2nd Infantry Regiment (Lithuania)

2nd Infantry Regiment later known as the 2nd Infantry Regiment of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas (Lithuanian: Antrasis pėstininkų Lietuvos Didžiojo Kunigaikščio Algirdo pulkas) was a Lithuanian Army infantry regiment that saw combat in the Lithuanian Wars of Independence. It existed from 1918 to 1940. The current Lithuanian arm's Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion continues the 2nd Regiment's traditions.

2nd Infantry Regiment of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas
ActiveDecember 5, 1918–September 1, 1940
CountryLithuania
BranchLithuanian Army
TypeInfantry
Part of2nd Division
Garrison/HQŠančiai (in Kaunas), Jonava
EngagementsLithuanian Wars of Independence
(1918-1920)

Formation

The regiment began forming on 5 December 1918.[1] However, the Red Army was approaching from the east, so the core of the regiment, composed of the pulkininkas Vincas Grigaliūnas-Glovackis, three officers, and two soldiers, transferred from Vilnius to Kaunas and established itself in three rooms of the hotel "Europa".[2] The German Army, still present in Lithuania, hindered the formation of the regiment, but the regiment was still granted the barracks in the Upper Panemunė. The regiment's officers travelled through Suvalkija and recruited volunteers. In early February 1919, the regiment had 50 officers and 1,262 soldiers, but there was only 420 rifles and no machine-gun. There was no military clothing, the volunteers received only a uniform cap, but still wore civilian clothes and were fed poorly.

The training of volunteers was short and were quickly pressed into action, as the Bolsheviks was already threatening the temporary capital, Kaunas.

Lithuanian Wars of Independence

Lithuanian-Soviet War

The Soviet forces were approaching Kaunas from Prienai, thus 200 of the 2nd regiment's soldiers were sent to the front and fought in the battle of Jieznas. The first fights were unsuccessful due to the lack of force and experience. During the fight, one officer of the regiment, Cietuchin betrayed the regiment and led a squad of 33 men directly to enemy. The fight resulted in heavy casualties: 18 dead and 33 captured. Nevertheless, after a few days and after receiving reinforcements, the infantry took Jieznas back and halted the southern force of the Bolshevik offensive's pincer movement.

From May to September 1919, the regiment was part of the Panevėžys Group which fought the Red Army near Žasliai, Kėdainiai, Ramygala, Obeliai. In these fights, the regiment had 3 battalions with 63 officers, nearly 2,000 men and 20 machine guns.

The Battle of Panevėžys was very fierce and had to be liberated twice - on 19 and 21 May. Especially fierce fights raged in Kupiškis. The regiment's fights in Latvia were hard, due to an inconsistent supply and a dropping morale. Nonetheless, when the fights ended in September, the Bolsheviks were driven out of Lithuania.

Polish-Lithuanian War

In 1920 the regiment unsuccessfully fought against invading Polish forces near Seinai and Giedraičiai.

During the totality of the Lithuanian Wars of Independence, 11 officers and 111 men fell on the battlefield.

Interwar

The regiment garrisoned Šančiai (an eldership in Kaunas) and Jonava. In 1926 July, the regiment was awarded 2nd class of the Order of Vytautas Cross with the inscription "Tėvynės meilė tebus mums vadovas" (English: Love of the Fatherland will be our guide).

Soviet Occupation

When the USSR occupied Lithuania, the regiment's name was removed on 25 July 1940. When the Lithuanian People's Army into the Red Army, the regiment was disbanded.[3]

Regiment's commanders
  • Pranas Liatukas
  • Vincas Grigaliūnas-Glovackis
  • 1920 March 17 - Jonas Laurinaitis
  • 1922 September 20 - Jonas Petraitis
  • 1927-1928 Bronius Ivanauskas
  • 1928-1934 Julius Čaplikas
  • 1934 Juozas Tumas
  • Antanas Špokevičius

Officers

Petras Ciunis – Commander of the 2nd Company in 1939-1940.

References
  1. Ruzgas 1932, p. 136.
  2. Rudokas, Jonas (10 May 2007). "Giedraičių karžygiai". Veidas.
  3. Jasulaitis, Vytautas (2004). "Antrasis pėstininkų Lietuvos Didžiojo Kunigaikščio Algirdo pulkas". Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija. Vol. V (Dis-Fatva). Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas. p. 772.

See also
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