Testimony of Masatoshi Fujishige Before the War Crimes Commission in 1945

Masatoshi Fujishige.  Image credit: Generals.dk.

called as witness on behalf of the Prosecution, being first duly sworn through Lieutenant Commander Bartlett, was examined and testified through as follows through Lieutenant Commander Bartlett, with Major Pratt and Lieutenant Asano acting as “check” interpreters:

Q (By Captain Pace) Give your name, please.
A (Through Lieutenant Commander Bartlett) Masatoshi Fujishige.
Q What is your nationality?
A Japan.
Q Are you a member of the Imperial Japanese Army?
A Yes.
Q What is your rank?
A Colonel.
Q From September, 1944, until the end of March, 1945, what was your command.
A Until the end of December, 1944, I commanded the 17^th Infantry Regiment. From January 1, 1945, I commanded the Fuji Heidan, Fuji Group.
Q Did the Fuji Heidan operate in Batangas and part of Laguna Province?
A As you say.
Q How many troops were in the Fuji Heidan?
A After the 1^st of January, 1945, at its maximum peak, there were approximately 6,000.
Q Who was your commander, then?

A Lieutenant General Yokoyama.
Q Who was his commander?
A I am not — I do not know under whose direct command he came. Probably, I expect it might have been Yamashita’s command.
Q Will you look at Exhibit 253 for identification and tell us what it is?
A This is a record of my talk and instructions to officers and non-commissioned officers who had been assembled from each of the units of a sea-borne reconnaissance unit.
Q Were those units under you?
A At that time, most of them were in my command.

CAPTAIN PACE: I offer this in evidence, sir, and as permission to withdraw it if it is accepted and substitute a certified true copy.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Commission feels that the translation of this document should be read before the Commission is asked to rule upon it.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: May we see the original, sir?

(Prosecution Exhibit 253 for identification was handed to Captain Sandberg.)

CAPTAIN PACE: Does the Commission desire that I read the ATIS translation, or do they wish our interpreters to read it?

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The ATIS translation will be read.

CAPTAIN PACE: The full translation:

“Instruction of Group (Heidan) CO (outline) 8 March at Santa Clara Hq.

“1. The object of mass training is to enable the sea raiding units to achieve impressive results in land warfare.

“2. The new duty of the group is to reverse the present battle situation on Luzon.

“3. Become a godlike warrior. Learn the art of god like a god.

“4. Be thorough in training. Do not misunderstand the meaning of affection toward your men. To make godlike warriors of them is in itself an act of affection of officers toward their men.

“5. No man must die an honorable death until he has killed 100 enemy soldiers and destroyed 10 enemy TK (TN tanks).

“6. Kill American troops cruelly. Do not kill them with one stroke Shoot guerrillas. Kill all who oppose the emperor, even women and children.

“7. Start thorough training immediately upon returning to your units.”

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Commission inquires of Prosecution why this witness was not questioned in the usual manner as to his willingness to testify?

CAPTAIN PACE: Sir, in regard to warning him of his rights, it is my understanding, after talking to other members of the Prosecution, and research, that it is unnecessary to warn prisoners of war of their rights. As to other general warnings to tell the truth, and so forth, I have already done that before bringing the witness here. He has also been informed, sir, before coming

here, that it was a strong probability that he would be tried as a war criminal in the near future.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: As to this document, before ruling is announced, the Commission will desire the chief interpreter to verify the translation which has been furnished the Commission.

Are there comments by Defense pertaining to these exhibit?

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Sir, first we should like to say, in connection with the point made by the Commission, that it is indeed a phenomenal principle that prisoners of war are not entitled to be warned of their rights against incrimination. Not only is that not a true statement of principle, but it is directly contrary to the Geneva Convention, and we feel that the Commission very appropriately pointed that out.

As to this document itself, our translation indicates that it is simply a draft of the speech that was made, and we should like to cross examine the witness as to the exact text of the speech that was made.

MAJOR KERR: Sir, the Prosecution does not conceded that under the Geneva Convention, there is any prohibition of the use of testimony of a prisoner of war in this matter. As far as self-incrimination is concerned, of course, the rules of the Articles of War against self-incrimination do not apply, since the Articles of War themselves to not apply; and I believe that has been a ruling of this Commission. Now, if counsel interprets the Geneva Convention as prohibiting self-incrimination in a case of this sort,

I would be pleased to have the citation to which they refer.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: I have known since the day that I got into the army that a prisoner of war is required, on interrogation, only to give his name and serial number.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Defense may interrogate the witness.

CAPTAIN PACE: I have some more questions, sir.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: I am sorry; I thought you had finished.

Q (By Captain Pace) In November of 1944, did you receive a written order from Yokoyama telling you to eliminate anti-Japanese elements in Batangas?
A I received no such orders.
Q Did you receive orders from Yokoyama at that time to eliminate guerrillas in Batangas?
A I did not receive such orders.

(A document was marked
Prosecution Exhibit No.
378 for identification.)

Q What orders did you receive?
A About the middle of November, I received from Yokoyama orders to clean out or mop up the guerrillas in my area.
Q Did it mention women and children?
A There was not one word about them.
Q Did you issue this order to your troops?
A I passed this order on to every commander — to the commander of every one of my units.
Q After you received the written order, did Yokoyama, as chief of staff, come to Batangas and give you oral

instructions?
A The chief of staff did not come to me and talk about any such matter. Staff Officer Motoyama did come and talk to me about the question of policing in my area.
Q What did he say?
A The gist of his talk was that the mopping up of my area was behind schedule and that I should see that it proceeded with great rapidity.

Q Did you urge your commanders to speed it up?
A I did not pass it on.
Q Why not?
A I decided that the situation at the time was not favorable towards such immediate action.
Q When did you take immediate action?
A When I received the written orders in the middle of November from General Yokoyama; at the time, I gave instructions to each of my unit commanders in my command.
Q When did the Chief of Staff give you the verbal order?
A I never received or heard anything from the Chief of Staff.
Q When did the staff officer give you the verbal order?
A That was sometime during the middle of November and the first of December.

CAPTAIN PACE: You may cross examine.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Commission will recess for approximately ten minutes.

(Short recess.)

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Commission is in session. The Commission desires that this witness be asked the same questions as to his willingness to testify and the possible effect, as have been asked of other Japanese prisoners of war who have appeared before the Commission.

CAPTAIN PACE: Yes, sir.

DIRECT EXAMINATION (Continued)

Q (By Captain Pace) Do you want to give this Military Commission the information you possess concerning Japanese operations in the Philippines?

A I have no objection.
Q And the information which you have already given was given freely, is that right?
A It is.
Q And do you want to give the Commission this information even though it might later be held against you?
A I have no objection.

CAPTAIN PACE: Is that satisfactory, sir?

GENERAL REYNOLDS: You may proceed.

CAPTAIN PACE: I believe the interpreter has something he wishes to give the Commission.

COMMANDER BARTLETT: For the record, I would like the state that the word in the witness’ testimony translated as “guerrilla” can equally, although not necessarily, be better translated as “armed bandit.”

Also, the word translated as “mop-up” can also be translated as “suppress,” “put down,” “subjugate,” “punish,” or conduct a punitive expedition.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Let me see the translation which was offered with the exhibit.

COMMANDER BARTLETT: This refers purely to the oral testimony, sir, from this witness.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: It does not refer to the translation of this document?

COMMANDER BARTLETT: That has not been examined as yet, sir.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Very well. You may proceed.

Are you waiting for a copy of the translation?

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Yes.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Do you not have other copies?

CAPTAIN PACE: We have another copy here.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Do you have one for the use of the Commission?

CAPTAIN PACE: Here is a copy.

Q (By Captain Sandberg) Colonel, will you look at that document and tell us whether it is written in your handwriting?
A It is not anything that I have written.
Q Do you know who wrote it?
A I cannot tell.
Q Do you know what it is?
A I know.
Q Will you tell us?
A These are notes taken by a representative at a meeting of representatives of commanding officers of lower units assembled together for the purpose of instruction and order receiving.
Q You don’t know who the particular person is who made those notes?
A I know that these notes are the notes taken by the representative of the Marine Raiding Party Unit, but I do not know who the representative was. I talked for about fifteen minutes and then immediately left.
Q Will you tell us exactly and in detail what you said?

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Commission interrupts. In order to save time and for other reasons, the Defense is asked to take each one of these numbered paragraphs in turn

and ask whether that represents a fair meaning of what he said.

There is no objection by the Commission of having him bring out other things which he said, but we don’t want the matter in that way.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Alright.

Q (By Captain Sandberg) Did you say on that occasion: “Kill American troops cruelly?”

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Let the Commission interrupt again and repeat our instructions. Take the numbered paragraphs in sequence and ask the witness whether the statement there is a fair translation of what he said.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Each one separately?

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Yes.

Q (By Captain Sandberg) Is the following statement a fair summary of what you said: “The subject of mass training is to enable the sea riding units to achieve impressive results in land warfare?”

GENERAL REYNOLDS: I would ask the Commander to also use the Japanese original exhibit itself.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Alright.

A That is correct.
Q (By Captain Sandberg) Is the following paragraph a fair gist of what you said: “The new duty of the group is to reverse the present battle station on Luzon?”
A Exactly correct.
Q Is this statement a fair gist of what you said: “Become a godlike warrior. Learn the art of war like a god?”
A This is correct, although I explained the matter in

greater detail at the time.
Q Will you tell us briefly how you elaborated on that?

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Commission again interrupts and directs that the Defense proceed according to the instructions given by the Commission. Read these statements in sequence. Ask the witness if that is a fair translation of what he said at that meeting. If, after you finish that, you wish to ask the witness to elaborate upon them, the Commission will consider it.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Alright, sir. Do you want the last translation?

GENERAL REYNOLDS: No. The Commission understands that the witness has affirmed the accuracy of the translation on points 1, 2 and 3.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Not quite, sir. The witness has stated this is true so far as it went but it is not a complete statement of what he said. Since the statement is the best living exponent of what he, in fact, said, it is not complete to say that that is a complete statement of what he said.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Commission has already stated that you would be given an opportunity to permit him to expand, but for the fourth time, the Commission directs its orders to be carried into effect.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Yes, sir.

Q (By Captain Sandberg) Is the following a correct summary of what you said: “Be thorough in training. Do not misunderstand the meaning of affection toward your men. To make godlike warriors of them is in itself an act of affection

of officers toward their men?”
A The purport of my remarks was exactly that.
Q Is the following a correct summary of what you said: “No man must die an honorable death until he has killed one hundred enemy soldiers and destroyed ten enemy tanks?”
A I said something like that.
Q Is the following a correct summary of what you said: “Kill American troops cruelly. Do not kill them with one stroke. Shoot guerrillas. Kill all who oppose the Emperor, even women and children?”
A This differs considerably.
Q Now, is the following a correct summary of what you said: “Start thorough training immediately upon returning to your units?”

COMMANDER BARTLETT: He says again to No. 6, it is different than what he understood. He said, “I said training where this letter says education.”

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Now, I would like to ask the Interpreter to read into the record the amplifying remarks which the witness made in response to my question No. 3, which I now believe would be in order.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: You may do so.

COMMANDER BARTLETT: The Japanese Imperial Army is not an army of aggression but of character and humanity and, for that reason, the Japanese Army should be godlike and have godlike characters and fight with humanity and spirit; humanity and godlike spirit.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Now, with reference to statement No. 5: “No man must die an honorable death until he has

killed one hundred enemy soldiers and destroyed ten enemy tanks.” Would the witness elaborate on that as to what he said?

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Commission interrupts to know why it is necessary, in view of the fact that he has already stated that it is a fair translation.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: If the Commission please, we have the witness here, we have the man who made the speech of which this is a purported summary and we feel it is most relevant to get exactly what he said. Actually, the witness, in connection with the fifth question said, “I said something like that.” We would like to get exactly what he said.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Very well.

THE WITNESS: At the time, there was an expression that every Japanese soldier should kill ten Americans and destroy one American tank. My intention was to emphasize the fact that this was not enough and that it would be necessary for each to kill one hundred Americans and destroy ten tanks before he would be allowed to die.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: The witness has testified that No. 6 differs considerably. No. 6 reads as follows: “Kill American troops cruelly. Do not kill them with one stroke. Shoot guerrillas. Shoot all who oppose the Emperor, even women and children.” Will the witness say what he in fact did say?

(Translated by Commander Bartlett.)

THE WITNESS: First, with respect to American soldiers, I told them, as I did in the other paragraph, that each of them must kill 100. With respect to those guerrillas who opposed the Imperial Forces, my instructions were to suppress them with military operations. With respect to women and children, about the 1^st of January, from intelligence sources, we received a warning that even women and children were carrying weapons and to be on guard for this. Therefore — And after the 1^st of January and on into February in my own territory, there were many instances where women bearing arms inflicted considerable damage to my forces.

When I was riding in a car, an automobile, a child threw a hand grenade at me. On another occasion, a child about 15 years old came near me on one occasion and I had a soldier who was nearby search him and we found a hand grenade in his person. I took the hand grenade away from this child and sent him away.

I myself was threatened twice and my soldiers were threatened or received damage on many and numerous occasions from women and children armed. Because I had received a warning from the Shimbu Unit —

COMMANDER BARTLETT: Let that be corrected where I

said “intelligence” to “Shimbu Unit.”

THE WITNESS (Through Commander Bartlett): — that women and children were going about armed, on this occasion, I told my troops that if they were attacked by armed women and children, that of necessity, as a military necessity, they must be combated.

Let there be no mistake about what I have said, I will repeat what I have just said: that if women and children attack our troops with arms, it is unavoidable that they be combated in a military manner.

Q (By Captain Sandberg) And you made that fact very clear on the occasion of this talk; is that correct?
A I spent 15 or 20 minutes going over the matter several times in great detail in order that there should be no misunderstanding about what I was saying.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Now, I am going to read a paragraph from an order of the 14^th Army Group which is in evidence as Prosecution’s Exhibit 4 and I am going to ask the witness whether he is familiar with that order.

(Translated by Commander Bartlett.)

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: “5. In view of the special characteristics of the Philippine operations, subversive activities of the residents and attacks in arrears by air borne raiding forces must be considered. In order to avoid mistakes in conducting the operations, take precautions against armed guerrillas. Subjugate them quickly and put a stop to their activities.”

(Translated by Commander Bartlett.)

THE WITNESS (Through Commander Bartlett): I have never received any orders such as that from the 14^th Army

Group.
Q (By Captain Sandberg) Did you ever receive an order from General Yokoyama relative to the suppression of armed guerrillas which was in substance the same as that order?
A I have received such orders.
Q And is it true that every order which you have received with respect to guerrillas has been limited to military operations against armed guerrillas?
A Exactly as you stated.
Q Have you ever received any orders from higher authority for the killing of non-combatant civilians in Batangas?
A I have not.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Does the Defense have much further cross examination?

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Not on this line of examination, sir, but I have further questions on another line of examination.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Does it pertain to the document under consideration?

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Yes, sir.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Commission inquires as to the further examination being more appropriately deferred until presentation of the Defense case.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: When I said it does not pertain to the document, I meant it does not pertain specifically to it but it does pertain to the substance of the document, that is, the contents of the document. More particularly,

I might say that what we wanted to examine the witness on was the nature of the guerrilla resistance movement in Batangas.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Commission has heard all this in order to determine whether or not to accept the document in evidence, and unless the cross examination is going to be very brief, the Commission would prefer that it be deferred until the Defense presents its case.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: I can conduct a short examination on guerrilla activities in Batangas which I believe will make it unnecessary to call Col. Fujishige as a Defense witness.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Very well. I will accord Defense a few moments for that purpose.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: I beg your pardon?

GENERAL REYNOLDS: We will give you a few more minutes

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: May we have the last answer?

THE WITNESS (Through Commander Bartlett): I have never issued such orders. I have never issued orders concerning civilians excepting that I have been quite particular about issuing some orders for protecting them from time to time.

Q (By Captain Sandberg) Did you ever report to General Yokoyama or to other higher authority that Japanese soldiers were killing non-combatant civilians in Batangas?
A I have never made such a report, because such facts do not exist and I had no occasion to make such a report.
Q Shortly prior to the American landings, will you tell us what was the disposition and number of the guerrillas

troops in Batangas?
A About the middle of January, 1945, I had withdrawn all of my forces from the Batangas shore to the hills and the mountains, and for that reason, I am not in a position to give you accurate information concerning guerrilla dispositions in Batangas excepting that early in January, I heard that certain small units were apprehensive of activities by civilians in the vicinity and as a result, I immediately withdrew those small units.
Q Was there in the Banahoa [Banahao or Banahaw] Mountains a fully-armed division under Vicente Umali?
A In January, east of Malepunyo Hill was a veritable hideout of guerrillas who were receiving munitions from the United States forces and also from the seaside at Tayabas Bay, the guerrillas were receiving munitions by submarine from the Americans. And I received intelligence to the effect that having received arms and training from the Americans, that by the end of January, there was what amounted to a full division of guerrillas in the hills.
Q And was there in addition to the Cuenca Mountains more than ten thousand additional troops receiving arms from the United States?
A Instead of Mt. Cuenca, east of Lake Taal, I heard from spies that the number of guerrillas armed had increased to something like ten thousand.
Q And so, did these guerrilla units operate extensively in the region of Lipa, Taal, and Bauan and other places in Batangas?
A They appeared in each sector or every sector and

attacked our units.
Q And at one time —
A For that reason, the Cuenca-Lipa-Manila road became so dangerous that a small group of soldiers, such as six or seven, were unable to pass along the road in safety. For that reason, I gave orders that no body of troops less than a squad should pass along this road. As a result, from the middle of January, we received considerably large death casualties.
Q And by the end of January, had the guerrillas expelled the Japanese from the town of Bauan?
A I received word that about the end of January, a considerable number of guerrillas had come into the town of Bauan and were attacking the natives — were agitating the natives.

(Witness talking in native tongue).

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Commission interrupts. The witness testified numerous questions ago that on a certain date, he withdrew to the hills. Can the reporter find that question and that answer and get us that date?

COMMANDER BARTLETT: His present answer, sir, has to do with withdrawing from the hills either just before, just after or in connection with American landings, and I am trying to get it accurately in my head, if it is necessary.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: I would like to see what he said in the prior question and answer.

(The question and answer referred to were read by the reporter as follows:

“Q Shortly prior to the American landings, will you tell us what was the disposition and number of guerrilla troops in Batangas?

“A About the middle of January, 1945, I had withdrawn all of my forces from Batangas shore to the hills and mountains, and for that reason, I am not in a position to give you accurate information concerning guerrilla dispositions in Batangas excepting that early in January. I heard that certain small units were apprehensive of activities of civilians in the vicinity and, as a result, I immediately withdrew those small units.”)

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Now lest us have the answer to the question.

(Translated to the witness by Interpreter Lieutenant

Commander Bartlett.)
A (Through Commander Bartlett) At the end of January, the United States troops had already landed at Nasugbu Bay, and we were guarding Batangas Bay when, it appearing that the number of troops, United States troops, that were to land in Batangas would be small, if any, it was determined to withdraw into the hills. The bulk of troops were withdrawn in the middle of January. Most of the rest of them were withdrawn by the end of January, and on the last day of January, I withdrew the last four or five whom I had left as watchers.
Q (By Captain Sandberg) When you say “hills,” you mean the hills of Batangas?
A I withdrew from the shoreline, from Batangas, to Bauan, into the adjacent hills.

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: I think that clears that up, sir. I just have a few more questions.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: That is what we had 15 or 20 minutes ago. What are the questions?

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: Were there many occasions when Japanese soldiers were ambushed, killed, and mutilated by guerrillas?

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The Commission will assume his answer will be “Yes,” since he has once testified to that effect.

What is your next question?

CAPTAIN SANDBERG: That will be all.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Question by the Commission:

Invite the attention of the witness to the Item No. 6

in the captured summary of the meeting which he conducted, which was the one he did not agree to as a fair translation of what he said.

That part of it he has discussed. Will you tell him that?

(Translated to the witness by Commander Bartlett.)

GENERAL REYNOLDS: He has not discussed the statement: “Kill American troops cruelly. Do not kill them with one stroke.”

Ask him if that is a fair summary of his statement.

(Translated to the witness by Commander Bartlett.

THE WITNESS (through Commander Bartlett): I did not say — this is an error; I did not say anything like this.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Ask him to state what he recalls was said.

(Translated to the witness by Commander Bartlett.)

THE WITNESS (through Commander Bartlett): What I said was that unless each Japanese soldier killed 100 Americans

and destroyed 10 tanks, we would lose the war.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Then, in summary of the seven items in this captured document, he agrees that in six of them, the summary was accurate, but in one it was inaccurate in the manner he states?

(Translated to the witness by Commander Bartlett.)

THE WITNESS (through Commander Bartlett): In general, with respect to this statement, six of them are along the lines in which I spoke. With respect to No. 6, this is not the way I spoke. And, as a matter of fact, I laid special stress on this No. 6 in my talk.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: Does the Prosecution offer this document in evidence without further questioning?

CAPTAIN PACE: Yes, sir, we do.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: The document is accepted by the Commission for such probative value, if any, it shall be held to possess.

(Prosecution Exhibit No. 353 for
identification was received in
evidence and so marked.)

(Witness excused.)

Notes & References: