M45
Morotai Trial M45 was one of the largest Australian war crimes trials conducted after the Second World War. The case concerned the alleged mistreatment of Allied prisoners of war held at Tantui Prisoner of War Camp on Ambon. Proceedings commenced at Ambon on 2 January 1946 before being transferred to Morotai on 19 January, where the trial concluded on 15 February 1946.
The prosecution initially brought charges against ninety-one officers, guards and a civilian interpreter associated with the Shirozu Unit and the administration of the camp. At the close of the prosecution case, the court ruled that no prima facie case had been established against eleven of the accused, who were acquitted. The remaining eighty defendants stood trial, resulting in four death sentences, thirty-two terms of imprisonment and forty-four acquittals. This page summarises the trial, the accused, the sentences imposed and the surviving archival records, including the Judge Advocate General's review.
Notes
Trial began in Ambon on 2 January 1946 and transferred to Morotai on 19 January 1946
At beginning of trial the Defending Officer submitted a list of 91 officers, guards and a civilian interpreter connected with the Galala PW Camp in Ambon. All from the Shirozu unit (M45d pp. 9-17).
On 17 Jan 1946, at the end the the Prosecution case, the Court announced that it considers that no prima facie case has been established against 11 of these accused and accordingly acquits them: (M45g p.27).
The 80 remaining accused are transferred to Morotai to continue the in the trial and ultimately receive sentence - 4 death by shooting; 32 prison terms; and 44 not guilty.