Eichmann Trial -- Session 93 -- Cross-examination of the Accused

Footage begins in the middle of Session 93. Hausner questions the accused about the implementation of the Final Solution following the Wannsee Conference. Eichmann is asked whether, once orders had arrived from Reinhard Heydrich, the Final Solution could be carried out, dependent only upon the availability of places for the deported Jews at camps in the East and the number of trains needed to carry out deportations. This is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2138 (at 01:00:38) and Tape 2140 (at 00:03). The footage on Tape 2138 is less complete. Eichmann disputes Hausner's characterization and states that in addition to these two factors, each wave of deportations had to be specifically ordered by his superiors (00:02:25). Eichmann gives an insufficient answer to Hausner's question and Presiding Judge Moshe Landau repeats the Attorney General's question (00:03:39). Hausner presents a document issued by the accused's section, IVB4, after the Wannsee Conference, which indicates that the deportations to the East which had already been carried out were the beginning of the Final Solution (00:06:43). There is a brief discussion between Hausner and Judge Halevi regarding this document (00:10:44) and the footage resumes with Hausner referring to a section of the document in which it states that the two factors necessary for the implementation of the Final Solution have been secured (00:13:11). Eichmann recounts orders he received from Heinrich Müller to go to France and oversee the deportation of 130,000-150,000 Jews as directed by Heinrich Himmler. Hausner reminds the accused that this is the only document in which he specifically refers to carrying out orders from Müller (00:16:21), and asks whether this can be seen as an indication that Eichmann was in other cases operating under his own authority and not under Mülller's orders. The Attorney General charges that Eichmann did everything in his power to prevent any Jews from escaping the Final Solution (00:22:07). Eichmann is then asked a series of questions about his involvement in deporting the French Jews who tried to escape to Switzerland (00:26:33), mentioning in particular the case of Max Golub. During this section of footage Hausner yells his questions at the accused, becoming more agitated as Eichmann denies responsibility. The case of Karl Heinz Klinger is presented (00:34:13). When Klinger escaped to Budapest Eichmann contacted the Foreign Ministry and asked for the man to be extradited. The footage concerning Klinger is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2140 (at 00:14:21). Judge Halevi questions the accused about Max Golub and whether there was an intelligence network actively looking for escapees. Eichmann denies the existence of such an organization within his section. Eichmann is then questioned by Hausner about his involvement in ordering the deportation of the Norwegian Jews to whom the Swedish government had agreed to grant Swedish citizenship (00:42:05) and the Poles who escaped to Romania (00:44:37). Judge Landau calls for a recess and all rise (00:47:25) as the judges exit. Eichmann is shown leaving the booth (00:47:41). There are various shots of the counselors for the defense and prosecution and the audience.