SESSION LXXIII
ABOUT THIS SESSION
SESSION 73 of the trial of Adolf Eichmann took place in the morning of Monday, June 12, 1961. It begins with the submission of documentary films into evidence by the prosecution. The films had been screened in court in SESSION 70, following a pre-screening in SESSION 69.5. Next, a discussion resumes regarding the ‘Sassen documents’, transcripts of the audio recordings of conversations between Eichmann and Dutch journalist Willem Sassen that were conducted during Eichmann’s time in Argentina. This discussion began in SESSION 72. Eichmann’s defense counsel, Dr. Robert Servatius, objects to the submission of the transcripts. Following this discussion, an affidavit by Nazi officer Oswald Pohl is submitted on the topic of the Reinhard Operation. The prosecution attempts to submit a declaration by Dr. Imre Reiner but is rejected by the judges. Finally, two witnesses testify: Shalom Cholawski, who testifies about the Nesvizh Ghetto revolt and his time as a partisan fighter; and Aharon Hoter-Yishai, who testifies about his membership in the Jewish Brigade of the British Army and what he witnessed in dozens of concentration camps.
Although much of the footage from SESSION 73 has been lost, the approximately 50 minutes of surviving material is presented here. Cholawski’s testimony survives only via a series of short, non-consecutive, audio-only excerpts.
NOTABLE MOMENTS
00:00 - Discussion on the admissibility of the Sassen transcripts
15:11 - Hausner on Eichmann’s intention to publish a book while in Argentina
24:22 - Hausner gives a cagey answer when asked when he received the Sassen transcripts
24:45 - Eichmann smiles
28:33 - Hausner says he has turned down dozens of potential witnesses
32:47 - Servatius says that he, too, has turned down potential witnesses
34:48 - Discussion on the admissibility of a declaration by Eichmann’s former secretary
36:05 - Hausner submits a document listing the quantities of seized Jewish possessions
43:06 - Testimony of Shalom Cholawski (audio only)
44:15 - Testimony of Aharon Hoter-Yishai
47:14 - Hoter-Yishai on the scene he encountered when entering a liberated camp
48:16 - Hoter-Yishai recalls that more than half of Bergen-Belsen survivors died after liberation
50:02 - Hoter-Yishai recalls survivors’ reaction to the arrival of the Jewish Brigade
50:46 & 51:42 - Former Israeli Prime Minister Moshe Sharett visible in audience
TRANSCRIPT
Material highlighted green survives in video form.
Material highlighted pink has been lost.
Material highlighted orange is available only in audio form.