Page 196 - MaterialsTrial-JapaneseArmy-1950

Question: What technique was used to contaminate localities with plague during the 1941
expedition?

Answer: Dropping plague fleas from aircraft at a high altitude.

Question: Was this done by dropping bacteria bombs or by spraying the fleas from
aircraft?

Answer: By spraying.

Question: Will you tell us all you know about Detachment 731 's expedition to China in
1942?

Answer: In June 1942, Lieutenant General Ishii, Chief of Detachment 731, called together
the leading personnel of the detachment and informed us that an expedition to Central China
would shortly be organized for the purpose of studying the best methods of employing
bacteriological weapons. The expedition was organized and despatched in conformity with an
order from the General Staff of the Japanese Army, and its chief purpose was to study what
was called the ground method of contamination, that is, the dissemination of germs from the
ground. An order was then issued by the Commander-in-Chief of the Kwantung Army to
send a special group to Central China.

In pursuance of this order, General Ishii, Chief of Detachment 731, called together the
leading personnel of the detachment and conferred with them on practical ways and means of
organizing the expedition. The drawing up of the plan of the expedition was entrusted to
Lieutenant Colonel Murakami, Chief of the 2nd Division. The group was to consist of from
100 to 300 men. It was decided to employ plague, cholera and paratyphoid germs.

At the end of June and the beginning of July the expedition proceeded in several
contingents by air and rail to Detachment Ei in Nanking.

The expedition was to carry on its bacteriological activity in conjunction with the Chekang
operation of the Japanese Army in Central China. The operation was appointed for the end of
July. But owing to the fact that the Chekang operation, which was to be a strategical retreat of
the Japanese forces, was somewhat delayed, the bacteriological operation was carried out at
the end of August. This Detachment 731 expedition to Central China operated from the
territory of Detachment Ei, where it set up its support bases.

The bacteriological operation was to be carried out in the area of the cities of Yushan,
Kinhwa and Futsing. I learned after the operation that plague, cholera and paratyphoid germs
were employed against the Chinese by spraying. The plague germs were disseminated
through fleas, the other germs in the pure form—by contaminating reservoirs, wells, rivers,
etc. I know that the bacteriological operation was carried out fully in accordance with plan
and was a complete success, but I do not know the details of its results; I know that the
operation was successful from what General Ishii told me.

Question: What instructions did the 4th Division receive in connection with the

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