KATAYAMA/HIDEO

david
Last name
Katayama
First name
Hideo
Rank
Sub-Lieutenant 1st Class
Unit
Fleet HQ

Trial

Sentence
Death by shooting
Date sentence carried out (if death)
Location of sentence (if death)
Rabaul

Warrant of execution signed by Sturdee on 6/4/46.

Katayama insisted that the PWs had been tried and sentenced in court martial. JAG believes that Lt Comdr Baron Takasaki gave instructions to Katayama at HQ that the men were to be executed without trial - in obedience to these orders Katayama proceeded with the execution. - he may be held responsible for it though the fact that he was ordered by a much superior staff officer may be considered in mitigation of the sentence of death.

I am of the opinion that the very junior officer Takahashi cannot have been expected to have any knowledge of the illegality of the execution and his sentence should not be confirmed.

I would draw your attention to the fact that the name of Lt Comdr Baron Takasaki who was found not guilty in a previous court martial concerning two airmen executed at another place, occurs right through these proceedings and there appears to be little doubt that he, being a high officer, was responsible for the execution of some of these airmen. The evidence in this case concerning him might be reconsidered with the previous evidence at the trial when he, in my opinion, was very luckily found not guilty.

JAG 15/3/46