Eichmann Trial -- Session 107 -- Eichmann explains his oath to the Party

Session 107. Tape starts midsentence when Eichmann is asked what his opinion was concerning the Nazi outlook that the Jews must be removed from Germany. (Footage duplicated from Tape 2195.) Eichmann says that he never thought about it, which the Judge quickly disputes. The tape is interrupted by a slate at 00:03:32 and resumes with Eichmann explaining that he had to not make waves in his position in the Reich. 00:04:41 Tape is interrupted again by a slate and resumes with the same footage. Eichmann insists he worked as a low-ranking official in the head office of Reich Security and regretted taking that job. Eichmann says that he thought positively about forced relocation (emigration). Eichmann insists that he was doing good, the lesser evil, a solution to a problem, but had no actual inner feelings aside from that. 00:11:50 Eichmann is asked about his history as a soldier and the oath of loyalty that he has mentioned. He was never with the Waffen (fighting) SS, the closest he came to this was the Waffen SS Reserve. He was a Police Officer, mobilized by the SD for the war. 00:16:47 The Judge is brought the records of a previous session looking for a quote of Eichmann's. He cannot find it, but says he will do so later. Eichmann is pressed concerning his oath versus his ability to leave the Party. Eichmann insists, rather emphatically, that he could not break his oath and leave under any circumstances, not during the war. Eichmann is asked about the meaning of a red ticket. This meant mobilization for the duration of the war. He stresses his inability to leave his position or the party after receiving a red ticket. The Judge asks if he could have relinquished his post and gone to the front, Eichmann says he would never get any such permission. The Judge asks if anybody could have stopped him, Eichmann answers that he would have been reprimanded and could not have done it. The Judge presses, saying that a complaining employee would have been gotten rid of, and Eichmann says that those people were sent to task forces, not the front. 00:24:44 Eichmann is asked about how tough Mueller was, he answers that he was a true bureaucrat, and begins comparing him to Heydrich. (Footage duplicated from Tape 2195.) The Judge stops him, saying that Heydrich should be left out of this. Eichmann is arguing with the Judge about the toughness and tolerance of various leaders that Eichmann has previously referenced, along with his own. Eichmann is saying that he is not tough, not a hard man, that toughness towards others was unimportant, rather it was important to be tough towards yourself, to be obedient. 00:28:37 The Judge returns to a previously inadequately answered question, asking why Eichmann wasn't fired based on all of this information. He answers that he was organized, loyal, disciplined, and did not ask question. He became friends with his superior, Mueller, and had no ambition to take over. The Judge cites previous testimony where Eichmann said he was an inefficient bureaucrat, and he answers that Mueller was the same way with always asking for orders.