last one. About 15 or 20 August Sato told Aihara story would be that KIU victims killed at Hiroshima. Kusumoto present. Aihara told he was one who escorted Prisoners. Report showed 9 Prisoners taken there by Aihara. Afterwards Sato told Aihara many times to conceal matter. While Aihara was demobilized in September, he was sent back to headquarters many times and while there would be cautioned. Duty of Administration Section to quarter, feed Prisoners, give medical aid, receive and release them, handed over by Aihara. Aihara kept records of Prisoners. Prisoners interrogated by Intelligence Section. Nakao was the interpreter at these interrogations. |