GREECE: DISTOMO MASSACRE: COMPENSATION SOUGHT FROM VILLAGE

(21 Sep 1995) Greek/Nat Survivors of a World War Two Nazi massacre in Greece want compensation from the German government. Two hundred and eighteen people were slaughtered when Nazis, disguised as locals, opened fire in the village of Distomo in July 1944. It's a picturesque village but a village with a past and a brutal one at that. Hints of its history are at the roadside. More than 50 years ago, the village of Distomo was nearly wiped out. Nazi occupying soldiers who regularly came under attack by the Greek resistance movement were set on revenge. Disguised as locals, 19 of them drove into Distomo in stolen cars. On the way they killed villagers at work in the fields and took 12 hostages. When they arrived they opened fire. Two hundred and eighteen people - men, women and children - were gunned down. There were a few survivors. Today they gather at the village cafe and remember the horror of 1944. SOUNDBITE: (Greek) The locals stared with surprise at the first cars entering the village. No one was able to explain, no one could foresee the tragedy ahead. No one after the massacre could believe that this outrage was something that humans could have done. Even the wild animals in the jungle have mercy. SUPER CAPTION: Leonardos Efthymiou, Survivor A constant reminder of what happened in Distomo is the village mausoleum. The names of every victim of the Nazi slaughter are etched outside. Inside are their remains. Maria Pandiska lost many relatives in the massacre. SOUNDBITE: (Greek) I was at the monument crying. We buried them in my uncle's yard right where they all got shot. My mother, my mother's brother, her sister...a total of 10 people. SUPER CAPTION: Maria Pandiska, Survivor. Now lawyers are fighting for compensation from the German government. The case will first be heard in local courts in Greece where the war crimes took place. By the end of the month it is hoped the case will go before the German authorities. If the Bonn government refuses to pay, Greek lawyers say they will take their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. SOUNDBITE: (Greek) In Viotia prefecture alone, about 3,000 applications for war reparations have already been filed and I hope that before Christmas time we will hear the verdicts. SUPER CAPTION: Yannis Stamoulis, Lawyer and Massacre Survivor So the people of Distomo may get compensation but it will do little to ease the pain of a half a century ago. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...