Eichmann Trial -- Sessions 102 and 103 -- Cross-examination of the Accused re: Operation Units

Identifier
irn1001858
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 1999.A.0087
  • RG-60.2100.178
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

This tape begins near the middle of Session 102, during a discussion about a meeting held in a cinema pertaining to the issuing of orders to the Einsatzkommando/Einsatzgruppen. Eichmann is cross-examined by Attorney General Gideon Hausner about the number of people who attended the meeting and his own role. Eichmann talks of his personal ambitions to be the commander of an Einsatzkommando, which he claims he thought were military units operating at the Eastern Front, and his disappointment when this did not come to pass. 00:09:08 Later in session 102: Hausner questions Eichmann about his interviews with Wilhelm Sassen and the creation of a manuscript for a book based on their meetings. Eichmann testifies that he used poetic license, writing as if he were present at certain events in order to make the book more interesting. 00:12:35 Later in session 102: Hausner asks Eichmann to verify the statement(s)/corrections made by Eichmann to a document. Eichmann testifies that he is unable to guarantee that the corrections are his. As Eichmann is asked to read another passage the footage cuts to a later part of session 102. Eichmann is asked about statements he made in the Sassen manuscript. He is asked about comments he made about Wisliceny and Krumey and whether he knows where his associates Müller and Günther are now, and about Abromeit, Wisliceny, and Krumey (00:14:38 to 00:31:13). The camera focuses briefly on Eichmann's hands as he speaks. Eichmann complains that the statements he is asked to read are garbled and incorrect. The remainder of session 102 is not on this tape. Early/middle part of Session 103 (dupe of Session 103 on Tape 2179, which is more complete): Cross-examination of Eichmann about how many Order Police he had at his disposal. Eichmann is asked about his duties and describes his role in Hungary as being technical, that he was in charge of timetables and schedules and making reports on the arrival and departures of trains (00:31:13 to 00:35:33). Most of the middle of Session 103 is missing. The final segment covers the last portion of session 103 and ends with the close of that session. Eichmann is asked to explain his role in the "Blood for Goods" transaction in Hungary, which was the attempt by members of the Hungarian Jewish Relief and Rescue Committee to negotiate the exchange of one million Jews for trucks and other materials from members of the SS, particularly Eichmann and Kurt Becher. Eichmann is also asked about his implementation of "lightning" deportations in Budapest. He requested that the date of deportation of Jews from that region be moved from August 25 to August 20. He is questioned about his meetings with the commander of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss. Session 103 adjourns for the day.

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.

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