Eichmann Trial -- Session 80 -- Examination of the Accused re: relocation, deportation, Lebensborn, Palestine, Bulgaria

Session 80. Dr. Servatius reads a document about 1,000 Poles taken on each transport, and a request to get moving so that the Aktion can begin in November. Servatius then asks Eichmann when he was involved with this in Berlin. He says that these were in the Government General area, and Birkenau was requesting transports, so his office got together to figure out how to fill the order. He says that teenage Poles were to replace the Jews of similar ages working in war industries. He says that he was involved with this indirectly. He says that Mueller's orders demanded setting up children's camps, which had nothing to do with Eichmann's office, only the transportation of those people. 00:10:23 The President of Court tells Eichmann that they are not interested in general explanations of each document, only to answer questions directly. 00:11:20 Tape jumps. Dr. Servatius reads a letter from the Lebensborn Institute to Eichmann. He asks if a building in Eichmann's district used by Jews could be taken for the SS use in the "Essence of Life" (Lebensborn) institute. Another document, a thank you letter from the Institute, is read. Eichmann then discusses the seizure of Jewish property. 00:20:34 Tape jumps. Dr. Servatius addresses a document that discusses the large scale deportations by order of Himmler. He lists the numbers from each city deported, 45,000 in all, though only 15,000 could be counted on for labor. 00:26:30 Tape jumps. Eichmann recalls people discussing the forced legal divorces of mixed marriages, then the deportation of the Jewish divorcee. 00:33:14 Tape jumps. Dr. Servatius reads a letter to Eichmann concerning Persian citizenship. Eichmann says that he had no idea how they should be treated, and looked for orders from other departments. The President of Court orders a 20 minute recess. 00:38:22 Tape jumps. Eichmann says that the issue of Persians was not his department. Discussion ensues concerning proof that this letter was directed to Eichmann's office. The Judges then ask Eichmann if he initiated any actions against foreign Jews, and he said that he had no competence. 00:45:51 Tape jumps. Dr. Servatius reads that the British embassy was cleared to accept a large number of Jews into Palestine, but it was stopped. He says that all of this was stopped because there was no grand agreement. He says that the British knew that the deportation would only strengthen Germany and that would not be favorable for the British. 00:50:27 Tape jumps. Eichmann discusss halting deportations. 00:52:28 Tape jumps. Dr. Servatius asks about the emigration of Jews to Palestine, and that Eichmann said, contrary to other statements, that this was a bad thing. Eichmann says that he had no control over anything until the order to stop emigration was issued, and thus advocated relocation to Palestine before that, but not after. 00:54:39 Tape jumps. Dr. Servatius reads a letter concerning a Bulgarian letter requesting political assistance. Eichmann says that he was in contact with the Bulgarian leader, just once. When further pressed, Eichmann is asked if he was introduced as an expert on Jewish affairs, but says that he is not in a position to confirm nor deny that. 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.