Rauter Trial, Westerbork

Rauter Trial, Westerbork 

Rauter Trial, Westerbork 

"Het Proces Raute" opens with the trial of Hanns Rauter, an Austrian who was the highest SS official in Nazi-occupied Holland and who was tasked with setting up Westerbork and Vught. The judge's voice, presumably reading the indictment, over footage of well-dressed civilians wearing stars either arriving at Westerbork or boarding for deportation to Auschwitz or Belsen. Men, women, and children. Good shots of Dutch military police on duty. Back to Rauter sitting at the trial. Men wearing wooden clogs getting off train at Westerbork lining up next to rail cars. At trial, evidence presented and witnesses called (synch sound). People climbing aboard railcars with armbands, large wheeled litter goes by. 04:48:58 Sophia de Groot at far left of the door opening on train wagon #9, gesturing to someone on the platform. People waiting to board clustered around open car. Two men shake hands, small child waves from window, German officers at tracks, men put barrel buckets in each car. Sinti girl Settela Steinbach with head scarf, looking through slightly opened car door, on May 19, 1944. Car doors shut by Jewish policeman and Westerbork camp inmate Hans Margules, train pulls out. Back to trial, Rauter speaks:"I only did as ordered, I don't feel guilty, I am not a war criminal.." and then leaves courtroom. The camera follows him out until he gets into the back of a police van and is driven away.