I think it's just a matter of time. I reckon we could keep him employed for a while yet. Montevideo Maru next? Centaur trail leads to Japan: researcher - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
From the news report above: The report of the Japanese Submarine Captain being convicted of war crimes is correct however this was not for the sinking of the Centaur.
SS British Chivalry Tanker Sinking From the news report above: Quote: The captain of the Japanese submarine that sank the Centaur was later convicted for war crimes. The report of the Japanese Submarine Captain being convicted of war crimes is correct however this was not for the sinking of the Centaur. Hugh, Do you have any information on the "British Chivalry" incident for which this low life was convicted?
Sorry Geoff, I missed this one - apologies. Tanker BRITISH CHIVALRY official number 161198 built in 1929 for the British Tanker Co. 22.2.1944: Torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-37 (Nakagawa), in the Indian Ocean SW of Addu Atoll, Maldive Islands, in position 00.50S 68.00E while sailing independently on a voyage from Melbourne to Abadan, in ballast. The Master, Capt W. Hill, was taken prisoner. The crew in two ship's boats and four rafts were machine gunned in the water by the submarine. 29 crew and 9 gunners were rescued after being adrift for 37 days by British ship DELANE in position 04.55S 65.00E on 29.3.1944 and landed at Durban. 15 crew and 5 gunners were lost. Regards Hugh
In the middle of January 1947, the International Military Tribunal heard evidence of survivors being machine-gunned, after the ships BRITISH CHIVALRY, SUTLEJ and ASCOT had been torpedoed and sunk on 22, 26 and 29th February 1944, respectively. These sworn statements had come from survivors from all three ships. In the case of the tanker BRITISH CHIVALRY, it was alleged that the captain was taken prisoner and forced to watch the Japanese machine-gun his crew; serveral men were killed. Commission president Colonel Henry Lyon addressed Nakagawa: 'Nakagawa, do you understand specification two as changed today by the prosecution with certain deletions, and read to you this afternoon?' (via an interpreter} 'yes.' 'And do you understand by changing your plea from not guilty to guilty you admit the elements of the offence?' 'Yes.' 'How do you plead to specification two of the charge?' 'I plead guilty.' 'You may be seated.' This admission did not carry the death penalty. The Court sentenced him to eight years hard labour (he was to serve nearly six before being released from Sugamo Prison in Japan on 2 October 1954. He died on 27 May, 1986 aged 84 years. Source: "Beyond The Call of Duty" Regards Hugh
Thanks Hugh, I suppose we should be thankful that he did (6) years. Many were just not brought to justice.
Far too many Imperial Japanese Officers/Soldiers etc, who committed very serious crimes were allowed to survive with out trail, and it was not just scientists that sneaked through or got away from the tribunals unscathed.
