Page 241 - MaterialsTrial-JapaneseArmy-1950
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Question: Accused Sato, will you please tell us what you know about the assistance
Detachment Ei 1644 rendered Detachment 731 in bacteriological attacks on the Chinese
population?
Answer: When I was serving with Detachment Ei 1644, I was told by Colonel Oota and
Lieutenant Colonel Onadera that the bacteriological weapon was employed at Nimpo in
1940, at Changteh in 1941, and in the Chekang operation in 1942. Plague fleas were used,
which were scattered from aircraft.
Some of the men of Detachment Ei 1644 assisted in the Chekang operation. In addition,
many men were sent by Detachment 731. I don't know the exact details of the operation, but I
do know that headquarters of Detachment Ei 1644 assisted the execution of this operation, in
particular, by breeding fleas.
Question: In other words, Detachment Ei 1644 supplied the expeditionary group from the
Ishii Detachment with a certain quantity of fleas for purposes of infection with plague? Is that
so?
Answer: Yes.
Question: When Detachment 731's expeditionary group arrived in Nanking, where did it
make its base?
Answer: At Detachment Ei 1644 in Nanking.
Question: Consequently, at the time of this expedition from the Ishii Detachment to Central
China, Detachment Ei 1644 served as the base for the expeditionary group. Is that so?
Answer: Yes.
Question: While you were Chief of Detachment Ei 1644, who engaged in cultivating the
bacteria of plague and in breeding fleas?
Answer: Captain Murata.
Question: Did the detachment's Bacteriological Division set up any special section or
special sub-section for the breeding of fleas and the cultivation of plague germs?
Answer: Yes, it did.
Question: To what position were you transferred from Detachment Ei 1644 in Nanking?
Answer: To the position of Chief of the Medical Service of the 5th Army.
Question: What branch of Detachment 731 was based in the territory where your army was
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