Evening star., 1942-11-26
Captured Jap Hopes
U. 5. Prisoners viii
Be as Well Treated
Wounded Flyer Soys He
Has No knowledge Of
Fote Of Toxic Raiders
BY ]. REILLY O'SULLIvAN,


Associated Press War Correspondent,
WITH UNITED STATES FORCES
IN CHINA, Nov. "a Delayed An
injured japanese bomber pilot
taken prisoner by the air task force
in China expressed the hope today
that Americans falling into jap
anese hands would be given as kind
treatment as he is receiving.
I am very grateful for my excel
lent treatment" he told Col. Merriam
G. Cooper, Brig. Gen. Claire L.
Chennault's chief of stan.. 'I do
hope that American flyers captured
by US will be dealt with equally as
well"
The Japanese airman indicated he
had no knowledge OF the fate of
American air force personnel in
Japanese hands. including members
OF the Toxic bombing squads
who Japanese authorities announced
would be tried and severely pun
ished.
Shot down before daylight Mon
DAY after bombing an American
airfleld without material damage.
the pilot was the only survivor of
the crews of the two of three planes
definitely destroyed, and it is doubt
ful that the third plane returned
to its base.
First Clash With Americans.
This was his first clash with
American fighter planes, he said. He
was thrown clear Of his crashed
plane and picked up unconscious
with a broken righ arm and head
lacerations. In the airdrome hos
pital he has been closely attended
by American and Chinese doctors
and he told Col. Cooper he had
everything he wanted.
He was smoking an American
cigarette in bed at a hospital during
the interview, apparently with great
enjoyment. He asked that his name
not be divulged-this is because JAP
anese flyers have instructions not to
be captured alive, and also because
due to the ignominy of capture his
family in Japan would suffer under
the army code.
He insisted firmly on this point al
though Col. Cooper pointed out he
had been captured while uncon-
scious and the Americans considered
him brave pilot.
Hopes 1t viii End Soon.
This 28-year -old japanese said
Japan's high command in a recent
order told the Army that early VIC
tory is in prospect"
Asked his opinion on how long the
war would last, he replied, THE
Japanese people have hopes it will
end soon in victory. I hope it will
soon be over and we all will be
friends again."
An American night fighter got on
his planes tail just as he dropped
his bombs, he said.
MY rear gunner was killed. I
though only of getting away follow
ing my leader Then bullets put my
left engine out of commission. Soon
the right engine was hit and I made
a belly landing, which is the last I
remember" he related.
Read Of Toxic Bombing.
He said the only knowledge he had
Of the bombing Of Toxic was what
he had read in the Japanese news
papers. OF the bombing Of Hong
kong October Is, he said he had
been told warehouses, docks and
shipping had been severely damaged.
The japanese said he had been
stationed at Peiping, then trans
ferred to Canton only few days
ago.
Asked for his candid opinion of
the American Air Force, he replied
American flyers are on par with
us in skill and courage. However,
Japanese planes are faster and more
maneuverable
During the campaign in Malaga,
he related, he had been in combat
as night bomber.
His arm in a cast and his head
bandaged. he appeared calm and
answered questions readily. He re-
quested nothing be said which
could be used against my country"