Eichmann Trial -- Session 105 -- Servatius re-examines the Accused

Identifier
irn1001865
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 1999.A.0087
  • RG-60.2100.185
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

Session 105. People are standing a chatting in the courtroom. The Judges enter, and the 105th session of the Eichmann Trial is begun. 00:06:26 Eichmann is to be re-examined by his Counsel following the cross-examination by the Judges. Dr. Servatius is questioning Eichmann, first asking whether or not some of the documents presented in cross-examination were forgeries. Eichmann answers that he doesn't know them as forgeries, but they are quite strange to him. 00:11:57 Eichmann is asked about the efforts to publish his memoir. He is presented with a translated article from a French magazine concerning this. It is the story of the reporter meeting Eichmann at a restaurant. He talked to this reporter named Sassen, telling his story under a false identity until he slipped, and was forced to reveal everything. Eichmann says that this story is not correct, only what he said before was correct. Eichmann wanted to write a book with this reporter about the events as they happened. The Judges ask if there was a slant to this book, and Eichmann says that the reporter wanted to show him as responsible for the goings on, and Eichmann thought it would not be believed if Hitler, who gave the orders, was excluded. 00:35:19 Eichmann is asked how the information was given to Sassen, and he explains that it was always in a pub setting where he would talk to a recording device. He says he had no control over the device and was not coached in his answers. He also insists that he never exceeded his authority as a department head. 00:41:27 Dr. Servatius begins to ask Eichmann about a particular statement of his from a document not yet entered into evidence. A debate over the legality of this ensues. It is finally read, it is a quote from Eichmann where he says that he never had any special positions, but always followed orders, and Eichmann quotes a man named Miller saying, "Had we had 50 Eichmanns, we would have automatically won the war," insisting that this was not about Eichmann's effectiveness, but rather his ability to follow orders. Eichmann says that while he cannot attest to the accuracy of every word, he says that he did say something to that effect. 00:50:02 Dr. Servatius asks what the ranks were of the people Eichmann dealt with in Hungary. He answers in German, but is cut off by the slate before the translation can be given

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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Genre

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