M8

Morotai Trial M8 was an Australian war crimes trial conducted on Morotai between 7 and 8 December 1945. The case concerned the murder of one of the three Royal Australian Air Force airmen, Hann, Walters and King, and formed part of the series of prosecutions arising from the executions of Allied prisoners of war on Talaud Island. Captain Misumi Michiaki, a company commander in the 211 Regiment, 32nd Division, and Superior Private Goto Siataro were charged with participating in the killing.

The prosecution alleged that Captain Misumi personally ordered Superior Private Goto to carry out the execution of the Australian prisoner. The court found both men guilty but distinguished between the responsibility of the officer who gave the order and the soldier who obeyed it. Captain Misumi was sentenced to death by shooting and was executed on Morotai on 6 March 1946. Superior Private Goto was initially sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, later reduced to five years on review. This page summarises the trial, the evidence, the convictions, the differing sentences imposed and the surviving archival records, including the Judge Advocate General's report.