WesWorld

Hum hum hum... what's become of General van Loon? The world wonders.

Loon went loonie.

Ok, the Vaskes October 26th - 27th, 1935 has been tidied up and finished, so please refer to it at your leisure .

Next installment (due shortly) in the continuing Wilno Crisis: Bulgarian Artillery vs Wilno Field entrenchments or Blown to Smithereens!!!

Or more commonly known as "put your head between your legs and kiss yer butt goodbye!"

October 28th, 1935: The Last Battle of Vaskes - Part 1

General Orbay, after conducting inspections of his troops and staff secessions with his subordinates throughout the 26th and 27th, flies to Vilnius at night fall on the 27th to brief the League of Nations Wilno Task Force Headquarters, Fliegerfuehrer Lituanen headquarters and the 1st LoN Field Hospital. General Orbay, also mets with Lithuanian President Kazys Grinius and his cabinet, to bring them up to date on developments and the LoN Task Force's logistical needs.

General Kazim Orbay, expresses his confidence in the final attack plans developed by his staff to President Grinius and Field Marshal Žukauskas. Orbay, does admit to some reservations regarding the attack planned on Festung Kessel, particularly it's lack of heavy field artillery support. Both Grinius and Žukauskas agree that Lithuania might be able to provide just that sort of support to the LoN Wilno Task Force within matter of hours, certainly within the next twenty-four if things move quickly enough.

President Grinius makes clear that possible international political considerations might cause some trouble and even delay. Grinius however makes equally clear, that he will politically support and materially assist any reasonable demands/and or actions to end the fighting in Vaskes as quickly as possible. Orbay points out to the Lithuanians that as Task Force commander he has the authority to requisition any civil or military assistance that can be offered.

With this incentive at hand, Field Marshal Žukauskas offers the LoN Wilno Task Force, the temporary loan of the Lithuanian Republican Army's Special Training Artillery Group and the 11th Reserve Artillery Regiment, based in Kaunas and Panevezys respectively. Both units are equiped with heavy field artillery pieces: fielding a combined total of six field batteries. Lithuanian railway units can arrange the swift transport of the two units to Vilnius, from the two units can proceed to Vaskes by available road and rail routes to Vaskes. General Kazim Orbay, concerned over the lives of the men, charged with taking Festung Kessel, immediately accepts the offer. Lithuanian and LoN Task Force staffs, make frenzied efforts to turn the promise into effective action. A weary Orbay, flies back to Vaskes, before dawn, to snatch a few hours of sleep before the planned attacks commense.

General Hans Enfeldt, orders his troops to be ready for dawn, on the 28th. To his attack group, composed of the 1st Nordmark Armoured Divisions, the 1st, 2nd and 5th LoN Field Columns, goes the honour of the first blow. Infantry brought up during the nights now fill the LoN entrenchment, field works, and village squares. Grenades and ammunition are generously dispensed, rifles and submachineguns are checked, and re-checked for instant readiness. The men nervously await the order to attack. Tank crews ready their steel mounts, fuel and oils are topped up, tracks and armaments checked repeatedly and thoroughly. Engines snarl to life, fumes blaze from tail pipes. Artillerymen align their weapons with finky percision, on to specified targets within eastern Vaskes. Breech blocks snap open, shells and cordite cartridges are rammed home, then slam shut with a metallic clang. Gun captains hands tighten on prepared firing laynards. Battery captains watch the hands on their watchs, the minutes slowly count down to zero hour...

October 28th, 1935:

I sit here, wrapped in the tattered remains of my coat and blanket, huddled with the remainents of my section around a humble fire made from whatever we can find that will burn in a discarded oil drum. My section's battle post is in a shapeless lump of ruins that we're once a small local school house. What blashphemy that is, to wage war in a place of learning! A place that should be for children to grow and study, is now a place that death and destruction resides! God help us... .

We ready ourselves for the comming battle, it will be our last battle I think. Hope for victory is long gone amougst us, even hope of survival is fast diminishing. Our officers try to lift our spirits but it's a futil effort, though they make it anyway. Stubborn integrety and professionalism, I suppose - we are the defenders of the republic, and we owe it and our people every effort we can make. The League of Nations troops, draw their ring tighter and tighter around our positions, day and night, we hear the clank of their tanks tracks, the clatter of artillery being dragged into position. The ominious precussion of marching boots, as more and more infantry are brought up into the lines opposite us.

Our own artillery, although bravely served are few in number compared to the League's weight of metal. Ammunition for the few cannons and howitzers at our disposal is desperately short, perhaps only a few rounds per gun now. Many in my section are down to perhaps a handful of rounds each, themselves. I just count three clips left for my carbine. Our company's machineguns and few mortars are not a great deal better off. Food and water are frighteningly scare, everything is rationed to the absolute limit: everyone recieves just enough to sustain life, if not health - hunger and thirst stalks our ranks like a living thing. We fight filth and vermin as often as our enemies, the situation is intolerable, illness has swept through our ranks, disabling many with fevers, colds and the like.

With things as they are, I cannot see how the struggle can be continued, our enemies gather about us in increasing numbers, and help from outside is non-existant. Wild hopes still exist amoug some that Poland we come to our rescue. I was in the fighting around Vilnius, from the start of the war, and during our sortie to link up with the Polish divisions. I think a second intervention is a pipe-dream, Poland will not risk it, we are not worth a war with Russia to them, not without the old marshal at the helm.

- excerpt taken from the Diary of Anderis Olszewska, Wilno National Self-Defense Battalion; The Battle in the Vaskes Pockets, The Eagle and the Knight: Polish-Lithuanian Conflicts, Vol.III.

General Hans Enfeldt, at 10:00 am, gives the order. The Nordmark divisional artillery and LoN Field Batteries, roar to life. Battery positions are soon wreathed in clouds of smoke and bright flames, shells arc into the Wilno lines in eastern Vaskes, Major-General Korberba and his self-defensemen brace themselves for what they know will be a fierce battle. A flight of Bulgarian Focke-Wulf Fw 44s flying overhead, help direct the pounding artillery to maximum effect.

Wilno defensive positions, vanish in clouds of dust, debris and bodies. The Luftwaffe flying from Vilnius arrives to add it`s quotient of destruction for the day. Eastern Vaskes, disintigrates under the bombardment. The trapped Wilno soldiery grimly hangs on, they have no were left to run, and many will still not surrender without a fight. The few artillery pieces available make a feeble attempt to counter Enfeldt`s barrage. Three guns and their crews are promptly smashed into oblivion, by Enfeldt`s gunners. A single Wilno artillery piece is unexpectedly knocked out, when one of the circling Bulgarian Fw-44, dives upon it, with the observer tossing hand-grenades as they over fly the gun`s heavily dug in position. Another is taken out by a well-executed attack by Luftwaffe fighter-bombers.

The limited system of communications built up within Eastern Vaskes by Maj.General Korberba, rapidly breaks down. Orders and reports get scrambled, or fail to get through to units or headquarters all together. A flurry of frantic last-minute orders and counter-orders confuse the situation still further rather then clarify it. The defense of eastern Vaskes by default falls onto the shoulders of the men, and their section, platoon and company commanders frequently forced to fight as individual units rather then as an integrated whole.

Maj.General Hans Enfeldt, takes full advantage of this, although initally he isn't aware of the Wilno's breakdown of command. Artillery, infantry and armour work closely together to demolish individual Wilno Self-Defense Battalion positions. The Wilno troops resist gallantly but with increasing ineffectiveness, as they run out of ammunition, and their defensive perimeter buckles under the mounting pressure. In some places, Wilno self-defensemen throw down their arms and surrender, in other positions, they fight to the last cartridge, and down to fists and bayonets. Casualties mount alarmingly, the Wilno medical and logistical system, fails completely. Koberba's chief medical officers request that he surrender - immediately. All medicines and equipements are exhausted, ammunition is gone, while water and food supplies are now practically non-existant.

Maj.General Benedek Korberba, stalls momentarily, his attempts to contact Field Marshal Letowska for instructions have failed, nor can he re-gain contact with the headquarters of the Wilno Governmental District commander Boleslaw Guttowa, CO - 1st NSD Grand Wing. Enfeldt sends forward an envoy, to demand, Korberba and his 3rd Grand Wing's surrender. Korberba, flatly refuses. Enfeldt and his subordinates aren't although surprised but nor are they impressed by the defiance. General Enfeldt orders his infantry and armour to hold position, while his combined artillery resumes a sustained bombardment of the remaining Wilno defensive positions. Maj.General Enfeldt checks his watch, the hands strike 12:00 pm.

Korberba, hastly mets with his senior officers: Major Josef Goclawski, Major Jerzy Liszcz, and Major Danilo Michalak, the commanders of the 6th, 7th, 8th NSD Wing respectively. Within a few minutes of them reaching Korberba's field headquarters, their positions are struck by the Nordmark and LoN field batteries fire. Thinking another major attack is underway, Korberba orders them back to their commands. Korberba is not far wrong in this estimate. At 12:30, the bombardment slows, to allow the League troops to begin their attack. Wilno positions are hammered by the tanks and machineguns teams, engineers and infantry pioneers lead the renewed attack with explosive charges and flame-throwers. Major Goclawski's 6th Wing comes apart under the savage and systematic mauling it recieves, men begin to throw down their arms and surrender. Goclawski and his surviving wing staff surrender, after his HQ is over-run in a Nordmark tank attack. Major Josef Goclawski is severely wounded when a Nordmark tank deliberately rams the cottage that is his headquarters and collapses it. Goclawski is partially trapped in the wreckage, his left leg disappears under one of the tank's grinding tracks. Prompt action by a Roumanian medic saves the Wilno general's life by preforming an emergency amputation of his badly crushed left foot and shin.

The 7th and 8th Wings, make increasingly feeble attempts to resist. Major Jerzy Liszcz, makes it clear to Korberba, that continued resistance is not only impossible it is the sheerest fantasy. Korberba, still baulks however, at open capitulation to the enemy. Matters are taken out of the major-general's hands when the defensive positions of the 8th Wing collapse, following the disinitgration of the 6th Wing. a exhausted and dispirited Major Danilo Michalak, surrenders himself and the few men of his command left standing to Colonel Todor Lazov Krstev and his advancing 5th League of Nations Field Column. Major Jerzy Liszcz, somehow keeps his men together and fighting, even as they are driven into an increasingly small defensive pocket by attack field columns and the 1st Nordmark Armoured Division. At 1:00 pm, the increasingly fragmented 7th NSD Wing, can take no more: ammunition is gone, fighting morale has hit rock bottom, and essential supplies of medicines, water, and food are totally exhausted. Major Michalak without reference to Korberba, orders his men to surrender. Major-General Hans Enfeldt, signals General Kazim Orbay, at 1:15 pm, all fighting in eastern Vaskes has ended.

October 28th, 1935: Last Battle of Vaskes - Part 2

You have to admire them for it, these Wilno Poles, their courage is of the highest order. Anyone else would have thrown in the sponge a long ago, but them, no - they still keep fighting, just as hard in their last days as they did in first days of this crisis. That said our job is to end this mess, and if they're stupid enough to want us to kill them all, then we will oblige them.

Generalmajor Erik Hansen, CO - 3rd LoN Field Column; The Battle in the Vaskes Pockets, The Eagle and the Knight: Polish-Lithuanian Conflicts, Vol.III.

Lieutenant-General Raoul Daufresne de la Chevalerie, had gone over the planned attack on the Festung Kessel pocket, carefully. The Belgian general still felt qualms about the coming attack, but the arrival of the loaned Lithuanian heavy field artillery units, had bolstered his confidence that things would proceed well. With the 1st Atlantean Expeditionary Division ( Major-General Arikus Patreaus) arrayed to the Wilno Grand Wing's northern and eastern fronts, while the Legion Oranje (Brigade-Generaal Jacob Snellensoon) covered the southern front. The 3rd LoN Field Column (Generalmajor Erik Hansen) lay astride the Wilno Grand Wing's western front. Boxed in on all four sides, the Wilno garrison, under Major-General Ziven Konarski was thoroughly surrounded.

The German bombers, dive-bombers and fighter-bombers of Fliegerfuehrer Lituanen, opened the battle for the improvised fortress with a dawn air raid. Bombs, a deadly mix of high-explosive and incendaries rained down from a hundred aircraft, attacking in two waves. The Lithuanian Republican Army's Special Training Artillery Group (STAG) and the 11th Reserve Artillery Regiment arrive to reinforce, Daufresne de le Chevalerie, during the night. At dawn, during the air raid, the Lithuanian artillerymen work to move their 152-mm weapons into battery. Truck load after truck load of shells are piled up, sorted and readied for action.

Leutant Hans Oehler's LoN field battery and the combined field batteries of the Legion Oranje, commense firing as soon as the Luftwaffe aircraft finish their bombing runs. These guns hammer Festung Kessel relentlessly until 11:00 am. At 11:15 am, the Lithuanian Army's STAG comes into action, with its 152-mm guns. The steady fire of the 75-mm and 105-mm weapons are pulverizing, Konarski's remaining defensive positions. The bulk of his perimeter wire entanglements, improvised field obstacles and forward pill-box positions have been destroyed by the air and artillery attacks. The Wilno troops scuttle from ruin to ruin and shell hole and crater to try and stay alive under the deadly fire. The Festung Kessel communications system has come apart, few field phones are in working order, or if they are, the wires have been cut by shell fire or bomb blast. Runners comprise the only working system he has to recieve reports and issue orders, many of them do not make it through. The weight of the Lithuanian 152-mm guns begins to tell increasingly by 11:30 am, when the 11th Reserve Artillery Regiment opens fire.

Konarski still somehow inspires his ragged command to hold out. Running from position to position, he urges his men to stay at their posts. His appeal is quiet almost gentle, without fanfare or hyterical appeals to their pride or patriotism: he asks only that they do their duty, as they have so often done before.

Major-General Ziven Konarski relies for his last defense upon a layered defense of hidden spider holes, grouped individual fox holes and slit trenches, and an improvised network of basement bunkers and a crude connecting system of tunnels and communications trenches. The strongest positions act as weapons emplacements for medium and heavy machineguns and infantry mortars, while riflemen and light machine-gunners occupy the other positions.

The heavy LoN and Lithuanian fire is slowly blasting this system of positions apart. Casualities mount by the minute, jamming the few first aid stations, and auciliary trenches supporting them. Generalmajor Hansen and his 3rd LoN Field Column renew their attack, advancing carefully, under the maximum supporting fire that can be mustered. His Turkish and German infantrymen bomb their way relentlessly forward, every other man loaded down with a satchel of grenades. While Hansen's men press their attack, the 1st Atlantean Expeditionary Division begins to violently probe, the Wilno perimeter. Major-General Arikus Patreaus sends forward the Atlantean Corsairs to lead the attacks, closely supported by the 14th Atlantean Armoured Battalion, the tanks rumble and clatter cautiously through the rubble and drifting smoke, spraying any suspect position or entrenchment with cannon and machinegun fire.

Brigade-Generaal Jacob Snellensoon, not to be outdone, orders Legion Oranje's 1st and 2nd Infantry Battalions begin their attacks on their front. Detachments of the Legion's armour battalion, join the assault as well, bringing up cannon armed FT-17 light tanks and Romsfel armoured cars to support the Dutch infantrymen. By 12:22 the Festung Kessel is being struck from three sides, the pressure on Konarski's thin lines is causing them to buckle. Although his men are resisting with incredible courage, they are slowly being forced to give ground they can ill afford to do so.

Lieutenant-General Raoul Daufresne de la Chevalerie for his part is less then satisfied with the situation. The plan to take the Kessel, is behind schedule. The fierce Wilno resistences has cost both time and lives, neither a commondity, that Daufresne de la Chevalerie wishes to spend fruitlessly. In the western Wilno perimeter, Hansen has been brought to a halt, the defenses and rubble is at it's thickest here, and Generalmajor Hansen reports he can make little or no headway, without greater support. Brigade-Generaal Snellensoon, is still moving forward, but at a heavy cost in tanks and armoured cars. Major-General Patreaus, reinforcing the feints and jabbs of the Corsairs with elements of his 1st, 2nd and 3rd Special Purpose Regiments continues to gain ground, despite several violent but un-cordinated counter-attacks by the Wilno Self-Defensemen. Judging from these reports that Maj.General Arikus Patreaus has and still is obtaining the best results of the LoN attackers, Daufresne de la Chevalerie, directs the Lithuanian artillery to assist the Atlanteans with their full force.

Several attempts are made by the various LoN commanders to entreat, Major-General Ziven Konarski to surrender. These entreats are met with silence, and more often then not dismissed with a fusilade of bullets from the stubborn Wilno defenders. Patreaus, Snellensoon, and Hansen are becoming increasingly exasperated by the Wilno's behaviour, although, Hansen for one, is not particularly surprised, although Patreaus, is somewhat nonplussed about it. Snellensoon, like Hansen a veteran of the Wilno Crisis, and the Insurrection Crisis that proceeded it is also is not particularly surpised - he knows this enemy, they will fight, and keep fighting, as long as they can.

Ok, Last Battle of Vaskes Part 2 s tidied up and finished, on to the next bit, Part 3 of course, thanks for your patience. On to Part 3, either Monday or Tuesday circumstances permitting.

Nicely done. Looking forward to the end of this!

Nice to see Patreaus gaining some ground, hopefully artillery will improve those gains.

Major-General Arikus Patreaus and his men faced a difficult task, digging out the firmly dug in Wilno Self-defensemen under the defiant Major-General Ziven Konarski. The work had been slow, painful and deadly, as the 1st Atlantean Corsairs and 14th Atlantean Armoured Battalion working together gradually isolated and took each indivdually fortified position and suppressed it's supporting neigbhours. Advancing elements of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Atlantean Special Purpose regiments, occupied the ground taken, and provided additional fire-support to the marines and armoured units. With the assistance of the borrowed Lithuanian Army's 11th Artillery Reserve regiment and the Special Training Artillery Regiment, Patreaus and his staff expected to be able to accelerate their attacks.

Major-General Patreaus decided to pull, the Corsairs and 14th, back to refit. Both units were exhausted, had suffered losses and used up much of their immediately available ammunition at an incredible rate, clearing the Wilno defenses before them. The special purpose regiments would resume the attack with the Lithuanian heavy artillery batteries in support. It was not until 1:45 pm, that the 1st Atlantean Expeditionary Division was in position to resume their assault, as both men, vehicles and guns had to be repositions, refitted and resupplied. The 3rd LoN Field Column, and the Legion Oranje continued to press their assaults to distract the Wilno troops, but at a lower intensity to conserve both ammunition and manpower. LoN Artillery and aircraft frequently raked Wilno positions causing Konarski's weakening command further casualties in both precious men and material.

At 2:00 pm, Lt.General Daufresne de le Chevalerie again tried to get, Konarski to surrender. The attempt failed, to no one's surprise. At which point, Patreaus was given the go ahead to resume his assault. The opening barrage by the two Lithuanian artillery units, was concentrated on an extremely narrow sector of the Festung Kessel defensive area, and within minutes, once the gunners had the range, blown a gaping hole, almost a hundred meters in the entrenchments and rifle pits. Into that gap, charged the leading assault units of the 1st SP infantry regiment. Their task was to secure the break and widen it, which they did despite a virtual hail of small-arms fire. The 14th Armoured Battalion, rolled into the gap as it widened in support, blazing away at any position it could see through the clouds of flame, smoke and falling debris the artillery had created.

Konarki's defenses buckled, as the wedge driven into his position, widened still further. The attacking elements of the 1st SP regiment, fought their way into the heart of the Kessel often at close quarters in fighting who's viciousness surpassed anything the Atlanteans had experienced before. Major-General Patreaus ordered elements of the other two special purpose regiments to attack into the gap and exploit the 1st regiment's success. Brigade-Generaal Snellensoon, observing the succes of the Atlanteans ordered his own troops to resume their attack at maximum effort. Generalmajor Hansen followed suit, when he too was appraised of the progress of Patreaus's division.

Major-General Konarski's position was rapidly becomming impossible, as the LoN attacks mounted in strength, and widdled away at his defensive posts. Ammunition was critical, medical supplies were exhausted, and reserves of food and water were scant. Still, he stubbornly encouraged his men to continue to resist.

October 28th, 1935:

Major-General Jonas Cernius, paced up and down the length of the room, his three companions watched his agitated movements warily. Major-General Jonas Sutkus, the most senior ranking of the assembled officers, and Quartermaster-General of the Lithuanian Army, polished his spectacles absently. Brigadier-General Kazys Skucas, the former Minister of Internal Affairs and now commander of the Lithuanian Army's 2nd Rifle Brigade, watching Brig.General Cernius, from the room's large bay window, turned with his hands crossed behind his back and remarked coolly.

"Sit down, Jonas, for heavens sake will you. That pacing is doing nothing for your nerves."

Jonas Cernius turned in mid-pace, his expression thunderous and made to utter some scathing retort, then suddenly thought better of it and swallowed whatever he had intended to say. Cernius, confined himself to throwing himself into the nearest arm chair. Brigadier-General Skucas, locked gazes with Cernius for a moment, until he was sure, that the former Lithuanian Army Chief-of-Staff had calmed himself sufficiently. Skucas, then turned his attention to the remaining officer in the room, Brigadier-General Kazys Musteikis, the current commanding officer of the Lithuanian Army Military School.

A smoldering silence prevaded the room, which was only broken by Major-General Jonas Sutkus, replaced his glasses, with a distracted air, and suddenly spoke.

"General Skucas, is right, Jonas, we can't achieve anything politically or militarily at the moment, the Liberals and Socialists have the upper hand in the Seimas. As long as President Grinius has a working majority in the Parliment, the regime is his." Sutkus remarked carefully, before continuing in the same measured tone.
"Further, he's putting into place in all key locations, people he can trust to obey, their instructions."

"We cannot let those fools in the Seimas, endanger this country!" Cernius burst out, Musteikis nodded in emphatic agreement, although so far, he'd held his tongue, unlike his more vocal superior. Generals Skucas and Sutkus exchanged weary glances.

"We can do nothing legally, until the regime changes, and that means our hands are tied til the next national election. Which, by the way, isn't likely to happen anytime soon. Grinius certainly doesn't want one, and the opposition parties are not in a good enough position to overturn the governing parties political alliance." Sutkus, said heavily, his glass caught the fire light in the hearth and turned into circles of fire.

"Legally, yes." Cernius, remarked almost to himself. The other three general officers suddenly looked at their fellow with something close to apprehension, they sensed the way the conversation and more importantly set of Cernius's mind was turning.

"If you are suggesting we try a coup d'etat, General Cernius, you are out of your mind! We don't have control of the Armed Forces, and we lack even a modicum of popular support in the Seimas, much less in the streets!" Sutkus angrily exploded, sitting bolt up right in his chair.

"It's been done before, to President Grinius." Cernius remarked coldly.

"Yes, and that was years ago, and if you think, that fear hasn't left him - and that he's taken precautions to prevent it happening again, you're an idiot as well as out of your mind, Jonas." General Sutkus, responded equally coldly. Kazys Skucas, nodded in agreement, before speaking.

"Jonas, you'd need the Army, National Police and Security Troops to go along with it, and at the moment that isn't going to happen. Nor for that matter do you have any troops to execute such a plan with."

"No. But you, Skucas, and Musteikis, do." Cernius said bluntly. Now it was Musteikis's turn to look astonished as well, as Skucas and Sutkus.

"My Cadets, against the Life-Guards!-" Musteikis, burst out, launching himself upright from his seat. His expression one of equal parts horror and appalled shock. Skucas, glared at Cernius, he was no more impressed with the former chief-of-staff's unexpected suggestion.
"My...Rifle Brigade, as you might call it is, a work of fiction, Jonas, half-brigade is more like it! Not one of my two rifle regiments is stronger then a single battalion, the 8th field artillery isn't in much better shape, and my service and support units aren't even at company strength yet!"

"Gentlemen." Sutkus said flatly, drawing their attention towards him. "I don't think anything will be gained by madcap schemes or ideas. We must bide our time, and await events. More importantly we must sound out, both our allies and our enemies."

"Agreed." Both, Musteikis, and Skucas said together.

Cernius, realizing he risked lossing his hold on his fellow officers, decided to relent, at least for the present. He would need their overt as well as their covert support, and he knew it.

"Very, well, gentlemen, we will put that idea, aside then. I suppose, we should now turn our attention to how best to build up an effective opposition both politically and militarily to President Grinius and his cohorts in the Seimas."

Uh-oh!

October 28th, 1935:

President Grinius addressed the Seimas today, formally announcing his cabinet's plans for post-civil war reconstruction and development. President Grinius, concious of the speculation and debate that has hearded his regime's formation, went over his cabinet's reconstruction and development plan, created by the Ministry of Finance, with imput from all the other cabinet ministries. The 1935-36 Economic & Reconstruction Plan has already been debated in party caucus and in secret governmental seccessions, this being the first time that it has been released in it's full form for public discussion.

President Grinius, hit the highlights for the benefit of the Seimas and reporters present in the Parliment.

I) Postwar Reconstruction:

1) Once the Civil War/Wilno Crisis is dealt with, the Lithuanian Government’s primary interest will be feeding the population and getting the people back to work. Economic assistance from friendly powers - Russia, German and France, can cover the very short term while the Lithuanian people get back to their farms and factories. Germany, particularly has expressed a willingness to help.

2) As a primarily agricultural country, Lithuania is quite capable of feeding itself so long as people aren’t shooting at each other. The postwar reconstruction phase will focus on clearing away rubble, replenishing the housing stock, and refitting existing factories. This is expected to very much a long term project, lasting several years.

II) Long Term Development:

1) Lithuania has little immediate export potential beyond agriculture and forest products, and as a result very much needs foreign exchange to support it's internal industrial development. The domestic market being of necessity very small, making building big factories out of the question; building right-sized factories in niche industries is possible however and will be encouraged by private and government investments.

2) Maximum investment will be persued in the areas of agricultural and food processing, forest products and paper and textiles. A similar course will be directed on developing home manufactures that use a maximum of domestic materials – it increases the value of exports to do so in a manufactured state rather than as primary products.

3) Large-scale construction of regional grain elevators – which will reduce the loss in handling of national grain output and make more product available for export. Food processing capability developed at these sites will have the useful effect of producing increased flour supplies in place of wheat, or inaddition to them. Given that Lithuanian domestic labour rates are cheap, far cheaper than foreign imports. The more that Lithuania can process internally, results in surpluses that can be used to earn revenue in exports.

4) Distilleries, form a vital and traditional aspect of the Lithuanian economy, brewing and distilling were the easiest way to convert raw agricultural products into something that is profitable, transportable and exportable. Every effort will be expended to improve their quality, and move them into successful niche market.

5) The Large-scale development of forest product industries – instead of exporting merely wood, a greater emphasis will be aimed at encouraging companies to turn it into furniture, pulp or paper. Foreign investment will particularly important in this economic development. This project meets two vital economic needs: not only does Lithuania gain products for sale abroad but can also meet domestic demand from our own resources to save on foreign exchange.

6) The large-scale development of textile factories – currently the Lithuanian home resource base for textile production is limited (largely flax for linen and wool). Cotton supplies are being considered via export from India in exchange for Lithuanian exports of food and timber.

7) Expansion of the Lithuanian merchant fleet will be invaluable in saving on foreign exchange for freights and earning foreign currency in the cross trades. Either via the purchase or construction new ships to built up , Lithuania's Baltic Lloyd. A cheaper option under consideration being to buy up second-hand tonnage. A further maritime option is to pursue the development of a domestic Lithuanian fishing fleet. Such a fleet would provide both food for the domestic population and potential export earnings once the fish is processed.

To the surprise of many, the annoucement was met with little uproar or comment, many of the political parties, particular those of the opposition parties are still taking time to digest the contents of the long report, and consult their own economic advisors before pedging themselves to a particular opinion or standing regarding it. One question was posed, whether President Grinius and his cabinet, thought a two year economic plan and recover period was enough. Grinius, remarked that he didn't believe so, the ravages of the Civil War and the continuing Wilno Crisis would not be put right so easily or so quickly. The First two years of the plan, would determine the pace of future works, and what modifications might have to be made, to future economic and recovery plans in 1937-38 or any subsequent economic plans that his cabinet or it's successors at such time may have to make.

Very reasoned and well thought out. The basic premises seem sound and workable. With assistance from friendly powers it is certain that much progress can be made.

Indeed, well written. France will be pleased to aid the recovery of the distressed Lithuanian people.

in Russia.

October 28th, 1935: The Last Battle of Vaskes - Part 3

While the battle raged on against the western resistance within Vaskes and Major-General Enfeldt delt with the disarming of the surrendering Wilno self-defensemen in the eastern pocket. General Kazim Orbay, turned his attention upon, the Wilno Governmental defensive pocket. For the internationally assembled soldiers of the League of Nations Wilno Taskforce, this pocket's destruction symbolized the end of the Wilno Crisis, or at least that was their feverent hope.

General Orbay, had readied his troops with some care, deciding to await events before launching a full scale attack against the governmental district. Now that one pocket had been eliminated, and the other at least thoroughly surrounded, Orbay felt free to attack, Marshal Letowska's last bastion. With the 1st Bulgarian Infantry Division (Maj.General Theodosi Petrov Daskalov), 3rd Dutch Marine Brigade (Luitenant-Generaal Henrius Fabius), and the 4th LoN Field Column (Lt.Colonel Haili Gurdal) and LoN Mobile Brigade (General de Brigade Yvanne Louis Gerard) at his disposal, confidence was felt by all, the task could be accomplished.

At 1:00 pm, General Orbay gives the order to attack. Massed Bulgarian, Dutch and and the first of the redeployed Nordmark artillery, open fire. Every infantry mortar, machine-gun and rifle on the perimeter joins in, smothering the Wilno positions. Fliegerfuehrer Lituanen, adds its quotient of destruction, with a series of massed air attacks by dive-bombers, medium bombers and fighter-bombers. The Wilno pocket is quickly wreathed in smoke, flames and flying debris, as buildings, entrenchments and improvised bunkers, seem to disintigrate under the hammering.

Thirty minutes into this punishing barrage, Wilno Major-General Boleslaw Guttowa's command bunker is struck by a Bulgarian 149-mm shell, although Guttowa survives, this hit kills or wounds most of his command staff, and destroys his central communications exchange. Further many of his couriers and runners are killed or wounded by the hit, which collapses the communication trench, ajoining the bunker, in which they were seeking safety. With one hit, Command of the battle for the Wilno Governmental defensive pocket now unexpectedly devolved upon the individual WNSD Battalion wing commanders and their subordinate company and platoon officers.

General Orbay, waited until just after 2:30 before ordering the first sorties by his assembled infantry units against the battered Wilno defensive lines. Many of the younger soldiers had difficulty believing anything had survived the incredible hammering that the Wilno self-defensemen had just endured for an hour and a half. The veterans of the Great War amoung them cautioned them otherwise, there would be survivors and they would be waiting at their posts, with weapons at the ready. As luck would have it the vanguards of the LoN Mobile Brigade and the 4th LoN Field Column, would make the first hard contacts. Blazing small-arms fire directed from the jumpled rubble of the pocket met the vanguard platoons of General de Brigade Gerard and Lt.Colonel Gurdal's commands as they advanced.

The volunteers of the 6th and 8th Battalions of the Wilno Civil Watch Corps, advances with vigour dispite the often galling fire raking their advances into the Governmental pocket's perimeter. Lt. Colonel Gurdal, followed up their success by launching the LoN Wilno Task Force Combined Staff Battalion in a heavy strike towards, the Wilno Presidential Palace and Parlimentary building, increasingly supported by arriving Nordmark artillery, this attack made considerable headway. Wilno attempts to plug the gap that Captain Yakov hammered into their lines, grew increasingly frantic and costly. Captain Yakov, stubbornly lead his men, as far as the steps of the Presidental Palace, and while several dozen of his men managed to fight their way into the courtyard, surrounding the Wilno Parlimentary building. At this point the staff battalion became pinned under heavy small-arms and field artillery fire. Unable to advance further, and unwilling to retire, Yakov fought savagely to hold his position.

Repeated calls by General Orbay, upon the Wilno National Self-Defense Battalion to surrender, went unanswered either by Major-General Guttowa, Marshal Letowska or the WNSD Wing commanders within the defensive pocket. While this frustrated Orbay, and his subordinates, neither he or they were by now surprised at this complete lack of response. Consequently, General Orbay, released the 1st Bulgarian Infantry Division, and the 3rd Marine Brigade to commense their own attacks in ernest.

The LoN Mobile Brigade, met similar success and failure in equal measure in it's first attempt to break the Wilno defense. General Gerard, began his attack with all three of his LoN field batteries, readied and proceeded to have them deliver a rapid and violent hammering to the Wilno defenses immediately in front of the Mobile Brigade's start off line. Further the LoN artillerists added generous amounts of smoke shells to the high-explosive and shrapnael rounds they were lobbing into the Wilno lines.

When the smoke had thickened sufficiently throughout the area, Gerard had been assigned to attack, he gave the order for the 2nd Jagers te Paard regiment to advance. Loping forward as they broke from cover in a hunters crouch, the 2nd Jagers did so, with their accustomed professionalism and elan. Although hit with a heavy fire, the 2nd Jagers didn't baulk and slammed into the entrenchments, violent fights breaking out at close quarters as the Jagers pilled relentlessly into the trenches, rifle pits and pill boxes. The armoured cars of the 4th and 5th German Reconnaissance battalions, advanced in the 2nd Jagers support, working to suppress any Wilno strong point, that offered more resistance then the Jagers could deal with.

General de Brigade Gerard, was able to report to General Orbay, that his troops had made good progress and would shortly be able to reach the center of Wilno resistance. This confidence was rapidly derailed however, when Gerard learned of the perdiciment of the Combine Staff Battalion, which was now in increasing danger of being isolated and trapped within the Wilno defensive positions.

The 3rd Dutch Marine Brigade, concentrating it's artillery on a narrow front, launched it's attack upon the Wilno Governmental positions. The Dutch Marines, closely supported by their tankettes, steadily blasted their way into the Wilno defensive lines. Luitenant-Generaal Henrius Fabius was able to report his success to General Orbay, as elements of his marine regiments battled towards the embattled Combined Staff Battalion, trapped in the Wilno Parlimentary Square. General Kazim Orbay, requested that the 1st Bulgarian Infantry Division, begin it's own assault in full force to help further relieve the pressure the gallant Yakov and his men. Major-General Theodosi Petrov Daskalov and his grenadiers did not fail to oblige.

Ok, Part 3, done, now onto Part 4 for this week!

October 28th, 1935:

The Seimas, after examing the reconstructon and development program devised by President Kazys Grinius and his cabinet officers, agreed to refer the program to the Seimas Select Committee for National Affairs. This move was not welcomed by President Grinius, which he described as unwelcome and unfortunate political stalling tactics by some members of the opposition parties. Unfortantly, for proponents of the program, sufficent numbers of the ruling Democratic Coalition, also favoured delaying ratifying and implementation (even though a majority were in fact in favour of the program) of the 1935-36 reconstruction program until the generally non-partisan Select Committee had time to make it's own recommendations.

President Grinius is reported to be fuming over the un-necessary delay and procrastination by the Seimas, but is at somewhat molified that the Select Committee has traditionally been know for returning it's reports and recommendations in a reasonable and timely manner.

Field Marshal Silvestras Žukauskas has ordered the officers and men of the Lithuanian National Armed Forces to re-new their oath of alliagence, in a move to quash a renewal of internal political dissent within the historically fraction prone Lithuanian Military, in particular the Lithuanian Republican Army. The new oath makes it clear that, the soldiers of Lithuania, regardless of service to defend the constitution and national institutions of Lithuania and not engage in fractional politics, they are servants of the state, it is proper for them to advise the government on policy, but it is not their place to make policy or attempt to over overthrow the legally elected government.

Field Marshal Žukauskas, himself took the new oath before the President and Cabinet today, alongside Vice-Admiral Antanas Kaskelis, in the Seimas. The chiefs of the other military services will take their oaths before the Seimas, later today or tomorrow. The field marshal made it pointedly clear that any officer who refused to take the new oath in good conscious, had better hand in their resignation.