In Rangoon Central Jail, Burma, three convicted Japanese war criminals are executed for their part in the Kalagon Massacre in July 1945.

The three prisoners, named on the dopesheet as Captain Yanagizawa Iamui, Lieutenant Tajima Ichiro and Captain Midorikawa Hisashi, are led out under guard. They are tied to stakes; as they are secured they can be seen to shout 'banzai'. Closer shot of one of the condemned being secured. The three men, hooded, as a medical officer affixes an aiming point to their chests. Closer shot of medical officer affixing aiming point; he has a stethoscope around his neck. Medium wide shot showing the firing squad in the aim; they fire, the men sag at their stakes and the firing squad lay down their rifles. Shot of the medical officer checking one of the condemned; he appears to have also been shot in the head (probably by the Deputy Provost Marshal).

Notes

The Kalagon Massacre occurred in July 1945, when the population of the village of Kalagon (near Moulmein) was murdered. Some 600 people were shot or bayoneted and their bodies dumped in the village wells. The Japanese had apparently suspected them of harbouring British troops.

The cameraman's dopesheet identifies the firing squad as being drawn from 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment.

The Imperial War Museum's Sound Archive holds an interview with the cameraman of this piece, Sergeant Alan Wilson. See related items.