Page 301 - MaterialsTrial-JapaneseArmy-1950

Question: When were you taken prisoner by the Soviet Army?

Answer: On August 22, 1945.

Question: Where were you serving at the time?

Answer: At that time I was serving in the Hailar Branch of Detachment 731.

Question: How did you come to be in that branch?

Answer: I was appointed to serve there by order.

Question: What was your military rank?

Answer: Sub-Lieutenant.

State Prosecutor: Tell us, witness Segoshi, did you, for some time, serve as a laboratory
assistant in the 4th Section of the Materials Division of Detachment 731?

Witness Segoshi: Yes, I served as a laboratory assistant in the 4th Section of the Materials
Division.

Question: What did this section engage in?

Answer: The 4th Section engaged in the manufacture of filters, ceramic bodies for bacteria
bombs and porcelain bulbs.

Question: Did you see how the ceramic bodies of bacteria bombs were made?

Answer: Yes, I had occasion to see it. I tested the composition of the clay used for the
manufacture of these bodies.

Question: Describe the bombs and the technique of their manufacture.

Answer: To manufacture these bombs, clay was taken, ground to a powder, mixed with
water and then brought to the required consistency. The stuff was then poured into a special
plaster mould. This mould was shaped like a shell. In view of the fact that plaster absorbs
moisture, the upper surface of this stuff dried. Later, the plaster mould was removed, the
liquid stuff that had remained was poured away and ceramic vessels were obtained in the
shape of shells. The finished bodies of the bombs were then dried in special kilns. These
bombs were from 70 to 80 centimeters long and 20 centimeters in diameter. At the bottom
there was a screwthreaded aperture. The interiors of the bombs were hollow. A time fuse tube
was inserted into the screw-threaded aperture. Zigzag grooves were cut on the outer surface
of these bodies. On the upper part of the bombs there were attachments for stabilizers.
Explosives were fastened into the grooves for the purpose of exploding the bombs. Dropped

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