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.

[ozzymandus]

The winners not only write the history books, they draw the maps. I would point out that this isn't the German government asking for compensation, it's the desendants of the former residents of the territories taken by Poland and Russia. It's a moot point, however, since they aren't going to get squat.
Since Poland and Germany now have normalized relations, however, wouldn't it be possible for the displaced Germans to buy back their former properties, if the current owners were willing to sell?

[pgkdan]

The Germans are lucky there still IS a Germany at all. This suit is ludicrious...sheer chutzpah. The Plaintiffs should be publicly mocked and ridiculed.

[Kurt_D]

As I said... Germany's defeat settles the debate.

[verbal voter]

what A WONDERFUL POSTING. the BEFORE PICTURES ARE FANTASTIC. Have you visited Poland and seen the high quality of reconstruction? Poland leads Europe in training for rebuilding. Of course the communists, with their confiscation and redistribution, have created real real estate problems for all persons. These Prussians are jerks and deserve nothing.

[1rudeboy]

The Krauts don't have a legal leg to stand on.

Yes, your random "Kraut" does not. But these people might.

[GeorgiaGuy]

Could Poland and Germany both sue Russia for forcing the border westward? Maybe Poland could annex Belarus? That would be better for Belarus, correct?

[burzum]

It is always interesting on how some people can conveniently forget some "very minor" events in history to suit their arguments. Things like Germany invading Poland, decimating the country, and murdering millions of her citizens (many in concentration camps) certainly can't be as important as a couple of farmers in 1945 losing some of their land (much of which was illegally occupied). You just have to put things in perspective I guess.

[Kurt_D]

Well... in all honesty - and as mentioned before somewhere in this thread - Germans, Poles and all Europeans should focus on real issues. Like the rise of Mohammedanism.

[dfwgator]

Funny how you never hear the Germans demanding compensation from Russia for Koningsberg (Kaliningrad).

[lizol]

Not today.

When Poland joined the EU - Polish authorities reserved some time when a special permit is required, if a citizen of a different EU country (including Germany) wants to buy land in Poland.

They will be able to do it after several years, but I don't remember how long exactly.

[Kurt_D]

You don't hear it in the USA... ever heard of the German "Bund der Vertriebenen"? An important organization in Germany that represents the descendants of Germans that fled the Red Army.

[lizol]

Hmmmm..., the German FReepers maintain, that the "Bund der Vertriebenen" doesn't have any meaning at all in Germany, and that the Poles overreact to their actions.

I must say I'm confused (sarcasm)

[outofstyle]

WWII was a brutal vicious war. However, I think all of the participants then, would have laughed at this stupidity now, the German's included. The West has been lawyered into cultural oblivion.

[R.W.Ratikal]

Good! Now Polish citizens who lost relatives in the war because of Germany's ovens, should file Wrongful Death suits against Germany.

[airborne]

Hey Germany!

Don't start nuthin', won't be nuthin'!

[GeorgiaGuy]

No, but you do hear faint rumblings from time to time by Kaliningraders wondering if they should try to restore some relationship with Germany.

[sobieski]

Not if they net it all out. More important, the Kaczynski's won't be cowed by these cows.

[JBCiejka]

Wonderful photos! Thanks.

[wolf78]

Hmmmm..., the German FReepers maintain, that the "Bund der Vertriebenen" doesn't have any meaning at all in Germany, and that the Poles overreact to their actions.

You mean the "Bund der Vertriebenen" that has distanced itself from the "Preussische Treuhand" and has little to do with this lawsuit?

Well, anyway, the Preussische Treuhand has finally done what they've been threatening to do for years: to go before the European Court of Human Rights, where they will get their much deserved a**kicking. They overplayed their cards and will now have to face a reality check.

Other than that it always surprises me how eagerly some come up with anti-German comments without even knowing the slightest bit about the underlying problem. Yeah sure, 22 individuals are "the Krauts", just as NAMBLA speaks for the US and those swastika-wielding drunks from last week for Poland. Barf.

[1rudeboy]

Who's "they?" How would you feel about your private property being "netted out?"