General Office with deposited archives (1942 - 1950)

0-108 D Dossier 5284

Imamura Hitshi and Okazaki Seisaburo

The Pig Basket Affaire Research as from 1947

Verbalisant = Summons sbd.
Comparant = Party ( to a suit )

22908

Chinese man. Merchant in Surabaya

On the 23rd of March at 2 o’clock p.m. I was standing in the street Kapasan in front of the market, when I saw 3 trucks coming from the East. One truck stopped a few meters away from me. On the vehicle were 1 Japanese driver, 2 Japanese guards and a large number of prisoners in pig baskets. Most of these men wore shorts or short underpants only. They were alive but in extremely weak condition and obviously very thirsty.

I, with many others came as near as 1 meter from the truck, while the guards took their refreshments.

All prisoners were Europeans and alive.

One of the guards threw a bucket of water over and against the baskets, but did not give them anything to drink.

I saw a bundle of uniforms lying on the truck and some of the khaki shirts had two and three white stripes on the sleeves. This made me guess that some of the prisoners were British.

Dutch soldiers have other badges of rank.

The truck then drove away to the East.

That same evening I heard from my Indonesian friend Mr. K. who worked at the oil refinery in Wonokromo that a truck stopped on the other side of the canal ( about 30 meters distance away from him).

Japanese men took baskets with men in them out of the truck and threw them in the canal.

He could not see whether the men were alive.

I went to Wonokromo with my friend K. four days later and so he showed me the place where the baskets were dumped.

I heard later from my brother that Austalians and Dutch prisoners were taken to Dampit near Malang.

My brother lived near Malang and he and his friends and other people had often provided these soldiers with food and batteries for their flashlights.

My friend K. evacuated to Modjokerto.

Surabaya, sisghed T.T.P.

22909

Pro Justitia

Government Bureau for Research of War Crimes at Batavia

Suit Research: Pig Baskets Affair

At present, 8 of March 1948, presented G G, honorary police official, responsible for tracing the war criminals and collaborators.

A person who said to be N.K.T , 27 years old.

Employee Transport Enterprise, Kalimas at Soerabaja.

Chinese man 40 years, 8 March 1948.

One day at the end of March 1942, I was in the Meulenstraat in Malang. Around 11 a.m. that day I saw 2 trucks going direction the station from Malang. The trucks stopped and I saw 20 armed Japanese. I also saw in the loading platforms from the trucks 40 pig baskets, wherein I saw men of white skin dressed in shorts, khaki or green pants. Behind those 2 trucks I saw more truck swith around 100 Indonesians in uniform from the K.N.I.L. ( Dutch Indies Army).

They were loaded on 5 to 6 trucks and were guarded by Japanese military.

When I got closer the first two trucks, I saw Europeans in pig baskets. The baskets were tied up with a rope. In each basket was a European

I walked away. Later on I heard that they were transported to Dampit. ---

Research interview: Pig Basket Affair

Name: M. V… 50 years old.

A Dutch Planter

Can you tell us about the transport you saw in April 1942?

I lived in Gadoengan ca 3 KM from Paree, residency Kediri. I came almost daily to Paree.

The 22nd April 1942 I saw a truck slowly driving and loaded with pig baskets. I recognized them immediately because I myself was once busy in that branch and looked after the pig transport at that time.

I looked and saw clearly six baskets with some soles of human feet sticking out of the baskets.

Then I saw men with lifted legs and knees in the baskets. I saw some puttees and brown clothing.

The inhabitants (Indonesians) told me that the transport were Aussies, they were captured in the Kluizenaar (Hermit) caves near the town Kediri and that the men were then transported from Kediri to Soerabaja.

Some days later, when I was in Soerabaja, I spoke with a dogkar koetsier ( buggy driver) who told me that the Aussies in the pig baskets were thrown into the sea.

Can you give us the name of the Japanese commandor in Kediri?

No, but he was a high Major.

23063

Police man; A.E J.

Before the war between the Netherlands and Japan, I was a police-sergeant II class by the city police in Soerabaja and classified the Sixth Section, where the bureau was in Perak ( the harbour from Surabaya) . I had , after the Japanese occupied Soerabaja been in service till the 23rd of April 1942 under the Japanese police. ( as from 9th March).

One day in the beginning of April, ca 11 a.m. I was walking over the Kalimasroad near the terminal station of the Madura tramway company.

I saw that two Japanese soldiers and some unknown Indonesians been busy trying to get a basket with content out of the Kalimas (river).

When I came closer, I saw a so called pig basket and in that basket I saw a unknown and naked European man.

They told me to go away so that I couldn’t see what was going to happen to the man.

Some days later in the afternoon I saw on the Canada lane a truck with pig baskets going direction to the annual fair. In the baskets were militaries in uniforms from the K.N.I.L. ( D.E.I. army). On top of the baskets were sitting Japanese militaries armed with guns.

23465

Research by the police in Semarang. 28-11-1947

I am H.S. Indonesian religion Islam, 29 years of age, born in Semarang.

I work for the telephone service in Semarang and Tegal.

In May 1942 , around 10 a.m.I walked over (the still in reparation) bridge at Soedjara {Demak}.

A truck drove over the bridge and came from the Demak direction and went direction Semarang.

The truck drove very slow because the bridge wasn’t really safe yet.

And so I saw 15 pig baskets laying in the bottom of the truck . In the baskets I saw white men in green shirts. The truck was guarded by Japanese.

On that same bridge I met several unknown Indonesians, they told me that the men on the truck were Australians, captured in Tjepoe and Pati.

23465 /R

S. 33 years, Indonesian, born in Kediri. My occupation is policeman 2nd class from the general Police in Semarang.

One day in March 1942, I was on the main road to Kendel when I saw 2 trucks, driven by Japanese while they passed me with very high speed.

In the first truck I could see a lot of pig baskets, I couldn’t see whar was inside of them.

The second truck was also filled with pig baskets. In these baskets I could see people, white men with a naked upper part of the bodies.

The trucks came from direction Pekalongan and the drove on to direction Semarang.

23465.R

Police research at Semarang, Inquiry: pig basket affair.

Mr. S. 57 years, Indonesian, born in Semarang, student detective by the General Police at Semarang.

One day somewhere in March 1942, I was walking on a road Bangkong, when I saw a truck

driven by a Japanese. On the bottom of the truck, I saw many pig baskets wherein people were transported.

They were white people in white shorts and stripped to the waist. Next to those baskets were also 4 men sitting next to the baskets. The truck came from direction Djombang and was going direction Karongtoeri.

23465.R

Mr.I is Indonesian

Is 45 years old and born in Japara, his occupation is points-man.

Around 5 months after the arrival of the Japanese in Java, around August 1942, I had guard duty by the level crossing in Japara. I was then charged with closing the level crossing if a train was arriving. Around 2 p.m. that day I received a signal that I must close the level crossing and then short after a train passed.

This train came from Tawangma and went on direction Kedoengdjati, so west to east direction. What I saw was a goods carriage train. There in I saw many pig baskets. In each of these baskets I saw white men dressed in grey-green. I guess that there were around 200 baskets. They were piled up by ten high.

Question: How fast did the train go?

I estimate around 20 Km by hour.

Question: Were there more people nearby the level crossing?

No, not as far as I can remember.

23465/R

I am mr. S, 30 years of age and I was born in Semarang.

Indonesian Becak (bicycle-taxi) driver

I was a day in the year 1942, I drove with my becak on the main road from Klaten to Semarang.

At a certain moment I had to stop just like the other becaks.

A truck driven by a Japanese passed us. I saw pig baskets in the platform and I could see that there were people laying in the baskets.

I don’t know how many baskets were laying there with people in the baskets.

The truck drove quite fast, I only saw some of the baskets laying nearest above the escape valve (exhaust).

The truck drove direction of Bankong.

21700/R

Investigation by the chief detective from the department of Soerabaja

Taken under oath: Dutchman, Mr.P.J.A. born at Kota Radja 1917

Chief clerk by the KPM ( Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij

Around 3 weeks after the Japanese invasion in 1942 I was ordered by Mr.De H, foreman by the K.P.M. ( address unknown) to be the section leader from several Indonesians, (I have forgotten their names.)

Under the authority of a for me unknown Japanese from the “Internatio Building, where at that time the headquarters from the Japanese was established.

That same day around 9 a.m. I proceeded with 7 Indonesians to the public road Oedjang where we should check in by a certain mr. Pontok.

Pontok wasn’t there, and while we were waiting, one of the Indonesians said that the day before he had seen a truck transporting Europeans who were crammed in pig baskets.

A couple of days later, during the month May we (Mr.P.J.A and 7 Indonesians) were transported by truck to Nayo -Veen on the quay Genuva where we had to check in by the attendant Japanese. But it seemed that we were brought to the wrong quay so we walked over to the Holland Pier (quay)

Around 200 meters from me where I stood, I saw pig baskets laying on the quay, ready to be loaded on the near the quay situated ship.

I walked up for a closer investigation, I wanted to know if there were men in those baskets.

So I asked one of the Indonesians why those baskets were kept guard over.

And he answered me: “That are no pig, they are Belanda’s ( White people)”

Because I wanted to be certain, I concentrated on the pig baskets and indeed I saw that there white men inside them. Their hands and feet were tied with ropes, the hands were also tied up their backs. There were around 40/50 pig baskets on the deck of the ship.

A little later my attention was drawn towards a Japanese who kicked against one of the pig baskets with someone inside, while he was cursing aloud. A few moments later another Japanese walked nearby with a bucket wherein probably filled with some sort of a porridge.

This Japanese took with a mug some of this out of the bucket and threw it out over one of the pig baskets. I guess that the porridge was still hot for I heard a moaning of pain.

I couldn’t bear to hear this any longer and walked back to my colleagues who were still busy under the shears. Not much later we went back home by truck.

The 29th of May 1942 I received the announcement from the K.P.M that all employees were dismissed by the KPM Head office in Batavia.

On the 1st of June 1942, I was arrested by the Kempeitai, because so I was told, that I was a member of the General Public destruction corps.. Two weeks later I was free again.

There is no more I can tell.

Signed by Mr. P. J. A.. and Officer taking name and address

22916/R

Alfsea War Crimes Instr. No 1

Statement

In summery of examination: Miss L.M. C.

Duly sworn states;

I am 31 years of age, Dutch, born in Sourabaya of Dutch nationality. My present home is also in Sourabaya.

In the 2nd half of April or early May 1943, I was on my way to an estate near Dampit when I saw trucks coming out of a side road and turning on to the main road in my direction. This road in only 5 to 6 meters wide and the driver of my carriage stopped on the end of the road to let the trucks pass.

From a distance of about 2 meters I saw that four trucks were loaded with baskets, stucked 3 and 4 high. In each basket was a man with his hands tied on his back and his legs drawn up and tied to his body with thick ropes. Some of the men looked Ambonnese, others were Europeans. They were in green, many torn up uniforms.

The faces and bodies I saw were covered with blood. Their guards were Kempeitai soldiers.

Another truck and several motor cycles with Kempeitai soldiers followed on.

As I then lived in Malang where all the house searching was done by the Kempeitai, I know their badges very well.

My mother and I heard later from Indonesians that the trucks first went to Ampelgading and from there along various estates roads back to the main road( the South Smeroe Road) and proceeded to Pasirian on the South Coast.

I was told that the prisoners, alive and in baskets were thrown over the high cliffs into the sea at Pasirian at the spot where the ancient Indonesians had their place of sacrifices

The commandant in charge 1942?43 Kempeitai Malang province, was a tall man, martial figure, broad shoulders, short straight hair, deep voice and an almost European.

The local Kempeitai commander from Malang during 1942/43 MIIDA 9 nickname) The lion of Malang.

Signed Mrs. L.M. C. This day, 8 March 1946

Law (suit) - Verbal

In hands of Mr P.R. Chief Commissioner of Police by the Government Bureau of Investigation of War Crimes established in Batavia.

“I have showed Mrs.L.M. C. a picture of M M., sergeant from the Kempeitai in Malang.”

She told me; That is the one I mean, M., who was called during the terror-days by the Europeans, “The lion from Malang”.

Witness has then the mentioned picture, provided from a recognition explanation.

22889/R

Mr.L.T.D. Chinese man, 33 years old. Working for the Telephone Service in Grissee.

Investigation 13 March 1948

“I hereby promise to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.

I have no religion, I am a Free thinker.

I don’t know much about the Pig Basket affaire, but this is what I do know:

During the year 1942, some months after the Japanese landed on Java, I drove around 11 o’clock a.m. over the Pasar (market) road in the city Grissee. Standing on the pasar I saw a truck there , with a Japanese military driver. I passed the truck and I saw white people in pig baskets. They were all men.

I saw that the baskets were piled up. I don’t know how many there were., the truck was not completely full.

I heard some of the men asking for water, in English and I saw one of the Japanese throwing water over the baskets.

In my eyes this was “show work” to impress the market visitors.

Later on I heard the white men have been thrown in the sea by the Japanese, still in those baskets.

22910/R

Mrs. A.S.M. B. widow from G.T.S

Dutch woman , 58 years old and no occupation

Living in Soerabaja

Around May 1942, as from the day the Japanese had occupied Java, I lived with tthe family H. in Batoe, province Malang.

One day during the month May 1942, around 4 o’clock p.m. the family H. and I were sitting on the front gallery of their house, situated on the public road from Malang to Kediri.

We saw a truck driving passed direction Malang. The truck was loaded with pig baskets.. I thought of course that it was a transport of pigs, but when I looked better I saw white human feet sticking outside the baskets. I couldn’t see more.

During those days there had been rumours about Allied POWs been pushed into pig baskets by Japanese military and been transported to unknown places..

Signed by G.G.J Police Official charged with research of Japanese war crimes.

6 March 1948

Pro Justitia 23020R

Today, Wednesday 24 March 1948, appeared before me (P. R.) :

Mr. AT.W. W, Dutchman, born 25th April 1893 in Delft. ( Netherlands), Chef of the Department Industrial Oil Standard Vacuum Sales Company, and now living in Batavia, has sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, declared the following:

“In the year 1942, somewhere in May 1942, around 9.30 a.m. I was on the road of Pasar Besar in Soerabaja, opposite the Governor’s office and in front of our Council of Justice , but at that time occupied by the Kempeitai.

I cycled direction The Society beach, that is down town. Behind me drove a big truck.

This truck passed me by a busy crossing, direction Bibis bridge.

Going over the bridge one arrives at the Railway station “Kota” ( City), but one can also turn to the left by the Chinese Voorstraat, towards the Marine from Soerabaja, on the Oedoeng.

I couldn’t see in which direction the truck went.

I saw, when the truck passed me, two lays of pig baskets wherein double folded white men were locked up. I saw this very clearly.

Since I didn’t hear the men talk, I can’t tell whether they were Dutch or military from our Allies. The truck drove very fast. I can’t remember if the driver was Japanese,.

However, on the back of the truck stood a Kempeitai military with the Kempeitai badge on.

I had the impression that he was a sergeant. I don’t know his name, but I had seen him before in the Kempeitai building, where I was about daily a week long.

The officer P.R;

I showed the witness some photo’s from Kempeitai members from Soerabaja and region . The witness took two of them namely: one of sergeant KONDO Takeo from Malang and the sergeant Sinizu Yuzo from Soerabaja.

“Yes I think that it was one of these I saw on the truck. To me it was this one, S. Y.” I guess that there were around 20 baskets on the truck.

24 March 1948

13937/R

Explanation

Mrs.v.d.W, Dutch woman , lives in Soerabaja and declares hereby under oath:

It was around May/June 1942, that I got on the Electric Tram from the market the stop nearby the Soerabaja Zoo.

While waiting 5 minutes, I saw 4 trucks from the Japanese, they stopped near the petrol station, about a 150 meters from the tram stop.

The trucks came from direction Wonokromo.

I saw that those trucks were loaded with pig baskets. Because I never would’ve thought that the Japanese would transport POWs in those baskets, I said to some of the Indonesians also waiting for the tram: “Ha, we can soon buy some pork again, here comes a new supply from the inland.”

But one of the men said; “No madam, that are no pigs transported by these truck, but European men, Australians and Americans”.

I asked him then how he knew this and he said: “Before you came here, there were also 4 trucks and we all saw that the Japanese didn’t transported pigs, but Europeans”.

And so I saw from the place where I stood that he hadn’t said too much. Indeed I saw men in those baskets., with brown and blond hair.

I asked him why the Japanese would transport these men in baskets and he answered: “That is to humiliate them! “

Struck with the sight of such cruelty I went home.

13938/R

Explanation under oath

Dutch widow, mrs. J.J. de V. living in Soerabaja

It was a couple of months after the capitulation of our Army in 1942, that my husband (at present deceased), who was then chef inspector by the N.I.S. ( Netherlands Indies Railways) during the Japanese occupation together with mr. P.G. at the station Goeban employed, when one day in the afternoon he came home, completely disconcerted.

My husband who was in such a state, when he told me about what had just happened when n a goods train had entered the station loaded with POWs packed in pig baskets. Those men laid there with their legs pulled up their in those baskets in the good train.

He also saw that the Japanese carried cans filled with water, that they threw over the poor men.

The Japanese looked at my husband and one said: “Kasih minoem!”. (I give them something to drink).

There were no Indonesian railway staff present, because the Japanese had sent them home before this train came in.

My husband couldn’t work for several days.

Soerabaja, 25 October 1946

Chief K.D.P. - O.d.O Soerabaja

13940/R Secret Rd 1012

Mrs. G.B. V explains under oath:

By Mr. P. G., then inspector from the NIS ( Dutch Indies Railways) at Soerabaja ( at present deceased, killed by the Kempeitai) I was told in June 1942, that he had seen how a transport of European men all packed in pig baskets arrived at the station of Goebeng.

In each basket was one person, but because of the small space, these poor men from whom most were full of cuts and grazes, were laying with their knees lifted up., in the baskets. All piled up in the good-wagons

By the uniforms, he could see that there were also Australians in the baskets.

The present personnel at the station was told by the Japanese to go home.

Mr. P. G asked the Japanese if he could give the prisoners some water, that was allowed but also forbidden to speak with the prisoners.

He gave the men through the holes of the baskets by means of an old coffee pot some water.

Some time later, the baskets were thrown in the sea by the Japanese, thus mr. G.

A friend of him, then living in Grissee had seen the corpses in the baskets drifted ashore.

Soerabaja, 12 October 1946

Chef. K.D.P. - O. D.O.

13941/R

Rd 1012

Tracing Service of the deceased

Secret declaration

Undersigned ( Dutch) Mr. E.H. D. E, now living in Soerabaja, declares under oath the following:

It was several months after the Japanse invasion that I , during my one of my morning walks nearby the crossroads by the City garden had to stop for several Japanese trucks coming from direction Boeboetan. Arriving by this crossroad the trucks turned left, direction to Tandjoeng Perak. Since I was only a few meters from the truck, I could see very clearly that there were European men transported in pig baskets. The men were laying crammed with their knees up and stripped to the waist.

The baskets were piled up on the trucks . And it wouldn’t have surprised me if several of the men would have died of suffocating. The trucks were covered with dust, so I guessed that the came from inland and then transported to Soerabaja

Some days later an Indonesian told me ( eyewitness) that there were POWs in baskets been thrown into the sea by the Japanese.

J.W.T M

Chef K.D.P. - O.D.O.

15783/R

Netherlands Forces Intelligence Service ( NEFIS)

Section Japanese Affairs

Tracing Service of the deceased

Undersigned Mr.E.P.W. S employee by the firm Fraser, living in Soerabaja, declares under oath:

    European soldiers in pig baskets.

It was several months after the Japanese invasion that I was cycling nearby the cross roads Boeboetan, when I had to stop for a truck coming from direction Bloeran.

When the truck passed me, I saw clearly European men (long hair) were laying in the baskets with their knees up and stripped to the waist.

These baskets were piled up on the truck.

I can’t tell the terminal end of this truck, it went on in the direction of the down-town.

Soerabaja, 19 December 1946

J.W.F. M M

Chef K.D.P. / O.D.O.

20808-R. NEFIS d.d. 9 November 1946

Info: R born in Merdoe (Atjeh) 10-10-1916 Javanese

Followed Indonesian education in Atjeh.

I asked him if he knew and heard about Japanese atrocities, like killing the POWs.

Info told me that T. N., now working as a servant at the Salvation Army Hospital in Soerabaja. had seen a transport of military locked up in crates.

He also said that he had been eyewitness in Modjokerto, where the reserve officer candidate from the K.N.I.L. H. was hanged on a lantern along the road by his arms.

No further news.

Hereby information about T.N

He was born in Maoumèrè, on the island Flores in 1903, he is at present working as a servant in the Salvation Army Hospital in Soerabaja.

During the Japanese occupation he worked for the M.E. at Soerabaja, at the Instruments Department.

He also had his small Transport enterprise, he then transported goods for the Ja to the camps where women were interned by the Japanese.

And he also worked for the Security Service in Kaliasin.

And then one day he saw 4 trucks driven by the Japanese, while loaded with pig crates.

He thought of course that it was a transport of pigs, but then he saw to his horror, that there were people inside those crates.

He estimated that there were around 20 men transported in each truck in crates that were piled up on each truck. He could also see that the men only wore underpants and they were all Europeans.

He doesn’t know where the trucks were going to.

Chief NEFIS, Province Office. A.D.

6115/R.

Verbalisant: Dutch Mr. C.L. Ba…, subst. Auditeur

Military by the Temporary Council of War at Sourabaya, in June 1946

Compoarant: Dutch man J.M. B 36 years of age and supervisor by ´Landshave´ at Sourabay.

Duly sworn states:

Around September/October 1942, I was in Tegalsari-Perak, on the corner of Prapat Koerong (petrol station at the harbour) and the Perak Boulevard. It wat at the end of the morning, that I saw a couple of trucks , in any case more than 4, coming from Sourabaya. I was alert because I often gave messages to the POWs from their wives. The POWs were quite often transported by truck to Perak.

This time I saw baskets, the trucks were open not covered and I saw white men in the baskets

I can’t tell how many, and I don’t know where they were going to. I also can’t tell you how many men were in those baskets.

A Madurese fisherman told me later on that the men in the baskets were thrown into the sea.

Noting from the Verbalisant:: This explanation departs from witness J.R. v.D (7th June 1945)

It could of course be, that there was a transport in the morning to Oedjoeng and in the afternoon one to Perak.

Oedjoeng is the Marine Harbour. Perak is the mercantile port. W.G.B.


6116/R

Verbalisant: Mr. C.L. B

Comparant: Dutchman J.R. D, 38 years of age, Supervisor of the dock industry, Boeboetan Sourabaya.

I was sent, as a car mechanic from a private company, to Oedjoeng to repair a diesel car.

This was around September 1942. I worked at the Kruiserkade, this quay was carefully watched by the Japanese Marine Police.

Nearby the building of the Central Electricity , where I went to the toilet, somewhere between 10 and 11 a.m. in the morning I saw that near that toilet six trucks were arriving.

I was then halfway the length of the Torpedo harbour, along the road according the map, called the Oosterboord that was also watched by the Japanese Marine Police..

So the trucks passed me and I saw that only 2 trucks were covered. I could see in the others what was inside those trucks, they were transporting so called pig baskets. And although they drove fast I could see men in those baskets, one each time with the head at the foot of the other, I gather that the baskets were around 1.60 meter long and they were piled up in four layers on the trucks. I can't tell you more.

I saw that the trucks were driving onto the seaward side, not to the Kruiserkade. The trucks were driven and guarded by Japanese military.

There was since quite some time a ship in the harbour, grey with 2 white pipes and 2 masts. It wasn’t a warship, but nevertheless there were several canons covered up behind bamboo.

This ship belonged to the Japanese Marine staff..

When the trucks stopped near this ship, the men in baskets were loaded on the ship.

I then walked away.

About one hour later I went back to the toilet to see what was happening now.

I then saw that almost all the men in baskets were loaded on the ship by the Japanese crew.

I couldn’t see what happened to the prisoners on board of the ship.

At 4.30 p.m. when I went home I still saw this ship in the harbour. The next day when I went back to Oedjoeng the ship was gone.

Around two weeks later I met Soleiman, a retired fireman from the Dutch Marine, and he told me that baskets wherein European men were seen floating on the sea. He told me that when he was fishing near Kampong Kedong Tjewel, where Soleiman then lived he had seen those men in baskets nearby his place.

Question: When did you see Soleiman the last time?

Answer: January 1946 in the city.

Question: Do you know where he lives now? Answer: No!

1161/R

Verbalisant: A.I. Z Inspector of the Police 1ste Class, member of the Dutch War Investigation Team at Singapore (16 February 1946)

Comparant: Dutchman J.v.D, born in Jogyakarta, 21 February 1908. Occupation: Supervisor at ‘s Lands Haven enterprise at Sourabaya

Duly sworn:

One day in the morning of the month September/October, I saw at Oedjoen 6 t rucks passing by, loaded with pig crates wherein I saw Europeans, Amboineses and Eurasians, two by two, with bended knees were laying there piled up on those trucks. They were only dressed in underpants. The crates were about 1½ meter long but I can’t say how many there were altogether, but the piles consisted of about 4 to 5 layers. The crates were transferred on a grey coloured Japanese transport ship with one pipe where on was painted the figure 2.

Shortly later I heard from Sol., a retired fireman from the Dutch Marine and living in the Kampong Kedong Tjowak, near Sourabaya, that 2 or 3 crates with the dead bodies were drited ashore on the beach of Kedong Tjowak. Many people from the Kampong must have seen this.

I can’t tell you more.

Signed by Comparant and verbalisant. 16th February 1946

21577/ R

Investigation Service Survivors

Branch Office Sourabaya

Issue; The prisoners from the guerrilla troops from the (Dutch) Java-Army been packed into pig crates by the Japanese and transported and thereupon alive, been thrown into the sea between Grissee and the island Madura.

1. I, ms. L. Si…A.,Eurasian woman, born at Sourabaya, 5th April 1898, swear by oath the following:

    Indonesian man: G. has worked as chauffeur in 1942.

    It was during an afternoon in September/October 1942 that I stood waiting with my children, as I did every day, on the road of Gemblongen on the look-out of my son, who was as military prisoner of war been forced by the Japanese to work for the firm Lindetevis. He then passed in a truck Gemblongan on his way to the camp Oudaatje (Darmo) where he was interned.

    On that particular afternoon, I saw 3 trucks passing from up town driving direction down town and I recognize G. as the driver of one of the trucks.

    The 3 trucks were loaded with pig crates which were piled up just above the edge of the truck’s platform. At first I thought that they transported pigs and I said to my children: “My God, where did the Japanese steal the pigs from!”

    But when I looked better, I was really shocked by what I saw when the trucks passed me. Someone in one of the trucks cried out: “Pray for us!”

    When I looked inside of the trucks that passed me, I saw men instead of pigs in the baskets, white and coloured men.. When I saw behind the trucks a motorbike and side-car with armed Kempeitai, I warned my children to walk on and not to look in the direction of the trucks. We quickly went home.

    That same evening G. spoke about his experiences of that day with his neighbour E.H… And also that same evening E.H.. came to visit me and he told me what he had heard.

    The next morning I saw G. sitting with his ice-stall and I walked up to him. Before, when G. didn’t work for the Japanese yet was he a ice-pedlar.

    G. asked me if he could visit me at home that day to tell me a few things about yesterday.

    He told me that he was no longer working for the Japanese.

    And yes he was one of the drivers of the 3 trucks I had seen the day before loaded with men in pig baskets. The men were Americans, Aussies and Dutch. When the trucks arrived at Tandjung Perak the 3 trucks had to drive on a ship that was waiting and immediately left the harbour and went direction Grissee.

    Between Grissee and the island Madura G. received the order to throw the baskets with the prisoners, into the sea. G. has fulfilled the order against his will, because he was scared to be shot in case he refused the order. During his horrible job, some of the prisoners called for help.

Signed by W.G and mrs. S. A. , Sourabaya, 2 December 1946

10495/R

Verbalisant: Mr. H. responsible for the investigation of war crimes.

Comparant: Dutchman D.K. G, 46 of age, bookkeeper by NEFIS, at Batavia

Duly sworn:

In October 1942, I saw at Kedoessos, near Sourabaya a number of Japanese trucks, and some of them were with a trailer, passing by.

I could clearly see that the trucks were loaded with pig baskets and that these baskets enclosed men. I could clearly see them and moreover I could hear them screaming and groaning.

The men in the baskets wore shorts only. The trucks were driving direction to Sourabaya.

The men in the trucks were all white.

Around 2 months later I learned from Ma.., in those days clerk by the Basiran Propaganda Dai Nippon at Sourabaya, that the men of the above mentioned transport were thrown into the sea where the all drowned.

Sla.... also called Ma..., had heard this from the Japanese Suzuki, the head chief of the Barisan Propaganda at Sourabaya.

Signed, 9th September 1946

24906/R

Verbalisant: A. de K. inspector 1st class of the General Police at Sourabaya

Comparisant: Dutchman D.K. G.born 10th June 1900 at Medan, head of the Personnel Staff and Financial Affairs NEFIS at Sourabaya

Question 1: Do you recognize or know these Japanese? ( shows pictures of S. and T.

Answer: No, I have never seen them.

Question 2: You spoke in your previous declaration about the chief of the Barisant Propaganda. Do you know him?

Answer: No, I have never met him. It was Sla..., the eyewitness I mentioned, who spoke about him in connection with the pig basket affair.

Question 3: Can you tell me where Sla... lives?

Answer: I am since 15t March back again in Sourabaya, but I haven’t met Slamat yet.

Signed, 27th August 1948

390/R

Summary of examination of J.M A..

Duly sworn states:

I am 63 years of age, of Dutch nationality and born in Salatiga, Java.

I am at the present living in the Adek-Camp at Batavia.

Eyewitnesses told me the following story when allied troops, who had been waging guerrilla warfare in the vicinity of Banyu Urip ( Sourabaya) after the occupation in March 1942, were forced to surrender.

They saw trucks with baskets, commonly used for pigs, containing one to two men in each basket. Later on it turned out, that they had been taken to the harbour and dumped into the sea.

Authority: AFSEA War Crimes Instruction No 1 pera 7

4666/R

Verbalisant: Mr. C.L. B… Auditor Military at the Temporary Court martial at Sourabaya

Comparisant: Chinese man H.T. B… , 28 years of age, mechanic by the Marine Establishment in Sourabaya

Sworn under oath:

Around Oktober 1942 when I rode on my bike at the back of the station Kota (Semoetweg) of Sourabaya.

There on the train shunt premises, at around 50 meters from where I stood, I saw an open goods carriage. I saw that it was loaded with around 30 baskets piled up in 3 layers.

I each of those baskets I saw a European who were dressed in khaki shorts.

Since the Japanese guards were always very severe, I thought it wiser to leave the place quickly.

Signed by verbalisant. and comparant on the 9th May 1946

19078/R

Verbalisant: C.A. S…

Comparisant: Dutch woman M.J.A. V…

Under oath

Around September/October 1942 I was waiting near a rail level crossing at Pasoeroean, when I saw a train passing while transporting people in pig baskets.

It was a passenger train, which behind there were three wagons coupled to this train and were loaded with pig baskets, wherein I saw people.

The train came from direction Probolingo and was going onto direction Sourabaya.

The station chief in those days was Mr. S.

Signed the 8th August 1947

17122/R

NEFIS at Sourabaya

Chinese man, K.L. K..

Born 21 July 1921, education Christian MULO (high school) at Malang.

It happened when he went to visit his parents in September 1942 at Kali Baroe (Besoeki) that he saw at the station of Kali Baroe a Japanese train standing there.

He saw 2 open wagons, and therein he saw a pile of dead bodies from the Allied Military (Dutch, Australians, and Americans) where from the water dripped down.

These bodies were laying in pig baskets, the bodies were swollen.

But when he looked better he saw that some of the men were still alive but they breathed very faintly. Most of the bodies were covered with blue marks and were most certainly been hit badly. 3 April 1947 Sourabaya

22589/R

Verbalisant: J.J.P. B… Inspector of the Police at Bandung

Comparisant: Dutchman J. A.. , born 25 May 1897 at Salatiga

My occupation is, chemist at the sugar factory Djatiwangi.

During October/November 1942, I rode in a dogcar (buggy) from Bindangsloet, where the bookkeeper was, to Cheribon.

When we (the driver and I) were around the S.C.S stop from Waroedoewoer about 9 kilo meters from Cheribon, we passed a standing truck with 3 to 4 Japanese in uniform. On the truck were laying around 20 pig crates, wherein I saw white men dressed in khaki, probably Australians, British and American military. I haven’t heard them talking. We didn’t dare to come any closer.

Signed Verbalisant and Comparant.

13959/ R

Verbalisant : A, P…

Comparisant : Dutchman A.J. H. Mechanician by Ven V..

Sworn under oath

What I do know I heard from I reliable source:

The Chief of the desa Glempang told me that a train with Allied troops were shot by Japanese troops on the 6th of March 1942 while advancing against the enemy to Djogja - Boentoe.

The train stopped at Sampang, where the Allied Military jumped out of the train in order to look for shelter, protection. The British and Americans military who couldn’t escape , were cut in their heel tendons and were left where they were laying down. They were later on buried along the road.

The other military ran for their lives into the desa (hamlet), but were betrayed by the inhabitants for 2 Guilders and 50 cents per man.

Later on these military were slaughtered.

Some Chinese said that the military had all heel tendons been cut deeply or had chopped off feet. They were bleeding to death and were buried where they died.

Also during the second part of 1942 the Japanese have been hunting the Allied military in the neighbourhood of Djeroeklagi in Pasargrahan, they were later on transported in pig baskets.

Signed at Bandung, 25 November 1946

8601/R

Verbalisant: Ch. S… Investigation of war crimes

Comparant: Dutch woman MS. M.K. K…

Sworn under oath

One day at the end of 1942, I stood in the fitting room from dress shop in Noordwijk.

It was around 3 o’clock p.m. that I was called by one of the ladies in the shop who asked me to have a look outside in the street.

I saw a truck passing near the Noordwijk railway crossing direction Postweg, with white men in crates, loaded on the truck piled up. I gather that there were around 10 crates and in each crate there were 3 men with lifted knees.

There were many people who have seen this, but I didn’t know any of them

I can't tell you any more.

Singed by Comparant and verbalisant

18764/R Report of reliability inquiry

Explanation: Indonesian man Soldier tkl. R. S. Nr. 29211

On the 20th February 1942, my friend M. visited me and asked me if I was willing to help 48 men from the K.N.I.L. and a few Allied military. They were hiding in the hills of the mount Semeru. These men didn’t stop fighting when the Dutch Army surrendered.

I answered that I would help them with pleasure.

I left in the evening from the 20th June 1942 at 7 p.m. with M. to get in contact with these men.

We were almost shot down, but M. quickly mentioned his name and said that we were bringing food and cigarettes. We were brought to the hiding-place that was 60 meters higher up. During the meal we were asked to bring them food when we could do so, we promised.

We kept our promise until the 11th November, then we heard that the men were arrested by the Japanese.\On 13th November, when I walked through town, I saw 4 trucks wherein pig baskets and I saw that the men we had helped were in those baskets. They drove into direction Soerabaja.

Later on I was told that all the men in the baskets were thrown into the sea.

Said the whole truth, Batavia 8th July 1947

w.g. J.H. D… Lt.Col. du G. w.g. S. R.

22931/R

Summary of examination of E. Si…

Occupation: Employee AMACAB

Duly sworn states:

I am 44 years of age of Dutch nationality and was born on the island Ambon, 20 March 1902.

About 8 months after the surrender of N.E.I. to the Japanese, I happened to be standing near the Red Bridge in Sourabaya, when 2 trucks passed me at about 8 meters distance. There were two armed soldiers on each vehicle. A motorcycle with side-car followed us at a short distance.

I saw that the trucks were loaded with pig baskets in which I distinctly saw human beings with white faces. The trucks turned to the left into Panggoen, the road to the Naval docks. The driver of the motorcycle was a Japanese soldier, the man in the side-car was a Japanese officer. Both had white armbands with characters, as always worn by the Kempeitai.

I did not follow the trucks.

Signed E. S…. June 1946

3594/R

Verbalisant: R. L. Inspector of Police II, by the Dutch Investigation of War Crime team in Singapore.

Comparant: Dutch woman A.H. B… born 15 December 1897 at Kansas City, U.S.A.

Under oath:

Around the end of 1942 came a long column of trucks over Toendjoegan entering the city. I then lived on the Boschweg T Sourabaya. The cargo space was covered with canvas, so nobody could see what was inside. A part of the column was parked a day long on the Coenboulevard, opposite the Brother school.

The Japanese opened the back of the trucks now and then so that one could see inside the trucks. There were people packed in pig baskets. I heard these stories from my house boy, so I decided to go to the Coenboulevard to have a look. When I arrived, the Japanese were just busy to open one of the trucks. It looked as if they were showing the bystanders how brave they were and how they had defeated the Europeans.

I got the impression that the Japanese wanted, by their attitude and manners, to intimidate and show off how they treated people who were against Japan.

When one of the truck was open, I could see it was filled with crates and piled up in several layers. I could see that the men inside were Europeans, they all had a white skin.

While I stood there, I heard from the Indonesian onlookers, that these baskets with the men inside were going to be thrown into the sea by Soukolilo and Grissee. They told me that they couldn’t sleep at night from the screaming of the victims. While others told me that they hat seen at Perak how Europeans were pushed into the pig baskets. and if the men weren’t fast enough the Japanese soldiers used a crowbar to get the inside the baskets. The Indonesians told me that they were not allowed to help the victims.

Especially the fishermen and families were the witnesses, since they lived on the beaches in the neighbourhood where it all happened and where the baskets were been thrown into the sea.

Signed by Comparant and verbalisant

19019

Verbalisant: Ch.A. Sch. Inspector Police from the Government Bureau Investigation at War Crimes. Batavia

Comparant: Dutch woman L.O 32 years of age, occupation : employee Red Cross

Duly sworn states:

It was around of the end 1942, beginning 1943, that I had to help a group of American military hid in the neighbourhood of Toempang, near Toeloeng-Agoeng. The group was trying to contact a Chinese who could help them with a transport as from the bay Popoh, via the island Noea Baroeng near Timor.

In Bayuwangi I met a man from Makassar who was willing to arrange this transport for the Americans. When I wanted to tell the Americans this good news, I was told that the group was arrested by the Japanese.

I quickly went back home and so I saw the following at the station of Probolingo: There stood several wagons mostly covered with canvas. Except for one and therein I saw around 30 pig baskets. Because pigs do smell, I realized that there were no pigs in these baskets, but I could see that there were movement inside of the baskets.

There was also no locomotive in front of the wagons, neither were there Japanese guards.

I went home by another train.

Signed by comparant and verbalisant.

22932/R

Duly sworn states:

I am 41 years of age and of Dutch nationality and born at Tjepoe, Java

Medical doctor.

In December 1942 or January 1943, one afternoon at 13.00 hours I was on my way home which was Kedoeroes some 3 miles outside the town. Near my house I passed at about 3 meters an open truck driven by a Japanese soldier and I saw that the truck was fully loaded with pig baskets in which I could distinctly see living persons. I looked back and saw one dark face, the others I saw were clearly Europeans.

The trucks drove into town. Eight days later I heard that the prisoners were smoked out caves near Kediri where they had been hiding.

Signed C.H. D.…

23042/R

NEFIS Sourabaya No.St. 24/H/V. d.d. 3 August 1946

Dutchman J.G.I. Na……

In Januari 1942 , the Indonesian population told me how an Allied guerrilla group was surrounded by the Japanese, first from the air by planes and then the Japanese military threw with grenades until the guerrilla troops came out of the caves.

Several days later Mrs. v.d .B.. and I saw from a distance of 30 meters how a truck was loaded with 13 to 15 pig baskets, and on top of the baskets sat and stood some armed Japanese soldiers. In each basket sat one person.

The truck had to stop because a line of lorries from the factory Kebon Agung near the switch emplacement were passing to the other side of the road, the rails from Malang to Kapandjen.

When the truck left it went onto the direction of Malang.

Signed Chief NEFIS at Soerabaja. 3 August 1946

9606/R

Verb. G.J.S Police Inspector 1e klass

Comp. J.H.S 32 years old

Under oath: Dutch nurse:

During the capitulation of the K.N.I.L I was working as a nurse in the Red Cross hospiat in Sourabaya. Just before my departure on the 25th April 1942, the Japanese handed the hospital over to the Indonesian leadership.

During the transfer all the employees had to line up, Europeans as well as Indonesians, while two machine-guns were aiming at us.

We were told that from then on the leadership was taken over into Indonesian hands.

The physicians were already brought earlier to the Boeboeken prison (Soerabaja).

The new Indonesian director advised me to leave as fast as possible. And so I went to Blitar, living in by an acquaintance.

One day in June/July 1942 when I was in town, I saw a transport of trucks, I guess around six trucks. They drove on in eastern direction. The trucks were loaded with baskets, piled up in two layers. Shortly ago I had heard telling about a guerrilla troops on the South Coast fo Java fighting against the Japanese.

I can’t tell you more.

As from Blitar I have been interned in Banjoe Biroe 10, Central Java..

19968/R

Verbalisant. W.T. S, Investigation for war crimes , 2 September 1947

Comparant. Mrs.v.d.M Dutch woman, born 13-11-1900

Around July 1942 I was living in Malang, together with my son N 16 years old.

One day he came home from swimming in Wendit. (Near Malang)

He told me, that this very morning when he was on his way back home, the had seen a row of trucks loaded with Europeans packed up in baskets. My son told me that they were military from the K.N.I.L.

He couldn’t contact them. The soldiers received water from Indonesians this in order from the Japanese.military. How exactly they were stuck in those basket I don’t know. My son told me that they were in pig baskets.

The trucks came from direction Malang and a few Indonesians told my son that the European men were picked up nearby Poenten. (Punten hospital)

Shortly later I heard from mr. K., the bookkeeper from the department Krian who visited me in Malang, that he had seen near by Krian, several trucks with POWs from the K.N.I.L, packed in pig baskets. I can't tell you more.

20249/R

Verbalisant: T.Sp…. Investigation War Crimes

Comparant: N.. v. d. M…. born 31 August 1026

Dutch boy, 17 years old.

One day in the month of August 1942, I went in the morning from out my home in Malang with a friend to the bathing resort Wendit.

It was in the afternoon between two and three o’clock that we went back home by tram to Malang.

When we arrived on the main road friom Malang - Sourabaya, the tram stopped by order of Japanese military. I saw at the other side of the road a column of around 20 Japanese military trucks standing in direction Sourabaya.

The Japanese ordered us all to leave the tram. We were ordered to fill up cans with water that we had to fetch from the houses in the neighbourhood.

I saw that the truck were loaded with K.N.I.L military who were locked up in pig baskets sitting with pulled up knees. The baskets were from bamboo with quite large meshes, I could see the men quite clearly.

The Japanese handed the military in the baskets water in the cans that we had collected.

The baskets were not piled up. Those were ordinary baskets and closed with a flap and then tided up with a rope. The prisoners were not handcuffed..

There is nothing more I can tell.

25 September 1947

20958/R

Verbalisant: W.T. S

Comparant: mrs. K.L. Born, 8 February 1904

Dutch woman

Explanation

Around June/July 1942, I lived in Batoe, whyile my husband worked at the department Watoe Toelis, nearby Krian.

Only a few times per month my husband could visit me. One of those times he told me that he had seen POWs from the K.N.I.L. been transported in pig baskets by trucks. His feelings over the incident ran high. My husband has deceased.

I have no more to tell.

6th October 1946

14312/R RO 2015 - TS

Investigation Department of Deceased Secret explanation

Mr. J.H. G (Dutch) who was in former days an employee of the sugar factory Watoetoelis, department Sidoardjo.

It was during the month August 1942, that my daughter-in-law (Indonesian) who stayed in our house, told us when she came back from the market, that she had seen trucks from the Japanese, all loaded with European men stored in pig baskets.

She saw that the men were laying with uplifted legs and stripped to the waist .

The trucks were driving on to direction Sourabaya and were coming from direction Malang.

All trucks were guarded by 2 or 3 Japanese.

Some days later I heard from the Chinese cashier of the Sugar Factory Watoetoelis, the following story:

In a cave at the foot of the Goenoeng (mountain) Thahoe , guerrilla troops hided themselves.

A farmer who went each morning to a grass field nearby the cave with his cattle missed one of his animals one day. When he found some trails of blood, he went to the village chief, who warned thereupon the Chief of the district.


A large group of Japanese military went to the cave. They lighted a fire at the entrance of the cave that caused an enormous amount of smoke.

Some hours later the hiding soldiers came out of the cave, Aussies, Dutch, British and Americans. They had been hiding after the capitulation in that cave.

The Japanese moved up with many pig baskets and in these baskets the allied soldiers were transported to a unknown destination.

Sourabaya, 26 November 1946

23036/R

Summery of examinations of: L.M. N

Occupation: Guard of the State Railways

Duly sworn states;

I am 41 years of age and of Dutch nationality, I was born in Sourabaya.

One morning in July/August 1942 at 6 a.m. I walked over an open platform in front of the Sourabaya station and passed at a distance of about 2 meters a large pile of baskets. In each basket was a man tied with ropes around his arms and legs. There were around 75 prisoners, some where in khaki, and some in green Dutch uniforms. The baskets measured about 50 cm in diameter and were 130/140 cm long.

A Japanese soldier stood on guard. The prisoners were, as far as I could see, alive but I did not speak to them.

I passed those prisoners again at 10 o’clock on my way home. The were in the same position as in the morning.

It was reported to me that the baskets were loaded on an open railway truck at 3 o’clock that afternoon and taken by rail to the harbour station Kalimas.

I heard later that the men in the baskets were shipped in prahus (fishing boats) and taken out to sea.

Sworn before me J.F. H Major, this 2nd day of June 1946

464/ R

Statement

Summery of examination of M.J.J. E Sourabaya

Duly sworn states: I am 34 years of age, of Dutch nationality and born at Amsterdam.

Employed at ACES Sourabaya

Troops in Djombang - TRAWAS

In August 1942, the guerrilla troops operating in the area of Djombang and Trawas, were betrayed by Mr. G. who had previously been used as a spy in Bandoeng camps, and an Amboinese named M., who was living in Djombang.

Mr. W.C., now at Djombang had contact with these troops and he saw the above mentioned two persons giving information to the Japanese who arrived in 20 motor cars one morning at about half past four. The Japanese were armed with machine guns and fired some shots. The prisoners were surrounded and captured. Only four of them escaped, 2 Europeans and 2 Amboinese who happened to be away to buy some things.

The prisoners were taken to the main road which was already blocked. There the Japanese had hog - baskets ready for the prisoners. From there they were transported in 7 or 8 trucks which were covered with canvas. During the drive the wind blew some of those off the trucks open and people in town saw legs sticking out through the apertures of the baskets and heard shrieks of pain. The trucks came from direction Wonokromo, passed over the Coenboulevard and were last seen at the corner of Lindeteves.

In each truck were approximately 15 baskets and in each basket 2 persons. There were 221 captives, amongst whom were soldiers of the K.N.I.L.( Royal Dutch East Indies Army), and Australians and some British.

A Section Commander (6th Section) of the “Prins Hendrik” whom I saw in the C.B.Z. (Central Civilian Hospital) told me that they (the above mentioned soldiers) were thrown from a ship in the “Strait of Madura”. And this he saw with his own eyes.

Later on this commander went crazy from all that he had seen and he was sent to PEGIRINA

(a refuge for lunatics before sending them to the asylum at PORONG.

The capture of these 221 soldiers was arranged before hand; this is evident from the measures

which had been taken before the arrival of the Japanese on the scene.

This day12th of February 1946

Detailed to examine the above by C. in C

Allied Land Forces - Sea

24474/R

Verbalisant: A. de K Inspector 1st class , from the General Police at Sourabaya

Comparant.: H.J. J. E , born 13 January 1918 Dutch director

Question: Can you tell me, as a result of your given evidence at the NEFIS on 12th February 1946 a clear evidence about what you know about the so called “Pig Baskets Affaires” ?

Answer: In the first place I like to tell you that I know everything about this affair through a certain C. who was in 1944 with me taken in, to the C.B.Z. at Sourabaya .

This Eurasian young man seemed very trustful to me. He told me, that about a year after the Japanese occupation, the guerrilla troops in the neighbourhood of Djombang and Trawas were betrayed by a certain H. alias F. G. and Hi.

C.who was in contact with the guerilla troops has seen that the 2 men have shown the Japanese where the guerilla troops were hiding.

The surrounded around 200 men were captured by the Japanese among them were Australians and British soldiers.

After the surrounding the prisoners were transported to the main road, where a truck loaded with pig baskets were waiting for them. Two prisoners were pushed in each basket and loaded on the trucks ( 6 to 7) and driven through Wonokromo and the Coenboulevard to Perak ( the harbour).

The trucks were covered with canvas, but sometimes when the wind blew, one could see the legs and arms, outside the baskets.\

According to C.; Many people in the town Sourabaya must have seen this transport, and the men must have whined terribly.

There must have been around 30 men who were transported per truck.

This was the whole story as C. has told me.

Furthermore, did I also hear on the same ward of the hospital, from an Indonesian Policeman from the 6th section that he was present when the baskets with the men were thrown into the sea. This has given him such a shock that he seemed to have lost his mind, there were nights that he was rambling. He hid under the bed when a Japanese entered the room. He was later on brought to a psychiatric hospital, Pegesian.

Question: Do you know who ordered to arrest the guerrilla troops? Who was made responsible for the transport and were there others named in this affair?

Answer: Please don’t forget that C. and I were in the C.B.Z. because we were badly bodily harmed by the Japanese.

No, C. didn’t give any Japanese names.

Question 3: Can you tell me where C. lives today?

Answer: Alas I must tell you that I am almost certainly to know that C. has been killed in the Bersiap period by the Indonesian Extremists.

Question 4: Is there anything else you like to declare?

Answer: No

Signed by Comparant and Verbalisant

24475/R

Verbalisant: A. de K Police Inspector 1e Class by the General Police in Sourabaya.

Department: Investigation Service

Comparant: H., alias F.Gr., born 15th December 1895 at Probolingo.

Eurasian, no occupation. At this moment in Prison in the Werfstraat in Sourabaya.

Question 1: Do you know anything about transports of Europeans in so called pig baskets in around 1942 in direction Wonokromo and via the Coenboulevard towards the sea?

Answer: I don’t know anything about this.

I have heard from unknown Indonesians at Malang, that Europeans have been kicked into baskets.

Question 2: Can you tell me more about this?

Answer: That is all I know about this item. When and where this happened, I can’t tell you, nor do I know who gave the orders.

Question 3: Do you know He?

Answer: Never heard that name

Question 4: Do you know a certain C.?

Answer: No

Question 5: Are you certain that you were never nearby such a transportation where Europeans were transported in pig baskets?

Answer: Yes, I am certain about this.

Signed by comparant and verbalisant

(I, verbalisant like to mention that comparant has a very unwilling behaviour and clearly shows not wanting to tell anything at all)

Comparant. has, so it seems, betrayed the European military, and told the Japanese their hiding place.

Why wasn’t this arch deceiver under oath interrogated??

23037/ R

Summary of examination of : J.W.

Occupation: Lt. Royal Netherlands Navy Reserve

Radio Section

Now staying in Sourabaya

I am 41 years of age of Dutch nationality and born at Den Haag, Holland.

About noon in August or September 1942, I was in a car on Simpang, driving East, when I saw two trucks coming towards me and which turned into the Palmlaan direction South.

I followed the last truck at the distance of about 8 meters. I was driving and I saw that the truck was fully loaded with the well known Bali pig baskets.

The man sitting next to me drew my attention to the contents of the baskets and we both discovered that there was a human being in each basket.

At the end of the street I saw that the first truck was taking a turn to the right into Kaliasin.

I then shortened the distance from the 2nd truck and made a short cut round the corner passing this vehicle at about 3 meters, I could distinctly see men in the baskets lying on their side, with the faces toward me. They were alive, in shorts without shirts.

Those I saw had fair hair and were clearly Europeans.

I drove on but didn’t see the first truck any more.

We stopped at my office which is on Tandjongan from where I started. The second truck passed us again, driving North.

There were several Japanese guards on both trucks and from the above description of the route it is very obvious that the drivers took an unnecessary triangular course, arriving again on the strength road on which they were before.

In my office I told a Japanese, who was put in charge of our optical workshop by the authorities, what had happened, and he told me that the prisoners were Australians and driven through the town to show! He called it “Propaganda”.

I heard later on from one of my workman, S., that the prisoners had been thrown into the sea and that some baskets with the bodies had been washed near Kendjaran.

Signed J.W.

22933/R

Summary of examination of: miss E. Br.

Occupation: women’s Mobile Corps

Sourabaya

Duly sworn states: I am 41 years of age, of Dutch nationality and born at Garoet, Java.

At about 9 a.m. at the en of August or beginning of September 1942, an Indonesian Policeman of the 2nd Section, Kaliasin, came to tell me that a number of Australians and Dutch soldiers were captured by the Japanese and were on a truck in baskets in front of the 2nd Section.

I went to Kaliasin and pretending that I had an accident, I walked into the Police station. The truck was standing at the side of the building and I saw Europeans, half dressed in pig baskets stacked up on a truck.

After having reported my “accident” to the police, I waited outside the station to see what would happen to the prisoners.

The vehicle was eventually driven down town and I followed as far as the Missigit Square, but lost sight of it there and cannot say whether it went to Grissee or to the harbour. As I was connected with the “underground action” , I was naturally keen to find out what happened to our guerrilla troops, but all I heard was that the truck had gone to Grissee and that the prisoners had been thrown into the sea.

Signed E. Br.

Interpreter;

I certify that I duly translated the above summary to the witness in her own language, prior to her signature which appears above.

Sworn before me:

Detailed to examine the above by the Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces, South East Asia.

22904/R

Summary of examination of Mrs. N.E.

No occupation

Duly sworn states:

I am 31 years of age, Dutch nationality and born at Tandjong Karen. At present living in Sourabaya.

One day in August/September 1942, miss G.M. and I were in the Darmo Quarter at Sourabaya and heard from people coming from Wonokromo that guerrilla troops captured by the Japanese were seen by them in baskets and loaded on trucks.

We went on to Wonokromo bridge on our bicycles. Japanese guards stopped us from passing the bridge and we waited for nearly one hour, north of the bridge at the side of the main road near the Police station.

We saw 3 to 4 trucks coming over the bridge into the town. They passed us at a distance of not more than 5 meters.

I distinctly saw scantily dressed men with their hands tied together in baskets on each truck. There were 3 layers of baskets, the trucks were not covered.

We followed the trucks and caught up with them when they stopped at the Police station No 1 in the Coen Boulevard, corner Darmo Boulevard. Many people tried to approach the trucks, but were held away by Japanese soldiers. We could not see if the Japanese soldiers were from the Kempeitai or from the Army.

From a distance of about 30 meters, we couldn’t see much and we decided to go to the Police Head Quarters, we made enquiries but nobody appeared to have seen or heard of the trucks. We then went to the Tandjong Perak road and waited near the corner of the road to Grissee. A half an hour later the trucks passed us again at a distance of 4 to 5 meters and again I saw men in khaki shorts in baskets on the trucks driving into the road to Grissee.

We went home and we heard the next day from captain Me.., leader of an “underground action” organisation, for which miss Me.. and I were working, that it was reported to him that the prisoners in baskets were thrown alive into the Strait of Madura (sea) from a rock near Grissee. He also told us later that the 80 to 90 men we saw were captured South of the Smeroe ( mountain) and that the group consisted of Australians, British, Americans and Dutch.

I heard on good authority that captain Me.. committed suicide in a Kempeitai prison in 1942 and that miss. Me. was kidnapped by (Indonesian) extremists in November 1945.

Duly sworn before me this 29th day of May 1946

Detailed examine the above by Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces, South East Asia.

Authority: ALFSEA WAR CRIMES instruction No 1 Para 7

8769/R

Info: Javanese, S bin Ka….. 23 years of age

At Pasar Kliwon in Solo, January 1943, informant saw that Japanese military made a round of Dutch residencies. They had trucks with them and directly they arrested any Dutch men, then they shoved the Dutch men into pig baskets and loaded them on the trucks, one on top of the other, just as pigs are transported.

In the truck near to the informant, he saw 15 Dutch been badly treated. Once the trucks were fully loaded, the Japanese trod on the crated men. At a house in Pasar Kliwon, a wife of one of the Dutch prisoners (both Dutch) was weeping and trying to prevent her husband from being taken away by the Japanese. Whereupon she was at once bayoneted to death. Her child was with her, but was not touched.

International Report No 411

24176/R

Verbalisant: R.P. R…., temporally Chief Official Investigation WarCrimesComparant: Japanese man: T. K, born 7 July 1930, lieutenant at sea, 1st class, remanded in the prison of Tjipingang.

Explains: The ship No2 Shonan = No 2 Singapore, was in September/ October 1942 located in Makassar.

It stayed there until 1944, then Sourabaya became its basis.

During 1942/43 the ship regularly sailed from Makassar to Sourabaya. and vice versa to accompany the Japanese convoys.

The ship had two masts and the ship was grey painted. There was 1 cannon on board of the prow and an installation for deep sea bombs on the stern. It wasn’t a Marine ship.

The captain was from the Marine reserve. I never saw nor on any other Japanese ship at Makassar, coming back with POWs on board.

Signed Verbalisant and comparant 30 June 1946

24078/R

Verbalisant: M.P.L. v. A… War Crimes Investigation

Comparant: Japanese man: T. K. Born 7-7- 1930 at Ehire in Japan

Sworn oath:

Question 1: What is your rang?

Answer: Lieutenant 1st class at the Marine

Question 2: When did you come to the Dutch East Indies and where did you stay?

Answer: On the 7th September 1943 and I was placed in Makassar.

Question 3: What was your function in Makassar?

Answer: I was commandant of the Coast Guard Forces

Question 4: Can you give the names of you superiors and some of the lower in rang?

Answer: Commandant O, M. Under me were 150 men.

Question 5: Do you happen to know the name S. K.?

Answer: Yes I do, but I only met him after the capitulation.

Question 6: Who is the commander of the telegraphic department?

Answer: Lieutenant Y.

Question 7: Were there also ships from the 23rd Special Navy ?

Answer: There were 6 ships in Makassar and 1 in Kendari

Question 8: Do you know the ship with number 102?

Answer: There was not a ship with that number in Kendari or Makassar.

Question 9: From whom came eventual orders to sail out?

Answer: From the Headquarter of the 23rd Special Naval Base.

Question 10: Do you know if there were, during your stay in Makassar, any American pilots been executed?

Answer: I have heard of executing of some American pilots at the airport Maros in May or June 1945.

Question 11: PHOTOS shown: Do you know any of these persons?

Answer: Yes, the one on left is H., the second is K, the third one is M. and the 4th one is J.

Question 12: You never heard that American pilots were brought on board of one of those ships nor that dead bodies were brought back or any other executions than those of Maros?

Answer: No!

Signed Verbalisant and Comparant, 18th June 1948

22925/R

Verbalisant: Mr. M M…. Police 2nd class Auditor Military Temporary Court-martial at Sourabaya

Comparant: Indonesian man, Hada…., born on Timor, 39 of age, worker by NIGIED at Sourabaya

Can you tell something about the Pig Basket Affair?

Yes, I can. I was a harbour worker in Tandjoeng Perak in those days. It was my job to load and unload to and from the incoming ships.

It was around February 1943 that one evening, around 9 p.m. that 6 trucks came to the quay: these trucks were loaded with pig baskets. In those baskets were people and I saw that they all had white skin.

The baskets were all loaded on the ship were I was working. We Indonesian workers were brought to the back of the ship under Japanese surveillance. We were not allowed to come near the baskets. Only the Japanese military have loaded the baskets on the ship.

They left Sourabaya the next morning at half past two a.m.. , but we had to leave the ship first.

I never saw ship 8 back again.

Signed verbalisant and comparant 20 June 1946

13462/R NEFIS Semarang

Dutchman A.J. Ko… , 47 years of age, car mechanic.

Around the beginning of 1943 I lived in Gombel. One day, it was in the evening around 5.30 p.m. when a Japanese truck stopped near Gombel. I just came back from town and sat down for a while to rest a little, along the road. The truck stopped not far away from me. The platform from the truck was covered with canvas, but the back was left open.

The driver stepped out of the truck and walked towards a house. Then all of a sudden I heard voices in the truck. The men spoke English and since I have very little knowledge of this language, I couldn’t follow the conversation. But I became curious and stood up to look into the truck, I saw men in pig baskets highly loaded up and in those baskets.

That same evening I met Jan …. who told me that he had heard this rumour before telling that European men were seen in those baskets.

Signed: 21st October 1946

13417/R

Received from Rapport XY 1273 EC/60990/G B120/168

Ri AA 2366 / Secret

Subject: Japanese behaviour at Semarang

Informant saw in 1943 at Semarang, that in front of Toko “America” in Bojong a Japanese truck that stopped to tank up some petrol. This truck was loaded with pig baskets, and in those baskets people were transported. Informant heard that men were bagging in English for water, whereupon a Japanese climbed on the truck and poured a bucket of water over the baskets..

Informant didn’t know where these men came from nor where they were transported to.

Informant advised to ask the Chinese who owned Toko “America” for further information.

23039/R

Summary of examination of: Chinese man G.J. T…

Occupation , mechanic.

Duly sworn states:

I am 26 years of age, a N.E.I. subject of Chinese origin and born in Tjepoe, Java,.

One afternoon around 3 o’clock p.m. in February/March 1943, I was standing near the market on the Deventerlaan, when a truck stopped a few meters away from me. Japanese soldiers let down the tailboard of the truck and said in Malay to the people standing around.; “This is what we do to Dutchmen”. I saw baskets stacked upon the truck, about 5 to 6 layers, and in each of those baskets was a man with his knees drawn up. The bottom row was half squashed and the bodies and arms of the men were blood stained. I couldn’t see if all men were still alive, but several of them moved now and then.

The exhibition lasted several minutes, the tailboard was closed again and the truck drove further into town.

Signed: G.J. T… 1st June 1946

23038/R

Summary of examination of the Dutchman F.M…

Occupation: Employee Municipal Water Works

Duly sworn states:

I am 45 years of age and of Dutch nationality. I was born in Sourabaya, 13 of August 1901.

One day in February/ March 1943, I was on the West Buitenweg, the road that leads to the harbour area, when I saw three motor trucks coming in my direction. They passed me at about 2 meters distance and I distinctly saw men arms and legs tied with ropes in pig baskets on the trucks. I had recognised an acquaintance sitting next to the driver of the first vehicle, a man of considerable importance in the police force. He told me the next day that the prisoners were dumped alive into the sea near Grissee. I have reason to believe a/m policeman is an extremist and not likely be in town.

Signed, F. M …. 30 May 1946

19329

Verbalisant: C.A. S….

Comparant: Dutchman J.J. A…, 42 years of age, employee KPM

Duly sworn states:

On the 10th June 1943, I was on the Reiniers-boulevard at Sourabaya around 6.30 p.m. when I saw 4 trucks passing on to direction of the sea. The trucks were covered with canvas, but cause of the fast driving one of the canvas blew upwards, so I could see inside the truck. And what I saw were many pig baskets and the grey material of military uniforms. Although I couldn’t see men, I do believe that there were military in those baskets.

Later on I was told by some Madureses, that the Japanese had thrown these men in the baskets into the sea.

I can’t tell you more.

Signed by Verbalisant and comparan

12571/R

Publication File No OM 10163/N 20 - 09 -1946

Locality: Madura

Australians in Hog baskets, Djombang - Trawas

Subject: Australians in pig baskets

Informante (Dutch lady) let us know that she heard from mr. A. de J , that he personally had seen at Kaliangat (Madura) the transport of Australians in pig baskets. As far as he could see at that moment he guessed that those men were dead. He noticed that all men had their hands were folded in the neck behind their heads.

Until now there is no news about Mr. de J. ,it is unknown if he is still alive.

20 September 1946

22995/R

Pig Basket Affairs: I undersigned,

Dutchman, born 29-03-1893E. de Qu….

I had a conversation about this affair with two Chinese living at Krebet, Mr. T.H. P… and Mr. Y.L. H… I knew both of them quite well and with T.M. P… I often listened to the radio.

At T.M. P..’s home, so one day I heard two policemen from the police force at Toeren, So... and Jo... , talking about a heavy job they had just finished. When I asked them about this job, they told me with pleasure that they had captured the surrounded Dutch/ Allied guerilla troops on the South Smeru hills, and had loaded the men in pig baskets on Japanese trucks.

Also Mr. Y.L. H.. told me later on that he had seen the Japanese trucks passing his house at Krebet and that he had followed them for a while, he could tell that they were going direction Sourabaya.

Sighed E.de Qu…

19474/R

SP. No. Rd 3028 Staf “A” division KFR information

No. 1401 I/03/3390 Secret.

Subject: Graves Military Sourabaya, 19-08-1947

From a report of the Police Information Service in the East, we extract you the following information:

In desa ( hamlet) Tasman, situated on the road to Djombang seemed to be a mass grave of 200 to 300 Europeans, Amboinese and Menadonese military from the K.N.I.L. These military hadn’t surrendered during the Japanese invasion, but because of the superior strength, they were forced to submission, after which they were caught and were buried alive and packed in pig baskets.

It seems that around the same desa, in the teak woods, several interned Europeans were buried as well. Will be investigated.

Sourabaya, 23 August 1947

Chief NEFIS, w.g. E.L. So… elt. K.N.I.L.

24827/R Explenation

Undersigned: Dutchman P..G. v. d. S… , 25 years of age, company policeman ( interpreter) hereby states, that he was present, together with R. K. pensioned clerk of the court of the Country council: when politic prisoners, and some Amboinese, in the Kempeitai building at Kediri, where were adjudged and pushed into pig baskets. This happened in 1943, I believe in May. Mr. L..O. T. . ( one of the prisoners) was 48 year of age at that time and according to the Kempeitai all the adjudged prisoners would be transported by truck to Sourabaya where they all would be thrown into the sea.

Undersigned was discharged from complicity.

Bandung, 8 April 1948 w.g. P.G. v/ d. S.

24828/R

Explanation:

An Indonesian woman (Moetie) 40 years of age, was the housekeeper by Mr. T. D. T… (junior) he had just come back a week ago from Toeloengagoeng, and declares under oath; that she had heard from a Toeloengagoeng policeman that Mr. L. O. T.. at Semarang by the Japanese ( around 1943) was pushed in a pig basket and thereupon died through the ill-treatment he received. According to the policeman he was ordered by the Japanese to inform the wife of Mr. L.O. T. of his death.

Bandung, 14 June 1948

22978/R

Verbalisant: P. Ro.. , Chief Superintendent of th e Police at Batavia

Comparant: N. M… Japanese man, sergeant Kempeitai at Malang, who after a long lasting and stubborn denial at last answered to the (mentioned) below questions.

Question 1: Have you as a Kempeitai man had any involvement with the tracing or guard the Allied guerilla fighters?

Answer: Not with the tracing of them. By guarding and guiding the Japanese military who had arrested the Allied guerilla troops, yes about 7 to 8 times.

Question 2: Who were those guerilla fighters?

Answer: They were allied military, who had refused to handed themselves over to the Japanese army after the capitulation, but instead hid themselves in the mountains around Malang and environment , where they wanted to harm the Japanese army by hiding in the country and to stir up the inhabitants against the Japanese.

Question 3: Many of these guerilla fighters are traced by the Japanese, who performs the tracing? Where are the traced allied military been brought to after being arrested?

Answer: I guess that in Malang and the environ around 400 of these guerilla fighters have been traced. The tracing was performed by the Japanese military from the fighting army which was encamped in Malang . The guerilla fighters were all brought to a passable road, where they were loaded on trucks waiting for them to drive them to Malang.

Question 4: According to eyewitnesses, this always happened by escort from the Kempeitai.

Answer: Yes that is true.

Question 4: How often have you as a Kempeitai member, organized the transport?

Answer: At least 7 times. But the Kempeitai didn’t organize the transport, that was the responsibility of the army, the military from Malang.

Question 5: Who gave the order that the Kempeitai needed to escort the such transports?

Answer: My direct boss, the sergeant major U.. I.. from the Malang Kempeitai.

At that time the boss of the Kempeitai in Malang was H.. H… The name of the colonel A.. , now general, I heard repeatedly in this connection.

Question 6: When took, the arrests and transports of the guerilla troops, place to Malang?

Answer: It began a couple of month after the capitulation by the guerilla troops. It lasted a quite some time I think at least a year.

Question 7: I like to give you some time to think it over and tell me how many times you escorted the Kempeitai transports.

Answer: I do understand all your questions. I am sorry that I have stubbornly pretended not to know anything at all about this affair.

But now I will inform you, to the best of my knowledge.

Question 8: I wish to know what exactly happened in the environ of Dampit, Toeren and Krebet and many other places. Can you answer me as clearly as possible?

Answer: Near Dampit were around 100 guerilla fighters captured from their hiding places in the mountains, near Toeren around 150 and near Krebet around 80. Before the army soldiers loaded them on trucks they were pushed into bamboo baskets crates, the so called pig baskets. These crates were before hand ordered, usually by the Chinese. I have been with those transports, Dampit, Toeren and Krebet, I rode with a driver on one of the trucks. The army brought the guerilla fighters to the “Kazerne” in Malang. In the Kazerne I saw once many pig baskets. The transport from Dampit consisted of 4 trucks, the one from Toen 6 to 7 trucks and Krebet I guess also of 4 trucks.

Question 9: Can you tell me what has happened then with the prisoners from the guerilla fighters? It is generally assumed that the prisoners were tied up/or not in the pig baskets and as such been thrown into the sea.

How did that work, were you also guilty of this happening?

Answer: Yes, probably they were all in this situation been drowned in the sea. I have several times experienced those transports of the prisoners. In front of those transports drove always a Japanese army officer, a lieutenant. Those transports took place with trucks loaded with the prisoners packed in crates .

The army soldiers organized these transports; their armed military leader sat on those trucks.

They brought those trucks to Tandjong Perak, I went twice with them on such transport.

I have seen that there was a Japanese ship in the harbour where the prisoners, still packed

In the crates were brought on board.

I have heard it several times that the prisoners have been thrown from that ship into the open sea. But I was no eyewitness.

Signed by verbalisant P. Ro… 23 February 1948

Page 1

N.M. Sergeant Kempeitai at Malang

Yesterday I stated that I went seven times together with the units to Sourabaya.

But it was a misunderstanding, I never followed by order of sergeant major U…. (Kempeitai chief) at that time, the units who sent Dutch soldiers to Sourabaya.

The Dutch soldiers, after they were arrested and taken in to a POW camp, has nothing to do with the Kempeitai.

Page 2

Major M…. and Lt. Colonel A…

It never happened that the Kempeitai together with units sent Dutch soldiers to Sourabaya by cars. I swear before God. If you don’t trust me, please inquire for U. I… and T. Z… as witnesses then it will become clear whether sergeant N. M… went to Sourabaya in those days. The orders in the Japanese army are strict.

If sergeant N. M… went together with units to Sourabaya for sending Dutch soldiers, he is subject to Court Martial owing to the breach of discipline and order.

I head people of Malang called me “majang” (tiger), but I performed my duty very strictly.

Page 3

N. M… Sergeant Kempeitai at Malang

It were the army units who arrested Dutch soldiers out of the hills on the mountains around Dampit or Toeren. It had no relation at all with the Kempeitai.

Pasirian: I went with H… and sergeant S.. to Pasirian (South Coast) for the aims of issuing some certificates . This had nothing to do with Dutch soldiers.

Probolingo: On March 1943, I went there for the aim of making a part in a manoeuvre.

Pasoeroean: I went for investigation of radio sets owing by the Japanese over there.

Tonpang: On my way to Dampit, my car got out of order, which necessitated me to repair it at Tonpang.

Sourabaya: Went there about 20 times, from Malang or Madoera.

Well I have seen POWs set out by train onto the direction Bandoeng and Sourabaya.

I was on patrol duty when I saw POWs who were transported by trucks. But I was never with them.

Yesterday I made a mistaken explanation owing to nervous break-down.

What I said was not entirely true; that POWs were caged and dropped in the sea.

Sergeant N… M….

22978/R Continuation of testimony

With reference to my testimony No 22928 from 22 February 1948 of suspected N..M.. whom I interrogated , I, P. R.. , Chief, superintendent of the Police , working temporally for the Government bureau to investigate war crime, declares the following:

When I on 24 February 1948 in the morning 9 a.m. visited the Prison Tjipinang at Batavia, N.. M.. together with a Japanese interpreter, I hand him his explanation from yesterday, and my testimony Nr. 22978 in the Japanese language, with the purpose of the accuracy from this explanation and asked him to sign this paper. N.. M.. explained me in the presence of the commissioner of police Ch. v. d. B.. ( speaks Malay and Japanese) thereupon ; “Yesterday I had a mental breakdown. Today I am not much better, on the contrary, I feel even more unbalanced than yesterday during the end of the interrogation.

I don’t remember what I have told you yesterday, but I do know that in case I have confessed something, then I have done this because of my nervousness. It is pointless to let me make a testimony in Japanese. I wish not to answer any more. Only that I have not transported people packed in baskets nor that I guided these transports.

What I have done was collecting military weapons and clothes from Dampit and ammunition from the arrested allied guerilla fighters.

I now wish to be left alone.

------------------------------------

When around 10.30 a.m. on the 24 February 1948, N.. M… explained me that he was now feeling back to normal again, he therefore asked me if he was allowed to write down a statement.

I, have given him the opportunity to do such.

N.. M.. has to that , in my presence, in Japanese characters written down a four pages long explanation.

When I asked him to show me his knowledge of Malay, he wrote down “Saja bisa membacha dan menolis dalem bahasa Malayu”. ( I speak and read/write the Malayan language).

On the given evidence this testimony has been made up and signed at Batavia, 25 February 1948 , under a making note: “Will be continued”

Verbalisant: w.g. P. Ro……