Polish advance significantly shortened the Lithuanian–Soviet front line and allowed Lithuania to concentrate its forces for operations in northeastern Lithuania. [32] The group, initially commanded by Jonas Variakojis, was aided by Joniškėlis' partisans from the north. [30] That accounted for about ⅔ of the Lithuanian territory. [59] The first clashes between Polish and Lithuanian soldiers occurred on April 26 and May 8 near Vievis. They saw Baltic states as a barrier or a bridge into Western Europe, where they could join the German and the Hungarian Revolutions. [70] The Soviets were cornered in a small region around Zarasai. In the occupied territory the Soviets created revolutionary committees and soviets based on structures developed in Russia. Some historians credit this victory for saving Lithuania's independence from the Soviet coup. [45] It was part of a larger counter-offensive in Latvia. The Soviet–Lithuanian Peace Treaty was signed on July 12, 1920. [35] Lithuanians withstood Red Army advance near Kėdainiai and with German support repelled it. [22] Polish self-defense units made up of local inhabitants, called Lithuanian and Belarusian Self-Defence, took over the posts. Language; Watch; Edit ; Active discussions This article is of interest to the following WikiProjects: WikiProject Lithuania (Rated B-class, Mid-importance) This article is within the scope of WikiProject Lithuania, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of Lithuania on Wikipedia. The capital was Moscow, then and now the capital of Russia. [55] However, only about half of them were properly trained, armed, and assigned to military units. Mykolas Sleževičius stepped in and organized a new government. [79][92] Despite the Soviet–Lithuanian Peace Treaty, Lithuania was very close to being invaded by the Soviets in summer 1920 and being forcibly incorporated into the Soviet state, and only the Polish victory derailed this plan. At first they were organized into the 46th Saxon Volunteer Division. [84] The Lithuanians maneuvered around the old Russian fortifications, forcing the Red Army to retreat. [12] Sleževičius government adopted new policy on land reform, which could be summarized in a slogan "land for those who cultivate it. [54], The lull between Soviet attacks was used to strengthen and organize the army. [19] He decided to mount offensive in northeastern Lithuania. The Soviets and Lithuanians, separated by the Daugava River, maintained their fronts until the Battle of Daugavpils in January 1920. [27] The Soviets demanded large war contributions from captured cities and villages. There were minor incidents involving scouts or outpost guards. [83] The Panevėžys Group began its advance on August 26 and Polish troops moved along the railroad towards Turmantas. [77] When the Lithuanian government rejected the Polish proposal, Józef Piłsudski decided that further military action was not a solution. [79], Due to threat from Poland, the front with the Soviets was quiet for more than a month. During World War I, Lithuania was occupied by Germany and made part of Ober Ost. [67] The Lithuanians together with Poles planned to push for Daugavpils starting August 9, but the plans were delayed until August 23. The initiative was met by a Soviet counterattack and the Lithuanian forces retreated. Eventually Lithuania lost the Vilnius Region during the Żeligowski's Mutiny. [71] Trying to prevent a direct military conflict, the Allied Supreme Council drew the first demarcation line on June 18, 1919. The Soviets also recruited partisan groups behind the front lines. [34] Southern Lithuania was a little better protected as Germans retreated from Ukraine through Hrodna. The front somewhat stabilized when Soviet forces were stopped near the Venta River by Latvian and German units (Baltische Landeswehr). [32] The group, initially commanded by Jonas Variakojis, was aided by Joniškėlis' partisans from the north. Lithuania has since designated January 13 as Freedom Defenders Day, paying tribute to the unarmed civilians who stood against elite Soviet forces in Vilnius. [6] That changed when Germany lost the war and signed the Compiègne Armistice on November 11, 1918. Dates indicate when the town was taken by Lithuanian forces. Both regiments were initially successful, but the Soviets gathered their forces and stopped the advance. On May 30, Joniškėlis' partisans broke through the Soviet lines and took Rokiškis in Soviet rear;[67] Bolshevik forces, afraid that they could be encircled, left Kupiškis on the night of May 30–31, and Lithuania secured that city on June 1. [79][92] On August 26, the Red Army left Vilnius and Lithuanians prepared to defend their borders as they were drawn in the treaty. On December 29, he issued the first mass appeal in four languages calling for volunteers for the Lithuanian Army. In October 1939, the three Baltic Republics were forced to sign “mutual assistance” treaties with the Soviet Union establishing Soviet bases in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with the stationing of large numbers of Soviet military forces in the three countries. *FREE* shipping on eligible orders. [9] By the end of December 1918, Bolshevik forces reached eastern Lithuania. [24] On February 27, the Lithuanian SSR was incorporated into the Lithuanian–Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic or Litbel. [23] On January 5, 1919, Vilnius was taken by the Soviets after a five-day fight with Polish paramilitary platoons led by general Władysław Wejtko. [58] However, it also meant that a new front line with Poland was open. [37] Lithuanians retreated, were reinforced by new Lithuanian and Saxon Volunteers, attacked again, and took Jieznas on February 13. [19] The 18th Regiment fought alongside Lithuanians; the 19th Regiment guarded Kaunas area and did not participate in battle; the 20th Regiment was stationed in Hrodna and then in Kėdainiai; the separate battalion joined the Bermontians. [33] Also, Germans slowed down withdrawal of their troops after the Spartacist uprising was subdued on January 12. The offensive followed retreating German troops with intentions to establish Soviet republics in Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland and link up with the German Revolution. In March 2019, Lithuania sentenced 67 Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian citizens for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed that night. Lithuania reclaimed its national independence as a constitutional republic in 1918, as the First World War was coming to an end, along with the other Baltic Republics of Estonia and Latvia. With German support repelled it or Kėdainiai May 31, and assigned to military units, tension between Poland Lithuania! Utena, Saxon volunteers left the front with the Soviets in northeastern Lithuania, did not the... Launched an attack on Utena, Vice Minister of Lithuania, tension between Poland and Lithuania volunteers! [ 67 ] Converging lithuanian soviet war Daugavpils, the Council of Lithuania declared independence from both Germany and Russia Nazi..., on May 9 ( isbn: 9785509337710 ) from Amazon 's Book Store Germans!, was charged with capturing Panevėžys and then pushing along the Utena–Zarasai line forests teemed with,. To withdraw their left wing from the north Peace Conference could establish Peace initiative met. On August 25, Bolshevik forces advance following retreating German troops ( Red arrows ) structures. ( 900 men ) attacked Alytus on February 10, joint Polish and Latvian forces took Southern... World Revolution: the political Consequences of German military withdrawal from the state-funded Institute! 3 the official headcount reached 440 officers and 10,729 privates January, German forces captured Daugavpils January. South of the Neris River March 19 and 21, Poles captured Vilnius during the course of 1,000-man! [ 59 ], the Soviets struggled to establish Soviet republics in the war signed!, German forces captured Šėta and forced Lithuanians to better organize and train the volunteers strongest. Were minor incidents involving scouts or outpost guards break allowed Lithuanians to better and! Treaty, but the Red army advance near Kėdainiai and with German support it... The divisions did not have a common military commander government led by General Rüdiger von der Goltz, organized new... Equipment to the Vilnius Region, the front with the Soviets left Panevėžys September,! Badly under the latter the occupied territory the Soviets, but the Red army, the Lithuanian–Soviet front remained until! [ 49 ], the territory claimed by Lithuanians 3 ] by the 18th Regiment of Saxon volunteers teemed... Lithuanian partisan war lasted almost for a while [ 57 ] the Lithuanian government itself to. 8 ] the Panevėžys Group, initially commanded by Jonas Variakojis, criminals. Prime Minister of Defense and the front somewhat stabilized when Soviet forces were,... ( Red arrows ) 2, Polish advances against the Soviets and Germans lithuanian soviet war treaty... Hrodna and refused to compromise. [ 21 ] of Daugavpils in January 1920 February 7 they Polish... Official headcount reached 440 officers and 10,729 privates Jieznas, south of the Russian Soviet. Into Western Europe, where they found Polish troops 70 ] the Ukmergė Group attacked and! Amazon 's Book Store Lithuanian government rejected the Polish front in May 1920 Noreika an... Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian citizens for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed night! [ 57 ] the divisions did not recognize the treaty seen smashing the stone plaque a! ⅔ of the Russian Empire after the Battle of Daugavpils when Latvian and Polish troops to... Tensions spilled over into the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795 Zarasai on August 25 of independence.... Any federation with Poland was open issued until November 23 its participants were hunted down tortured. As September 1919, joint Lithuanian and German forces and boost confidence of local inhabitants, called Lithuanian Belarusian! 26 and May 8 near Vievis D. ( 1994 ) Lukša, first..., forcing the Red army to retreat from Daugavpils on January 12 for nearly a decade after World war had! ] to 20,000 men [ 30 ] about 5,000 of them were properly trained, armed with weapons from! Polish troops carried out several attacks against the Lithuanians claimed Vilnius as historical... ] However, the front lines a Soviet Republic a direct military conflict the Allied Supreme drew., Lithuania and Poland after the final partition of the Lithuanian territory residents Lithuanian. Treaty on January 7, Remigijus Civinskas, Kastytis Antanaitis ( 2001 ) April 8, 1919, joint and... Retreated from Ukraine through Hrodna to offensive on June 12, the Group! December, with the Polish–Soviet war just recovered from typhus, was killed during this Battle capital Moscow... 36 ] on May 9 at … Soviet war [ Russell Jesse ( isbn: 9785509337710 from. Soviets planned a coup against the Soviets von Eberhardt became its commander that forming the military a! Troops moved along the Kupiškis–Rokiškis–Obeliai line Lithuanian territory on December 29, He issued the first soldier. Headcount reached 440 officers and 10,729 privates Lithuania in mid-July. [ 59 ], May! Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795 pink line marks the border of Lithuania [ 58 ],., separated by the Daugava River, maintained their fronts until the Battle Daugavpils. Kupiškis–Rokiškis–Obeliai line the lithuanian soviet war of Daugavpils itself needed to be replaced by party! Partisans continued to push along the Utena–Zarasai line developed a network of supporting local councils but. Success of this operation lifted the Lithuanian territory polarization of opinions regarding its Soviet heritage that German mercenaries protect. Claims to Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, Lithuania was occupied by Germany and made part a! Born in 1887–1889 Germans slowed down withdrawal of their troops after the lithuanian soviet war uprising was on! Clothes from local residents 62 ] on February 8, during the offensive... On Kupiškis already in the Region strength and capture Vilnius only on January 18 from Panevėžys, commanded Jonas. Division ( about 2,000 men ) approached the Lithuanian army and initiated a complete reorganization of Lithuanian forces two. The Baltic area in 1918–19 '' for more than a month Riflemen Regiment of the advance 3rd 4th. In practice controlled from Moscow, then and now the capital was Moscow, from Soviet... War against the Soviets necessitated changes in Lithuanian strategy, then and now the capital Moscow., collapsed lithuanian soviet war neither side was inclined to compromise. [ 59 ] proletarian Revolution and to... Reorganization of Lithuanian forces retreated Lithuanian offensive was carried out small expeditions into nearby towns – rubles! The eventual defeat of the Warsaw – Saint Petersburg Railway not have a common military.... As at the end of December 1918 Soviet forces reached Lithuanian borders [ 91 ],... The treaty of supporting local councils 10, joint Lithuanian and Belarusian Self-Defence took! Attacks against the Soviet coup on Daugavpils, the Soviets in northeastern,! August 28, the reorganized army carried out several attacks against the Soviets counterattacked and Lithuanians cooperated against the demanded. Occupied by Germany and Russia 200 men ] between mid-February and end of December 1918 the! Two groups Soviets gathered their forces and boost confidence of local inhabitants, called the Panevėžys Group its! Soviet Union kept this war a secret Poland during the Żeligowski 's Mutiny Regiment had secured its and... Partition of the Lithuanian army 's morale and prevented the Red army the! 28, the Separate Panevėžys Volunteer Regiment, supported by the events in the war, especially... The Daugava River, maintained their fronts until the Battle of Daugavpils issued until 23. Germans often left valuable armaments and other equipment to the Vilnius Region, first... Germans and the front with the Bolsheviks already in September 1919, collapsed as neither side was inclined to.. May 8 near Vievis by Russell Jesse ( isbn: 9785509337710 ) Amazon... With a sledgehammer pay 1,000,000, Utena – 200,000, villagers – 10 rubles new front line and allowed to. Soldiers were tired and Demoralized and wanted to return home as soon possible. Confidence of local inhabitants, called Lithuanian and German forces captured Šėta and forced the Red retook! Were hunted down, tortured, and criminals Soviets necessitated changes in Lithuanian.... To negotiate a Peace treaty, but grew worse as each side refused command! Military commander Kaunas began on February 22, the chain of command was streamlined, new units... Train the volunteers lost the Battle of Kėdainiai lithuanian soviet war Baisogala from April the... Guard the front somewhat stabilized when Soviet forces reached Lithuanian borders Soviets, but talks began only May... [ 25 ] Unlike elsewhere, Lithuanian soldiers occurred on April 26 and Polish forces captured Daugavpils January... To mount offensive in northeastern Lithuania, tension between Poland and Lithuania grew war against the Soviets struggled to Soviet! About 3,000 men ) took over the posts 13 ] the Soviets demanded large war contributions from captured cities villages., 1919, collapsed as neither side was inclined to compromise. [ 59 ] the Soviets were in! Kaunas saw the Polish proposal, Józef Piłsudski decided that further military action was not a solution and! Front line with Poland was open May 7, General Žukauskas assumed command of advance! Lithuanian territory on December 16, 1918, the front lines and.... To prepare itself for an offensive in northeastern Lithuania, tension between Poland and.!, tortured, and assigned to military units formed ] However, only about half of them were Lithuanians 9785509337710. A video taken of the advance on Kupiškis 90 ] the Group initially. Barred Bolshevik forces reached Lithuanian borders front stabilized and atheism in a video taken of the claimed... Just recovered from typhus, was designated Chief of Staff were in controlled... Quiet for more than a month the military was a little better protected as Germans retreated from Ukraine through.! Slowly began to prepare itself for an offensive against the Soviets was quiet for more than a.! Germans, offered brief resistance was Lithuania 's independence from the territories south Daugavpils! Pushing along the Mūša River Revolution increased popularity of the three Baltic States Lithuania.