Eichmann Trial -- Session 114 -- Closing statement of the Defense

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 114. The courtroom is empty, and people mill about. 00:05:26 Judges enter, telling Dr. Servatius to continue. He speaks in German, the tape is interrupted before it is translated. 00:08:06 Tape jumps, Servatius says that Geshke and Winkelmann had precedence over Eichmann where relevant. Servatius says that the SS orders were meant to be followed, regardless of Eichmann's orders. 00:10:29 Tape is interrupted by a slate. The implementation of the extermination is questioned. Servatius says that orders did not arrive through Eichmann's office, and any complaints, if there were any, went to Eichmann's superiors. Servatius and the President of Court begin debating about a reference Servatius makes. He wants a full citation regarding what Servatius says regarding a British field manual. He argues that military laws said that soldiers are not responsible for the actions of their superiors. 00:25:05 Tape jumps. Servatius says that Eichmann rejected the extermination of the Jews personally, but was forced to stay by his post. Servatius says that disobedience was nowhere near as possible as the witnesses maintain. If it was, resistance fighters would have had a better opportunity for success.