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Statement Dated (31 Mar 48 by McKnight) ATIS 39321 40, graduate of military academy in 27; became Kempei Major in 40, at Western Army Headquarters from Dec 44 and concurrently at Western District Kempeitai Headquarters. At Western Army Headquarters, served in Defense Section of Operations Dept, and conducted study of martial law. Made Army Major 1 Aug 45, demobilized 1 Dec 45 as Lt. Colonel, served as Liaison Officer for Western Demob, until May 46. YAKUMARU was Staff Officer in charge of Defense and PW affairs (from standpoint of international law, responsible for matters concerning B-29 fliers, but transferred duties re fliers to SATO in about Apr, May or June, believes it was in Apr when SATO declared he should be in charge. The Foreign Nationals Section under Capt. YAMAGUCHI compiled information re B-29 fliers. About Mar 45 fliers were sent directly to Tokyo without investigation; this regulation prepared by AIHARA and corrected by YAKUMARU. Defendant witnessed investigations of fliers three to four times, with YAMANAKA, 2nd Lieutenant, interrogating, SATO in charge. Kempeitai of Fukuoka through Maj. YANASE and 1st Lt. YAMAGUCHI, Yoshio, twice conducted investigations of fliers (in Apr or May). In Apr or May, ITO told Defendant it was decided at staff meeting that all B-29 fliers would be tried by a military tribunal. That PM the next day, Defendant was called to ITO’s office. Also present: WAKO, MURATA, SATO. WAKO said it is difficult to try the fliers based on Shanghai, difficult to get evidence of indiscriminate bombing, and if they must be punished, it should be done by operational order. ITO said if private homes were damaged and people killed, evidence enough. ITO or SATO had previously said the fliers should be executed without trial. Then or later ITO ordered Defendant to request the Kempeitai to conduct a preliminary investigation for trial by a military tribunal. ITO told Maj. ONO of the Kempeitai that evidence could be gathered from the Civilian Air Defense. ONO (Kempeitai Major) and WO OTEGAWA of the Kempeitai and two NCOs investigated about 8 fliers, which Defendant took to ITO. Two only stated they bombed military objectives; others stated they didn't know, but objectives were military. The roster of fliers was prepared by AIHARA, curculated to YAKUMARU, SATO, SOEJIMA and INADA, Such matters were reported by Lt. Col. NAKATANI in the monthly defense report, which contained his seal and that of YAKUMARU and SOEJIMA and that of Defendant. Defendant's report is on that of May 45. The June report was submitted by 1st Lt. KAWANO. Defendant was absent 20 June, accompanied TOMOMORI's injured wife to place of evacuation. The death penalty in the Japanese Army was by firing squad, the sword only when unavoidable. About 7 Jul, Defendant heard some B-29 fliers were near Western Army Headquarters entrance, a crowd around the 7-8 fliers , Defendant yelled not to crowd around. About 12 Aug, almost 1000, TOMOMORI entered Defendant's room, invited him to an execution, to which Defendant assented, whereupon they left by auto to Abursyama, stopped near Army truck, saw 4-5 fliers, blindfolded, about 35 soldiers, 6-7 officers, including WAKO, two legal Army Officers, one medical lieutenant, one Air Corps major. IDEZONO was giving orders, told TOMOMORI that they were ready to begin, that they were going to use bows and arrows. TOMOMORI asked if archery would be effective, IDEZONO replied in the affirmative. TOMOMORI spoke to IDEZONO about crosses, but Defendant not sure as to what. The first flier was shot by bow and arrow from 10 meters, missed, the second missed from 5 meters, and they abandoned archery, and the flier beheaded. IDEZONO then said body blows would be used on next, and they discussed karate. A prob, officer struck the second flier three or four times. A 2nd Lieutenant (probably YAMAMOTO) then exhibited the forms of striking, and the Probationary Officer struck the flier about two more blows. The 2nd Lieutenant (YAMAMOTO) then kicked the flier in his right thigh. TOMOMORI then suggested it be stopped, and the second flier was beheaded, as well as the third and fourth. Defendant felt sick, left, smoked, was 40 meters away. After fifth or sixth execution TOMOMORI thought he would leave, said he didn't think the senior officers were coining, poured whiskey for the beheaders, then spoke to the Japanese present that the executions were not of PWs but enemy airmen. The next day or the day thereafter IDEZONO told Defendant SATO ordered the executions. On 15-16 Aug the Imperial Rescript was read at 1400, after which the Staff Officers were told to remain. KUSUMOTO said to SATO "I shall now go and dispose of the fliers". SATO had been mentioning it was necessary to execute the remaining fliers. Defendant believes FUKUSHIMA was present. On 20 Aug at a meeting at Hirao, SATO presiding, YAKUMARU, TOMOMORI, perhaps FUKUSHIMA, present, the plan of one group sent to Tokyo, the other killed by the atomic bomb at Hiroshima (Kyushu Imperial University group). No one criticized the plan. FUKUSHIMA called a plan 21-22 Aug, which included TOMOMORI, KUSUMOTO and SATO, where plan devised to say fliers killed in air raid shelter. They went to actual scene. TOMOMORI said it was useless to attempt to hide this, that the Americans would analyze the soil, better not to conceal. Defendant left, returned in a month, whereupon KUSUMOTO said he was told to throw away the remains of the fliers, didn't know what to do. This was in late Dec. In Apr or May SATO asked Defendant to inquire whether any Kempeitai members accomplished in kendo, got negative answer from YANASE, at which time he asked him to speak to YAKUMARU about segregating fliers by putting them in a self supporting camp, which YAKUMARU refused, stating the airmen to be enemies, that they were going to do away with them. |