Page 268 - MaterialsTrial-JapaneseArmy-1950

of my branch to the special courses.

I do not recall exactly .how long they studied at these courses, but I do remember that it
was from half a month to a month. When they returned from these courses we began to
prepare for the mass breeding of fleas. An additional three men were sent to the courses.
Afterwards the group, consist ing of 5-6 persons,headed by a junior lieutenant, was sent to
Detachment 731, where it received the necessary number of fleas for further breeding in the
branch. This was approximately in July. I also recall that in the initial period of our work in
the mass breeding of fleas we used from 6 to 10 cans for the purpose.

Later, in pursuance of the order addressed to us, we received some 200 empty benzine cans
from the warehouse in Mutankiang which we used for breeding fleas. I do not exactly
remember, and therefore cannot say whether all these cans were used for mass breeding.

Then war started with the Soviet Union, and, as I know from the report of my subordinates,
about 20-25 grams of fleas were sent to Detachment 731 headquarters on August 9, 1945, and
the rest destroyed on August 13 when the detachment moved to the front line at Ai-he
Station.

Question: Do you confirm your testimony that you received a coded telegram instructing
you to increase to the maximum the mass breeding of fleas?

Answer: Yes, I do.

Question: In connection with this telegram were at first two members of your branch—
N.C.O. Yabuki and Suzuki, a civilian employee, sent to the special training courses for the
mass breeding of fleas in Detachment 731?

Answer: Yes, I confirm this testimony. At the preliminary investigation I testified to this
and said that I had sent N.C.O. Yabuki and civilian employee Suzuki, but on second thought I
think it was somebody else and not Suzuki who had been sent.

Question: According to instructions received from Detachment 731, 200 incubators were to
be used for cultivating fleas, is that right?

Answer: The instructions concerned only the receipt of the 200 cans, there were no other
instructions.

Question: Did your branch receive 200 cans, or didn't it?

Answer: It did.

Question: Were fleas bred in these cans? What was the method used?

Answer: As far as I can remember the method was the following: first thinly-cut straw was
placed at the bottom of the can, and then one or two rats infested with fleas put inside.

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