I, Joe Holguin. age 27 Captain, Army Serial Number A072338B,
United States Air Force Reserve, presently assigned to the 2622nd Air Force
Base Unit. Mather Air Force Base, Sacramento California, with my present
home address located at 1028 North Olive Street, Santa Ana, California, being
first duly sworn deposed and state that on 26 June 1943. while assigned to
the 65th Squadron 43d Bomb Group, (H) Fifth Air Force, Port Moresby, New
Guinea, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator and during an engagement with
the enemy over or near Rabaul, New Britain, I was forced to bail out of the
bomber to which I was assigned, which was shot down by Japanese fighter planes
in the vicinity. I landed in the jungles of New Britain, and after about
three weeks, I was found by natives who first befriended me and later turned
me over to a Japanese patrol which in turn took me to the Sixth Field Kempei
Tai Headquarters Prisoner of War Camp, Rabaul New Britain where I was interned
until 2 March 1944, at which time I and about 64 prisoners of war were taken
to Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Camp, Rabaul, New Britain. where I remained
until 1 September 1945, as a prisoner of war and was liberated by an Australian
Naval Squadron on 7 September 1945. I was returned to the United States and
arrived on 15 October 1945.
Upon my arrival at the Sixth Field Kempei Tai Headquarters
Prisoner of War Camp, Rabaul, New Britain, on or about 30 July 1943, I was
taken to see Captain Shigeo FUSHITA the following day, after having requested
medical attention for a bullet wound in my jaw, a back injury and a bullet
wound in my left leg. Catain FUSHITA examined me and then ordered Private
Shoji SUGA to wash out the wounds in my jaw and leg but I was never treated
or supplied any medicine to assist the healing of my jaw which smelled of
decayed flesh for about one year. I was provided no medical aid for my back
injury or the-wound in my leg, To the best of my knowledge Captain FUSHITA
never conducted any medical experiments on either myself or-the other prisoners
of war. I would describe Captain FUSHITA as most negligent insofar as his
duties as a Doctor were concerned.
After I was captured, I was interrogated by two Japanese
Interpreters named YANO and TSUKAHARA who warned me that I would be severely
punished if I did not tell the truth in answer to their questions. The questions
generally consisted of inquiries about the location of United States personnel,
their strength, equipment, morale and training of air crewmen. I was also
questioned about bomb sites, new aircraft, radar, code, and the number of reinforcements
scattered throughout the areas which I answered by stating that I didn't know,
because I was not familiar with the territory inasmuch that I had just been
newly assigned -to the unit to which I belonged. A Japanese interpreter known
to me as YAMAGUCHI, and whose nickname was known as FRANCIS, was the only
Japanese interpreter that I know who personally mistreated the Prisoners Of
War. YMGUCHI was very insulting and cruel. On or about Sentember 1943 YAMAGUCHI
threatened to have my head cut off if I did not answer his questioning to
his liking.
On or about April 1944 YAMAGUCHI entered a shack occupied
by prisoners of war in the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Camp area and struck
several of the Prisoners of war about the head with a bamboo pole which he
was carrying. He did this because someone among the group had asked him for
a cigarette. The following day, Second Lieutenant John J. FITZGERALD was knocked-unconscious
by YAMAGUCHI who used his fists in response to a request by Lieutenant FITZGERALD
for a cigarette. In addition to this, YAKKGUCRI would try to entice the prisoners
of war with a reward of cigarettes if they would allow him to strike them
beforehand, On various occasions I was also interrogated by a Japanese interpreter
whose name was ONO. However, he made no threats toward me during any of the
interrogations that he conducted. I do not recall, or can I describe these
four interpreters other than by name at this time. There were also commissioned
Japanese officers present during my intelligence interrogations. However,
I do not know their names or can I describe them at this time . During my
interrogation conducted by YAIJD and TSUKAHARA there was fresh fruit food
and cigarettes placed on a table in the same room in which I was interrogated.
However no offer was made by YANO or TSUKAHARA to give me any of the articles
described.
I received no mistreatment from YANO and TSUKAHARA inasmuch
that the nature of any wounds possibly indicated that I was going to die within
a very short time. Major Saiji MATSUDA was the Executive Officer of the Sixth
Field Kepei Tai Headquarters Prisoner of War Camp, Rabual, New Britain upon
my arrival there at in July 1943. At that time he was a First Lieutenant and
later received two promotions within a period of about eighteen months. During
this period and until about February 1944 there was another Japanese officer
who was second in command who I believe was known as Captain MASAO. However,
regardless of his name, he was known and regarded as a good officer among
the Prisoners Of War, Captain MASAO was a strict believer in BUSHIDO (The
Japanese Code of Chivalry) and it is my belief that Captain MASAO's belief
in BUSHITO was the eventual cause of his transfer out of the prisoner of war
camp to some destination unknown to me. Soon thereafter and on or about January
or February 1944, MATSUDA was promoted quickly to Captain and soon again
thereafter to Major. Other officers who showed some tolerance towards the
Occidentals somhow or other were never promoted, Though MATSUDA could have
been a good officer, he was probably swayed by his influential friends who
had promoted him and thereby contributing towards and to the ultimte deaths
of many of the Prisoners Of War. Major Saiji MATSUDA failed completely in
carrying out BUSHIDO, and did nothing at ill, even without so much as raising
a finger to prevent the deaths of several prisoners of war at the Tunnel Hill
Prisoner of War Camp, Rabaul, New Britain.
On 3 and 4 March 1944, forty prisoners of war were removed
from the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Cave to a destination unknown to me and
at the end of the war. I asked Major MATSUDA as to what became of the men
who were removed. Major MATSUDA told me that the forty prisoners of war who
were removed from the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Cave were killed on the
beach of TALILI BAY while waiting to be transported to WATOM ISLAND. Major
MATSUDA told me that these men were 'inside of tents clearly marked with large
red cross identification markers but that this identification was ignored
and bombed by American planes. Major MATSUDA also stated that many Japanese
were killed as well as all of the forty prisoners of war as the result of
this bombing attack by American planes. If this unlikely story is true, it
only proves the gross negligence exhibited by Major MATSUDA in easing the
prisoners of war to the danger of bombing raids while the heat of battle was
the most intense. It is my sincere belief that Major MATSUDA is guilty of
crimes against American and Allied Prisoners of War because of his gross negligence
in providing for proper food, medical care, and allowing the mistreatment
of prisoners of war by his subordinates and the betrayed completely his code
of BUSHIDO as a Japanese officer. Captain Shigeo FUSHITA was in charge of
the dispensary at the Sixth Field Kempei Tai Headquarters and Tunnel Hill
Prisoner of War Camps at Rabaul, New Britain.
Captain FUSHITA was suposed to be a doctor, but any intelligent
person would certainly question that gross misrepresentation. Captain FUSMA
seemed to be suffering from hallucinations of grandeur inasmuch that he accused
me of being very disobedient for not bowing to him on two occasions when I
was practically carried into his presence the day following my capture in
July 1943. Iwas suffering from a back injurys well as wounds on my leg and
jaw. I was told later by other prisoners of war that on the rare occasions
they had chanced to be confronted by Captain FUSHITA, that he had always
instructed them to bow to him. As a matter of fact, Captain FUSHITA was to
busy contemplating his resemblance to the legendary Japanese Gods that he
failed completely to prevent and was indeed responsible for the deaths of
many prisoners of war because of his gross negligence in matters pertaining
to medical care of the sick and wounded prisoners. However, as much as he
loved the Japanese Gods, he was in no hurry to be with them inasmuch that
he was usually the first one to seek shelter during an air raid.
I was fortunate enough to exchange words with Captain FUSHITA
on one occasion while at Rabaul, New Britain. I asked Captain FUSHITA for
some medical attention for myself and the other prisoners of war. Captain
FUSMITA replied. "Havent you heard? The other day, a Japanese Hosoital
Ship was bombed and sunk by American Planes. Now, there is only medicine
for Jananese soldiers but none for American Prisoners of War." I then
asked Captain FUSHITA if he had ever taken the oath of Hypocrates, and reminded
him of his duty as a doctor. Captain FUSHITA shrugged his shoulders and walked
away from me. Captain FUSHITA was of a very inferior type and possessed no
sense of honor or chivalry. He betrayed not only his sacred profession as
a doctor but himself as well.
It is extremely regretful that the Prisoners Of War who died
as a result of his negligence, owe their escape from hell to such a fiend
as Captain FUSHITA. I say hell because Captain FUSHITA had allowed these men
to attain such a desiolcable condition before they died, that I am sure death
came as a blessing to all of them, Colonel Satoru KIKUCHI, Major Saiji MATSUDA
and Gaotain Shigeo FUSHITA never at any time acted in their official capacity
to Drovide proper food and medical care for any of the prisoners of war, and
I believe they are directly responsible through such gross negligence for
the deaths of the following named whose dates and cause of deaths are indicated
to the best of my knowledge First Lieutenant Douglas BEDKOVER, Australian
Army, Australia, died 3 January 1944, from malaria and starvation. First Lieutenant
Hugh CORNELIUS,, U. S. Marine Corps or U. S. Navy, Colorado, died 29 April
1944, from pneumonia. First Lieutenant Charles Cobb LANPHIER, U. S. Marine
Corps, Detroit. died 15 May 1944, from dysentery, starvation and beri-beri.
Lieutenant Junior Grade James WARREN, U. S. Navy, Soarta, Michigan, died
3 June 1944 frorn dysentery. First Lieutenant Bob SHERMAN, U. S. Marine
Corps, U.S.A., died 30 June 1944, from starvation and dysentery. Flight Lieutenant
Norman VICKERS, Royal New Zealand Air Force, New Zealand, died 15 July 1944,
from beri-beri and dysentery. Second Lieutenant Tom FESSINGER., U. S. Air
Force., California,, died 15 July 1944. from beri-beri and dysentery. Captain
Harry DAKKINS,.Royal Army Air Force, Australia, died 15 July 1944., from beri-beri
and dysentery. Major John E. TODD, Royal Army Air Force, Australia, died 25
July 1944, from beri-beri. Sergeant John GILES U. 3. Air Force, Chicago, Illinois,
died 2 August 1944, from beri First Lieutenant Bill HANKS, U. 3. Air Force.,
bwlings., Wyoming., died 14 August, 19hh, from beri-beri and dysentery. Second
Lieutenant John J. FITZGERALD, U. S. Marine Corns., New York City. died 27
August 1944, from beri-beri. First Lieutenant Harold R. TUCK, U. S. Marine
Corps, Lynchbury. Virginia. died 19 November 1944., from beri-beri. Lieutenant
Junior Grade James L. Miller, U. S. Navy, 2200 West 43rd, Street Kansas City.,
Kansas, died 7 May 1945, from beri-beri and dysentery.
One of the most atrocious guards of the Sixth Field Kempel
Tai Headquarters, and Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Camps was Private First
Class WADA who I knew from July 1943 to September 1945. On or about February
1944. while I was interned at the Sixth Field Kempi Tai Headquarters - Prisoner
of War Camp, Rabual, New Britain Private WADA entered the cell in which I
and 12 other prisoners of war were also confined. Among this group was a
Sergeant FENWICK., Royal Australian Air Poreel, who was rather weak due to
starvation. FENWICK was suffering with a broken arm which Captain Shigeo
FUSHITA had never bothered to set. Private WADA discovered Sergeant FENWICK
dozin at about 0h45 after reveille had been sounded. Private WADA then proceeded
to beat Sergeant FENWICK across the face and head with a wooden shoe which
WADA wielded. When the shoe slidoed from WADA's hand, he struck Sergeant
FENWICK several tim a on the mouth with an open hand as well as his clenched
fist. Visible injury was inflicted upon Sergeant FENWICK and his broken arm-was
subjected to further pain and damage. Private WADA then made a round of the
cell, striking everyone at least once with this same wooden shoe.. Just before
Private WADA departed from the cell, he gave Sergeant FENWICK one final blow
with the wooden shoe which blackened one of Sergeant FENWICK's eyes.
During March 1944, Private WADA conducted several of his
general beatings while the Prisoners of War were confined in a cave near Tunnel
Hill Road at the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Camp, Rabaul, New Britain. These
beatings usually consisted of blows with bamboo rods or ether hard objects
similar in nature. For some of the men who couldn't stand up, it meant kicks
in the abdomen, kidneys, face or wherever WADA's kick might fall. This kind
of treatmnt by WADA was always without cause and he was exceptionally brutal
Imediately after a bombing raid by American planes. WADA passed out harsh
orders such as requiring the prisoners of war to sit with their legs crossed
underneath them and with their backs at least three inches from the wall.
I was among those who suffered this mistreatment. This posture had to be
maintained throughout the daylight hours whenever WADA was on guard. At night
and when WADA hapnened to be Corporal of the Guard. I and the other prisoners
of war many times stood up for many hours until the patrol officer made the
midnight check. at which time we were able to lie down. Private WADA was
of an extremely inferior type of Japanese. WADA had no sense of honor and
could think of nothing but unchivalrous revenge. WADA subjected some of our
best officers to treatment not befitting the lowest of animls. Major Ralph
CHELLI, U. S. Army Air Force and Major TODD, Royal Australian Air Force.,
were slapped and beaten in a most disgraceful manner.
There was not one man regardless of his rank who ever escaped
the cheap and base psychopathic cruelties perpetrated by WADA, Weak and wounded
men or men near death meant absolutely nothing to WADA, and he usually was
most severe with these unfortunate victims. The story of WADA, Is very long
and would consist of volumes of testimony by prisoners of war who were subjected
to his mistreatrwnt and who died and are not available to testify against
him at this tirm. On or about October 1944. Private First Class WAD&
ordered the gravely sick men to move to one of the two connecting cells of
a prison shack that had just been-built and to which the remaining prisoners
of war had just been transferred. The prisoners were reluctant to move to
the new location because it was very dark and very near an open toilet which
was very unsanitary, Also there existed the psychological effect connected
with being segregated because of their proximity to death. Many of the prisoners
of war obeyed because of the great tear that they had for WADA, but Ensign
Donald ATKISS, USN, refused to comply with WADA's order to move. Thereupon
WADA ordered me to either carry or drag Eniign ATKISS to the next cell. When
I refused to carry out this order. WADA removed the ramrod from his rifle
and struck me across the head about 30 times. I stood my ground knowing that
if Ishowed signs of being afraid, the consequences would have been much worse.
Having satisfied his anger upon me, he then kicked Ensign ATKISS into the
next cell and departed uttering blasphemous names at the Americans.
From the later part of July 1943. to about November 1943.
we got about a regular sized dinner plate half full of rice, plain cooked,
and about one and one-half glasses of water per meal. From November 1943
to December 1943. our rations began to rapidly decrease. From January 1944
to February 1944, we were practically starving while intermittent air raids
were going on. (No air raid shelter was provided from July 1943 to February
1944.) We were served a plate about the size of a child's toy plate of rice
which was @ed up into a thin soupy like pudding. We received this ration
three times a day during this period of time.
From February 1944 to Marrh 1944, the food was better for
about a week and then it went back to poor rations. The building we were
confined in at Sixth Field Kempei Tai Headquarters Prisoner of War Camp, Rabaul
New Britain, was an "L" shaped. two-story converted ware-house.
The bottom part of one of the wings consisted of six cells about six feet
by eight feet in size, The average amount of men held in each of these cells
was about six to thirteen men. There were no beds and scarcely any blankets.
We were given one blanket to be used by two men. Later on and after some
of the men had died, we acquired their blankets. There were no washing facilities
available and because the blankets were dirty, the Japanese did not want them
back. The weather got cold, but the climate was not freezing cold. During
my first seven mouths here as a prisoner of war mosquito nets were provided,
however, thereafter we were provided with nothing to prevent being bitten
by Mosquitos or other insects. Open wounds that I and some of the other men
had were washed out once or twice during our entire stay, but they did nothing
to prevent infection or assist in the healing of the wounds. I am sure that
there were plenty of medical supplies prior to March 1944. However, we were
told by Captain Shigeo FUSHITA that there was enough medicine for the Japanese
but not enough for the prisoners of war. I or the other prisoners of war to
the best of my knowledge never received any treatment for dysentery, skin
infections, beri-beri or other diseases brought about because of lack of a
proper diet and a lack of medical supplies and unsanitary living conditions.
The first time Iand the other prisoners of war were first afforded shelter
from air raid attacks at night was on 1 March 1944, although two or three
shelters had been constructed by the prisoners of war and completed on or
about October 1943. We were denied shelter from air raids previous to 15
February 1944. However, thereafter and until 1 March 1944, we were given
shelter about six times during daylight raids.
On the night of 1 March 1944., we were ordered out of our
cells, blind-folded, lined up, handcuffed in pairs in a column of twos and
then the handcuffs were wired through the column line. The guards then marched
Us to what seemed to be a large shelter not too far from our cells where we
stayed until about 0900, 2nd March 1944. However, nothing happened, so we
were returned to our cells. We received no food excedt a small bag containing
40 small biscuits. One bag was to provide for two men. Each man had 20 biscuits..
At about 0930 on the morning of 2 March 1944, I had just finished eating my
biscuits when the siren sounded. We were called out and were sent back into
the shelter, however, this time we were not blind-folded. In about 20 minutes
bombers hit and bombs were dropped on one side of the shelter and other bombs
hit on the other side of the shelter and on the buildings that we had previously
occupied. When we came out of the shelter everything was an fire. The Japanese
were making some kind of an attempt to put out the flames. About an hour after
the air raid, we were marched a short distance from the, shelter where we
waited until 1300, during which time the Japanese were busy evacuating themelves
from the area that had been bombed, Later in the day and about 1830, 2 March
1944, the Japanese guards loaded us into a truck and we departed from the
area of Sixth Field Kempei Tai Headquarters, Prisoner of War Camp, Rabaul,
New Britain. The truck arrived at Tunnel, Hill Prisoner of War Camp Cave,
Rabaul, New Britain. about 1915 hours on 2 March 1944.
We unloaded the blind-folds were removed and we were marched
to the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Camp Cave, about a distance of two hundred
yards, where we answered roll call and were then ordered into the Tunnell
Hill Cave while still handcuffed. We remained in this confinement for approximately
two weeks. We were first fed after arrival at about 0930 hours on 3 March
1944. We were each provided with a ball of rice about the size of a tennis
ball and a can of water which was to be shared by three men. The dimensions
of the cave prison were about eight feet high, thirty feet long, five and
one-half feet wide. The conditions under which we were confined would he
best described an like being packed like sardines in a tin can. On or about
3 March 1944 at 2000 hours' Corporal KATO, Private First Class WADA and other
members of the guard of the Sixth Field, Kempei Tai Headquarters came and
called the names of twenty men who were released from whoever they were handcuffed
and ordered outside of the Tunnell Hill Prisoner of War Cave where they were
lined up, handcuffed, wired in a column and marched in a westerly direction
from where me were confined. To the best of my knowledge no trucks were used
to transport this group of prisoners.
On or about 4 March 1944 at 2000 hours Corporal KATO, Private
First Class WADA and other members of the guard of the Sixth Field Kepi Tai
Headquarters came and called the names of twenty men who were released-from
whoever they were handcuffed to and ordered outside of the Tunnel Hill Prisoner
of War Cave where they were lined up and marched in a westerly direction from
where we were confined. To the beet of my knowledge, no trucks were used
to-transport this group of Prisoners. I do not know as to where these two
groups of prisoners were bound or do I know as to what became of them. However,
shortly after each group was removed from the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War
Cave., I heard several shots and to the best of my knowledge. the shots sounded
like or best described as rifle fire. The reason for which is unkown to me.
Lw'ach group was blind-folded and handcuffed when they departed from the Tunnel
Hill Prisoner of War Cave. To the best of my knowledge no Japanese Officers
of Commissioned rank were present when the two groups of prisoners were removed.
To the beet of my knowledge the two grouse of prisoners removed fmm Tunnel
Hill Prisoner of War lpave were guarded by Corporal KATO, Private First Glass
WADA and other guards. I never saw any of the prisoners who departed again.
However, I saw all of the Japanese named a few days after the two groups of
prisoners were removed. As to who may have accomoanied the two groups to
their new destination is unknown to me. However, I was told by Private RASEGAWA,
a guard of the Sixth Field Kempei Tai Headquarters, on or about 5 March 1944,
who said the two groups of proisoners were killed on or about 4 March 1944
by American bombers while being transported by boat to the Isle of New Ireland
for some destination in Japan.
As far as I know or could determine none of the prisoners
were on the verge of death at the time bf their removal from Tunnel Hill Prisoner
of War Cave. However, it is my belief that most of the men were weak, possibly
sick, and were unable to make a march of any distance. Major Ralph CHELLI.,
United States Air Force and some of the Australian officers were among those
who were visibly sick, A Japanese interpreter known to me as KAWAMOTO, and
who was usually employed as an interpreter at the Staff Headquarters of the
Sixth Field Kempei Tai Headquarters at Rabaul, New Britain was present and
in the vicinity of the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Camp Cave udon the day
of our arrival thereat on 2 March 1944. 1 would describe KAWAMOTO as of slender
build, five feet eight inches in height, large dark eyes, large buck teeth,.and
possessing a very good knowledge of the English language. It was rumored
that KAWANOTO was a citizen of the United States and that he had eventually
been assigned as an interpreter with the Japanese military forces having previously
been conscripted in a labor draft at the outbreak of hostilities between Japan
and the United States. I believe that KAWAMTO has an honorary rank of Major
in the Japanese Army because of his capabilities as an interpreter.
Sometime after I aierived at the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of
War Camp Cave, I had an occasion to converse with KAWAMTO, and asked bin as
to what became of the forty prisoners of war who were removed from the cave
on 3 and 4 March 1944. KAWAMTO avoided a didnot reply to my question, and
stated that he had assisted in the selection of the names of the forty prisoners
of war iho were removed from the cave as well as those who were detained at
the cave. KAWAMTO inferred that the prisoners of war who remined at the
camp were in better circumstances because of the availability of food stores
which were to be ample in quantity in the vicinity of the Sixth Field Kem":L
Tai Headquarters. On or about 16 JWj 1944, and after repeated requests were
made by myself and Lieutenant 14cMU@, Captain Shigeo FUSHITA came to a prison
shack in which we were unfined near Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Cave and gave
Second Moute@ Tom Fessenger, United States Air Force and Flight Lieutenant
Norman VICKERS, Royal New Zealand Air Force an intervenuous injection of some
substance said by CaDtain FUSHITA to be a glucose solution. Captain FUSHRTA
sald.that he was doing this In an attempt to aid Lieutenant MMSINGER and Lieutenant
VICKERS who were very sick with beri-beri and dysentery. Lieutenant FESSENGER died on 15 July 1944 as did Lieutenant VICKERS. No other medical attention
was given by Captain Shigeo FUSHITA to Lieutenant FESSENGER and Lieutenant
VICKENS or any other of the prisoners of war at this location to the best
of my knowledge. On 16 July 1944, Major Saiji MATSUDA a member of the Sixth
Field Kempei Tai Headquarters. came to this prison shack and stated that he
was going to order an autopsy on Lieutenant FESSINGER, Lieutenant VICKERS
and also Captain Harry DAKKIM, Royal Australian Air Force, who had also died
on this day, Two days later on or about 18 July 1944., Private KINOSTA, a
guard and member of the Sixth Field Kempei Tai Headquarters (believed to have
been born and reared in the Territory of Hawaii), said that the deceased
men Lieutenant FESSENGER, Lieutenant VICKERS and Captain DAKKINS had died
or beri-beri, dysentery, malaria and starvation due to their inability to
digest the diet upon which they were provided and which consisted of rice
and water. To the best of my knowledge Flight Sergeant FENNWICK, Royal Australian
Air Force was one of the men among the first or second group of prisoners
who were removed from the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Camp Cave. He suffered
a broken arm as a result of action arson to his capture on
Bouganville in July 1.943, Efoweve r his arm was never :set or treated
other
than splinted by pieces of bamboo and placed in a sl@, I have no knowledge
of his death or whereabouts after he was removed from Tunnel Hill Psoner of War Camp Cave on or
about 3 or 4 March 1944.
A prisoner of war known to me only as SIMMNS arrived
at Tunnel Hill Prrisoner Of War Camp Cave on April 1944. He was suffering from
a leg wound on his left thigh. I and other Prisoners Of War provided SIMMNS
with first aid treatment by tearing our shirts into bandages. However, because
of the lack of medical attention shown SIMUT,15 by the camd authorities, mho, did
nothing to improve his condition. he became delirious and did not know his
whereabouts or condition. This was after our removal from the Tunnel Hill
Prisoner of War Camp Cave on or about 15 March 1944, to a prison shack which
we occupied after our removal from and near to the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of
War Camp Cave. SIMMNS would crawl towards the locked door and say, "Hurry,
we will be late, the car is waiting and everything is all set." We would
carry him back to his spot on the floor whenever he would escape our attention.
After repeated requests were made by myself and the other prisoners of war.,
Chief Medical Orderly OYAMADA came to the prison shack and after looking at
SII*f0NS., said that SI*IONS needed a blood transfusion and an operation to
remove a bullet which was embedded in his thigh. but that it would be impossible
to give such aid to SINADNS without orders from Doctor FUSITITA or Colonel
KIKUCHI. SUMNS died on 28 Nay 1944 and to the best of my knowledge, the cause
of his death was attributed to a lack of proper medical attention or treatment
which he should have received and which developed into blood Doisoning, thereby
resulting in his death. 1 believe that SIMMDNS was a member of the New Zealand
Air Force, and had been shot down by the Japan. ese on or about 20 Aprii 1944.
in the vicinity of Bouganville,, Solomon Islands.On or about 15 ADril 1945,
Doctor Eirosuke HIRANC arrived at the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Camp, Rabaul.,
New Britain., at which time he took a sapiple of blood from Cantain John MURPHY,
Australian Army; Lieutenant James McMUPM., United States Air Force; Lieutenant
Alphonse D. QUIONES, United States Amy; lieutenant Junior Grade James MILLER,
United States Navy; Sergeant Escoe PALMER, United States Air Force; Radioman KEPCHIA (first name unknown)., United States Navy; Second Class Gunners Mate
Richard LANIGAN, United States Navy,- Ensign Donald ATKISS, United States
Navy; Lieutenant Joseph NASON, United States Navy and myself, which he took
with him when he departed from the Canm.
On or about 19 July 1945, he came
back with a Japanese Sergeant that spoke some English and who I would describe
as heavy set, about five feet, six inches in height light complexion, and
whose name is unkown to me. One of the guards came and told five of us that
we were to report to a hill across the road from that particular prison (Tunnel
Hill Road). We were escorted one by one to this hill where there were shacks
similar to those constructed by the natives of Rabaul. These buildings were
permanent for that particular area and Doctor HIRAINO used these particular
buildings for his experimental injections. Ensign ATIISS and Gunners Matp
LANIGAN; Lieutenant NASCN and Lieutenant NCMLTR- 'RIA,, each said later that
they were given-some kind of an injection by HIRANO which they protested and
to the best of my knowledge was without their consent. Of the five men who
reported to Doctor HIRANO, I was the last to see him. I could speak fairly
good Jananese at that tim and talked to Doctor HIRANO and asked him questions
about the exoeriment. Doctor HIRANO stated that when he had made a previous
visit in April 1945, that the prisoners of war were all tested for malaria and that he had found that five of the prisoners
of war did not have malaria in their blood, and contended that there was such
a thing as immunity against malaria contrary to the findings
of the French Bioloat Koch. HIUM said that before he could prove that there is such a thing as
imunity against malaria., he would have to exdose me as well an the aforenamed
who were subjected to the malaria experiment. He said that he had five Japanese
soldibre who were accomdanying, him and said to have had malaria in advance
degrees of severity and that he was going to inject some of their blood into
me to see what would happen. I told him that I had been interned as a prisoner
of war for about two years and had never had malaria and I protested to such
an experiment. I also told Captain HIRANO that some of the prisoners of war
had practically died, and that some of the men had actually died from malaria
and that they were never given any medicine to combat the disease.
Captain HIRANO then said "Don't worry, I will give you medicine if you should
contract malaria." Then I said to Captain HIRANO, "Your experiment
is unlawful according to the rules of war. None of the prisoners are
strong enough to be subjected to malaria and will die the from it." The
sergeant who was assisting Captain HIRKNO then tied my arms and Captain
HIRANO
used a needle
containing approximately ten cc's of blood bbich was obtained from-one of
the Japanese soldiers. I was restrained by two of the camp guards and
then the blood from this Japanese soldier was injected into my arm. Immediately
my head felt warmer and I felt dizzy. Doctor HIRANO looked at me and
he seemed very nervous. He told the guards to sit me down.and he
talked a little while longer. Doctor HIRAND gave me two cigarettes. I
smoked one and put one in my pocket. Doctor HIRANO said that he would
like to go to the New York Mayo Clinic after the war and that "if
this injection is successful"
he said., I may be a very famous man." Two days went by and on or
about 21 July 1945, the five men who had been subjected to this experiment
began
to feel painful headaches and severe shivers although not too severe at
first. Ensign ATKIW, Gunners Mate Richard LANIGAN, Lieutenant NASON and
Lieutenant IA got the symptoms about the'same time, as well as myself. Lieutenant
McMURRIA and I did not have the same type of case as the other three men.
They suffered day after day with each day aggravating the attacks. Lieutenant
McMURRIA's attacks of malaria and'mine would last for approximately six
hours
and then we would get over it. The other three men had constant fever and
they had no appetite. The men kept getting weaker and they got worse. During
this tjpc the sergeant who had assisted Captain HIRANO would take temperatures.
pulses and samples of blood readings which he recorded in a book. Nothing
was done t~rds treating the men who were subjected to the tests and it was
apparent that *tore interest was in the outcome or in the final results of
the test. At about 10 o'clock on the night of 29 July 1945, Gunners Mate
LANICAN died and abox. 3:00 ogclock in the morning on 30 July 1945, Ensign
ATKISS died. NO medical assistance or aid was Drovided by the Japanese authorities
to prevent the death of these two men. From 21 July to about 2 August 1945.
Lieutenant Mc and myself had malaria attacks which lasted for about six hours
duration. After 2 August 1945, the malaria attacks on Lieutenant Mc and
myself gradually diminished from four-hour. three-hour and two-hour attacks
of malaria.
By the 9th of August 1945, Lieutenant McMRIA and myself were Dractically
recovered, Lieutenant NASON suffered considerably and almost died during
this period.
On 17 August 1945 and somtiine after the first Atomic Bomb was dropped on-Japan.
Doctor HIRANO arrived at the Camp dressed in a white coat. His appearance
was similar to that of a butcher and he said that he tried to get back to
the Camp before this time but he couldn't get there because of the failure
of co cations. Doctor HIRANO said that he had a full bottle of quinine
and proceeded to pass.these Pills around to Lieutenant McMRRIA Lieutenant
NASON
and myself, We were given nine pills, three per day for three days. McMURRIA
and I gave our pills to NASON who used them and thereby was able to combat
his attacks of malaria and became better. Lieutenant Mc and 1 were just
luckv and were the strongest Dhysical-ly and were able to shake off the
malaria
attacks. However, we were left rather weak and our spleen troubled us for
gometime thereafter, Insofar as I know Colonel KIKUCHI, Commanding Officer
rdust have known about the experiments inasmuch a.s, he would have had to
grant permission for Doctor HIRANO to conduct the malaria experiments. Warrant
Officer MATSUMDTO, directly in charge of the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War
Camp
Area claimed that he had nothing to do with the experiments and could not
interfere because he had orders from headquarters to permit HIRANO to proceed
with:hi3 e-xpe~nts at will. This information was suor)lied by Warrant Officer
MATSUNOM when on one occasion I asked him to order medical aid and treatment
for Ensign ATKISS., Gunners Mate LANIGM and Lieutenant NASON. I have no
knowledge of sheepls blood being used ,in the aforementioned experiments
conducted by
Doctor HIRAND. To the be.st of my knowledge Colonel Satoru KIKUCHI was the
-Commanding Officer of the Sixth Field KemPei Tai Headquarters at Rabaul,
New Britain and the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Camp., Rabaul, New Britain,
prior to and after March 194b. However, Warrant Officer MATSUMOTO, first
name unkown was directly in charge of the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Camp
after October 1944 to September 1945, Rabual, New Britain. MATSUMOTO was
a member of the Sixth Field Kempei Tai Headquarters* I do not know of any
participation by Colonel KIKUCHI in any atrocities that took place at Sixth
Field Kempei Tai Headquarters Prisoner of War Camp., Rabaul, New Britain,
or at the Tunnel Hill Prisoner of War Camp., Rabaulq New Britain. However,
I am sure that any participation of his subordinates or other Japanese
personnel
as explained in the foregoing was with his knowledge or acted uoon with his
consent. To the beet of my knowledge Colonel KIKUCHI never ordered anything
contrary to any of the events to -which I. have explained In the aforementioned
that would be for the best interests of any of the prisoners of war known
to me.
Other than incidents which I cannot recall or remember at
this time, I believe foregoing to constitute all of my present knowledge
of atrocities and the mistreatment of Allied Prisoners of war while interned
as a prisoner of war by the Japanese from 30 July 1943 to 1 September
1945.
at the Sixth Field Kempi Tai Headquarters Prisoner Of War Camp and the Tunnel
Hill Prisoner of War Camp Rabaul, New Britain. It is my belief that
I can fully testify to all matten herein related.
(signed)
JOSE HOLGUIN
Subscribed and sworn to me before this day of 1948
Inteviewed by Sanford H. Bullock, Special Agent., 115th
CIC Detachment
