in what context does hana remember the cruel nature of general takima?

While applying anaesthetic to the young soldier, as Sadao operated on him, Hana wondered if the stories that they had heard about the sufferings of the prisoners of war were true. She then remembered General Takima, a ruthless despot, who beat his wife cruelly at home. However, no one mentioned it now because he had won the battle in Manchuria. Hana remembers him in the context of the sufferings of the prisoners of war. She deduces that if a man like General Takima in his power could be so cruel to his wife, he could as well be very cruel to a prisoner. The deep red scars on the white man's neck, just under the ear, confirmed her apprehension.