| Accession Number | P05220.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Hong Kong |
| Date made | 24 November-17 December 1947 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Rear Admiral (Rear Adm) Tamura Ryukichi, seated in the witness box, undergoing cross-examination ...
Description
Rear Admiral (Rear Adm) Tamura Ryukichi, seated in the witness box, undergoing cross-examination during the Kavieng Massacre war crime trial at the No 1 Australian War Crimes Court, Kowloon. The court's president, seated centre at the judges' table, was VX33 Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Henry Guinn DSO. He was assisted by Lt Col John Brock, seated to Lt Col Guinn's right, and WX16132 Major (Maj) Norman McLeod, seated left of Lt Col Guinn.
Six former Japanese naval personnel, including Rear Adm Tamura, were accused and found guilty of killing 23 Australian civilian internees at Kavieng, New Ireland, in March 1944. Rear Adm Tamura was sentenced to death, and following a failed appeal was executed on 16 March 1948. The five other accused received prison sentences: Lieutenant Commander Mori Kyojii, 20 years imprisonment; Commander Yoshino Shozo, 15 years; Lieutenant (Lt) Suzuki Shozo, 12 years; Lt Mochizuki Hichitaro, 7 years; Chief Petty Officer Horiguchi Yoshio , 4 years.
This photograph is from a collection relating to WX16132 Major (Maj) Alexander Davies Mackay, 1 Australian War Crimes Section. Maj Mackay served as a prosecutor between 1947-48. He was discharged on 21 August 1951.