Shigeru Sawada

Shigeru Sawada (沢田 茂 Sawada Shigeru, March 29, 1887-Dec. 1, 1980) was a General in the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second World War.

Served as Commanding Officer in the 24th Field Artillery Regiment from August 1931 to March 1933. From March 1933 to March 1934 was instructor at the War College. His main duty abroad was that of Military Attaché to Poland from Dec. 1935 to March 1938. While serving in Poland, Sawada advocated the formation of a German-Polish-Japanese alliance against the Soviet Union. The most important duty he served during the Second World war was that of Commanding General of the 13th Army in China from Dec. 1940 to Oct. 1942. In that capacity, took part in the capture of some of the US fliers who took part in the Doolittle raid on Tokyo in Apr. 1942.

After the war, was arrested by US Army and tried by the US Military Commission in Shanghai for his part in the execution of the captured airmen from the Doolittle raid and was sentenced to five years in prison. He was released from prison in 1950.