Eichmann Trial -- Session 96 -- Cross-examination of the Accused
Creator(s)
- Emil Knebel (Camera Operator)
- Rolf M. Kneller (Camera Operator)
- Leo Hurwitz (Director)
- F. Csaznik (Camera Operator)
- Capital Cities Broadcasting Corporation (Producer)
- Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive
- J. Jonilowicz (Camera Operator)
- J. Kalach (Camera Operator)
- Milton Fruchtman (Producer)
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 beings in the middle of session 96. Attorney General Gideon Hausner continues cross examination of the accused with questions regarding whether Theodor Dannecker, Dieter Wisliceny, Alois Brunner, Rolf Günther and Gustav Richter received instructions from Eichmann. This is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2149 (at 01:01:55). Eichmann concedes that they did receive instructions from him with the exception of those that were involved in missions abroad (00:02:47). This discussion continues and after a long reply by the accused, Judge Landau asks Eichmann to stop repeating general statements and give direct, concise answers to the Attorney General's questions (00:11:45). Hausner asks Eichmann to look at a document concerning his relationship with those abroad in Slovakia and Romania (00:13:29) in which Eichmann concedes that men such as Dannecker, Günther, and Wisliceny received his instructions. Eichmann testifies that, in general, the document is correct except for that the men, he states, were not subordinate to section IVB4 but to offices abroad (00:16:44). Cross examination continues with Eichmann being questioned about Richter and whether he belonged to section IVB4 (00:17:52). Eichmann contests this fact, stating that Richter was one of the exceptions and received his instructions directly from the chief of the Security Police and the SD. Hausner presents a document written by Dannecker noting that the "Paris office has been given practical responsibility for combating [hostile activities by the Jews and] that the chief of the Security Police and the SD is now the Jewish Affairs Commissioner for Europe" (00:22:11). Eichmann states that the document is incorrect (00:24:36). Hausner returns to the topic of Eichmann's authority over staff abroad, asking him if those men were designated IVB4 (00:33:19). The accused replies that not all of them were (00:33:44) and when asked whether he coordinated IVB4 activities in occupied countries (00:35:34) the accused states that he only passed on instructions given to him by his superiors (00:36:10). There is a long discussion about Eichmann's involvement in eliminating difficulties for those working abroad particularly with Security Police matters (00:36:32). A document is read, in German, to the accused by Hausner acknowledging his involvement in this matter (00:40:39). Eichmann testifies that it was his job to make sure difficulties did not occur at all and that operations ran smoothly. Hausner continues by asking about meetings held in the accused's office with staff operating abroad. Eichmann is questioned about who came to the meetings (00:48:30) and what was discussed (00:55:48). Cross examination continues as Eichmann is questioned as to whether the introduction of the Jewish badges was discussed at the meetings (00:57:23). When presented with a document by Hausner noting the simultaneous introduction of the badges in the occupied Dutch, French, and Belgian territories Eichmann testifies that he was aware of this order (00:58:29). Eichmann's answer in German is complete but the English translation is only partially given when the footage cuts. Footage beginning at Eichmann's interrogation about the Jewish badges to 00:59:35 is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2150 (from 00:24:05 to 00:32:09). The footage on Tape 2150 is more complete. Footage cuts (00:59:35 to 00:59:45) There is a short segment of Eichmann standing and speaking but no audio.
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.
Subjects
- DOCUMENTS
- EICHMANN TRIAL
- TRIALS
- JUDGES
- EICHMANN, ADOLF
- COURTS/COURTROOMS
- HAUSNER, GIDEON
- PROSECUTORS
Places
- Jerusalem, Israel
Genre
- Unedited.
- Film