Doc 21943

ST/3

    1. Several days later approximately two army battalions arrived at the island as had been anticipated. After conferring with the commander of these battalions, it was decided, without any objection, that the provisions of the three preceding paragraphs were to carried out.
    2. I had received a general outline of the concrete plans of construction from the 26 Air Force Squadron Headquarters (at one time I was receiving orders from 204 Air Force Headquarters). The detailed assignments were outlined among the staff of my unit and the army units. The work to be performed by the prisoners was assigned by the army commanding officer on the previous day or early in the morning to the guard detail, and the prisoners worked under the direct command and supervision of the army guard detail. Therefore, the staff of my unit never meddled with the work of the prisoners, and I was under the impression that the work, directed by the army, was proceeding smoothly.
    3. I appointed a portion of my staff and labourers to supervise and direct the work of the native units ( the strength of which I believe was about 500 at its peak). My own unit, therefore, directly commanded only its own personnel and the native units.
    4. The army commander (who was Captain SENDA ( ) of the Army at first) entrusted and directed the guarding of the prisoners on off-work hours to 15 soldiers from the prisoner guard detail under his control. Because of the location of the quarters and because it was convenient to supervise the daily activities and anti-aircraft activities from the observation post of MIYAKE's company, I remember that some of these prisoners were placed under his command. After several days KANEHARA’s company and TAKAHASHI’s company occupied this island. Being in the Navy, I naturally come under the control of Lieutenant (s.g.) KANEHARA in accordance with the regulations on enforcement of military orders. However, there was no particular change in the treatment extended to the prisoners, as mentioned before.

 

  1.  The condition of the prisoners at the time of their arrival on this island,
    1. Upon looking at the condition of the prisoners as they debarked from the transport, I noticed that some were very healthy, but the majority of them were extremely exhausted, being unable to walk alone. There were also many who were barely able to walk unless supported by their comrades. Seeing this condition, I could not help feeling somewhat doubtful of their contribution toward a rapid construction of the airport.
    2. Since there were a captain (?) of the medical corps and about 10 (?) men (TN Question marks were in the original document) of the medical corps under him among the prisoners, a medical examination was given with their co-operation. As a result of this, it was discovered that most of them were debilitated by diphtheria and chronic enteritis. (I forgot the number of patients.) (The chief medical officer in my unit had been specializing in diphtheria research before induction and had presented his doctor's thesis on this. Having experience of diphtheria, he worked with intense effort and interest. Later I received a report that diphtheria was eradicated before it began to spread.) Drugs or medical equipment, whenever issued all at once at the request of the medical officer of the prisoner unit. Because of the shortage of personnel, daily examination and treatments were handled by the prisoners themselves. Of course, we assisted them in emergency cases. Permission for absence from work, etc, because of illness was granted to the prisoners entirely on the discretion and judgement of the chief medical officer of the prisoner unit. However, many died of illness caused by change in environment, by increase in debilitation, and by diarrhoea resulting from over drinking of untreated water. (I remember that at most three men were dying daily.)
    3. Since there was a first lieutenant (?), a finance officers and over nine(?) (TN Question marks were in document.) mess personnel’s, a kitchen was immediately established, and it was mutually agreed that they were to operate the kitchen themselves. Food supplies were handled by distributing a week's supply of food at one times which was prepared

 

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