Likwidacja pasa neutralnego pomiędzy Polską a Litwą w lutym 1923 r. : aspekty militarne

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Lenkija (Lenkijos karalystė. Kingdom of Poland. Poland); Lenkijos sienos 1923; Lenkijos-Lietuvos santykiai; Lietuvių partizanai; Lietuvos-Lenkijos karinis konfliktas; Lietuvos-Lenkijos konfliktas; Neutrali zona; Neutrali zona Lenkijos ir Lietuvos pasienyje; Pasienio apsauga; Border guard; Lithuanian partisans; Lithuanian-Polish conflict; Military conflict between Lithuania and Poland; Neutral zone; Neutral zone between Poland and Lithuania; Polish borders in 1923; PolishžLithuanian relations.

ENThe truce signed on 29 November 1920 between (Kowno) Lithuania and Central Lithuania foresaw the establishment of a neutral strip of land some 10-12 kms wide and stretching from the border with Latvia to Orany in order to prevent further armed confrontation. The state affiliation of this terrain was to be resolved in the future. The expectations that it would become an oasis of pace were never fulfilled. On the contrary, the titular zone became a source of constant clashes and bloody conflicts involving Poland and Lithuania. On 3 February 1923 the Council of the League Nations decided to divide the area in question. From 15 February Poland and Lithuania could assume full control over the terrains granted to them. Marshal Piłsudski entrusted this operation to a specially formed Group under Colonel Stanisław Pasławski, composed of four battalions of the State Police Force, ten Border Guard battalions, and formations of the National Security Union (two battalions). Regular Polish Army detachments were not to be deployed but constituted a reserve, capable of joining the campaign should the situation grow tense. On the first day of the operation, i. e. 15 February, the main forces under Colonel Pasławski were to secure the terrain crossed by the strategic Grodno-Wilno railway line.On 15 and 16 February the remaining detachments were to abstain from all activity. The process of taking over the assigned part of the neutral strip of land was not to be initiated until two days later (17 February). At 7.00 a.m. on 15 February 1923 Border Guard and State Police battalions entered the neutral zone and, in accordance with plans, overcame the resistance of Lithuanian partisans and assumed control over the rail line. To the end of 17 February the detachments led by Colonel Pasławski occupied the whole terrain granted to Poland. In several localities they were forced to wage fierce battles with Lithuanian partisans assisted by regular detachments of the Lithuanian armed forces. The losses of the Polish battalions totalled almost 70 persons. [From the publication]