Special

The Liberation of Klaipėda AN INGENIOUS PLOT RETURNS ’S ONLY SEAPORT AFTER CENTURIES OF SEPARATION, AND OPENS UP ITS GATEWAY TO THE WORLD.

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lies met at Versailles, where they imposed sanc- tions upon the defeated nations and sought to reestablish a Czarist state. However, most of Russia had by then fallen under Communist control, and a number of new states had ap- peared making this option nonviable. Among these new states was the Republic of Lithuania, although it would not be recognized de jure for three years. Since they had not yet recognized the republic, when the Allied powers separated Klaipėda (Memel) from , they placed the seaport and its adjacent area under tempo- rary administration by France. The region had been populated by Lithua- nians for centuries, but fallen under German Prussian occupation since the Middle Ages. The East Prussian state, in order to control Lithuania Minor, pursued a vigorous policy of Germanization, and over time, the ethnic Lithuanians there slowly developed their own dialect and customs. Although the rural areas continued to be inhabited by ethnic Lithuani- ans, the city and seaport became largely popu- lated by Germans, who filled all the administra- tive positions. The French appointed General Dominique Joseph Odry and High Commis- sioner Gabriel Jean Petisne to administer the region and sent a small number of French troops in support. Unfortunately, the French relied heavily on German port administrators and this hamstrung the economic life of Li- thuania. The French support for raised fears that this vital seaport would fall into Po- lish hands. Famous Lithuanian pilot Cpt Steponas Darius, one of the main persons in the liberation of Klaipėda.

LITHUANIA MINOR he Liberation of Klaipėda was one of the most significant events in Li- thuanian history in the modern era. AlthoughT most Lithuanians know the nation’s 1918-1920 War of Independence — fought against Poles, Communist Russians, and Cza- rist White Russians — established a free and independent state, few realize independence was not assured until Klaipėda was restored to the nation. Without control of this ice-free port, the otherwise landlocked nation would have succumbed to a slow economic de mise. At the end of , the victorious Al-

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Lithuanian government after it appeared the League of Nations was not going to rule fa- vorably on Lithuania’s claim to Klaipėda and was likely to establish a Danzig-like free city or place it under Polish administration. After receiving a favorable response to the force- ful seizure of Klaipėda, General Silvestras Žukauskas, the hero of the Lithuanian War of Independence, believed the Lithuanian Army could invade and disarm the small French mili- tary contingent within twentyfour hours. But it was decided direct Lithuanian military action might start a war with France or resume the Lithuanian-Polish War, so an agreement was reached to organize an independent Lithua- nian insurrection along the lines of General Želigowski’s Mutiny in October 1920 that led to the invasion and occupation of Vilnius and surrounding territory by Poland. Preparations were left to Galvanauskas, who ordered the planning and execution of the up- rising. So it would be a genuine surprise to the Top management of Klaipėda's region Volunteers Army. January 1923. Row below from the left: Mykolas Lithuanian nation, he took great care to hide Kalmantavičius (Mykolas Bajoras) — commander of 1st regiment; Fric — vicecommander of Army; Jonas Budrys (Jonas Polovinskas) — chief commander of Army; Oks — commander of staff. Row above from any links with the rebels and kept the operation the left: Juozapaitis — adjutant; Endrikeitis — line adjutant; Zacitis — special adjutant. secret from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Seimas. Since the Lithuanian Army was not LITHUANIANS START TO ACT maintained unofficial contact with the Lithua- to take part, he obtained the support of Vincas The events that followed are worthy of Mis- nians during the revolt and urged local Ger- Krėvė-Mickevičius, the cochair of the indepen- sion Impossible: the Prime Minister of Lithua- mans not to hinder the action. The Soviet Rus- dent semimilitary Lithuanian Riflemen’s As- nia directs a small group of military officers to sians, who opposed a larger Polish state, not sociation (Lietuvos Šaulių Sąjunga), for man- instigate an insurrection in Klaipėda that re- only supported the action, but would intervene power. Since most of the riflemen had fought turns the seaport and its surrounding territory if Poland moved against Lithuania. Strangely alongside the Lithuanian Army in the War for to Lithuania. For political reasons, the Lithua- enough, the Polish government also preferred Independence, they were combat-proven and nian government disavows all knowledge of the to see Klaipėda in the hands of Lithuania rather reliable. Another advantage of using the rifle- mission, and warns those involved they could than become a free city, like Danzig, under men was the government could blame the pat- be subject to criminal prosecution if the opera- German influence. riotic organization to absolve itself of responsi- tion fails. On November 20, 1922, Galvanauskas bility for the insurrection. Many concluded something drastic had brought up the topic in a secret session of the The action was planned by the Lithuanian to be done to save Klaipėda from becoming a free city like Danzig or, worse, being turned over to Poland. Among the Lithuanian lead- ers in Klaipėda alarmed by the situation were members of the Prussian Lithuanian National Council, who realized Lithuania Minor could only be returned to Lithuania through military action. When members of the Council Erd- monas Simonaitis and Martynas Jankus met secretly with Lithuanian Prime Minister Ernes- tas Galvanauskas, they learned he was thinking along similar lines, but for political reasons, could not sanction such a move. To protect Lithuania’s interests, Galva- nauskas pursued the idea through diplomatic channels. He ascertained the Weimar Govern- ment preferred Klaipėda in Lithuanian hands because it considered Lithuania neutral and France and Poland, who were likely to be given the territory by the League of Nation, major enemies. It has since been learned that Berlin

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General Staff. Although details regarding its development remain murky, Colonel Jonas Polovinskis, a Lithuanian Army counterin- telligence officer, clandestinely coordinated the military action since known to history as the "Klaipėda Insurrection." He was an eth- nic Lithuanian who had held a number of positions in the Czarist Government. He had served with great distinction as a military in- telligence officer in the Russian Army during World War I, rising to the rank of Colonel, and was decorated on a number of occasions for his bravery and service. He continued in counter- intelligence with Admiral Alexander Kolchak’s in 1920 and 1921 in a failed at- tempt to restore the Czar to the throne. Upon returning to Lithuania in 1921, Po- lovinskis found a position with the Lithuanian Army and was soon serving as chief of the Lithuanian Counter-Intelligence Service. He had been tasked with leading a special clandes- tine team to the Klaipėda area to ascertain the feelings of the population toward Lithuanian 1.5 million rounds of ammunition. the SCSLM issued a proclamation entitled Bro- annexation and became well-versed with the Polovinskis recruited a number of likemin- liai Šauliai! (Brothers Riflemen!), announcing territory and its inhabitants. His report found ded Lithuanian military of ficers willing to take they were taking up arms to rid themselves of the local population divided equally between part in this unofficial action and risk the dan- "slavery" and calling upon the Lithuanian Rifle- either wishing to join with Germany or Li- gers of combat and criminal prose- cution. To men’s Association for help. Two days later, the thuania, or forming a free city. This situation provide cover, he and his officers each adopted SCSLM’s Šilutė chief declared the existing was complicated by the native Lithuanians of a nom de guerre. Polovinskis became known French Klaipėda Directorate dissolved and Lithuania Minor who had developed their own by his code name, Jonas Budrys, which he was authorized Erdmonas Simonaitis to establish identity, which included adherence to the Lu- to use for the rest of his life. His Chief of Staff, a new directorate to govern the territory. The theran rather than Roman Catholic faith. Many Captain Juozas Tomkus, became Oksas; his as- declaration was published in German and of these Lithuanians were economically well sistant, Juozas Šarauskas, Juozapaitis; and so Lithuanian — both proclaimed official lan- off and worried that an influx of farm products on. Budrys would command the main force guages — ordered the release of all political and workers from Lithuania proper would of the insurrection, frequently referred to as prisoners, and established martial law. The cheapen their products and destroy their liveli- "Budrys’s Army." Upon the call of the SCSLM, proclamation appealed to the French soldiers hood. Surely, this report brought Polovinskis to he would move on the city, his flanks covered not to resist this action, because it was the will the attention of Galvanauskas and led to the lat- by support formations. — On January 7, 1923, of the Lithuanian people. ter’s decision not to take an official part in the Klaipėda Insurrection, but to select Polovinskis to lead it.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE Lithuanian activists were sent to various towns and villages in the Klaipėda region in November and December of 1922 to deliver patriotic speeches and form local organiza- tions willing to support an insurrection. These small local groups were unified at a gathering in Klaipėda on December 18, 1922, which estab- lished the Supreme Committee for the Salva- tion of Lithuania Minor (SCSLM). Martynas Jankus was elected chairman and would serve as the insurrection’s political leader. That same month, Krėvė-Mickevičius met with represen- tatives of the German Army, who assured him they would not interfere with an insurrection. In addition, they sold him, at a reduced rate, 1,500 Mauser rifles, 5 light machineguns, and

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Klaipėda 1923. French Soldiers.

On January 10, 1923, 1,090 Lithuanian vo- The largest formation, consisting of 530 Petisne agreed to a ceasefire that afternoon lunteers in civilian dress crossed the border on men commanded by Major Jonas Išlinskas, and his soldiers were interned in their bar- trains from Kretinga and Tauragė. Among them codename Aukštuolis, was assigned to capture racks. During the engagement, twelve Lithua- was Vladas Putvinskis, the military commander Klaipėda; the second formation of 443 men, nian insurgents lost their lives along with two of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Association, pro- under Captain Mykolas Kalmantavičius (Kal- French soldiers and one German police officer. viding the cover demanded by the Lithuanian mantas), codename Bajoras, was tasked with Two other French soldiers were wounded, but government, and Lithuanian American flyer the capture of Pagėgiai (Pogegen) and securing recovered. Steponas (Stephen) Darius, who with Stasys the border with Germany; the third forma- In addition to the earlier mentioned Ste- (Stanley) Girėnas, would become famous for tion of 103 men led by Major Petras Jakštas, ponas Darius, a number of other Lithuanian the ill-fated 1933 trans-Atlantic flight. codename Kalvaitis, was to capture Šilutė Americans participated in the insurrection, Upon their arrival in the Klaipėda terri- (Heydekrug and cover the insurgents’ flank. among them Antanas Ivaškevičius (Anthony tory, the volunteers were met by Budrys with Although they met with little resistance, the Ivas), the brothers Kostas and Julius Jurgėla, some 300 local volunteers. Each Lithuania volunteers encountered great difficulties from Jonas Žilinskas-Žilius, Andrius Martusevičius- Minor volunteer wore a green armband with cold weather, lack of transportation, and ina- Martus, Pranas Purvis, Juozas Zaukus, and Pra- the initials MLS to identify him as a Mažosios dequate clothing and food. nas Rimkus. Darius and Ivaškevičius were both Lietuvos sukilėlis/savanoris (Lithuania Minor members of the Supreme Committee for the Insurgent/ Volunteer). Armed with a rifle and THE END OF KLAIPĖDA Salvation of Lithuania Minor. Darius did plan- 200 rounds of ammunition, the infantrymen INSURRECTION ning and led an armed unit while Ivaškevičius were supported by 21 light machinegun crews, By January 11, 1923, the Lithuanian insur- travelled through the country giving speeches 4 motorcycles, 3 cars, and 63 cavalry horses. To gents had secured all their objectives with little to rouse the population. He also provided a conceal their identity, they were ordered not to resistance, with the exception of some parts of great amount of money to the committee. He carry any Lithuanian documents or even cur- Klaipėda held by the French. With the refusal was the first Lithuanian American awarded rency. To curtail local anger, each volunteer was of French Commissioner Gabriel Jean Petisne the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Association’s Šaulių ordered to be polite at all times and to avoid to surrender his force of 250 French soldiers, Žvaigždė (Riflemen’s Star). Jonas Žilinskas- looting, drinking alcohol, and making inflam- 350 German policemen, and about 300 civi- Žilius served as Governor of Klaipėda in 1925 matory comments. lian volunteers, a brisk engagement ensued. and 1926. A number of Lithuanian organiza-

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tions were set up in the United States to sup- port the liberation of Klaipėda. They engaged in heavy propaganda through the press and raised funds for the Liberation of Klaipėda, be- fore and after the insurrection. On January 13, 1923, the Klaipėda civilian leader, Simonaitis, formed a new pro-Lithua- nian directorate, which included Vilius Gaiga- laitis, Martynas Reizgys, Jonas Toleikis, and Kristupas Lekšas, to administer the seaport and region. Although the French and Polish governments protested and sent warships to the area, the British declined to support their action. The Allied Conference of Ambassa- dors dispatched a commission of inquiry to Klaipėda and demanded the insurgents with- draw from the city. While French and British warships remained in the harbor, the Lithu- anian government denied any part in the insur- rection, and the Allied demand was withdrawn. On January 20, the Klaipėda Region Special Representative transferred all sovereign rights to the Republic of Lithuania. The insurgents began to organize a local army on January 24, peacefully resolving the crisis. legitimized and the matter resolved. Although and pledged to swiftly restore civilian control To further appease the international com- this insurrection is often considered a great to the district. munity, on February 15, the Klaipėda Direc- Lithuanian feat, many recent historians conjec- On January 29, a French proposal to send torate was disbanded and Viktoras Gailius ture that the League of Nations’ action to relin- troops to quash the revolt was rejected after formed a new provisional five-member direc- quish Klaipėda was an unofficial way to com- the British and Italians supported Lithuania. torate that included two Germans and three pensate Lithuania for its earlier loss of Vilnius Although the Allies made one last gesture two Prussian Lithuanians. Finally, on February 17, to the Poles. Regardless of the reason, the 1923 days later, when they sent a sternly worded ulti- the Allied Conference transferred Klaipėda insurrection firmly established Klaipėda as part matum demanding the insurgents disband, no and its surounding area to Lithuania with the of Lithuania, and neither the subsequent brief action was taken. That ultimatum was recanted agreement that the region be granted outono- Nazi annexation nor the prolonged Soviet oc- on February 4 in a diplomatic note requesting my and Lithuania compensate the Allies for cupation changed that fact. that the Klaipėda region be transferred in an the cost of administration and assume German orderly fashion. A second message, on Februa- war reparations. With Lithuania’s acceptance By Henry L. Gaidis, ry 11, thanked the Lithuanian Government for of these terms, the Klaipėda Insurrection was Draugas News/Lithuanian Heritage

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