Orbelli

During the Soviet presentation on the spoliation of property and the Destruction of Cities and Villages, State Counsellor M.Y. Raginsky, assistant Soviet prosecutor, called Joseph Orbelli, the Director of the State Hermitage. He stated that the Hermitage were under systematic artillery shelling and bombardment, causing considerable damage to the building and its contents. The shelling occurred over a period of months, causing him to conclude it was intentional.  On cross- examination, Orbelli noted that though the Hermitage was located in the center of Leningrad, there were no artillery batteries anywhere nearby.

Produced by US Army Signal Corps 1945-1956, housed in National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Digitized and provided by The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Steven Spielberg Film and Video Archive.