The Eichmann Trial

ABOUT THIS SESSION

SESSION 24 of the trial of Adolf Eichmann took place in the afternoon of Tuesday, May 2, 1961. The session begins with the continuation of the testimony of Henryk Ross, who identifies a series of photographs he took illegally while living in the Lodz ghetto. After Ross is dismissed, the Court resumes a discussion on the taking of affidavits from witnesses abroad. Defense Counsel Robert Servatius names four witnesses he would like to testify in Jerusalem in person. Attorney General Hausner responds that all four are criminals in the eyes of the Israeli Justice Department, and that if they wish to come testify, they will be issued entry visas, then arrested and brought to trial. This response draws laughter from the audience, to the Presiding Judge’s ire. It is ultimately agreed that the witnesses should be questioned in their native Germany. A number of documents are then submitted relating to the Warthegau and Litzmannstadt. Esther Shiloh testifies briefly in regard to the establishment of the Litzmannstadt ghetto. Dr. Josef Buzminsky then testifies about life in the Przemysl ghetto. He describes a harrowing scene in which a Nazi officer tears a Jewish baby apart ‘like a rag’. After he recalls watching a young boy receive dozens of lashes from a Nazi officer, Hausner asks him if he sees that boy in the courtroom. Busminzky identifies police officer Michael Goldman, who is sitting at the defense table. More documents are submitted, and then Israel Carmel testifies in regard to former Governor General of Poland Hans Frank, reading a number of excerpts from Frank’s notebooks.

Much of the footage from SESSION 24 has been lost, including the entire testimonies of Esther Shiloh and Israel Carmel. About half an hour of footage remains.

NOTABLE MOMENTS