Eichmann Trial -- Session 106 -- Eichmann's personal feelings
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.
See official transcripts, published in"The Trial of Adolf Eichman", Vol. I-V, State of Israel, Ministry of Justice, Jerusalem, 1994. Also available online at the Nizkor Project.
Session 106. Tape starts midsentence with some duplicate material from Film ID 2192. Judge cites that Eichmann ordered the release of a group of Jews from the ghettos in eastern Hungary. Eichmann says that this, along with other examples, were ordered by his superiors, and he explains how and why this was. Generally, he says that he was ordered to do such things, never could he do something like that on his own, and he never questioned the motives behind his orders. 00:11:14 The Judge questions the decision to transfer Jews to the Eastern front instead of the Western front, accusing Eichmann of trying to stirring up tensions between East and West. Eichmann pleads ignorant, the Judge relents. 00:13:10 Eichmann says that he had no such motives, and while Himmler might have, he did not. He cites a Ten Percent rule that would have made such things impossible; the Judge says they will discuss that later. A Fighter Plane Program is also discussed and the potential use of Jews for that. 00:18:40 Eichmann says that he is not anti-Semitic or anti-Jewish. Eichmann is asked about his family history and the Jews who had married into the family. He confirms that he approved the paperwork for his Jewish Aunt leaving for Switzerland. Eichmann says that this proves he could not have hated Jews. When asked about whether or not he approved individual cases asking to be spared, he could not remember, and gives avoiding answers. 00:25:41 Eichmann begins describing, contrary to prior testimony as the Judge points out, that he could violate his oath if he confessed about it later; a fact that seemed to surprise the court. Eichmann reads more from a speech by Himmler concerning obedience. It is not translated into Hebrew or English because the court has a translated copy. Eichmann says that the higher a persons' rank, the easier it was to break the rules. 00:35:52 The Judge begins pressing Eichmann on his statements of civic courage and the will to stick to your morals, and Eichmann's apparent refusal to do that. Eichmann says that one could not really resist the nation, that one person's efforts were irrelevant. He says that his ideal was to carry out the National Socialist doctrine as efficiently and as loyally as possible. 00:46:30 After saying that there is a difference between responsibility and guilt, and saying he is guilty of taking orders, Eichmann is asked if he takes responsibility for the things he has done. He is asked if he takes responsibility for things he said in the Sassen memoirs. He says that he spoke truths in the corrections, and the Judge presses him, asking if he was drunk when he made corrections. Eichmann, becoming defensive, insists he was sober when he made corrections, and he told truths. The Judge says that he is mixing two stories, and Eichmann admits having relapses of nationalism as the nights wore on. The Judge pushes Eichmann about these recordings and writings, and then accuses him of not having civic courage. Eichmann gives an excuse, saying various parts of the submitted Sassen memoirs are not his writings, and he has in fact not read most of them. 00:56:29 Judge Halevi concludes his questioning after hearing this information. Dr. Servatius attempts to submit a schedule of dates of events as prepared by the Accused and is refused due to time. Dr. Servatius is then given permission to speak to Eichmann between sessions. Session 106 is concluded, court adjourns.