Eichmann Trial -- Session 104 -- Cross-examination of the Accused re: Hungary

This tape begins in the middle of the proceedings of Session 104. Attorney General Gideon Hausner questions Eichmann about comments Eichmann made to Wilhelm Sassen regarding his inability to keep up with the pace of deportations in Hungary. Hausner cites quotes in which Eichmann compared the deportation in Hungary with the ease of those in Denmark and Holland, referring to the Jews of Hungary as being offered to them like "sour beer." This section duplicates footage found on Tape 2181. The footage is edited at 00:03:30, skipping a lengthy section in which Eichmann is cross-examined about his role in a forced foot march from Budapest to Vienna (see Tape 2181). The footage begins again later in Session 104 with Eichmann being questioned about his residence in Budapest. Hausner asks whether Eichmann knew that Jews worked on the property, if he had an amphibious car, and whether he was aware of an incident in which a Jewish boy was beaten to death for stealing fruit. This entire section is duplicated on Tape 2183 at 13:01:02. Another session is edited out at 00:11:08 and the video resumes with a shot of the defense lawyer, Dr. Robert Servatius, and Eichmann. Cross-examination by Hausner turns to Eichmann's intention to write a book with Wilhelm Sassen in 1957, in which Eichmann would describe what happened to the Jews as being "one of the greatest crimes ever committed." (00:11:14) Hausner says that despite this statement, Eichmann's true belief was that the measures against the Jews were necessary for the protection of the German blood and people as formulated in the 1935 decree for the "Protection of German Blood and Honor" issued by the Nazi government. Eichmann then gives a long answer denying any knowledge of these statements. This section is duplicated on Tape 2184 at 00:08:17. The film is edited at 00:20:40 and a section from the transcripts regarding the "Night and Fog" decree is not on the tape. The footage resumes with Hausner asking the court to visually examine various sections of the Sassen document. Hausner and the presiding judge discuss the need to look at these documents. The defense's lawyer, Dr. Servatius, gives a statement suggesting that this evidence is not admissible (00:29:18). Presiding Judge Landau notes that court should be adjourned for the morning. This section can also found on Tape 2184 (at 00:17:22 to 00:34:05).