C7 - Torture of RAAF airman - Stevenson

In January 1945, Leading Aircraftman Edmond Stevenson of the Royal Australian Air Force was the sole Allied prisoner of war held at a camp at Kase on Halmahera Island under the control of the Japanese 29th Garrison Unit.

While collecting water from a nearby lake, Stevenson became involved in a dispute with a Japanese soldier who was also a prisoner of the camp authorities. Both men were brought before the camp commander, who heard the matter and ordered that each receive what he regarded as a minor disciplinary punishment.

The punishment consisted of administering an electric shock using a hand-cranked field telephone. Stevenson's arms were first wetted with water to increase conductivity, after which wires from the telephone battery were attached to his wrists. An electric current was then passed through his body for approximately thirty seconds. Evidence at the trial indicated that this method of punishment was not uncommon within the Japanese Army.

The Australian prosecution alleged that the deliberate infliction of electric shocks on a prisoner of war constituted cruel treatment in violation of the laws and customs of war. Prisoners of war could be disciplined for breaches of camp regulations, but punishments involving torture or cruel and inhuman treatment were unlawful.

Following Japan's surrender, Australian investigators gathered evidence from Stevenson and other witnesses. Their findings resulted in Australian War Crimes Trial M34, in which the camp commander was prosecuted for the torture and ill-treatment of an Australian prisoner of war.