M41

Anonymous (not verified)
trial location
Morotai
naa-series
A471
naa-control
81644
start-date
end-date
sentence-date

Murder of PW near or at Galala Ambon on or about 24 Jul 45 murdered VX25109 Pte Boyce W.F. of 2/21 Aust Inf Batallion

JAG - Vice Admiral Ichise denied he ordered the execution - no evidence to support it.

Petty officers Tanaka and Kakuda carried out the execution under immediate orders of superior officer having been haphazardly selected from the guard. Nothing to intimate to them that it was an illegal order.

Capt Shirosu issued order from HQ and Miyazaki transmitted to Shimakawa. Neither Shirozu or Miyazaka were present at execution. Shimakawa was in charge of party executing the PW.

All three officers ought to have known that a death sentence could only be given by court-martial but no cm had been held and therefore no legal order for execution.

Shirozu is a more senior officer at HQ and more responsible. It would appear that he also was really acting on the orders of a senior staff officer.

crimes

Accused