Page 35 - MaterialsTrial-JapaneseArmy-1950
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To increase the output of bacteriological weapons, in December 1943, by agreement with
the 2nd Intelligence Division of Headquarters of the Kwantung Army, and on my orders, a
sixth section was formed in the 2nd Division of Detachment 100, the function of which was
to produce bacteriological weapons on a mass scale. . . .
For the purpose of devising bacteriological weapons and producing them on a mass scale,
Detachment 100, on my orders, performed all sorts of experiments on animals.
In the summer of 1942, on my orders, a group of men from Detachment 100, headed by
researcher Ida Kiyoshi, experimented in the region of the river Derbul, in the Tryokhrechye
area, in infecting animals to test the effectiveness of bacteriological weapons under climatic
conditions most closely approximating those prevailing on Soviet Union territory.
In March 1945, in conformity with my orders, an experiment in infecting animals with
severe infectious diseases was made on the proving ground of Detachment 731 at Anta
Station. I know from the report of Chief of Detachment 100, Wakamatsu, that this experiment
was successful—all the ten cows that were experimented on died. In March 1944, on my
orders and with the knowledge of the 2nd Intelligence Division of Headquarters of the
Kwantung Army, a special expedition of members of Detachment 100—later headed by
Lieutenant Hirazakura—was organized to the districts of North Khingan Province to
reconnoitre the roads, summer and winter cattle pastures, the state of water sources and the
number of cattle belonging to the local population, with the object of preparing to conduct
bacteriological sabotage against the Soviet Union. This group was formed in conformity with
an operations order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Kwantung Army.
While carrying out this order, Hirazakura reported to me twice on the work that he had
performed. He made the first report in September 1944 in the office of the Chief of
Detachment 100, Wakamatsu. In his report he gave the information he had collected about
the number of cattle, pastures, water sources, the state of the roads and the nomad
encampments of the population of North Khingan Province.
I received Hirazakura's second report in my office in March 1945. In his report Hirazakura
indicated to me on the map the summer and winter pastures and water sources, the state of the
roads and the number of cattle belonging to the local population.
Hirazakura's group was commissioned to conduct reconnoitring and also to purchase
livestock: 500 sheep, 100 head of cattle and 90 horses, which were to be infected with severe
infectious diseases and then left in the rear of the Soviet troops.
At the time Hirazakura made his second report I discussed with the researchers of
Detachment 100, Osaka and Ida, and the Chief of Detachment 100, Wakamatsu, what
bacteria should be used to infect the cattle belonging to the inhabitants in North Khingan
Province. The following methods of infecting the cattle were agreed to: the cattle were to be
infected with anthrax and cattle plague with the aid of aircraft belonging to Detachment 731.
Only the cattle of the local population in the pastures was to be infected. The horses were to
be infected with anthrax.
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