Eichmann Trial -- Session 84 -- Examination of the Accused re: Greece, Bulgaria, Romania

Identifier
irn1001786
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 1999.A.0087
  • RG-60.2100.111
Level of Description
Item
Languages
  • English
  • German
  • Hebrew
Source
EHRI Partner

Creator(s)

Biographical History

Emil Knebel was a cinematographer known for Andante (2010), Adam (1973), and Wild Is My Love (1963). He was one of the cameramen who recorded daily coverage of the Eichmann trial in Jerusalem (produced by Capital Cities Broadcasting Corp and later held academic positions in Israel and New York teaching filmmaking at universities. Refer to CV in file.

Scope and Content

Footage begins in the middle of Session 84. Servatius presents documents on Greece beginning with an order from Eichmann to Wisliceny for the deportation of all the Jews in Athens and Greece in general to Auschwitz. Eichmann states that he did not give these orders (00:02:19). A large section of the proceedings is missing. Servatius introduces an invitation from Rademacher to a meeting in Berlin for "Jewish Specialist Officers" to discuss technical matters relating to concentration camps, including visits to certain camps. Eichmann cites another document about the same meeting in which there is no mention of visiting camps (00:07:18). Some of the session is missing and footage resumes with Servatius presenting a telegram from Ambassador Sonnleithner to the Foreign Ministry noting that the eight thousand Jews from Rome are to be transferred to Mauthausen. Eichmann states that he had nothing to do with this matter. When asked who from the Security Service was in Rome, the accused names Dannecker and Bosshammer. The next document introduced is a letter from von Thadden to Eichmann referring to a protest from the head of the German Catholic Church in Rome, Bishop Hudal (00:15:27), to the arrest of the Jews in Rome. Eichmann states that he could not issue any orders himself, but merely pass the document on to his superior, Mueller and await Mueller's instructions. Servatius ends his discussion of Italy. Servatius, the judges, and Hausner discuss at some length the procedures to be used when incorporating testimonies from abroad into the court record. Landau then asks Servatius to continue with his examination of the accused (00:40:27). A large section of the proceedings are missing. Footage resumes with Servatius presenting a document from Luther stating that Ludin had informed him of the departure of three trains carrying six-hundred to one-thousand Jews from Pressbourg, Slovakia. Judge Halevi asks the accused (00:41:32) whether he made the preparations for the departure of these three trains. There is a section of testimony missing. Servatius presents a letter from Ambassador Ludin to the Foreign Ministry noting that Papal Nuncio, Monsignor Burzio, came to protest the Jewish deportations and suggests that the Slovakian Jews be deported as soon as possible. Eichmann says that he does not remember any part of this document. A portion of the proceedings is missing and footage resumes with the presentation of more documents and Eichmann discusses the hierarchy of command in Budapest. Some of the session is missing but the film continues with Servatius submitting a document from von Thadden to Veesenmayer ordering trains and timetables to be arranged by Eichmann's section. The last documents presented refer to the finalization of the deportation of fifty-thousand Jews from Hungary to labour camps. Judge Landau asks to adjourn for the day (01:00:52) and all rise (01:01:45) as the judges exit. The camera shows the defense and prosecution standing and then Eichmann exiting the booth.

Note(s)

  • See official transcripts, published in "The Trial of Adolf Eichmann", Vol. I-V, State of Israel, Ministry of Justice, Jerusalem, 1994. Also available online at the Nizkor Project. *Slight jitter and distortion in original master.

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Genre

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