War Crimes Trials - Vol. II The Belsen Trial. 'The Trial of Josef Kramer and Forty Four Others'

The Trial (Defence - Evidence for the Defendant Hildegard Hahnel)
 

EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENDANT HILDEGARD HAHNEL

Captain MUNRO - My next accused is No. 4, Hildegard Hahnel. The Court has heard witness after witness say that Hahnel did not arrive in Belsen until the last days before the British. Further, the Court will have heard other witnesses say that neither was she in charge of the bath-house at any time, nor did she take any bath parades at Belsen. At the end of the case for the Prosecution the learned Judge Advocate asked the all accused whether or not they wished to give evidence on oath or make any statement, and Hahnel said she would make a statement on oath before the Court. Since then she has watched the case against her very closely, and has come to the conclusion that everything that she could have said in her own favour has been said for her. She has got nothing more to add and has therefore instructed me to tell the Court that she will not give evidence on her own behalf, and I have taken the very grave responsibility of advising her that she is right. I am calling no witnesses for Hahnel either, so that concludes my case.

 
The Trial (Defence - Evidence for the Defendant Hildegard Hahnel)