Page 302 - MaterialsTrial-JapaneseArmy-1950
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from aircraft, these bombs were supposed to explode above the ground.
Question: With what were the bombs filled?
Answer: From what Major Suzuki, the Chief of the section, told me, I know that small
bulbs containing plague-infected fleas were placed into these bodies.
Question: In what way did the construction of the bombs ensure the preservation of the
fleas when the bombs exploded and protect them from the effect of high temperatures?
Answer: Major Suzuki told me that since the bodies of these bombs were ceramic and thin-
walled, a very small quantity of explosive was needed to explode them, consequently the
explosion was of low power, and this saved the fleas from destruction, as the force of the
explosion, the resistance of the air and the temperature had practically no effect upon them.
EXAMINATION OF WITNESS SASAKI
President of the Court: Witness Sasaki, have you signed a warning that you are liable to
prosecution if you give false evidence?
Witness Sasaki: Yes.
Question: You must tell the Court nothing but the truth. When were you taken prisoner by
the Soviet Army?
Answer: On August 15, 1945.
Question: Where were you serving at the time?
Answer: On the Kuril Islands, Urup Island.
Question: Did you serve in Detachment 731?
Answer: Yes.
Question: What work did you do there?
Answer: I worked in Karasawa's sub-section, in the 4th Division, as a storekeeper.
Question: What was your military rank?
Answer: I had no military rank.
Question: Were you in military service at the time you served in Detachment 731, or not?
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