Germans demand compensation from Poland over war losses (see pictures)

Irish Examiner ^ | 15/12/2006

[lizol]

Germans demand compensation from Poland over war losses

A German group has filed claims against Poland with a European court over property lost in the aftermath of World War II, a member said today.

The Prussian Claims Society, which represents some Germans who were expelled from Poland after the war ended, filed the complaint with the European Court of Human Rights, the society’s deputy leader Gerwald Stanko said.

“Twenty-two individual complaints have gone to the European Court of Human Rights,” Stanko said. He said the aim was to secure either compensation or the return of property.

The Prussian Claims Society has threatened for several years to file restitution claims for property lost when the borders of Germany and Poland were moved westward after World War II.

The threat has weighed on relations between Warsaw and Berlin.

The German government has made it clear that it does not support the claims, but the topic is extremely sensitive in Poland, which Nazi Germany invaded in 1939 at the start of World War II and subjected to a brutal occupation.

The German government had no immediate response to the group’s move.

[lizol]

Hmmmm...

War losses you're saying?

Hmmm...

Compensations?

Hmmm...

Here you can see some pictures from my Polish town of Lowicz before the WW2 and during the war, or right after.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - THERE WERE NO MILITARY INSTALATIONS IN, NEITHER AROUND THE TOWN IN 1939!

Old Jewish synagogue – before WW2,

And “renovated” by the Germans - first burnt down, then demolished (doesn’t exist anymore)

Train station building – before the war

And “renovated” by the Germans

Old Square and the former high school building – before the war

And “renovated” by the Germans

New Square before the war

And “renovated” by the Germans

Saint Leonard church (the oldest one in the town) – before the war

And “renovated” by the Germans

The cathedral – before the war

And “renovated” by the Germans (burnt down)

German tourists entering burning Lowicz in 1939

Saint Thadeus Hospital building (bombed by the Luftwaffe in 1939, regardless the fact, that large red cross was displayed on the roof; most of the patients, who couldn’t walk – got burnt alive)

John the Baptist church (doesn’t exist anymore, used to be located right next to the hospital)

It’s also worth mentioning, that 11.000 of people living in the Lowicz county (out of the total number around 50.000 at that time) were murdered by the Nazi

Indeed – it’s nothing but a pure impudence from the Polish side, that we don’t want to pay compensations to the Germans over their war losses.

[lizol]

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[Gay State Conservative]

Well,I now know that what I've been hearing my entire life was wrong....

The Germans really *do* have a sense of humor!!!!!

[LibWhacker]

Ridiculous. Totally frivolous. The Krauts don't have a legal leg to stand on. Where do they think they are, America?

[Kurt_D]

Of course you know that what constitutes most of today's Poland has been German territories for over thousand years... until 1945. Little history never hurts.

In any case, Germany lost the war. That should settle the debate.

[Darksheare]

Now if this had been NY invading NJ and them losing terribly only to bring a lawsuit against NJ for compensation, it would give me pause since in NY and NJ the judges have a twilight zone sense of 'fairness' and justice.

And good on Poland for giving the suit a thumbed nose.

[Bahbah]

You make your point very well.

[dfwgator]

Of course you know that what constitutes most of today's Poland has been German territories for over thousand years... until 1945. Little history never hurts.

And you know before that it was Polish. Little history never hurts.

Besides, take it up with Uncle Joe, it was his call, not the Poles.

[XR7]

Do you suppose the plaintiffs retained a good Jewish lawyer?

[starbase]

Well, let's remember, it's not "The Germans" who are demanding compensation, just one group of people. They could be fringe wackos.

If some wacko group from the US "demanded" that Japan give us Okinawa, it wouldn't be appropriate to title the article "America Demands Ownership of Okinawa!"

[Camel Joe]

We have an old and rather crude saying in America, "Fork with the bull and you'll get the horn". I would ask those seeking compensation for their losses if they haven't had enough of the horn already.

[Durus]

You know that's a good point...how can they go after Poland legally?

[lizol]

Over last thousand years some of those territories (Pommerania) used to be Prussian (I mean not the Germans called Prussians, but the Old Prussians - Baltic tribe), then German, then partly Polish, then partly Lithuanian, and then German again.

Some (Silesia) used to be Polish, then Bohemian (Czech), then German, then partly Polish again, then German again.

You're right - little history never hurts. But apply it to yourself.

[Lazamataz]

I'd back Poland over Germany if you two want to fight again.

[piytar]

The Polish government should offer to pay the reparations on the condition that Germany agrees to pay reparations for all losses suffered by Poles in WWII. If the German government agrees, Germany will shortly be bankrupt. If the German government does not agree, they will take the heat from the asshats behind this ridiculous claim for reparations.

Win/win for Poland -- one of our few true allies in Europe against Islamofacism. Lose/lose for Germany, who has increasingly turned on us in that same struggle.

[dfwgator]

Germany already has been compensated for here WWII losses, it was called "The Marshall Plan."

And what did Poland, a member of the victorious Allies get? The Marshall Stalin Plan.

[Spok]

Chutzpah.

[Kurt_D]

...Poland got fu**ed because Truman didn't listen to Churchill.

[brothers4thID]

This is a joke... right?

[Kurt_D]

Well said. Your reasoning is not polluted with collectivism. ;)