Christmas, 1939. The storm.
Everyone was feeling the tension. An increased level of readiness was commanded in all border TDF regiments, and I even received my rifle to store it at home , same as other member of my regiment, whose loyalty to the Republic and the Leader was not in doubt. And German answer came.
True, it was not an ultimatum, but Germany has demanded full access, including military, to Lithuanian port in Klaipeda, as well as free use of railways and airfields, in case such be needed. There were later rumours that Germans have already had their military ships prepared to use this opportunity and station a garrison in Klaipeda, operation called "Flottenparade", under the pretext of defending a new to-be-established small ship re-supply base.
Needless to say, this was perceived in all our Government circles as unacceptable loss of sovereignty , and, even if risky, the request was declined. We will probably never know, what has convinced German Government to subside, but one thing was certain - Germany would not forget or forgive such an insult.
Time passed, and life became more or less normal. Weekly drills in TDF training camps were making progress - we have learned to interact with other regiments and became more confident, knowing that on both flanges, along the whole front there are our compatriots, ready to fight, just the same as we are, in case of need.
Another important development was the significant improvement of relationships with Poland in May. Our Government, seeking allies wherever they could be found, were making big steps in bringing the nations together and healing the wounds of the past. It could be best illustrated by the visit of the Chief Commander of Lithuanian Armed forces Stasys Rastikis to Poland for inspection of Polish military and exchange of views on modern tactics and equipment on the battlefield. The photos were all over the press, especially in a popular military magazine "Kardas" ("Sword").
Gen. S.Rastikis inspects the equipment of a Polish soldier.
And then came the summer of 1939. Italy, then Hungary joined the Axis. As a complete shock to everyone, it was announced in early August that Germany and Soviet Union have signed a non-aggression treaty.
Molotov - Ribbentrop Pact, 1939
Even more worrisome was the announcement of mobilisation in Germany, and, few days later, in Finland. It looked like Europe is gearing for war. And there was not much for us to do, than to watch and hope that everything would somehow pass without touching us.
Our hopes were in vain. On September 3, at 17:00, Germany declared war on Poland. The Allies responded with declarations of their own. German envoy in Kaunas has approached our Government with suggestion to fight along the Germans and reclaim the lost region of Vilnius for Lithuania. British, still unsure about the position of Lithuanian government regarding this, warned that any support to Germany on their attack on Poland, would lead to declaration of war on Lithuania by Britain as well.
Lithuania declared partial mobilisation, but stayed out of the fight. On the contrary to the suggestions by Germans, it was even considered to strike them at Koenigsberg, but Nemunas river, our main line of defence against Germans, was the same line for Germans as well. Besides, seeing how Germans were smashing the Polish with their armoured fists, and the destruction brought by Luftwaffe, it was decided that 5 Lithuanian divisions would neither be able to capture Koenigsberg, nor divert enough of German forces for the Polish to recover and be able to hold the line.
Polish Cavalry attack near Sochaczew
After the Soviet Union stepped-in in the end of September, and the defence of Poland was no more possible, more than 13 000 Polish troops and policemen have crossed the border into Lithuania. According to International Law, they were disarmed and placed in internment camps (mostly in empty sanatoriums in various resort towns, all across Lithuania). While the regime in the camps was not very strict and fugitives were not prosecuted, many Polish left by sea to Sweden and, later, to Great Britain, to join the fight against Germany.
Polish officers are being watched closely by a Lithuanian guard at an internment camp in Vilkaviskis
The horror continued. Poland has surrendered on 23th of September. Only 5 days later, Germany declared war on Denmark, and it took them two weeks to force the surrender.
Back at home, Lithuanian Army was watching closely the developments in the new ways to wage war, and adjustments to the tactics and communication were implemented to increase organization of our infantry significantly.
Just before start of the winter, Soviet Union has declared war on Finland. It came as a total surprise to many, as no one doubted that Russians knew how harsh winters can be. Of course, this made the situation of Finland not less grave, and no one dared to think what would happen in case such happened to us.
Finland faces Soviet Union