Eichmann Trial -- Session 81 -- Examination of the Accused re: Office of Reich Security, visiting a camp, Polish Jews, executions

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. Session 81. Dr. Servatius talks, citing pieces from a letter and asking Eichmann if they are valid. Eichmann says that a different conception arose in the SD circa 1938 with respect to the Jewish question. Emigration was encouraged, and creating organizations in favor of that were created. Eichmann says that he had to inform those in Vienna about this new mentality. 00:14:42 Tape jumps. Dr. Servatius submits a letter from Eichmann. It concerns Dr. Loewenherz and his interventions at Eichmann's office, working for the release of arrested persons. 00:19:23 Tape jumps. The judges ask if there was anyone in charge of Eichmann. He says that there were levels of this, where someone could be trusted to do something, assigned to do something, or be the leader of something. Eichmann says that he was the first. 00:26:18 Tape jumps. Eichmann is being asked why his name is on a certain document. He says that all Jews of Polish nationality were to be arrested, and that most Jews had not waived Polish nationality, especially in the south. 00:29:11 Tape jumps. Dr. Servatius asks Eichmann what he did after getting a cable. Eichmann says that he was shocked when he heard that Jewish buildings were to be set on fire. He claims to understand the importance of getting documents and archives out of these buildings before anything like this could happen, and was saddened when he learned that it had already begun, and it was too late to do any such things. 00:35:20 Tape jumps. Dr. Servatius submits a memorandum concerning the confiscation of Jewish bank accounts. He says that he dictated this memo. He says that after Kristallnacht, many Jews were withdrawing large sums of money, and that concerned the Reich. 00:39:40 Tape jumps. Eichmann is being asked if he had anything to do with housing situations. He says that he had no part of that. He says that he heard that many offices were treating Jews "arrogantly", and his office must not have been or else Dr. Loewenhertz would not have come to him. 00:41:39 Tape jumps. Eichmann is being asked about Guenter being in charge of the Central Bureau. He says that his memory of that is very fuzzy, but he would not have been subordinate to him. Coordinating the various functions of the Central Bureau are brought into question, implying that Eichmann was effectively in charge. He denies any of that, saying that the SD was in command. 00:49:35 Tape jumps. Dr. Servatius submits documents concerning those listed for bribing officials, a crime punishable by death, supposedly ordered by Eichmann. He says that he never gave such orders, and never ordered an execution; he was not competent to do so. 00:53:36 Tape jumps. Eichmann is saying that [unspecified] camp was not under his jurisdiction and should not have been there, but sometimes his superiors would order people to visit camps on behalf of the entire office of Reich Security. Eichmann then describes his visit to the camp, with the Jewish Affairs Council asking Eichmann to lift the ban on correspondence, and he says that he wasn't competent to deal with such a thing, but would try get it to the right people. 01:02:57 The President of Court orders the end of the session and adjourns the court. Tape ends as everyone begins to get up to leave.