Eichmann Trial -- Session 96 -- Cross-examination of the Accused

Footage begins late in Session 96 during the translation into English of Attorney General Gideon Hausner's inquiries into the use of badges to identify the Jews. The accused, in footage not shown on this tape, was asked a series of questions about the purpose of the badges. Footage continues with Eichmann being asked whether Theodor Dannecker, Rolf Günther, Dieter Wisliceny and other participants were aware of the fate of the Jews (00:02:03). Eichmann testifies that he did not discuss it with them (00:02:34). When asked if they simply did not know what happened to the deported Jews, Eichmann states that for a long time he and many others did not know where the deportees were going or what happened to them and did not make this one of his concerns since it was not part of his duties (00:02:52). This last statement made by Eichmann is complete in German, Hebrew, and English. This entire segment is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2150 (from 00:32:13 to 00:35:57). Cross examination of the accused continues with questions from the Attorney General about Eichmann's knowledge of Odilo Globocnick's killing operations as late as autumn 1941 (00:04:45) and the accused's presence at murders in Lublin, Minsk, and Lemberg (00:05:16). Globocnik was a principle participant in the extermination of Polish Jewry. He was entrusted by Heinrich Himmler with the implementation of Aktion Reinhard and put in charge of special SS troops. Using the camps of Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka, and Majdanek he carried out the fourfold task of exploiting Jews as forced laborers, the extermination of Jews, the acquisition of the real estate of the murdered Jews, and the seizure of their valuables and movable property. Eichmann testifies that he knew of Globocnik's operations but contests the date in which he first saw Jews being murdered. The accused insists that the first time he saw Jews being killed was in winter of 1941/1942 in Kulmhof/ Chelmno (00:05:46). Hausner goes on to ask Eichmann to indicate when Globocnik ordered a "retroactive confirmation" of the number of Jews killed (00:08:26). Eichmann testifies that Globocnik never asked him for this and indicates that Müller, Himmler, or Heydrich were asked instead (00:09:16). Hausner accuses Eichmann of telling Globocnik, on Heydrich's orders, that Hitler had ordered the extermination of the Jews (00:13:54). The accused replies that he did not say that and that there was no reason to tell Globocnik anyway because he already knew (00:14:22). Eichmann is asked a series of questions regarding the date in which the killings began (00:16:51) and when the deportations started (00:17:33). Cross examination continues with questions about whether Eichmann, at a March 1942 meeting, told the participants at the conference the fate of the Jews (00:18:45). Eichmann testifies that in March 1942 he did not know what was happening to the deported Jews from France (00:19:34). *At 00:21:03, the time codes change to 00:01:05 and continue with the new time code to the end of the tape.* The proceeding continues with the Attorney General's cross examination of the accused about why Globocnik asked Heydrich to authorize the extermination of the Jews and not Krueger or Frank (00:01:14). Eichmann replies that Heydrich had received the special assignment from Himmler (00:01:28). Judge Halevi reads a statement, in German, that Eichmann gave during his interrogation noting how Eichmann had gone to Globocnik to tell him Heydrich had informed him that Hitler had ordered the extermination of the Jews (00:05:16). Judge Landau adjourns the session (00:09:45) and all rise (00:09:48) as the judges exit the courtroom. Eichmann is shown exiting the booth (00:09:57). There are shots of the audience leaving the courtroom and the attorneys standing at their desks. The camera lingers on Hausner before fading. 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.