SESSION XXXVI
ABOUT THIS SESSION
SESSION 36 of the trial of Adolf Eichmann took place in the morning of Wednesday, May 11, 1961. It begins with the submission of documents by the prosecution on Denmark. Against the wishes of Defense Counsel Robert Servatius, the judges agree to admit affidavits by Nazi officers Eberhard von Thadden and Rudolf Mildner. Documents on Norway are submitted, after which Henrietta Samuel testifies in regard to Nazi activity in Norway. While describing her escape from Norway into Sweden, Eichmann can be spotted suppressing a smile. Further documents are submitted in regard to Nazi activity in Norway and Italy, followed by the testimony of witness Dr. Hulda Campagnano on the lives of Italian Jews during the war. She speaks particularly on life in the Rome ghetto. A few more documents on Italy are submitted before the session is adjourned.
Though most footage from SESSION 36 has been lost, portions survive from both witnesses’ testimonies and the submission of documents on Norway. Some of Samuel’s testimony survives only via contemporaneous news broadcasts, and is presented here with edits made by the broadcaster. Included among these edits (at 4:29) is the misleading relocation of Eichmann’s suppressed smile from a later part of the testimony. This reaction can be seen in its original context at 15:48.
NOTABLE MOMENTS
00:00 - Testimony of Henrietta Samuel
09:18 - Samuel describes going into hiding with her children
14:15 - Samuel recalls her family’s escape to Sweden
15:48 - Eichmann attempts to stifle a smile
18:38 - Submission of Documents on Norway
29:58 - Testimony of Hulda Campagnano
30:59 - Capagnano recalls the rounding-up of thousands of Italian Jews
TRANSCRIPT
Material highlighted green survives in video form.
Material highlighted pink has been lost.
Material highlighted blue survives via third-party material.