JUNE 2020. NO 6 (25).

NEWS

GRATITUDE EXPRESSED TO OUTGOING U.S. ROTATION

SCANDAL-RIDDEN UKROBORONPROM SEEKS Fake news operations FRESH START IN TIES WITH WESTERN ARMS MAKERS aimed at discrediting allies NATO'S PRESENCE nalysts of the Strategic Communi- Lt Gen Christopher G. Cavoli. cation Department of the Lithua- analytical staff EVERT-JAN DANIELS: nian Armed Forces caught sight of also underscore that even as the situation "I AM NOT ONLY A CAPTAIN" Aa complex false information operations that concerning the COVID-19 pandemic is unfolded in several phases aiming to discredit normalising, there are still attempts to use 's strategic ally, specifically, U.S. it for misguiding people and spreading dis- Amy Europe last week, May 22-28. information. 58 information incidents were Representatives of the Lithuanian Armed identified over the past week, over 60% of Forces inform that the hostile information which were in Russian. In total, 1335 infor- operation began immediately after the 13 mation incidents of different types concern- May 2020 press release from the U.S. Army ing COVID-19 were seen in virtual space in Europe concerning DEFENDER EUROPE Lithuanian, Russian, English, and French, 20 Plus international exercise being renewed from February 1 through May 28. in part of Europe, including . National defence, NATO and Lithuania's The operation was carried out in two allies are the other perennial targets of dis- phases. Two fake news articles were pub- information. The perpetrators seek to fuel SPECIAL lished during phase 1 on May 13 and 27. negativity in the Lithuanian public towards They presented a counterfeit "view" of the Armed Forces and defence financing, POLISH-LITHUANIAN Christopher G. Cavoli, U.S Army Europe, blame the European Union with "provok- USAREUR Commanding General, and ing" civil unrest in , and the union 1863–1864 INSURRECTION Col Patrick O'Neal, Commander of the U.S. itself is said to lack completely in solidarity, AGAINST THE RUSSIAN TSAR Army 2nd Brigade Combat Team allegedly ability to tackle the challenges caused by the stating the and Poland were COVID-19 pandemic, and is on the verge of not capable of training in such exercise. The falling apart. second phase of the fake news operation un- U.S. and Western European media is also folded on May 27: falsified e-mail letters pre- blamed for "spreading" disinformation about tending to have been sent by the Baltic News the COVID-19 situation in Russia. The West Service media organisation and the Minister is falsely claimed to wage an information at- of National Defence of Poland were sent to tack against Russia and use the pandemic the Media, other countries, and internatio- to internationally discredit both, Russia and nal organisations. The letters included links China. to fake news articles and the "senders'" nega- Information by the Strategic Information tive evaluation of the fake statements from Department, Lithuanian Armed Forces News

Content NEWS

FAKE NEWS OPERATIONS AIMED AT DISCREDITING ALLIES...... 1

NEW RAILHEAD WILL MAKE DEPLOYMENT OF NATO EQUIPMENT MORE CONVENIENT...... 2

GRATITUDE EXPRESSED New railhead will make TO OUTGOING deployment of NATO U.S. ROTATION...... 3 equipment more convenient SCANDAL-RIDDEN UKROBORONPROM SEEKS FRESH START IN TIES WITH WESTERN new railhead of Pabradė-Pažeimenė railway line of national importance has been completed in May, it will improve condi- ARMS MAKERS...... 4,5 tions for deploying military vehicles and equipment of NATO allies to the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area of the Lithua- nian Armed Forces near Pabradė (Švenčionys region, Eastern part of IN SHORT Lithuania). On May 29 the newly opened transportation capability was LITHUANIA MARKS tested out by the outgoing U.S. rotation deploying home from Lithuania. Part of the railway infrastructure in the 51st kilometre of the Naujoji DAY OF MOURNING AND HOPE Vilnia–Turmantas–Latvian border line was refurbished, roughly a kilo- ON JUNE 14...... 6 metre worth of a new section was railed, new electricity, communica- tions, signal, and traffic control systems were installed as a result of the completed constructions. NATO'S PRESENCE "This is a strategic project for our country, it will significantly facili- tate deployment of allied troops and equipment to Lithuania and create EVERT-JAN DANIELS: better conditions for the constant military movement between the train- ing areas in and Pabradė. Swift and effective deployment of allied "I AM NOT ONLY A CAPTAIN"...... 8 forces to the territory of Lithuania strengthens our security, therefore improvement of military mobility and support rendered by Lithuania as SPECIAL the host nation remains among the top priorities of the national defence system," Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis says. POLISH-LITHUANIAN 1863–1864 Minister also underlined the close cooperation between the Lithua- INSURRECTION AGAINST THE nian and the U.S. forces. "U.S. military presence in Lithuania is our strongest security assurance. The Lithuanian Armed Forces is improv- RUSSIAN TSAR...... 16 ing training area and military mobility infrastructure with the intent to create conditions for allied forces to deploy and train in Lithuania," the Minister said. "Lithuania has been a kind and generous host to the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, th9 U.S. Cavalry Regiment, and for that we are grateful. Our combined training exercises over the recent months have demons- Military Press Office of Lithuanian Armed Forces Totorių str. 25, LT-01121, ; trated beyond doubt that we are strong partners and we are ready and Phone (370 5) 210 3897, GSM (370 6) 86 94458; fax (370 5) 273 5550; able to defend. This railhead will further enhance military mobility Email [email protected] within Lithuania, facilitate future troop movements to the Pabrade Publisher — Lithuanian Armed Forces. The opinion of editorial office does not necessarily coin- Training Area, and reduce safety concerns for both troops and Lithua- cide with the opinion of the authors. Pictures, manuscripts are not returned and reviewed. Cir- culation is 300 copies. Printed by the Cartography Center of Lithuanian Military, Muitinės str.4, nian citizens," U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania HE Robert S. Gilchrist , LT-54359 dist. Order GL-244. said at the event. Information: MoD Photo credit: Giedrė Maksimovicz/MoD

2 Lithuanian Military Digest News

Gratitude expressed to outgoing U.S. rotation n May 21 a symbolic farewell and Fighting Vehicles, other vehicles. In its turn, Area in the same month to ask about their liv- decorations ceremony was held at Lithuania ensured full Host Nation Support — ing conditions, support received from Lithu- the General Silvestras Žukauskas accommodation, logistical support, access to ania, their needs and combat training plans. OTraining Area (Pabradė region) for the United training area infrastructure. The U.S. troops were conducting combat States rotational force that were deployed in First troops of the rotational force flew in training events and exercises of medium scale, Lithuania for deterrence and training alongside to Lithuania in mid-October last year, their shred professional expertise with Lithuanian Lithuanian colleagues for 8 months. equipment was brought a little later by roads colleagues while in Lithuania. The U.S. sol- 1st Battalion, 9th U.S. Cavalry Regiment (1- and railway. diers were also engaged outside of their base 9th Cav), 1st Cavalry Division, U.S. Army, based Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen Valde- in Lithuania and direct tasks: they helped set- at Fort Hood in Texas was deployed and train- maras Rupšys visited the rotational U.S. force ting up a gym at General Povilas Plechavičius ing in Lithuania from October 2019 to spring at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Cadet Lyceum School and gladly attended of this year. community events a number of "I thank and I express my re- times. spect to the soldiers of the United U.S. Army soldiers have been States of America for the experi- rotating into the Baltic States and ence they have shared with us and Eastern Europe since spring 2014 as I wish you a safe return home, part of the U.S. Army Operation At- enjoy the travel and stay healthy," lantic Resolve in the eastern part of Commander of the Lithuanian the Alliance. It is a demonstration of Armed Forces Logistical Support the U.S. collective defence commit- Command Ramūnas ment to NATO allies in ensuring se- Baronas said at the formal fare- curity after the Russian aggression in well ceremony. . Half a thousand of U.S. troops Prepared on the basis of information deployed to Lithuania with heavy of the Lithuanian Armed Forces equipment — approx. 30 Abrams Photo credits: tanks, over 20 Bradley Infantry Sgt 1st Class Erikas Suchodolskij

June 2020. No 6. 3 News

Scandal-ridden Ukroboronprom seeks fresh start in ties with Western arms makers

f Ukroboronprom is to continue as any- a tainted reputation," Abromavicius said at an President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, inaugu- thing more than a local defense firm, the event hosted by the Atlantic Council. "So it is rated in May 2019, launched an effort to clean Ukrainian conglomerate will need to find very clear that almost no Western company of up the mess, which included appointing Abro- Iindustrial partners abroad, according to direc- any reputation and size is interested in directly mavicius, a former minister of economy and tor general Aivaras Abromavicius. acquiring any assets in the defense sector in trade, to oversee a reorganization of the com- And attracting those foreign investors will Ukraine because of the reputational risks." pany. be nearly impossible without a set of needed That is one of the many reasons Abromavi- Abromavicius, who is pushing a full finan- reforms to the government-owned company, cius is pushing reforms of the company, whose cial audit of the company alongside a potential Abromavicius warned Tuesday — reforms he questionable reputation was further damaged reorg of its business units, stressed that "we acknowledged seem to be stalling out at the by a massive scandal in 2019 involving execu- need to raise governance standards to com- government level. tives receiving kickbacks on parts smuggled in pletely different levels," factoring in increased "Western investors and Western companies from Russia. The scandal rocked Ukrainian po- transparency, if the company is to have any are very sophisticated and they’re very smart. litics, with some arguing it was a major factor in hope of working with nations abroad. And, he You know, Ukroboronprom for years has had the loss of the presidency by Petro Poroshenko. said, Ukroboronprom needs partnerships to

4 Lithuanian Military Digest News

Mriya. China has emerged as a major economic trading partner with Ukraine in the years since cut off relations with Russia. (Antonov falls under the Ukroboronprom umbrella.) Pentagon acquisition head Ellen Lord has warned several times since the COVID-19 pandemic began that the DoD needs to be keeping an eye on both the domestic and fo- reign defense industry, with the expectation China will attempt to use the economic down- turn to its advantage. "Western allies took a backseat, ignored the Ukrainian defense sector, and you know, [the] Chinese stepped in and snapped up the best of the private companies in this sector in Ukraine," said Abromavicius. "So I would urge, obviously, our allies to take a better look at the defense sector which is being reformed right now in Ukraine. And, you know, show us, show more interest in doing things together." While Zelenskiy came into office promising major reforms to the country, activists have ac- cused his government of stalling out on many of the promised efforts. Abromavicius "fully" acknowledged that the reorganization of Uk- survive as anything other than a local, small be, frankly, operating in a predatory manner in roboronprom has slowed recently, saying he concern. the months ahead, and that we allow for that hopes Western officials can "give it a kick" to "The way forward for us is to do joint ven- matchmaking, not just with U.S. firms but with get things moving again, but he expressed his tures," Abromavicius said. "Obviously the way European firms as well to go forward." hope that in the coming weeks there may be forward is just to set up production facilities in While not directly tied to defense matters, legislative action. Turkey, in India, you now, United Arab Emi- Boeing is reportedly considering some sort of "So it is a bit too early to say that we have a rates, whereby our [intellectual property] and team up with Antonov on the cargo side, with full support, because I say that everybody and their financial resources [combine] together to the Ukranians pushing for a formal joint ven- their dog has its own view of what Ukroboron- produce for the domestic and global needs." ture. prom reform should look like," he said. "And I While acknowledging that U.S. firms are re- Beijing, meanwhile, has attempted major think overall, the Defense and Security Com- luctant to work with Ukroboronprom given its inroads in Ukraine, with Chinese aerospace mittee is a strong supporter, Ministry of the history, such a tie-up would be cheap for any firm Skyrizon attempting to purchase a control- Economy is a strong supporter, I believe that of the major American defense companies, said ling stake in engine manufacturer Motor Sich president’s offices as well. And I hope that Min- the Atlantic Council’s Michael Carpenter. And, and the Tianjiao Aviation Industry Investment istry of Defense is on our side" soon, he said. he warned, the American government may Company attempting to purchase a chunk of www.defensenews.com soon have a major geopolitical incentive to try the Antonov facility which produced the An-225 Photo credits: flickr.com and push a Lockheed Martin or Raytheon to work with the Ukrainians. "With the economic chaos that’s being wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, I predict you will see China moving into a lot of count- ries in Eastern Europe and looking to buy up distressed assets at bargain prices, and it’s going to be crucial that when Ukroboronprom looks for outside investors or looks for doing joint ventures, that U.S defense industry is poised to partner, and to invest," Carpenter said. "It’s going to be very important for, I think, the U.S. government also to push our defense industry a little bit to look at this as an oppor- tunity," continued Carpenter. "It’s going to be important from a sort of strategic sense not to allow this industrial base to get snapped up by Chinese or other countries that are going to

June 2020. No 6. 5 In short

Lithuania Marks Day of Mourning and Hope on June 14

IN THE MORNING ON JUNE 14, 1941, NKVD (THE ’S INTERIOR MINISTRY) OFFICERS BEGAN MASS ARRESTS AND DEPORTATIONS OF LITHUANIAN CITIZENS. ONLY IN ONE WEEK MORE THAN 17,000 PEOPLE OF LITHUANIA WERE DEPORTED TO SIBERIA DEEP IN THE SOVIET UNION IN SEALED RAIL CARS. IN 1941 AND 1945–1952 AT LEAST 130,000 PEOPLE WERE DEPORTED — 70% OF THEM WERE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

Thousands of were deported to Siberia in the cattle-trucks, a lot of them died during this inhuman journey.

"ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE" The mass deportations on June 1941 af- Deportations of the civilians served a doub- hen the Soviets occupied Lithua- fected all social strata and all ethnic groups. le purpose: repressing resistance to sovietiza- nia and other Baltic states (Latvia Thousands were torn from their homes and tion policies in Lithuania and providing free and Estonia) in 1940, they took families, lost their property and means of mak- labor in sparsely inhabited areas of the Soviet Wcontrol of political, economic, and cultural life ing a living and sent into the worst sort of liv- Union. Approximately 28,000 of Lithuanian in the three states. They rapidly implemented ing conditions surrounded by alien cultures deportees died in exile due to poor living con- various sovietization policies: nationalization and a hostile environment. The deportees were ditions. After Stalin's death in 1953, the deport- of private enterprises, land reform in prepara- physically exterminated in prisons, camps and ees were slowly and gradually released. The last tion for collectivization, suppression of politi- selected deportation sites. The destruction of deportees were released only in 1963. Some cal, cultural, and religious organizations. Eco- families and deportation to places unfit for 60,000 managed to return to Lithuania, while nomic life was disrupted and standard of living life, directly leading to death, is judged a crime 30,000 were prohibited from settling back in decreased. Political activists and other people against humanity and an example of genocide their homeland. Similar deportations took labeled as "enemy of the people" were arrested by an occupying power against the people of place in Latvia, Estonia, and other parts of the and imprisoned. Lithuania. Soviet. Lithuania observes the annual Mourn-

Lithuanians in Siberia had the worst sort of living conditions and were surrounded by alien cultures and a hostile environment.

6 Lithuanian Military Digest In short

On 28 July, 1989 the first remains of 120 Lithuanian people, who died in Siberia were brought to Kėdainiai military aerodrome by a military aircraft. ing and Hope Day on June 14 in in honor of scendants who still live in these remote regions. in 2018 and 2019 as well, after being denied those deported, who died in exile in Siberia. Once back Lithuania the expedition members visas by the Russian embassy to Lithuania, but make presentations, keeping the memory of they travelled to Kazakhstan instead. RETURN OF THE SIBERIAN EXILES’ the deportations alive and giving other Lithu- REMAINS anians a nuanced view of deportation history. "Lithuanian Military Digest" inf. The first public commemorating event, de- Mission Siberia 2020 was canceled because Photo credits: Andriaus Petrulevičiaus, voted for those, who were deported to Siberia, of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the organizers V. Kapočius, Mission Siberia, The Genocide was organized on June 14, 1989. Thousands of are already preparing for a 2021 expedition. and Resistance Research Centre of Lithuania, people attended it — it was the first time when Mission Siberia teams could not go to Siberia personal archives of Siberian exiles. the Siberian exiles dared to talk about their ex- perience in public. Return of exiles’ remains was on agenda as well: People wanted to bury their relatives in homeland. On 28 July, 1989 the first remains of 120 Lithuanian people, who died in Siberia were brought to Kėdainiai military aerodrome by a military aircraft. Thou- sands of people attended this event.

MISSION SIBERIA In 2005, Lithuanian Youth Council initiated a project Mission Siberia. Since 2006, expedi- tions of Lithuanian young people have trav- elled to 70 locations in Siberia to maintain the cemeteries of the Lithuanian deportees who perished the Soviet prisons and forced-labor camps.) Expedition members also visit with Lithuanian deportation survivors and their de-

Mission Siberia: Young Lithuanians every year make journey to Siberia in order to maintain the cemeteries of the Lithuanian deportees who perished in the Soviet prisons and forced-labor camps.

June 2020. No 6. 7 NATO's presence

Evert-Jan Daniels: "I am not only a Captain" SOMETIMES ONLY ONE SHOT IS ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE A MASTER OF PHOTOGRAPHY. AND THAT’S THE CASE OF CAPT EVERT-JAN DANIELS, THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER OF THE DUTCH CONTINGENT OF THE 7TH ROTATION OF NATO ENHANCED FORWARD PRESENCE BATTLEGROUP. HIS WAR PHOTOGRAPHER’S EXPERIENCE AND PHOTO SHOTS ARE JUST ASTONISHING.

8 Lithuanian Military Digest NATO's presence

or me, being a photographer is a ‘way of life’. This life started when I was studying economy. In that period of Ftime I was working in a camera shop in the cen- tre of The Hague. My brother was playing field hockey on a national level and I started making pictures of his matches, with borrowed equip- ment from the camera shop. Very soon, I reali- zed my study wasn’t really what I had in mind and chose photography as the way I wanted to make my money off. I quit my study and started working full time in the camera shop. In the weekends and spare time, I was working as a photographer. My parents didn’t like this at all, but it was my decision to make (however, years later I did finish my education). I started traveling in the early 90’s to the war in Croatia and later on to Bosnia. They made an impact on me, but I kept going back in a total of four times, each time for a period of six months. I’ve seen a lot. We lost two friends. Sometimes we would be under fire, most of these times it was small arms, but we also had artillery. We went repeatedly, through the lines, from Sarajevo to Pale. Sarajevo was not a nice place in the winter and villages as Vukovar, Mostar and Jajce were also not the friendliest of places. When I finally stopped going back to Croatia and Bosnia, I set myself a goal to work with a newspaper in the Netherlands. Back in Holland I ran into an old friend of mine who was setting up a Reuters home ser- vice. He used to be the chief of Reuters Eastern Europe for photography. He introduced me to several newspapers and one of them gave me a free lance and later on a full-time contract. It was a local newspaper in The Hague and it was an excellent time for me. However, the newspaper was taken over by a bigger company and I decid- ed it was time to move on. At that moment, the national press agency in Holland (ANP) called and offered me a full-time job. I was delighted, took this opportunity and worked for them un- til 2008. I was photographing all kind of things. For example, soccer (competition, UEFA-cup, Champions League), politics, international news, daily news. I needed to work hard, but I had a very good time. I was always there, where the action was. This could be a riot, a political issue, a portrait or whatever the news was at that moment. At ANP we had an excellent team of photographers, who were working hard and making sure they had that ‘different’ picture, which could be published. In 2008 I decided to quit my job at ANP, but I kept working for them on a freelance basis. I was still part of the disaster team (journalists and photographers who could be called upon, when there was a disaster) and photographed a lot of politics.

June 2020. No 6. 9 NATO's presence

10 Lithuanian Military Digest NATO's presence

At that time, I came in contact with the before my basic training started, there was the of places for newspapers and the news agency. Dutch military (who were in Afghanistan). I yearly photography competition in the Nether- In addition, I had a contract with football club travelled to Afghanistan, a total of fifteen times, lands called "De Zilveren Camera" (translated, ADO Den Haag, to provide them with pictures from 2008 till 2014. Sometimes, it was just for The Silver Camera). I had already won a price of each match and every event. During that pe- a couple of days, with a minister or the prime before, but in 2010 I became the overall winner riod, the military found out it was quite handy minister. Sometimes, I needed to stay lon- of the contest, with a political picture and num- to have a photojournalist who was also military ger to visit the troops. On one of those trips I ber one in the serie of national news. It was a trained. therefore, I was asked for numerous was asked, by the Commander of the Armed moment I’ll never forget. Also because, during assignments in Norway, South-Africa, Poland, Forces, to become a reserve officer. I was com- the award winning ceremony, my daughter was Turkey (4 times), Iraq (10 times) and so on, pletely shocked by his question and answered there with me. sometimes as part of the VJTF or NRF. immediately with a ‘no’. A week later, I was in the hands of a team of On July 17th in 2014, flight MH17 was shot Later on, when I was at home, I started drill sergeants and listening very good to them. down over the Donbass area of the Ukraine. thinking about his offer and consulted a friend If I didn’t listen, they would let me do all kind I immediately received a phone call from the of mine, who worked in the army. It was 2010, of things, which they made sure of I didn’t like, press agency ANP, who put me on a ‘notice when I applied as a reserve officer. After my so I better listened very carefully. That same to move’. A few days later they sent me to the physical and mental tests, I was enlisted to the year, I started my officers course at the Royal Ukraine and I had to do my job. First in Char- army and started my basic training. A week Military Academy and I travelled to all kind kov, with the arrival of the human remains.

June 2020. No 6. 11 NATO's presence

Later on, we went to the Donbass region (Do- combat loaded. Due to all the disinformation, tary asked to stay and keep working for them, netsk) to get by the place of the crash. A lot of the aircraft was supposedly shot down by a this time as a communications officer for the my Dutch colleagues were there as well, it was fighter aircraft, we didn’t know what was going army’s Support Command Land. This is the a tremendous catastrophe. In the months to to happen. Fortunately, nothing happened and biggest unit within the Dutch army, 5500 come, I travelled back and forth for the news the Russians left and we made it without any people in a wide variety of specialisms. Rang- agency ANP. In October 2014, the Dutch mili- trouble. ing from engineers, medics, transport to intel tary called me, they asked if I could once again The following month, I was in Mali, which and also the artillery battalion with the Pan- go to Ukraine. Upon arrival in Charkov I no- I started to visit from 2014. I visited the coun- zerhouwitser 2000 NLD (PzH). This was also ticed we would recover the remains of the air- try a total of eleven times, together with the the moment it was decided to send the artil- craft, together with the belongings and human minister of Defense, the minister of Foreign af- lery to Lithuania and we (as communications remains we were still able to find. We brought fairs or just to visit the troops, most likely for department for the Support Command Land) them from the Donbass region to Charkov a period of three to four weeks. Except for the wanted to send one of our own communica- and from there on back to the Netherlands. trip I made in 2017. Once again, the military tion advisors to Lithuania as a public affairs of- We were a team of approximately 20 persons, called me and asked me to go for one month. ficer (PAO). I applied for this function. I enjoy but only four (including me) jumped on the This time as a public affairs officer (PAO). The working in an international environment and train from the area of Donetsk to Charkov. one month turned out to be six months, these I had never been to Lithuania, I was really ex- While waiting to depart to Charkov, fourteen months became very busy. cited to get to know this country. Russians entered the train as well. They were Upon returning home from Mali, the mili- The mission in Lithuania is a very different

12 Lithuanian Military Digest NATO's presence

one from the ones in Mali and Afghanistan. it gave them the opportunity to see Lithuania are doing Live Fire Exercises (LFX) with and Lithuania is one of our partners in both the EU in a completely different perspective and enjoy without other nations, the Germans are train- and NATO. For that reason alone, it is differ- the country together. In the beginning it was all ing with their Leopard 2’s, Croatians with their ent. Besides that, it is not so far away from my very nice, we could go to Vilnius, Kaunas and infantry or Patria’s and the Dutch are doing home. You can go shopping (and yes, I do have other cities in our spare time and drink some Field Training exercises with their PzH’s and a discount card for the Maxima) and enjoy life coffee or eat a snack at a nice terrace, but that soon a large LFX. More trainings are following when there is a day off (although we are not changed due to the Corona crisis. up, which means it will be busy for us as PAO allowed to drink). There is a threat, but it is a Right now, we can’t go outside the bar- branch. We are making sure a lot of photo’s and completely different threat than in Mali, Iraq or racks and have to stay inside the base. Either in films are being made. Afghanistan. On the other hand, cyber is not a Rukla or on the training grounds in Pabrade. After all, I enjoy my time in this country and very big issue in those countries and here we Fortunately, everything is starting to get a little this won’t be the last time I’ve visited Lithua- have to be very carefully by the way we com- bit back to normal and we, as the eFP Battle nia. municate. Several of my comrades had their Group, are ‘up and running’. The last couple partners came over for a weekend to Vilnius, of weeks we have been very busy, Norwegians Photo credits: Capt Evert-Jan Daniels

June 2020. No 6. 13 The discount is applicable only upon presentation of a service National Defence System employees card. (soldiers, civil servants and employees Conditions and applicable discounts may change. working under an employment contract) There are additional conditions. * Expositions are free of charge to the Lithuanian Military Academy Soldiers of the Permanent Mandatory (LMA)** cadets, Permanent Mandatory Initial Military Service (PMIMS) Initial Military Service soldiers serving in the LMA, and soldiers from the Gediminas Headquar- ters Battalion (GHB). Coordinate with the regional Conscription and recruiting service de- Members of the Lithuanian partment.*** Riflemen’s Union Due to a match of the football club "Atlantas" coordinate with the Grand Duke**** Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion's S5 division of the Motorized Infantry Bri- Lithuanian soldiers gade "Samogitia". Due to a match of the basketball club "Neptūnas" coordinate with the National Defence Volunteer Force’s S5 division of the Samogitia district 3rd team. Due to a match of the football club "Sūduva" coordinate with the Lithu- Soldiers of the National Defence Volun- anian Grand Duke Vytenis General Support Logistics Battalion’s S5 division. teer Forces ***** The discount is applicable to persons who serve or have served in the Lithuanian Armed Forces, also to those who are in the prepared personnel NATO soldiers reserve of the Lithuanian Armed Forces (for the entire study period both for the first and second cycle studies). The discount is applicable on February 16, March 11, July 6, and Negotiation issues November****** 23.

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June 2020. No 6. 15 Special Polish-Lithuanian 1863–1864 Insurrection against the Russian tsar

IN 1863–1864 THE AND THE LITHUANIANS ROSE UP IN REVOLT AGAINST THE FORCED INCORPORATION OF THEIR HOMELAND INTO THE CZARIST . NO ONE WAS THE FIGHTING MORE BLOODY, FIERCE, OR PROLONGED THAN IN LITHUANIA.

Artur‘s Grottger‘s painting — The Battle Polonia, 1863 Series.

THE START: STUDENTS‘ MOVEMENT IN and continued their struggle against the hated Russians in the ranks of Napoleon’s Imperial French Army. As n three occasions, the Lithuanian people Napoleon marched through Lithuania during his 1812 rose up against the Russian government Russian Campaign, thousands of Lithuanians joined his that had been imposed upon them after the army, and many continued to fight for him until his final ORussian, Prussian, and Austrian 1795 partition, which defeat at Waterloo. They also rose up again in bloody in- eradicated the old Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth surrections in 1831 and 1863-1864 in vain attempts to from the map of Europe. Immediately following the restore freedom and liberty to Lithuania. partition, Lithuanian and Polish military officers who The 1863–1864 Polish-Lithuanian insurrection refused to accept Russian occupation fled to France began with young Polish and Lithuanian students in

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Insignia of the 1863–1864 Insurrection with Poland’s, Lithuania’s and Ukraine’s coat of arms. 1863 Polish-Lithuanian Insurrection Relic Badge, which was usually worn on a hat — Gaidis Collection.

Warsaw talking of rekindling the failed 1831 ral Committee to provide some type of coor- what could be done about some local irritant. uprising. This student movement soon spread dination to the growing insurrection. Eventu- As their numbers grew, these small groups to the countryside as peasant farmers suffering ally, this committee proclaimed itself to be a expanded and began to unite with other like- under oppressive taxation and military induc- Provisional National Government of Poles and minded individuals in surrounding communi- tion reached their saturation point. At first, the Lithuanians and issued appeals to their Lithua- ties that grew to hate all things Russian. Dur- Czarist police had no problem dealing with nian brothers to take up arms. Their call was ing the early days of the Czarist occupation, isolated student demonstrations or farmers quickly answered by Lithuanian students and many Lithuanian nobles readily accepted Rus- destroying property; but as the number of con- farmers, who immediately formed their own sian rule as a way to preserve their privileged frontations escalated, the police were increas- revolutionary bodies all across Lithuania. status, frequently leading to their alienation ingly forced to call upon the Russian military At first, these formations consisted of only from the local ethnic population. As a result, to help. On January 22, 1863, the dissidents in two or three likeminded students or peas- the people turned away from their traditional Warsaw formed a secret Polish National Cent- ant farmers talking among themselves about leaders and sought guidance from local petty

1863 INSURRECTION ARTIST ARTUR GROTTGER Oddly enough the two most descriptive records of the Lithuanian nia" and "War" were likewise comple- struggle were preserved by an Austrian and a Pole. The Austrian, Arthur ted before the last partisan units were Grottger, produced a series of drawings of events and an anonymous suppressed in Augustove, Sandomi- Pole a detailed written account of his joining Reverend Antanas Macke- erz, and Samogitia. Grottger’s heroes vicius (Mackiewicz) Lithuanian rebels fighting in Samagoita. in the last two series are Lithuanian Aside from art works of universal value there sometimes appear guerillas fighting and dying for their drawings and photographs that have great significance to an individual homeland. He meticulously drew his or nation. Arthur Grottger’s drawings had that significance to the Polish romantic guerillas in native hunting and Lithuanian nations. His first two series of drawings entitled "War- jackets and ammunition belts. Every saw I’ and "Warsaw II" were produced before the outbreak of the 1863 picture is a blend of faith, a desire for insurrection upon receipt of the first reports of street demonstrations liberty, and love of country. and clashes with Czarist police. Two months after the outbreak of the Grottger’s drawings became wide- insurrection, Grottger traveled ly familiar to both Pole and Lithua- to Lvov while in an advanced nian alike and preciously symbols of stage of tuberculosis. He hoped the insurrection. Looking at his drawings became a ritual in the same to observe first- hand the fight manner as listening to Adam Mickiewicz’s poems about Lithuania. The for freedom, but his friends artist died a few months after completing his last series at thirty years convinced him of his unrealistic of age, yet his name will be forever linked with the Lithuanian struggle desire. Grottger’s drawings were for freedom. Grottger’s drawings have since been converted to paintings made following detailed discus- which are now displayed in museums around the world. Several paint- sions with individuals involved ings based on Grottger’s Lithuania series are displayed with this article in the insurrection. for our readers appreciation. Grottger than started a new Though his name has been lost to history, an anonymous Pole’s ac- series of drawings, entitled "Po- count of his hazards encountered in joining the Lithuanian rebel "Order lonia" which was widely circula- of Combatants for Independence" confirms the accuracy of Grottger’s ted before the final suppression drawing. Artur‘s Grottger‘s Painting — of the insurrection in 1865. His Fairwell, 1863 Series. last two series, entitled "Lithua- By Henry L. Gaidis / Bridges

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POLISH-LITHUANIAN 1863–1864 INSURRECTION nobles and priests working TABLE MEDALS — GAIDIS COLLECTION among them. 125TH LITHUANIAN INSURRECTION PEASANT COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL PARTISANS START The illustrated 70 mm bronze TO ACT medal was struck during the One of the least likely Lithuanian 6th Study and Work leaders of the Lithuanian Symposium held to commemorate insurrection movement the 125th Anniversary of the Insur- was a Roman Catho- rection in Lithuania. The obverse lic priest from a small of this medal bears a Vytis Shield rural parish. Antanas with depictions of Insurrection leaders Reverend Antanas Machevicius Mackevičius was born into and Colonel Zigmantas Sierakauskas. Their names appear below their side a family of petty Samogi- profile heads surrounded by the inscription "Lietuvos Sukilimo 125 m. Pa- tian nobleman farmers, on minejimui" or in English: "To Commemorate the 125th anniversary of the June 14, 1828, in Morkiai, Rev. Antanas Mackevičius Insurrection in Lithuania". a rural community located The reverse of the medal features a map of Lithuania with the name of in County. We do not know when Antanas developed his the major battle area of the 1863 insurrection. Surrounding the map are the ardent love of country or first began to dream of helping to libera- various Lithuanian Insurrection dates 1863-4, 1918, 1941, and 1944-52 te Lithuania from Russian occupation. Surely as a youth, he heard and inscription "Laisve-Mokslas-Kuryba" or in English Freedom, Learning tales of Lithuania’s ancient heroes and the brave struggle waged by and Creativity. In the lower center portion of the reverse contains the iden- his countrymen during the 1831 insurrection in their futile struggle tify of the issuing organization the "VI Mokslo ir Kuybos Simpoziumas" or to liberate the nation from Russian rule. While that crushing de- in English the 6th Study and Work Symposium, Chicago, Illinois 1989. The feat put an end to the dream of reestablishing the Polish-Lithuanian designer is not identified and no information is available concerning the Commonwealth in the minds of many nobles, the dream was kept number of these beautiful commemorative medals made. alive in the heart of the nation’s youth. After receiving an elementary education in Morkiai, Antanas re- POLISH JANUARY 1863 INSURRECTION portedly walked to Vilnius to attend high school, earning his board COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL and lodging by performing menial service in a local monastery. The illustrated 70 mm bronze Upon graduating in 1848, Antanas went to Kiev, where he enrolled Polish was struck to commemo- at the university to study science. Antanas’s love for his country was rate the January 1863 Insurrection. only matched by his love for Jesus his Savior and the Lithuanian The obverse of this medal features a peasants who toiled daily across the country under oppressive for- raised relief of a rendition of Grott- eign and native masters. Eventually, his love of God won out, and ger’s Uprising illustration from his Antanas left his university studies in 1850 and returned to Lithua- Lithuanian series bearing the Polish inscription "Powstanie Styczniowe" nia, where he entered the Varniai Catholic Seminary to study for or in English the January Insurrection designation. The reverse contains a the priesthood. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1853, raised 1863 Insurrection Seal featuring the Polish Eagle, Lithuanian Knight, served as an assistant parish priest in Krekenava from 1853 to 1855, and Ukrainian Angel surrounded by the insurrectionist motto "Wolnosc and was then assigned pastor of his own church in Paberžė. For the Rownosc Niepodleglosz" or in English Liberty, Equality, and Independence. next eight years, he performed the traditional duties of a parish This medal was struck by Ptain and issued in Warsaw in 1981. The author priest: celebrating Sunday mass, preaching, and officiating at bap- does not have any information concerning the number of medals struck. tismals, weddings, and funerals. While performing such services,

120TH POLISH-LITHUANIAN 1863 INSURRECTION ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL The illustrated 70 mm bronze medal was struck to commemorate the 120th Anniversary of the Pol- ish-Lithuanian 1863 Insurrection. The obverse of the medal features the Polish, Lithuanian, and Ukrai- nian coat of arms with the insurgent’s motto Liberty, Equality, and Inde- pendence surrounded by a inscription commemorating the anniversary. The reverse side of the medal contains a raised rendition of Grottger’s Blacksmith illustration showing partisan blacksmiths busily working making weapons for the insurrection. Grottger’s name appears to The nobleman/soldier is armed with a double barreled hunting shotgun. the rising smoke at the left side of the illustration. The peasant/farmer is holding the traditional Lithuanian pike/sickle, By Henry L. Gaidis / Bridges made from a farming sickle, he also has an axe stuffed into his belt — these insurgents lacked military weapons and used what they had.

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panies supported by an artillery squadron that had been sent against them at Naujaberžė and handily defeated these professionally trained soldiers. On April 9, 1863, Mackevičius’s forces again defeated another Russian force near Ra- guva that consisted of three infantry compa- nies and a squadron of cavalry. In May 1863, he again defeated another enemy formation near Panevėžys and then freed the city from Russian occupation. Fighting valiantly, similar insurgent groups across Lithuania were victo- rious against small Russian formations as the Russians withdrew from the countryside and concentrated their forces in the main towns. As Mackevičius’s success became widely known, many volunteered to join his insurgent band. A Polish newspaper, Niepodleglose (In- dependence), in its August 23, 1863, edition, Two drawings by Artur Grottger from his series "Lituania" (1864–1866) The Rebel’s Oath and published an account by an anonymous Pole Samogitians on the Attack with Hunting Dogs. about his meeting the Lithuanian rebel com- mander. This brief article provides a glimpse of Antanas saw firsthand the plight of the peasants dom. He not only called for their support, but the legendary leader and the life of a Lithuanian and how they were exploited by both their local took command of some three hundred men insurgent in the field. After an arduous process, lords and the Russian government. from his parish armed with hunting rifles, which confirmed he was not a Russian agent As early as 1861, Revered Mackevičius began sickles, axes, and any type weapon available sent to infiltrate the partisans, the Pole was to preach the idea of democracy and social re- to a peasant farmer. They immediately started passed along from one contact to another until form from his pulpit and criticized the Polish, Po- training and, as information about his unit be- he found himself seated around a campfire with lonized Lithuanians, and Russian landlords who gan to spread, volunteers from the surrounding an old man in a dense Lithuanian forest. suppressed them. During the summer of 1862, area soon joined its ranks. When his force had "In less than half an hour, we heard from Mackevičius travelled to the shrine of Our Lady grown to about five hundred men, Mackevičius the far side of the clearing the soft murmur of of Czestochowa in Poland and, while attending a led them into the field with a cross in one e rustling branches and careful footfalls, accom- local wedding, there he reportedly met the future hand and a sword in the other. panied by the characteristic hooting sound revolutionary leaders, Zigmantas Sierakauskas, On March 15, 1863, Mackevičius’s peasant that was to serve as our password. The old man Konstantinas Kalinauskas, and Boleslas Kolysz- partisans attacked four Russian infantry com- answered. Shortly thereafter, we saw several ko. While there, Boleslas, a graduate of an Italian military officer’s school, taught the future guer- rilla leader the rudimentary tactics of warfare. With the January 22, 1863 proclamation es- tablishing a Provisional National Government in Warsaw and an appeal to their Lithuanian Brothers to take up arms to rid the nation of Russian rule, Reverend Mackevičius did not hesitate to join the liberation movement. Du- ring a Sunday mass, Mackevičius read the Pro- visional Government’s manifesto to his parish- ioners, calling for the support of the Lithuanian people in their fight for human rights and free-

1863–1864 Insurrection saber with the insignia — Gaidis Collection. 1863–1864 Partisan dressing.

June 2020. No 6. 19 Special

figures move into the open from behind the groups were initially successful, all knew that it trees, evidently the vanguard. All the men were would only be a matter of time before the Rus- dressed in long grey coats reaching to the knees sians would send a massive army to suppress and tied with a leather belt. All sported four- their insurrection. Only in unity could they cornered caps, carried double barreled shot- hope to be successful, and these groups soon guns in hand, and had hatchets thrust under sought to combine their forces. Within a short their belts. Each man carried a fairly bulky sack period of time, Colonel Zigmantas Sierakaus- of crude linen and a hunting horn. kas, a former Russian General Staff Officer, was …Finally emerged the Reverend Macke- given command of the combined insurgent vičius, the detachment’s leader, dressed in a forces in Lithuania. Legend holds that a small priest’s frock with tucked-in tails, a sword at group of his former Lithuanian officers travel- his side and a pistol thrust under his belt. He led to see Colonel Sierakauskas at his home in came in a circle of young officers wearing fur St. Petersburg. Upon opening the door and see- caps — this was evidently his whole staff. All ing his old comrades, Sierakauskas reportedly marched on foot. There was not one horse in said, "You bring a death sentence for me." With the camp, no food reserve, except the foodstuff these words, Sierakauskas accepted the posi- carried by each in his linen bag. …My guide tion as Supreme Commander of the Lithuanian spoke to the leader and introduced me, relat- insurgent forces. He resigned his Russian Army ing all of my past. During this conversation, I commission the next day and immediately left was able to observe closely the face of Father for Lithuania, where he assumed his command Mackevičius. His face was sunburned, features in the field. clear cut, a long dark beard, thick eyebrows, a Colonel Sierakauskas’s strategy for victory wrinkled face composing one sullen whole, full was simple: unite the insurgent bands into one Col. Zigmantas Sierakauskas, Supreme of energy and power that commanded respect. Commander of the insurrection in Lithuania. force and carry the fight to the enemy before …The officer bowed and led me to my he could build up his strength in Lithuania. squad, already seated around a log fire… Our Under his leadership, the partisans began at- squad was made up of four peasants from Igna- It was an inspiring sight, these several hundred tacking small Russian garrisons to draw man- tavas, three burghers from Panevėžys, the son of men, tried in battle, kneeling with bared heads. power from the large nearby Russian fortress a well-to-do gentleman from Šiauliai, a teacher In front of us, before a Crucifix and the picture in , Latvia. Sierakauskas then an- from Kaunas, and myself… I learned that all of of Our Lady on the detachment’s banner, knelt ticipated capturing the weakened fortress and the attacks are executed at night, while the days Father Mackevičius and intoned… Around from there spreading the insurrection into Rus- are spent resting, unless the Muscovites are sit- us was the pristine native forest — our forest. sia itself under the "Land and Liberty" banner. ting hard on our necks. Tonight they covered Above us was our God and future." Having been promised weapons and even- more than twenty American miles and there- tual English intervention by the Garibaldist fore intended to rest all day in the clearing. COL. SIERAKAUSKAS‘S STRATEGY revolutionaries in Western Europe, Sierakaus- …The sun had come up, when there was an FOR VICTORY kas quickly captured a landing place in the echo of a horn and an order shouted — Prayer! Although such small Lithuanian partisan Palanga area and awaited their arrival before

A Samogitian insurgent by Artur Grottger from his General Mikhail Muravyov, the Russian Governor for Lithuania (in white coat), presides over the series "Lituania". hanging of several rebel leaders in Vilnius (from an old drawing)

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A DISCOVERY OF THE CENTURY: THE REMAINS OF THE INSURRECTION LEADERS

In August 2017 on the top of the Gediminas Hill in downtown the opposition to the existing regime, gathered outside the cathedral at Vilnius the Lithuanian archeologists from Vilnius University found the beginning of the ceremony. the remains of the bodies of the participants of the Polish-Lithuanian "The remains of the participants of the 1863–1864 uprising were 1863–1864 Insurrection. hidden so that they would never be a source of inspiration to new ge- Twenty-one insurgents were executed in the Lithuanian capital's nerations of freedom fighters. But they stayed in our hearts and minds. Lukiskes Square between 1863 and 1864 and were secretly buried on And when the time came, the remains were uncovered to testify about the hill, which was closed to the public at that time. Archeologists have the disrupted march to freedom. Today we can be justly proud of unearthed the remains of 20 of the 21 executed insurgents, including Lithuanian archeologists, historians, art professionals and other experts those of their leaders, Zigmantas Sierakauskas (Zygmunt Sierakowski) who have made it possible for us to recover a valuable part of our his- and Konstantinas Kalinauskas (). torical legacy. Detailed research helped to reconstruct the complicated The scientists had no major doubts as to the identification of the re- and dramatic life paths of the insurgents. Today we are fulfilling our mains of Sierakauskas as they have found his engagement ring with the duty to give a proper burial to the remains of those who completed their inscription "Zygmónt Apolonija 11 Sierpnia/30 Lipca 1862 r earthly journey long ago but continue to spread the truth and (Zygmund Apolonia August 11/July 30, 1862)". The archaeo- light among us," President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas logical and anthropological data collected also supported the Nauseda said during the ceremony. He also admitted that the assumption that the remains of Konstantinas Kalinauskas were stories of the Insurrection leaders encourage not only Lithuani- among the uncovered human remains. ans, but also Poles, , Ukrainians, and Latvians to take a new look at the 1863 uprising, admire the courage of the insurgents and de- REBURIAL OF 1863 UPRISING LEADERS: A SPECIAL rive inspiration from them. MOMENT FOR LITHUANIA, POLAND AND BELARUS Led by Lithuanian and Polish guard troops, the coffins with the The remains of participants of the 1863-1864 uprising against Tsarist remains of Zigmantas Sierakauskas (Zygmunt Sierakowski in Polish) Russia were reburied in an official ceremony in Vilnius on November 22. and Konstantinas Kalinauskas (Konstanty Kalinowski), the leaders of Lithuanian and Polish President Gitanas Nauseda and Andrzej the Lithuanian uprising, as well as those of another 18 uprising partici- Duda as well as Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko pants were taken from the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania to gave speeches at a farewell ceremony at Vilnius Cathedral. The events Vilnius Cathedral. The remains were taken in a procession from Vilnius were attended by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Cathedral to the old . Euro-Atlantic Integration Dmytro Kuleba. Also several hundred Bela- By Ilona Skujaitė rusians holding white-red-white national flags of Belarus, often used by Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis

June 2020. No 6. 21 Special

Straightened scythes were basic armament of the 1863–1864 insurgents. Insurgents assault a Russian garrison (from an old engraving.) advancing on Daugavpils. While awaiting ammunition, they were decisively defeated on 1863, Mackevičius became the commander of these promised firearms, Sierakauskas learned April 25-27, 1863 in a battle at Medeikiai near all the Kaunas region insurgents and attacked the that General Mikhail Nikolayevich Muravyov Biržai. Colonel Sierakauskas was wounded and Russian Army wherever he could. When he was had been appointed the new Russian Gover- captured and his surviving units scattered. He no longer able to repulse the encroaching Russian nor and was enroute to Lithuania with a large and other captured rebel leaders were then units, Mackevičius withdrew his dwindling forces military force to suppress the insurrection. Mu- taken to Vilnius, tried and hanged. Although toward Kaunas, hoping to build up strength over ravyov’s first goal was to unify his forces with the promised weapons eventually arrived, the winter and renew the struggle with promised those Russian troops that had concentrated most were lost during the landing attempt in a assistance from abroad in the spring. Whereas the themselves in the major cities and to find and violent storm, and few if any weapons actually Russians were once content to occupy towns and defeat Sierakauskas. Upon learning of the ad- reached the insurgents. One can only speculate villages, they now constantly hunted Mackevičius vancing Russian forces, Sierakauskas decided what could have happened had those weapons and his partisans. On November 26, 1863, near to start his march up the Latvian coast, hop- arrived in time for the Medeikiai battle. the village of , Mackevičius was wounded ing that the promised English weapons would Reverend Mackevičius and other surviving in- and forced into hiding. reach him along the way. While on the march, surgents retreated back into the Žemaitija (Samo- On December 17, 1863, Mackevičius was Sierakauskas was intersected by the advancing gitia) region, where they continued a guerilla hit- captured, reportedly while he and two com- Russian column and forced into an unplanned and-run struggle through October 1863 against panions were attempting to cross the Nemunas engagement. Although the insurgents fought an ever increasing number of Russian units sent River, and imprisoned in Kaunas. Although valiantly, without the promised weapons and into the area. During November-December Mackevičius was promised that his life would

Monument to General Muravyov "The Hangman" erected in a Vilnius square by the Czarist regime in the 19th century.

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be spared if he betrayed other insurgent leaders, he steadfastly re- fused. While in prison, Mackevičius continued to bitterly denounce KONSTANTINAS KALINAUSKAS (KONSTANTY injustice, the exploitation of the peasants, and the venality and greed KALINOWSKI) – A LEADER AND A WRITER of Russian officials in his homeland. As a result, Mackevičius, was He was one of the leaders of the Po- tried by a Russian military tribunal on December 12, 1863 and sen- lish, Lithuanian and Belarusian national tenced to be publicly hanged. The execution order was twice con- revival and the leader of the January firmed by General Muravyov, who would forever be remembered as Uprising in 1863 in lands of the former the "Hangman of Vilnius" of the 1863-1864 insurrection. On Decem- Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the Polish- ber 28, 1863, Mackevičius, while standing on the gallows, was again Lithuanian Commonwealth. offered mercy in exchange for information regarding the insurrec- The Kalinowski family hailed from tion. His simple reply was "I have done my work, now you do yours." the region of and bore the Ka- Lithuanian partisans continued to fight after Mackevičius’s execu- linowa coat of arms. After graduating tion, but their numbers and engagements progressively dwindled. from a local school in Świsłocz (now The last Lithuanian partisan attack on Russian forces, undertaken by in Belarus) in 1855 he went to a small band of rebels, occurred on October 12, 1864 near Panevėžys. Moscow, where he started studying at Russian military documents record some 119 clashes with rebels in private law school. Soon he moved to St. the Kaunas region, 38 in the Vilnius region and 17 in Suvalkai. It has Petersburg, where he continued his studies at the University of St. Peters- been estimated that some thirty thousand poorly trained and armed burg and got involved in several Polish students' conspiracies and secret Lithuanian insurgents engaged approximately one hundred and cultural societies. After graduating in 1860 he returned to the area of Hrod- forty-five thousand regular Russian troops during this futile attempt na, where he continued to work as a revolutionary. to regain their freedom and independence. Thousands of rebels and He also started publishing Mużyckaja prauda (Commoner's truth), one their supporters were deported to Siberia. of the first periodicals in Belarusian (written in Łacinka) and two other Today, the Revered Antanas Mackevičius is an honored hero in Polish language clandestine newspapers. In his literary work, Kalinauskas Lithuania, where countless towns have streets named after him. In underlined the need to liberate all peoples of the former Polish-Lithuanian the Paberžė churchyard, where there are dozens of tombstones for Commonwealth from Russia's occupation and to conserve and promote the parishioners who fell fighting alongside him during the 1863– the Greek-Catholic faith and . He also promoted the 1864 insurrection, there stands a large wooden cross in traditional idea of activisation of peasants for the cause of national liberation, the idea Lithuanian style in memory of this country priest who gave his life that was until then dominated by the gentry. He also referred to the good for his people. traditions of democracy, tolerance and freedom of the Polish-Lithuanian Although the struggle continued after his death, the partisan Commonwealth, as opposed to national oppression of cultures dominated numbers continued to dwindle. The last Lithuanian partisan attack by Imperial Russia. on Russian forces occurred, on October 12, 1864, by a small band of After the outbreak of the 18621863 Uprising he was involved in the sec- rebels near Panevezys. Russian military documents record some 119 ret Provincial Lithuanian Committee in Vilnius. Soon he was promoted to clashes with rebels in the Kaunas region, 38 in the Vilnius region and the commissar of the Polish government for the Voivodeship. His 17 in Suvalkai. The total rebel strength in Lithuania probably was no writings made him popular both among the peasants and the gentry, which more than 15,000 men who engaged some 90,000 Russian troops in enabled the partisan units under his command to grow rapidly. Because their struggle for freedom. The end of this insurrection commenced of his successes he was promoted to the rank of Plenipotentiary Commis- the most brutal of all Russian retaliations. Even the Lithuanian lan- sar of the Government for Lithuania, which made him the commander-in- guage itself was outlawed and the Catholic religion suppressed. Still chief of all partisan units fighting in the areas of today's' Eastern Poland, the willingness of these Lithuanians to fight against all odds would Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine. foster other generations which would eventually be more successful After initial successes against in restoring the nation’s freedom. the Russian armies, the Russians moved a 120,000 men strong army By Henry L. Gaidis / Draugas to the area and the revolutionaries Photo credits: flicr.com, Gaidis personal archive started to lose most of the skir- mishes. Finally Kalinauskas was betrayed by one of his soldiers and handed over to the Russians. He was imprisoned in Vilnius, where he wrote one of his most notable works - the Letter from Be- neath the Gallows, a passionate cre- do for his compatriots. He was then tried by a court martial for leading the revolt against Russia and sen- tenced to death. He was publicly executed on Lukiškės Square in Vil- Cossacks on horseback lead a group of insurrectionists to Siberia (from a nius on 22 March 1864, at age 26. 19th century engraving).

June 2020. No 6. 23 Photo credit: Capt Evert-Jan Daniels

24 Lithuanian Military Digest