Lithuanian–Soviet War

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Lithuanian–Soviet War
date=December 1918 – August 1919
partof = Lithuanian Wars of Independence
Soviet westward offensive of 1918–1919
place=Lithuania


caption=Soviet prisoners of war in a Lithuanian camp. As of December 1, 1919 Lithuanians held 1,773 Soviet soldiers. [Lesčius, p. 173]
casus=
territory=
result=Bolshevik forces driven out
combatant1=flag|Lithuania
flag|Weimar Republic|name=Saxon Volunteers
combatant2=flag|Russian SFSR|1918
commander1=
commander2=
strength1=flagicon|Lithuania 8,000 Lithuanians in August 1919
flagicon|Germany|Weimar 10,000 Germanslt icon cite book | last=Skirius | first=Juozas | title=Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės | url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ | accessdate=2008-08-26 | year=2002 | publisher=Elektroninės leidybos namai | location=Vilnius | isbn=9986-9216-9-4 | chapter=Nepriklausomybės kovos 1918–1920 metais | chapterurl=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/?id=1017]
strength2=flagicon|Russian SFSR|1918 18,000–20,000
casualties1=
casualties2=The Lithuanian–Soviet War or Lithuanian–Bolshevik War ( _lt. karas su bolševikais) was fought between newly independent Lithuania and the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic in the aftermath of World War I. It was part of the larger Soviet westward offensive of 1918–1919. 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. [cite book| first=Norman |last=Davies |title=Europe: A History | publisher=HarperPerennial |year=1998 |isbn=0-06-097468-0 |pages=934 ] By the end of December 1918 Soviet forces reached Lithuanian borders. Largely unopposed, they took one town after another and by the end of January 1919 controlled about ⅔ of the Lithuanian territory. In February the Soviet advance was stopped by Lithuanian and German volunteers, who prevented the Soviets from capturing Kaunas, the temporary capital of Lithuania. From April 1919 the Lithuanian war went parallel with the Polish–Soviet War. Poland had territorial claims over Lithuania, especially the Vilnius Region, and these tensions spilled over into the Polish–Lithuanian War. Historian Norman Davies summarized the situation: "the German army was supporting the Lithuanian nationalists, the Soviets were supporting the Lithuanian communists and the Polish Army was fighting them all." [cite book|title=God's Playground: A History of Poland |volume=II |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8ODKUkNYqxsC&pg=PA506&num=100&as_brr=3&sig=ACfU3U1gqLUwOzRaMGCn371ibSAF6-lGPQ | first= Norman |last=Davies |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=1982 |isbn=0231053533 |pages=506] In mid-May the Lithuanian army, now commanded by General Silvestras Žukauskas, began an offensive against the Soviets in northeastern Lithuania. By mid-June the Lithuanians reached the Latvian border and cornered the Soviets among lakes and hills near Zarasai, where the Soviets held out until the end of August 1919. The Soviets and Lithuanians, separated by the Daugava River, maintained their fronts until the Battle of Daugavpils in January 1920. Already in September 1919 the Soviets offered to negotiate a peace treaty, but talks began only in May 1920. The Soviet–Lithuanian Peace Treaty was signed on July 12, 1920. Soviet Russia fully recognized independent Lithuania.

Background

Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire since the partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795. During World War I Lithuania was occupied by Germany and made part of Ober Ost. On February 18, 1918 the Council of Lithuania declared independence from both Germany and Russia. Three weeks later, the Bolsheviks, engulfed in the Russian Civil War, signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and renounced Russian claims to Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland. However, the Council was allowed only minimal activity and could not establish the proclaimed independence. [Eidintas, p. 30] That changed when Germany lost the war and signed the Compiègne Armistice on November 11, 1918. Lithuania started organizing basic institutions, including the first government led by Augustinas Voldemaras.

On November 13, 1919, the Soviet Russian government renounced the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which had assured Lithuania's independence.cite book|title=Transformation in Russia and International Law |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=_Y1ITouKQooC&pg=PA52&num=100&as_brr=3&sig=ACfU3U3wj3s9VwU4WSeZCjVfo6CZIroLIw |first=Tarja |last=Langstrom |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers |year=2003 |isbn=9004137548 |pages=52] The Bolsheviks followed retreating German troops and attacked Lithuania from the east trying to prevent its independence. They attempted to spread the global proletarian revolution and sought to establish Soviet republics in the region. By the end of December 1918 Bolshevik forces reached Lithuania. They saw Baltic states as a berrier or a bridge into the Western Europe, where their could join the German and the Hungarian Revolutions.

Opposing sides

Lithuanian government

Augustinas Voldemaras, the first Prime Minister of Lithuania, did not believe that forming the military was a priority and advocated Lithuanian neutrality.lt icon cite book |title=Lietuvos istorija 11–12 klasėms | first=Rūstis |last=Kamuntavičius |coauthors=Vaida Kamuntavičienė, Remigijus Civinskas, Kastytis Antanaitis |year=2001 |publisher=Vaga |location=Vilnius |isbn=5-415-01502-7 |pages=352–354] He trusted that German mercenaries would protect Lithuania until the upcoming Paris Peace Conference could establish peace. [Lesčius, p. 22] Residents organized local self-defense units to defend themselves from retreating Germans. The first laws regarding the army were not issued until November 23. Some Lithuanians, who had served in the Russian army during the World War, returned to Lithuania and started organizing battalions in Kaunas, Hrodna, Alytus. They lacked guns, ammunition, and officers. Mobilization of officers was announced on January 25; about 400 people responded.

At the end of December, with the Bolsheviks already in the country, Lithuania was left leaderless. Voldemaras, Antanas Smetona, Chairman of the Council of Lithuania, and Martynas Yčas, Minister of Finance, departed for Germany to ask for financial assistance. General Kiprijonas Kundratavičius, Vice Minister of Defense, suggested a retreat to Hrodna and refused to command the Lithuanian defense. The first Cabinet of Ministers resigned on December 26, 1918. Mykolas Sleževičius stepped in and organized a new government. On December 29, he issued the first mass appeal in four languages calling for volunteers for the Lithuanian Army.lt icon cite journal |url=http://www.xxiamzius.lt/numeriai/2004/11/24/isving_01.html|title=Lietuvos laisvės kovos 1919-1923 metais |first=Kazys |last=Blaževičius |date=2004-11-24 | issue=1291 |volume=88 |journal=XXI amžius] Sleževičius government adopted new policy on land reform, which could be summarized in a slogan "land for those who cultivate it."lt icon cite book| title=Lietuvos Respublikos prezidentai |editor=Antanas Drilinga |publisher=Valstybės leidybos centras |location=Vilnius |year=1995 |pages=52–53| isbn=9986-09-055-5] It meant the land would be taken from large landowners and redistributed first to the volunteers for free and then to small peasants for a fee.

axon Volunteers

In Berlin Smetona and Yčas signed a loan agreement with Germany for 100 million marks. The money was used primarily to build and supply the army. They further negotiated direct German support in the war against the Soviets. The Compiègne Armistice required the Germans to protect Lithuania from possible Soviet attacks. At first they tried to organize volunteers from the retreating soldiers of the 10th German Army, commanded by General Erich von Falkenhayn. However, the soldiers were tired and demoralized and wanted to return home as soon as possible.cite journal| title=National Communism and World Revolution: The Political Consequences of German Military Withdrawal from the Baltic Area in 1918–19 | first=James D. |last=White |journal=Europe–Asia Studies |issue=46 |volume=8 |year=1994 |issn=0966-8136 |pages=1359–1365] Recruitment continued in Germany, especially in Saxony. The volunteers were paid 30 marks per month plus 5 marks per day and had to sign up for three months.Lesčius, p. 40] The first Saxon Volunteers, as they became known, arrived to Kaunas at the beginning of January, but quite a few of them were judged unfit for duty and sent back. By the end of January, German volunteers numbered 4,000. They were not very reliable as the German Revolution increased popularity of the Spartacist League and Soviet causes. There were several attempts at a coup against the Lithuanian government. These volunteers were stationed in and around Kaunas: Alytus, Jonava, Kėdainiai, Baisogala.

At first they were organized into the 46th Saxon Volunteer Division. On February 22, Lieutenant-General Walter von Eberhardt became its commander. In April–May German forces were reorganized into the South Lithuania Volunteer Brigade composed of three regiments (18th, 19th, and 20th) and a separate battalion in Raseiniai. 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. The West Russian Volunteer Army, led by General Rüdiger von der Goltz, organized a coup against Latvian government and captured Riga. On May 23, the Paris Peace Conference reacting to these events asked Germany to withdraw its troops from both Latvia and Lithuania as soon as local forces could defend themselves. The last Saxon Volunteers left Lithuania in mid-July.

oviet government

On December 8, 1918, a temporary revolutionary government, chaired by Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas, was formed solely from members of the Communist Party of Lithuania. On December 16, 1918, the revolutionary government declared establishment of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic. Between December 31, 1918 and January 1, 1919, the German garrison withdrew from Vilnius and passed authority over the city to a local Polish committee, against the pleas of the Lithuanian administration. Polish self-defense units made up of local inhabitants, called Lithuanian and Belarusian Self-Defence, took over the posts. The Lithuanian government withdrew to Kaunas, the temporary capital of Lithuania.cite book| title=The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569–1999 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=xSpEynLxJ1MC&pg=PA63&sig=ACfU3U2H_nQ_8H2AF0TrftErYmJzAE1XSw#PPA62,M1 |first=Timothy |last=Snyder |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2004 |isbn=030010586X |pages=62–63] On January 5, 1919 Vilnius was taken by the the Soviets after a five-day fight with Polish paramilitary platoons led by general Władysław Wejtko. Kapsukas and his government arrived in Vilnius from Daugavpils on January 7. [Lesčius, p. 32] On February 27, the Lithuanian SSR was incorporated into the Lithuanian–Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic or Litbel.

In the occupied territory the Soviets created revolutionary committees and soviets based on structures developed in Russia. Unlike elsewhere, Lithuanian communist organizations were young and had not yet developed a network of supporting local councils.cite book| title=The Baltic States: The Years of Independence |first=Georg von |last=Rauch |year=1970 |publisher=University of California Press| isbn=0-520-02600-4 |pages=51] They nationalized commercial institutions and large estates. The land was to be used for collective farming instead of being redistributed to small farmers. The Soviet propagated internationalism and atheism in a country of staunch Catholics and determined nationalists. Soviets were supported by the industrial working class, but it was too small in Lithuania. The Soviets demanded large war contributions from captured cities and villages. For example, Panevėžys was required to pay 1,000,000, Utena – 200,000, villagers – 10 rubles. [Lesčius, p. 34] Such policies alienated local population and contributed to the eventual defeat of the Soviets. For example, in February Kapsukas sent a telegram to Moscow arguing that conscription of local Lithuanians to the Red Army would only encourage Lithuanians to volunteer for the Lithuanian army.

oviet advance

oviet military gains

Soviet troops (about 18,000–20,000 menlt icon cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia=Lietuvių enciklopedija | title=Lietuvos kariuomenė (1918–1944) |first=Kazys |last=Ališauskas | location=Boston, Massachusetts | publisher=Lietuvių enciklopedijos leidykla |year=1953–1966 |volume=XV |pages=94–99 |id=LCC|55020366 ] ) approached the Lithuanian territory on December 12, 1918. Three divisions were employed: Pskov division (later renamed Lithuanian Division), International Division (later renamed 2nd Latvian Riflemen Division; 39th, 41st, 47th, and 60th Regiments), and 17th Division (later renamed Western Division; 5th Vilnius Regiment). [Lesčius, p. 34] The divisions did not have a common military commander.lt icon cite journal| url=http://aidai.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=843&Itemid=124 |first=Stasys |last=Raštikis |authorlink=Stasys Raštikis |title=Kovos dėl Lietuvos nepriklausomybės 1918–1919 |date=February 1973 |volume=2 |pages=88–91 |journal=Aidai |issn=0002-208X] Later more units were sent from Russia. Soviet soldiers were poorly supplied and had to support themselves by requisitioning food, horses, and clothes from local residents.Eidintas, p. 36] Lithuania could not offer serious resistance as at the time its army consisted only of about 3,000 untrained volunteers. Only local partisans, armed with weapons acquired from retreating Germans, offered brief resistance.

Russian forces captured one town after another: Zarasai and Švenčionys (Dec. 22), Utena (Dec. 23), Rokiškis (Dec. 27), Vilnius (Jan. 5), Ukmergė and Panevėžys (Jan. 9), Šiauliai (Jan. 15), Telšiai (Jan. 25). That accounted for about ⅔ of Lithuanian territory. The front somewhat stabilized when Soviet forces were stopped near the Venta River by Latvian and German units (Baltische Landeswehr). Also Germans slowed down withdrawal of their troops after the Spartacist uprising was subdued on January 12. Southern Lithuania was a little better protected as Germans retreated from Ukraine through Hrodna. To prevent fights between retreating Germans and Russians, the Soviets and Germans signed a treaty on January 18. The treaty drew a temporary demarcation line that went through Daugai, Stakliškės, and 10 km east of Kaišiadorys–Jonava–Kėdainiai railway. That barred Bolshevik forces from directly attacking Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city. The Red Army would need to encircle Kaunas and attack through Alytus or Kėdainiai. The operation to take Kaunas began on February 7.

Encirclement of Kaunas

Kėdainiai was attacked by the 2nd Riflemen Regiment of Lithuanian (former Pskov) Division (about 1,000 men). Lithuanian forces from Panevėžys, commanded by Jonas Variakojis, and from Kėdainiai numbered only about 200 men. Lithuanians withstood Red Army advance near Kėdainiai and with German support repelled it. On February 8, during the course of a reconnaissance mission, Povilas Lukšys became the first Lithuanian soldier to die in the war. [lt icon cite web| url=http://www.kam.lt/index.php/lt/123714/ |title=Minima pirmoji Lietuvos nepriklausomybės kovų pergalė |date=2007-02-09 |publisher=Ministry of National Defence |accessdate=2008-08-25] On February 10, joint Lithuanian and German forces captured Šėta and forced the Red Army to retreat. The success of this operation lifted the Lithuanian army's morale and prevented Russians from encircling Kaunas from the north.

On February 9, Soviet 7th Riflemen Regiment (900 men) took over Jieznas, south of Kaunas.Lesčius, p. 47] The following day Lithuanian forces (300 men) from Prienai and Kaunas attacked before Russians could consolidate their position, but were betrayed by their Russian commander and suffered a defeat: 18 Lithuanians were killed and 33 were taken prisoners. Lithuanians retreated, were reinforced by new Lithuanian and Saxon Volunteers, attacked again, and took Jieznas on February 13. [Lesčius, p. 49–50] The Soviets continued to push for Kaunas. The 3rd and 4th Riflemen Regiments (about 2,000 men) attacked Alytus on February 12. Germans did not engage in battle and retreated; not yet fully formed Lithuanian 1st Infantry Regiment could not withstand pressure from the Red Army and had to retreat towards Marijampolė and Prienai. [Lesčius, p. 54–57] Antanas Juozapavičius, the first Lithuanian officer to die in the wars, was killed during this battle. On the night of February 14–15, German forces and one company of the Lithuanians returned to Alytus and retook the city.Lesčius, p. 60] Kaunas was defended and the front stabilized for a while. Soviets were ordered to abandon the offensive and maintain defensive position. [Lesčius, p. 79] This break allowed Lithuanians to better organize and train the volunteers.

Counterattacks

German offensive

Northern Lithuania (Samogitia) was overtaken by the Soviet International Division (about 3,000 men). Its objective was to reach the Baltic Sea and cut off German supplies to Latvians in their war against the Soviets. [Lesčius, p. 70] Local communists were more active in northern Lithuania as the shortest route for Russian prisoners to return to Russia was through Samogitia. [Lesčius, p. 33] Their biggest achievement was formation of a 1,000-man Samogitian Regiment, commanded by Feliksas Baltušis-Žemaitis, in the city of Šiauliai. The regiment included Russian POWs, German deserters, and criminals.Lesčius, p. 36] There were no units of regular Lithuanian army in Samogitia except for partisans in Skuodas, rallied by Povilas Plechavičius and his brother Aleksandras, and in Joniškėlis.

The movement of the Bolsheviks towards East Prussia worried Germany, and they sent volunteers (Brigade Shaulen) commanded by General Rudiger von der Goltz to free the railroad line linking Liepaja, Mažeikiai, Radviliškis, and Kėdainiai. [Lesčius, p. 71] It was part of a larger counter-offensive in Latvia.cite book| title=The Baltic States: The Years of Independence |first=Georg von |last=Rauch |year=1970 |publisher=University of California Press| isbn=0-520-02600-4 |pages=60–63] At the end of February the Lithuanian partisans, supported by German artillery, took Mažeikiai and Seda, and pursued Bolsheviks to Kuršėnai. On February 27, 1919, German volunteers supported by Plechavičius' partisans and Joniškėlis' partisans, defeated the Samogitian Regiment in a battle near Luokė. The regiment disbanded. Before mid-March the Germans took Kuršėnai, Šiauliai, Radviliškis, Šeduva, Joniškis and stopped. [Lesčius, p. 72] On few occasions they were aided by Lithuanian partisans and regular units. Joniškėlis' partisans continued to guard the front along the Mūša River. They were later incorporated into regular Lithuanian military. [Lesčius, p. 78]

Lithuanian preparations

As the Soviet forces were stopped, Lithuanian army slowly began to prepare itself for an offensive. After the Battle of Kėdainiai, Panevėžys volunteer regiment had secured its positions and grew in strength. [Lesčius, p. 62] Between mid-February and end of March it carried out small "expeditions" into nearby towns. Their main purpose was to demoralize the enemy forces and boost confidence of local residents and Lithuanian volunteers. [Lesčius, p. 63] As a reward for its successful operations, the volunteer regiment was given a name on March 22: the Separate Panevėžys Battalion ( _lt. Panevėžio atskirasis batalionas). [Lesčius, p. 64] Demoralization campaign was successful: the Bolshevik forces stationed in Panevėžys and Kupiškis rebelled, and were quelled only by a Red Army Division from neighboring Latvia. [Lesčius, p. 66] The Bolshevik morale underwent deeper declines, and between March 19 and March 24 their forces left Panevėžys. Lithuanian forces entered the city on March 26, but the Red Army retook it on April 4. [Lesčius, p. 66, 69]

The lul between Soviet attacks was used to strengthen and organize the army. On March 5, Lithuanians announced mobilization of men born 1887–1889. Lithuanian forces rapidly increased their numbers. By May 3 the official headcount reached 440 officers and 10,729 privates.Lesčius, p. 91] However, only about half of them were properly trained, armed, and assigned to military units. In February–April Lithuanian soldiers were actively undergoing training, the chain of command was streamlined, new military units formed. Lithuania also received new shipments of arms and munitions. Soldiers received first uniforms.

The first organized Lithuanian offensive was carried out between April 3 and April 8, 1919. Lithuanians decided to take advantage of large Polish attacks against the Soviets in Hrodna area in order to test enemy strength and capture Vilnius. The southern group, formed on the basis of the 1st Riflemen Regiment and led by Kazys Ladiga, was to attack from Alytus along Daugai–Valkininkai line.Lesčius, p. 80–81] The northern group, formed on the basis on the 2nd Riflemen Regiment and led by Juozas Butkus, was to attack from Kaišiadorys along Žasliai–Vievis line. Germans did not participate. Both regiments were initially successful, but Soviets gathered their forces and stopped the advance. As Lithuanian flanks were not defended, they decided to abandon to offensive. Soviets also accused Germans of violating the demarcation line set on January 18 and pressured them to retreat.

Polish offensive

Poland started an offensive against the Soviets in March 1919. They pushed east and north, entering Vilnius Region, the territory claimed by Lithuanians. Between April 19 and 21, Poles captured Vilnius during the Vilna offensive and by May secured their positions. The Polish army forced Soviets to withdraw their left wing from territories south of the Neris River. Polish advance significantly shortened the Lithuanian–Soviet front line and allowed Lithuania to concentrate its forces for operations in northeastern Lithuania. [Lesčius, p. 90] However, it also meant that a new front line with Poland was open. At first, both Poles and Lithuanians cooperated against the Soviets, but soon the cooperation gave way to increasing hostility.Łossowski, p. 47] The first clashes between Polish and Lithuanian soldiers occurred on April 26 and May 8 near Vievis. [Lesčius, p. 252]

Poland did not recognize Lithuania, as its Chief of State Józef Piłsudski wanted a union with Lithuania in hopes to revive the old Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (see Międzymorze federation).cite book| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=fecMC0LXU-sC&pg=PA7&as_brr=3&sig=ACfU3U36vWeW-lf6zet0VSTTCW43cwq-sQ |title=Lithuania: Stepping Westward |first=Thomas |last=Lane |publisher=Routledge |year=2001 |isbn=0415267315 |pages=7–8] Poland justified its actions not only as part of a military campaign against the Soviets but also as the right of self-determination of local Poles, who formed a significant minority in eastern Lithuania.Eidintas, p. 71–72] Lithuanians claimed Vilnius as their historical capital and opposed to any federation with Poland, desiring an independent national Lithuanian state. The Lithuanian government in Kaunas saw the Polish presence in Vilnius as occupation. In addition to the Vilnius Region, the nearby Suwałki Region was also disputed. The Polish–Lithuanian relations were not immediately hostile, but grew worse as each side refused to compromise.

Lithuanian offensive

Polish advances against the Soviets necessitated changes in Lithuanian strategy. On April 26, General Silvestras Žukauskas, who just recovered from typhus, was designated Chief of Staff. He decided to mount offensive in northeastern Lithuania. The first objective was to take over Ukmergė. On May 3, the Separate Panevėžys Volunteer Regiment, supported by the 18th Regiment of Saxon Volunteers, had secured the town. The operation was risky as for a while Kėdainiai was unprotected opening a path to Kaunas, but also very successful: some 500 Soviets were taken prisoner and about 50 Poles, captured by the Soviets in the battles near Vilnius, were liberated and returned to Poland. [Lesčius, p. 94] On May 7 Lithuanians entered Širvintos, where they found Polish troops. Lithuanians and Poles mounted a joint operation to take Giedraičiai on May 9.lt icon cite web| url=http://www.bernardinai.lt/index.php?url=articles/57787 | title=Laisvės kryžkelės. 1918–1920 m. laisvės kovos |date=2007-01-29 |first=Ričardas |last=Čekutis |publisher=Bernardinai.lt |coauthors=Dalius Žygelis |accessdate=2008-08-25]

The Lithuanian army's chain of command was reformed. On May 7, General Žukauskas assumed command of the entire Lithuanian army and initiated a complete reorganization of Lithuanian forces into two groups.Lesčius, p. 97–98] The first brigade, stationed in Ukmergė, was called the "Vilkmergė Group" and included a battalion of Saxon Volunteers. Its first commander Kazys Ladiga was ordered to push along the Utena–Zarasai line. The second brigade, called the "Panevėžys Group", was charged with capturing Panevėžys and then pushing along the Kupiškis–Rokiškis–Obeliai line. The group, initially commanded by Jonas Variakojis, was aided by Joniškėlis' partisans from the north. The Ministry of Defense and the Staff were also reorganized.

On May 18 the reorganized army carried out its first operation. The Vilkmergė Group captured Kurkliai and Anykščiai. [Lesčius, p. 106] On May 22, the Group launched an attack on Utena. The initiative was met by a Soviet counterattack, and the Lithuanian forces retreated. Further attacks were stopped for several days to wait for the results of the advance on Kupiškis. The drive towards Utena resumed on May 31, and the city was secured on June 2. The Panevėžys Group launched a drive towards Panevėžys on May 18 and secured the city the following day, but lost it to a Bolshevik counterattack, carried out on May 21. However, Soviets left Panevėžys without a fight two days later. [Lesčius, p. 117] The Group charged towards Kupiškis and secured Subačius. On May 30 Joniškėlis' partisans broke through the Soviet lines and took Rokiškis in Soviet rear; Bolshevik forces, afraid that they will encircled, left Kupiškis on the night of May 30–31, and Lithuania secured that city on June 1. [Lesčius, p. 132]

After the capture of Utena, Saxon Volunteers left the front and by mid-July departed from Lithuania. However, Lithuanian advance continued, and on June 10 Lithuanian forces reached the territory controlled by Latvian partisans (Green Guard) and supplied them with munitions. [Lesčius, p. 133] On June 12, the Soviets counterattacked and Lithuanians were stopped. Another Soviet push came on June 20 and the front stabilized. [Lesčius, p. 136] The Soviets were cornered in a small region around Zarasai. Between July 6 and 12, Lithuanians with some Latvian assistance attempted to drive out the Bolsheviks. The Soviets gathered their forces from calmer fronts and forced Lithuanians to retreat to their former positions.

Polish–Lithuanian conflict

While Lithuanian forces battled the Soviets in northeastern Lithuania, tension between Poland and Lithuania grew. Direct negotiations between May 28 and June 11, 1919 collapsed as neither side was inclined to compromise. [Lesčius, p. 251–252] Trying to prevent a direct military conflict the Allied Supreme Council drew the first demarcation line on June 18, 1919. Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected it as it required the Polish forces to retread up to 30–35 km; Lithuanians were not not content with it as it left Vilnius and Hrodna under Polish control.Łossowski, p. 49–50] As German volunteers were departing from Lithuania (their last units left Kaunas in mid-July), Poland mounted an offensive on 100 km-wide front moving 20–30 km deeper into the Lithuanian territory. [Lesčius, p. 254] Lithuania could not organize an effective defense and the Entente intervened again by drawing the second demarcation line, known as the Foch Line, on July 26, 1919. Two major modifications were made: Suwałki Region was assigned to Poland and the entire line was moved about 7 km west. [Lesčius, p. 254, 257] Lithuanians, Poles, and Germans still present in the Suwałki Region were not content with the line.Łossowski, p. 51] Between July 29 and August 2, Polish troops carried out several attacks against Lithuanians. [Lesčius, p. 258] On August 3, Polish diplomatic mission in Kaunas declared that Poland has no plans to annex Lithuania and proposed a plebiscite in the contested territories, allowing local inhabitants to determine their future.Łossowski, p. 56–57] When the Lithuanian government rejected Polish proposal, Józef Piłsudski decided that further military action is not a solution. Instead, the Lithuanian government itself needs to be replaced by a party more willing to negotiate a compromise.Łossowski, p. 66] The front stabilized, but bilateral relations worsened in the aftermath of the Sejny Uprising (August 23 – September 9) which in turn ruined the attempted coup d'état by the Polish Military Organisation against the Lithuanian government (August 28–29).

Final battles

Due to threat from Poland the front with the Soviets was quiet for more than a month. There were minor incidents involving scouts or outpost guards. [Lesčius, p. 150] Russians used the time to reorganize and strengthen their forces. Russians used natural barriers, like plentiful lakes, rivers, and hills, enhanced with trenches and barbed wires, to secure their position. [Lesčius, p. 152] They also had fortifications built during the World War I about 10 km south of Daugavpils. Soviest had larger forces: Lithuanians had two infantry regiments and five separate battalions; the Soviets had six regiments and one separate battalion. Lithuanians together with Poles planned to push for Daugavpils starting August 9, but the plans were delayed until August 23. [Lesčius, p. 151–152]

The Ukmergė Group attacked first and captured Zarasai on August 25. The Group moved about 30 km into the Soviet-controlled territory, but neither its right or left flanks were adequately protected by Polish units or the Panevėžys Group. [Lesčius, p. 160] Panevėžys Group began its advance on August 26 and Polish troops moved along the railroad towards Turmantas. [Lesčius, p. 164] Lithuanians maneuvered around the old Russian fortifications, forcing Russians to retreat. Converging on Daugavpils, the Lithuanian–Soviet front shortened and Lithuanians were able to concentrate their forces. [Lesčius, p. 169] On August 28, the Soviets began retreating north across the Daugava River. [Lesčius, p. 167] By August 31, on the southern shore of the Daugava the Soviet held only Grīva, a suburb of Daugavpils.

The enemy was driven out from the Lithuanian territory and the narrow front stabilized as Lithuanians and Soviets were separated by the Daugava River. The Lithuanian main forces could be redeployed elsewhere, including protection of the demarcation line with Poland and planned attacks against the Bermontians in northern Lithuania. [Lesčius, p. 173] In September 1919, joint Polish and Latvian forces took the southern shore of Daugava, including Grīva. The Lithuanian–Soviet front remained open until the Battle of Daugavpils when Latvian and Polish forces captured Daugavpils in January 1920. Lithuanians did not participate in these operations. [Lesčius, p. 174] Lithuanians claimed the territory, taken by their soldiers, for themselves despite Latvian protests.lt icon cite journal|url=http://vddb-dt.library.lt/fedora/get/LT-eLABa-0001:J.04~2006~ISSN_1392-6489.V_21.PG_41-66/DS.002.0.01.ARTIC |title=Lietuvos kariuomenė Ilūkstės apskrityje 1919–1920 metais |first=Ēriks |last=Jēkabsons |journal=Karo archyvas |volume=XXI |issn=1392-6489 |pages=41–64|year=2006] This led to several skirmishes between Latvian and Lithuanian troops, but the border issue was successfully mediated by Britain and finally resolved in March 1921.

Peace treaty

The first Lithuanian–Russian attempt at negotiations took place on September 11 1919, after the People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs of Soviet Russia, Georgy Chicherin, sent a note with a proposal for a peace treaty. However, Lithuanian delayed the talks as it feared that negotiations with communist Russia, which was isolated from European politics, would damage its relationships with the western powers that had not yet recognized Lithuania.lt icon cite book | last=Skirius | first=Juozas | title=Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės | url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ | accessdate=2008-03-30 | year=2002 | publisher=Elektroninės leidybos namai | location=Vilnius | isbn=9986-9216-9-4 | chapter=Lietuvos–Rusijos Sovietų Federacinės Socialistinės Respublikos taikos sutartis | chapterurl=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/?id=1018] The talks began only in May 1920 and were highly influenced by the events in the Polish–Soviet War. The treaty was signed on June 12, 1920, when Soviet army was already withing the territory assigned to Lithuania. [lt icon cite book |last= Čepėnas |first= Pranas |authorlink= Pranas Čepėnas | title=Naujųjų laikų Lietuvos istorija |volume= II |year= 1986 |publisher= Dr. Griniaus fondas | location= Chicago |isbn= 5-899570121 |pages= 355–359] Russia recognized Lithuania's independence and its right to the Vilnius Region; in exchange Lithuania granted Soviet forces unrestricted movement during the war against Poland. This compromised Lithuania's declared neutrality and further deepened the Polish–Lithuanian crisis.Eidintas, p. 70]

On July 14, 1920 the Soviets captured Vilnius, but did not transfer the city to Lithuanian administration, as agreed in the treaty. Instead Soviets planned a coup to overthrow Lithuanian government and establish a Soviet republic. However, Soviets lost the Battle of Warsaw and were pushed back by the Poles. Some historians credit this victory for saving Lithuania's independence from the Soviet coup. [cite journal| first=Alfred Erich |last=Senn |authorlink=Alfred Erich Senn |title=The Formation of the Lithuanian Foreign Office, 1918–1921| journal=Slavic Review | issue=21 |volume=3 |date=September 1962 |issn=0037-6779 | pages=500–507] On August 26, Russians left Vilnius and Lithuanians prepared to defend their borders as they were drawn in the treaty. This led to further hostilities with Poland as it did not recognize the treaty. Eventually Lithuania lost the Vilnius Region during the Żeligowski's Mutiny. When mediation at League of Nations failed to change the situation, Lithuania and Poland were suspended in the state of "no war, no peace" until the Polish ultimatum of 1938. [cite journal |first=Michael |last=MacQueen |title=The Context of Mass Destruction: Agents and Prerequisites of the Holocaust in Lithuania |journal= Holocaust and Genocide Studies |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=27–48 |year=1998 |url= http://hgs.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/12/1/27 |doi=10.1093/hgs/12.1.27] During all this time Soviet Russia was Lithuania's strongest ally against Poland. [Eidintas, p. 109, 156]

Notes

References

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* cite book| first=Vytautas |last=Lesčius |url=http://www.kam.lt/EasyAdmin/sys/files/LIETUVOS_KARIUOMENE_1.pdf | title=Lietuvos kariuomenė nepriklausomybės kovose 1918–1920 |year=2004 |location=Vilnius |publisher=General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania |series=Lietuvos kariuomenės istorija | isbn=9955-423-23-4
* cite book | first=Piotr |last=Łossowski |title =Stosunki polsko-litewskie w latach 1918-1920 |year=1966 | publisher =Książka i Wiedza |location=Warsaw |oclc=9200888