Kovose už Nepriklausomybę - Lietuvos kariuomenės Panevėžio operacija, 1919 m. gegužė

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Bolševikų rusų kariuomenė; Kovos už nepriklausomybę; Lietuvių kariuomenė; Lietuvos kariuomenės istorija; Lietuvos nepriklausomybės kovos; Panevėžio operacija; Panevėžio operacija (1919); Bolshevik Russian Armed Forces; History of Lithuanian army; Lithuania; Lithuanian Armed Forces; Panevėžys Operation; Panevėžys Operation (1919); The Battles For Independence; The Battles For Lithuanian Independence.

ENIn summary it can be stated that the story of Panevėžys Operation, which was based on the source publication (J. Urbšys, 1921), repeatedly retold and rewritten went back to the level of science popularization (“The Most Famous Lithuanian Battles and Military Operations”, 2013). Each story was complemented with a new detail of the event, but the deeper studies and analyzis were not carried out. The Operation itself and its course were viewed without a broader context and without mentioning the reasons for the occurrence of certain events. It can also be noted that information sources were inaccurately reported, for example, by indicating distances in „versts“ (a verst is an obsolete Russian unit, which is equal to 1,0668 km - the translator's remark) publicated in the source later it was presented as “kilometers” without converting the versts into the kilometers. All these circumstances encourage to carry out the deeper and more detailed study of the Panevėžys. It should include not only a broader analysis of the event, but also looking for new answers to newly raised questions that could be related to the discussion on concrete struggle sides, the general analysis of the opponent’s forces, the details of the fighting operations of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Aviation Division and other issues. The struggle action theater of Panevėžys Operation did not have special features that would have contributed to the complexity of the operation implementation and the problems related to it. The fighting area was densely populated, with a developed network of various roads and communication lines that let both fighting sides to move easily and to find a steady and at least minimum supply of local resources.Panevėžys Operation itself was a kind of particular venture, when joining the fight against a larger opponent there was a shortage of ammunition, managerial staff and communication tools. Even without the support of the senior management this shortage basically was compensated by the faith and trust in the bright future of Lithuanian state and by the aspiration to liberate the native places from the hands of the opponents. A large number of soldiers who fought in this Operation were originated from the lands that entered the war zone, therefore this reason was probably another factor motivating soldiers for the battle. On the other hand, the plan and tasks provided by the top management have been consistently followed up until the end of the Operation. The Panevėžys Liberation Operation was entrusted to the military officer Maksimas Katchei, who was an intelligent, mature person having a solid education and a large combat experience at the World War I. Together with the officer Jonas Variakojis they formed an effective tandem of leadership. The experienced military leaders of various divisions helped to implement the combat action plan of the Operation. These leaders were mostly 26-29 years old.Agreeing with some foresights of the authors (J. Urbšys, K. Ališauskas), who have discussed the episode of battles for Panevėžys so far, we can name the Panevėžys Operation as the first successful operation, which was implemented exclusively by the forces of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, with the minimum support of the German Saxon volunteers. However, it is important to mention that the success of the Operation itself was quite opportunistic, it was more determined by the factors of the broader context than the efforts of the Lithuanian soldiers. This achievement was the important psychological aspect for further stages of the struggle for independence, which gave confidence in the forces of the young army. At the same time, it was one of the elements of the broad military campaign against the Bolshevik Russian forces, with simultaneous fighting in neighboring Estonia, Latvia, and Poland. [From the publication]