WesWorld

The Wilno Republic Council of Government, with the agreement of the First Parliment, announces it will be sending Leon Diachuk, General-secretary for Foreign Affairs as head of the Wilno-Lithuania Cease-fire negotiations delegation.

Some difficulties are expected in the General-secretary being able to attend the cease-fire conference in Stockholm, slated for July 18th, 1935 as most land and air routes out of the Wilno Republic are controlled by hostile Lithuanian Governmental forces.

To date, the Lithuanian Government has pointedly refused to allow our Wilno Republican foreign office delegates to cross their territory. It is not expected that this unsatisfactory situation will change in the immediate future. Arrangements are being considered to use the good offices of the Polish Government to travel to Nordmark in time for the conference.

It is earnestly hoped by all citizens of the Wilno Republic that the conference will bear fruit and allow a peaceful resolution to the sad circumstance in which we find ourselves. No word has reached the Wilno Republic as to whether the Lithuanian government will itself be sending a delegation to Stockholm, or whether the Lithuanian troops in the field will respect the tentative cease-fire date advocated by the German Foreign Office.

After considerable acrimonious debate both inside the Seimas, and the Council of Ministers, and between the Seimas and the Presidential Palace. The Lithuanian Government, has tentatively decided to send a delegation to the Wilno-Lithuanian Cease-fire conference scheduled to take place in Stockholm around the third week of July.

Juozas Urbsys, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has been named to head the Lithuanian delegation, reportedly he attempted to decline the honour but felt duty-bound to accept in view of domestic political and external diplomatic pressures. He is expected to take a flight aboard a plane provided by the Lithuanian Military Aviation Service to Nordmark sometime in the near future.

President Smetona has expressed his adamant disapproval of the conference. Feeling that it gives unwarrented legitimatcy to a group of national traitors, ethnic nationalist rebels and foreign adventurers bent on stirring up trouble and strife for the Republic of Lithuania. Many members of the Council of Ministers have expressed the same sentiment and misgivings about the conference.

The Ministeries of National Defense and Interior Affairs have refused to comment on whether the July 10th midnight cease-fire provision of the Wilno-Lithuanian cease-fire proposal of the German Foreign Office will be enacted. Similarly other ministeries of the Lithuanian Government have remained tight-lipped about the matter.

I'm really enjoying reading all this. Thanks, and good job!

Majoor Van Der Kade, in his stiff new Lithuanian Army uniform, had toured the Lithuanian lines for most of the morning. He hadn't quite known what to expect so his visit had been something of an eye opener. Vilnius was a curious mixture in it's collection of architecture - governmental buildings, residences, castles, churches and factories, an interesting mix of part old and part modern, the result of the centuries of development since the city had first put down roots. Many areas of the city had been heavily marked by the fighting both in and outside it, while other parts seemed largely untouched. Particularly the forty or more churches devoted to Roman Catholicism, Russian Orthodox, Protestantism, Islam and Judeaism that doted Vilnius.

To Van Der Kade it looked as if the Lithuanians and the Polish-Lithuanians had settled into their final positions, judging by the troops and guns jammed into the Lithuanian front line outposts and field positions and filling the communications trenches. Both sides were just waiting for the other to make a move, any move. That would signal the out break of more heavy fighting. Van Der Kade didn't figure much for the Insurrectionists chances, although they had made a good fight of it so far, despite some horrible missteps. That said, the Lithuanians had worked to stack the odds in their favour when they finally attacked, they had more men, more guns and more air support in the combined Central and Northeastern Fronts then the Polish-Lithuanians had in their Army of the North.

The city was for the moment deceptively quiet. Which wasn't surprising as both the Lithuanians and Insurrectionists did the majority of their troop movements, especially the ones that would be visable to the other side, at night using the darkness's covering cloak. When that was going to change, Van Der Kade didn't know for certain, the Lithuanians had been cordial and communicative enough over most things, but they had been very tight-lipped about that particular detail. Hardly surprising, Van Der Kade thought, considering the political goings on in Kaunas at the moment. Snellensoon had at the last minute decided not to join, Van Der Kade, on this 'field' trip instead he'd decide to turn his attention to the Legion Oranje's depot at Palanga. Actually this made a great deal of sense, as there was a great deal to do there. And really, when Van Der Kade thought about it, it was hardly surprising as Snellensoon's own temperment and skills lent themselves strongly to organization and administrative details.

Snellensoon had however sent forward a Legion Oranje battle group composed of a few platoons of riflemen, a dozen of the landed surplus tanks and armoured cars, and a few field artillery pieces lent to them by the Lithuanian Army. This small force was nominally under Van Der Kade's command, and had been assigned to the Lithuanian Central Front, which was deployed to the western and southwestern areas of Vilnius. It at present seemed unlikely to Van Der Kade or his unit commanders that the Legion Oranje would see any action today. However his meeting with the commander of the Central Front, General Pranas Tamassaulo, and his staff had left, Van Der Kade, with the distinct impression that General Tamassaulo would use the Legion Oranje detachment placed at his disposal at the first moment that he could do so.

Van Der Kade took out his pocket watch and checked the time, it was almost past noon. He looked up at the sky and frowned it had been clear, except for the smoke of course, for most of the day. There was a smell of rain on the freshening breeze, and the suggestion of the clouds thickening on the horizon. Van Der Kade snapped his watch shut with a quick movement of his fingers. He turned and started to call for his aide to summon his battlegroup staff and his unit commanders.

Suddenly the whole skyline north of Vilnius lite up in sheets of flame and smoke as numerous guns and howitzers, belonging to the Lithuanian Northeastern Front, fired almost similtaneously.

July 8th, 1935:

General Emil Vimieris, at noon of the 8th, orders the artillery of his II, IV and V Field Corps to begin bombarding the positions of the Wilno Guards and 6th Divisions. At approximately 1:00 PM, the barrage commences, lasting for 45 minutes, supported by elements of the Lithuanian Air Force. The IV Field Corps launches attacks into the defensive positions of the Wilno Guards Division, under the cover of the artillery and bomber attacks. The II and V Field Corps strike the lines of the 6th Wilno Division. Under the cover of these operations the VIII Field Corps, pulls out of own entrenchments and marchs around the 6th Wilno Division's right flank.

General Pranas Tamassaulo, commences operations with his own field corps of the Central Front against the Wilno Guards Division and 1st Wilno Division, once the Northeastern Front's attacks are underway. The I Field Corps assaults the Guards Division, while the III and VII concentrate upon the positions of the 1st Division. General Tamassaulo sends the Legion Oranje units attached to his Front to join the Security Shock Battalion, composed of three companies of Security Special Tactical Units. Both units are used as the spearhead for the I Field Corps attacks.

General Feliks Baltusis-Ziemaitis, appraised of the developing attack in the Vilnius area orders the field corps of his Southwestern Front to go into action. The VI Field Corps continues it's pacification operations, while Baltusis-Ziemaitis joins the IX and X Field Corps and proceeds to heavily probe the picket lines of the Wilno Army of the South. The Lithuanian troops are bent on forcing the Wilno 4th and 5th Divisions into action again, General Baltusis-Ziemaitis had grouped his two field corps together under his personal command and seeks to defeat one or the other Wilno divisions in detail before dealing with the other.

The Ministers of National Defense and Interior Affairs advise the Lithuanian government that Operation Gediminas has begun in force. The Lithuanian government is informed that a positive decision regarding the Insurrectionists positions in and around the city of Vilnius is expected within the next 72 to 96 hours.

The Wilno Republic is thrown into something approaching chaos by the Lithuanian attacks, although they were expected, they were not expected so soon. The Wilno General-Secretariat for Military Affairs, hurriedly marshals it's forces, the Army of the North is ordered to hold it's positions at all costs, similiar orders are dispatched to the Army of the South. The refitting 2nd and 3rd Wilno Divisions are formed into the Army of the Northeast and ordered to take up positions to the east of Vilnius to protect the Army of the North's exposed flank. A Letowska Guards Division is scrapped together with four Letowska Guards battalions, a Letowska Guards cavalry regiment and an Wilno Army artillery battalion. It takes over the defense of the Wilno provisional capital at Amantas. Letowska Guards units with the divisions and in the Wilno controlled countryside are ordered to maximum efforts to hold the military and civil populations to their duties.

July 9th, 1935:

The troops of Lt.General Alfred Halwic's Army of the North struggle to resist Lithuanian attacks throughout the afternoon and night of the 8th and into the 9th. The situation in Lt.General Halwic, and Maj.Generals Popek, Jasunski and Plontek's opinions is rapidly growing to be impossible for the Wilno troops. The Guards Division is fending off assaults by the Lithuanian I and IV Field Corps. The 6th Division threatens to collapsed under the attack of the IV and V Field Corps. While the 1st Division grimly holds out against the increasingly heavy attacks of the III and VII Field Corps. All reserves of men and material have be committed, stocks of military necessities never large are practically exhausted. Desertion amoung the dispirited rank and file of their troops is reaching devastating levels, the harsh efforts of the Letowska Guards aren't helping or even hindering the rapid dissolution of the Wilno Army in Vilnius. Plontek tells Halwic flatly, they are witnessing the battle that will be called in the history books the "Destruction of the Army of the Noth." Halwic doesn't disagree, he urgently telephones Marshal Letowska asking for permission to withdraw, while there is still time to do so. Halwic is refused.

The Lithuanian VIII Field Corps falls upon the thinly held right flank of the 6th Wilno Division. The hard pressed Insurrectionist troops already brittle defense snaps like a twig under the Lithuanian field corps's unexpected assault. Maj.General Plontek just has time to send off runners to warn, the Wilno Guards division what is happening before his headquarters is overrun. The remanents of the 6th begin streaming southward in panic stricken retreat, hurried along by the mounted elements and armoured cars of the Vth and VIII Field Corps. The II and IVth Field Corps turn their attention to the imperiled Wilno Guards Division, now facing multiple attacks from the three field corps.

Halwic is told of the disaster that has befallen the 6th Division, he is shaken by the news. The position of the Army of the North is untenable, and catastrophe is looming over his command. Halwic resolves against orders to get as much of his command out of the city before it is too late. His staff calculates the the 'new' Army of the Northeast will not reach it's intended positions in time to be of any practical use. He orders his staff and army support units to begin falling back to Amantas, to set up a new defensive position. He asks Popek if he can withdraw, the response is in the negative. The Guards are too heavily engaged to fall back in any safety, they must fight and die where they are if anyone of the Army of the North is to get out of Vilnius alive. Jasunski offers his divisional reserves to help extradite the Guards. Popek while appreciating the offer refuses, the 1st Division's own position is rapidly becoming hopeless, and it must withdraw soon if there is any chance for it to leave the battle area as a complete unit. Halwic orders the 1st Division to fall back the best it can and get to Amantas.

By the evening of the 9thof July, Lithuanian Governmental troops have overrun the Wilno positions in and around the city of Vilnius, pockets of Guards, 1st and 6th Wilno division troops continue to fight on, but organized resistance is at an end. Maj.General Popek's headquarters's the site of the most determined insurrectionist defense is captured by elements of the Lithuanian Security Shock Battalion and supporting Legion Oranje. Maj.General Popek, himself wounded in the desperate fighting is captured.

Maj.General Jasunski manages to pull the bulk of his tattered 1st Wilno Division out of the battle, harried by elements of the III and VII Field Corps, as well as irregular attacks by Lithuanian air units. He makes use of the gathering night and sudden down pours to break contact and retreat to Amantas. Lt.General Halwic himself is one of the last Wilno officers to leave Vilnius, organizing various stragglers and dislocated units into a rearguard. In the confusion of the framented night actions against Lithuanian pursuit units, Halwic vanishes.

Quoted

Originally posted by Agent148

July 9th, 1935:

- work in progress

And what good work it has been.
I liked the "flavor" of the prior post and wondered what the next scene would be.

May I inquire as to a translation of "Gediminas" ?

Gediminas was the name of one of the founders of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the medieval tower in Vilnius is named for him.

The Lithuanian Government has announced that major efforts in the supression of the June Insurrection have been successful. The Wilno Army of the North, has been destroyed as a viable military threat. The ministries of National Defense and Interior Affairs calculate that two of the three divisions of the Insurrectionist force in the environs of Vilnius have been effectively annihalated. Elements of the third division are reportedly in head long retreat into the interior of Insurrectionist held territory. Reportedly at least two Insurrectionist general officers and several thousand rebel troops have been captured in the fighting in the Vilnius battle, along with a considerable amount of military material and equipement.

The Seimas while applauding the efforts of the field commanders and troops in the field, has asked whether an end to the state of emergency and a full or at least partial demobilization of emergrency security units, will be declared due to this development, the Lithuanian Government has give no decided reply at this point. Pointing out that while the Insurrection has been dealt a serious, perhaps mortal blow it is far from over and continuing operations will be necessary.

In a surprise announcement, the Ministry of the Interior Affairs, declared that the Leader of the Union of Poles in the Seimas has been arrested for high treason against the state of Lithuanian. Also included in the annoucenment was the fact that some of his staff and immediate family were also being taken into governmental custody. The Seimas is demanding an explanation of this affair, to which the President responded that a parlimentary committee would be shortly appointed to delve into and explain the matter to the public and Seimas's satisfaction.

Van Der Kade, stood as frozen as any of his men for several moments as the rumble of artillery and the drone of aircraft filled the air, all eyes were fixed towards the north and northeastern end of Vilnius. His aide, Jacco Van Hout, ran up to him, a slightly wild and confused look in his eyes. Van Der Kade, realized that Van Hout didn't quite grasp what was going on. A Lithuanian messanger nco suddenly appeared on a motorcycle beside the two of them and wordlessly passed a sealed letter to Van Der Kade. He noticed the name of the commander of the I Field Corps's upon it, Van Der Kade, opened it rapidly and read it's contents, nodded to the Lithuanian Serzanatas, hurriedly wrote a reply and handed to the man, who just at quickly drove off.

"Majoor?!--" Van Hout began, Van Der Kade raised a hand, stilling the man's words in his mouth. Van Der Kade raised his field glasses for another brief inspection of the situation, then turned back to his aide.
"Jacco, get me all unit commanders here right now, I want to address them. Generalas Tamassaulo has just given us or marching orders."
"Yes, Majoor!"
Van Der Kade barely noticed the man's swift departure. His eyes were once again on the developing battle, he could see columns of dust raising over the far end of the Lithuanian Northeastern Front's lines, elements of one or perhaps more of the field corps seemed to be moving out. The direction though seemed to indicate they were moving away from the battle. Now why were they doing that? Van Der Kade considered a moment, then an idea struck him. General Vimieris must be planning a flanking march, a reversal of the move the Insurrectionists had tried on him scant days ago. Hopefully the Lithuanian effort would be more successful then the rebels try at it. He looked to the sky again, rain was definitely on the air today, and the wind was picking up a bit, too. Air operations were likely going to be sporadic because of it, though for the moment the weather was just good enough for some supportive sorties by bombers and fighters.

Van Der Kade watched his officers approach at the run. He had five infantry platoon commanders: Edsard Grooss, Bram Oversteegen, Garritt Rijnders, Hans Tinkhof, and Albert Van der Stoep; two tank section commanders: Hendrik Offerhaus, Evert Nimwegen and one armoured car section commander Henricus Vaessen; and four field artillery section commanders: Willen Sterk, Piet Jiskoot and Arnaud Dekker. A tidy little force, just big enough to be considered a company. Not exactly the appropriate command for a majoor, but he didn't mind, they were his to command and that mattered at great deal to him.

"Gentlemen, we are going into action shortly." Van Der Kade announced briskly once they had gathered around him. "We're being attached to the 1st Brigade of the I Field Corps for the immediate future, we're to act in support of the Security Shock Battalion. We're to consider ourselves under their commander's orders."
"Yes, Sir." His unit leaders chorused.
"Never heard of this Shock unit sir, are they a new formation?" Dekker asked.
"No, they all tried and tested troops, Generalas Milkus has been lent the services of the 11th, 12th and 13th Security Special Tactical Units and he decided they would be of more use grouped into a special attack, along with a supporting light field battery, unit then as separate companies."
"Ah." Dekker nodded in understanding.

"Now I want us to deploy as several battle columns when we go in with the security troops. Grooss's your're 1st Column, Oversteegen your 2nd Column,while Rijnders he is 3rd. Tinkhof you'll be 4th, and you Van der Stoep, will be the 5th, acting as our reserve. The 1st through 4th Battle columns will be composed of an intantry platoon, a tank or armoured car section and one artillery section." Van Der Kade was concious of the fact that his orders where about to put 250 infantrymen, 36 tankers and 56 artillerists into harms way. Although no sign of that worry showed in either his expression or words.
"Van der Stoep, you're going to be the reserve, as and when we need it. For the immediate present I will travel with you. Understood."
"Yes, Sir!" They all answered they were certainly keen enough at least, Van Der Kade thought.

"Majoor!" Van Hout called, a Lithuanian officer - a Pulkininkas Leitenantas, or Lt.Colonel by his rank insignia was walking up with with his aide.
"Majoras Van Der Kade. I'm Paal Borovskis, commander of the shock battalion. You've been appraised of your intructions from Brigados Generalas Milkus I've been told?"
"Yes, sir. You have any particular instructions for my troops?"
"Yes, go in on our left, down those three street--," Borovskis pointed out his orders with the aid of a map,while Van Der Kade's unit commanders examined the indicated streets through their field glasses to get a feel for the approach they would have to make "--smash through any barricades and strong points you encounter, there is a square beyond that is our meeting point. We have to try and break up the Insurrectionists Guards Division defensive lines."
"Understood, sir. When do we start?"
"As soon as I Field Corps artillery starts shelling their lines, you'll creep up as close as you can, when it stops you go in as fast and as hard as you can."
"Very well, sir. I will see you at the rally point." Borovskis nodded, then offered his hand. Van Der Kade took it.
"I'll see you there then."

Van Der Kade, turned and gave his final orders. The Legion Oranje field detachment's five columns moved out slowly into the war-torn city. Through gaps in the buildings he could make out the movement of his own troops and that of the flanking Lithuanian columns.

Bullets began to fall amoung his men, some riccochetted off the ironclad hides of his tanks and armoured cars. Here and there a man screamed and fell, if he was merely wounded his fellows paused long enough to drag him into cover, if he was dead, he was left where he fell - there would be time to pay proper respect to the fallen later.

Grooss's Column was the first to engage the enemy in real force. A heavy barricade made from twisted wreckage and fallen masonry blocked his advance to the square. Barbed wire had been strung crudely across the barricade's frontage. Two machineguns blazed to life from behind it's protection, while a score of rifles, carbines and pistols poped away. Grooss's didn't hesitate, calling up his two field guns and the four tanks, he sent them foreward in front of his infantry, and had them pound the barricade with shellfire. He's fifty infantrymen snapped off a few supporting shots with their own rifles and light machine guns.

Grooss, looked at the Insurrectionist barricade through his glasses, the 75-mm guns had knocked out one of the machineguns, while the 37-mm guns of the tanks had caused the other machine gun to be temporarily abandoned, many of the Polish-Lithuanian rifle men were hidding below the edge of the barricade to avoid getting hit. He jumped up and called to his squad leaders.
"Now! Charge!!" Grooss yelled at the top of his voice, and dashed at the barricade, his men followed, running frantically to reach the wire before the Insurrectionists realized what was happening. The four tanks growled forward in support, fumes pouring from their engines, sparks flecked from their tracks as they ground across the pavement.

Grooss just had time to realize he'd reached the wire, when he saw a head appear over the top of the barricade, a man stared at him in open-mouthed astonishment. Grooss's submachine gun snarled, the man fell backwards with a startled scream.
"Grenades! Now!" Grooss yelled, half his men responded to the order, tossing a smoking grenade over the top. The others, hacked and dragged at the wire to get through it. Twenty-five explosions close by nearly deafened them, dirt, chips of stone or pavement pelted them. Screams and wails of agony hit their ears.
"Go!" Grooss snapped, running up the barricade, his men followed him into the smoke and cordite.

Van Der Kade could hear the racket of 1st Column's attack. 2nd Column, had just run into their problem. A heavily sand bagged pillbox, with supporting trench lines. Van Der Kade called up the 5th Column to join the attack. Oversteegen and Rijanders need no hand holding on his part, and set to work. Like Grooss, they called up their artillery and armoured support, and hammered the Insurrectionist positions before throwing their infantry into the attack. Their first effort secured the pillbox and the supporting trench on it's right, but the trenches to it's left stubbornly continued to hold out.

Van Der Kade, signalled to his small staff to follow him, linking up with the men of the 2nd Column, he lead a mad dash at the trench line, dodging bullets the whole way. Van Der Kade jumped down into the entrenchment which had been hacked into the street, and ran down it. He shot down a man blocking his path, then tossed a hissing grenade down the line before diving for cover. The grenade landed in the middle of three men in the trench, manning a light machine gun. The grenade exploded at their feet, slashing them with shrapnel. Van Der Kade, rose to his feet and fired, hitting two of the men before they could fall. The third crumped against the trench wall, choking on his own blood, his neck and chest a mass of wounds.

Oversteegen appeared suddenly at the edge of the trench. His uniform tarnished with dust and smoke, a blood stained bandage was wrapped around his right hand.
"Thanks, Majoor! Things were getting a bit difficult there for a moment."
"Your welcome, keep moving forward. Don't let up on the enemy!"
"Yes, Sir!" Oversteegen saluted smartly and varnished from the edge of the trench, Van Der Kade could hear him yelling to his men, snapping out orders in a crisp, unhurried voice. Gunfire and artillery echoed nearby. Van Der Kade, climbed out of the trench, and reloaded his weapon. A runner dashed up breathless.
"Word, from 1st Column, Majoor."
"Yes?" Van Der Kade asked calmly.
"The first barricade has been taken, currently fighting our way through a second line of fortified buildings."
"Tough going?" Van Der Kade asked seriously.
"Yes, sir. Very tough, but we're getting some support from the Security troops on our flank."
"Good. Tell Lieutenant Grooss to go foward as best he can, when he can."
"Yes, Majoor!" The man saluted and took off at a dead run, jinking through the debris and rubble.

Van Der Kade, staff in tow ran forward to join the 1st and 5th Columns. Enroute to join them, Van Der Kade was briefed by another runner from the 4th Column, which had been steadily advancing down the next street, smashing it's was through on defensive line after another. Casualties had been light so far, mercifully light. His detachment had suffered only a handful of seriously wounded and a few dead, although that could change at any moment.

Small arms fire rattled and popped ahead of him. He heard heavier report of canon fire over the snarl of machinegun fire, and rapid crack of rifles. Van Der Kade started running, his men were in the thick of it now and he would be there with them.

July 10th, 1935:

Shock reigns in Lithuanian Governmental circles, the Seimas particularly is thrown into chaos by the unexpected development. Polish intervention in the Polish-Lithuanian Insurrection, while not unforeseen by many wasn't expected on anything like the scale that had in fact just occured. The heavy air attacks launched by the Polish Air Force had thrown the Lithuanian Military Aviation Service into crisis. While the units defending the Lithuanian capital, saw off the Polish air raids with considerable success, and negligable losses, the units deployed a in support of the Field Corps, particularly around Vilnius had been roughly handled and needed urgent refitting and reorganization.

Worse, from the Lithuanian point of view, the Poles had deployed three regular infantry divisions across the Polish-Lithuanian border, they had made a determined drive towards Vilnius, and clashed seriously with the III and VII Field Corps well to the south and southeast of the city, near the Wilno capital of Amantas. The field corps were largely composed of security troops and national police and auxiliaries and while adequate for operations against the insurrectionists, they lacked the firepower and cohesion to fight regular troops in a prolonged struggle.

Brig.Generals Taruysas Barniskis and Stasis Garjarsky of the III and IV Field Corps put up a hard fight, desperately trying to slow if not actuallly stop the Polish advance but were forced to begin retreating after an hours combat with the Polish divisions. General Tamassaulo ordered the I Field Corps to disengage from Vilnius and take up a blocking position in the path of the attack. The Vilnius Corps, under the command of Brig.General Vladis Karvelis, reinforced with a few unassigned National Guard and Security Auxiliary battalions would finish off any remaining insurrectionist pockets within the city.

Reports were soon to reach Kaunas, that a Polish force of significant size had broken through the III and IV Field Corps defense and was driving towards Vilnius. It's leading elements would it was estimated reach the outskirts of the city on the 11th of July.

These reports galvanized the Ministery of National Defense, orders were rapidly cut for the deployment of regular Lithuanian Army units to the environs of Vilnius. The 1st Cavalry Division was immediately dispatched to reinforce the Central Front, having been reassembled it was ready to hand in Kaunas. The other units of the Lithuanian Army were also prepared for deployment, abut debate as to where it would be best to send them, temporarily held them in check around Kaunas. Brigade-Generaal Snellensoon of the Legion Oranje offered to mobilize more of his troops and instructors to form additional tactical units - the Van Der Kade Detachment was already in the field - to be placed at the disposal of the field corps or the Lithuanian Army. This offer was promptly accepted by the Ministeries of National Defense and Interior Affairs.

General Vimieris was rapidly appraised of the developments, however near paralysis seized his Front's command staff for several hours as the information was digested. General Vimieris finally ordered three of his four field corps - the IV, V and VIII - to begin sweeping southward towards the Amantas Line, as he'd orginially planned on doing once Vilnius had been retaken. The fourth - the II Field Corps - would join the Central Front and reinforce it's defense of the city as required. Vimieris was determined to engage either the Wilno units around or the advancing Polish divisions if he encountered them.

General Baltusis-Ziemaitis on learning of the Polish attack was as shocked as anyone, but decided to continue harrying the retreating Wilno Army of the South. With his two field corps immediately to hand he felt he had an excellent chance to destroy at least one of Waclaw's divisions if he could engage it and defeat it in detail. His field corps commanders Brig.Generals Leonidas Katas and Raulas Cherkis, of the IX and X respectively were agreed with their front commander. Brig.General Saulius Kaschut, commander of the VI Field Corps requested permission to sortie to the aid of the III and VII Field Corps. Given that the VI was closer to those two field corps, then the other two of Baltusis-Ziemaitis's command, he agreed with Kaschut's request.


The Wilno Republic almost broken by the destruction of it's three divisions in Vilnius - and the equally crippling loss of an army commander(Halwic, MIA) and two divisional commanders (Popek, Plontek both captured in action) - gathers it self for a second try. Marshal Letowska, personally rallies the remains of the Wilno Guards, 1st and 6th Wilno Divisions that escaped the city and cobbles together a new defensive line centered on the provisional capital of Amantas. Using the Letowska Guards Division, and the 2nd and 3rd Divisions, plus whatever support units that can be brought, outfitted or scrapped together into line, he fashions a creditable fortified line. Letowska however doesn't expect this line to hold against a serious attack, Insurrectionist morale is too unstable at the moment, and orders the Council of Government and the First Parliment to withdraw immediately to another village (to be designated the new provisional capital), near the Wilno-Polish border for safety.

After a short time, Marshal Letowska on the recommendations of his staff, promotes Maj.General Jasunski to Lt.General and orders him to take command of the Army of the Northeast. Offically the surviving elements of the Guards, 1st and 6th Divisions are reformed into the 'new' 1st Division (Maj.General Witold Haller), bringing the strength of the Wilno Army, at least on paper to five infantry divisions and one security division. Although this must be balanced beside the fact that the Wilno Republican Army has had to disolve three divisions - the Guards, 1st, 6th - after they had been effectively annihilated due to battle losses, and had one - the 7th "Ulla Army" Division - completely destroyed in the field.

The Army of the South is flatly ordered to attack the nearest concentration of Lithuanian troops to relieve pressure on Wilno units elsewhere. Lt. General Waclaw secretly refuses, he doesn't acknowledge the orders sent to him, few realize Waclaw is intent on withdrawing his troops to the relative safety of the Wilno-Polish border. He is more concerned with breaking contact with the units of the Lithuanian Southwestern Front that are hunting him, then initiating a battle with them. Waclaw is convienced that the Wilno Republic is doomed, the Polish intervention has not yet been reported to him in detail, and wants to be in a favourable position to seek internment for his men in Poland, if things go any more badly.

July 11th, 1935:

The Lithuanian Government stung by events gets a grip on itself and the situation if finds itself having to deal with. The Smetona Government quickly moves to calm the Seimas, outraged by Romania's act of recognizing the Wilno Republic. Reports of King Carol's speech do nothing to pour oil on already inflamed matters, and public feeling is deeply felt and expressed against that Balkan nation. A demand is made by various political parties for the ejection of the Romanian ambassador from Lithuanian territory, in reprisal. The Foreign Office councils against this rash decision, although they are no happier about Romania's action. Similar public anger is directed at the Polish embassy, although not to the same degree as occured in the Kaunas Riots in June. Again for the time being, the Foreign Office councils against the ejection of the Polish ambassador. Public reaction to German protests, are quieter and distinctly sympathetic amoung most members of the Lithuanian public. It is widely understood, that Germany desires peace on it's borders, and most Lithuanians would like nothing more then to accomodate their German neighbour, but many do not feel that necessarily involves giving into the demands of traitors and insurrectionists.

The Russian Federation military attache and ambassador are called to meet with the Lithuanian ministries in a series of emergency conferences, with discussions centering on the Polish intervention in light of the provisions of the Treaty of Kaunas. The dispatch of a Russian expeditionary/relief force, to Lithuanian soil, to match the invading Polish divisions with attached air and artillery assets is discussed by both countries.

For the record the Lithuanian Foreign Office points out to various embassies in view of their protests at Lithuanian actions, the Lithuanian Government has been forced by internal pressure against it's own interests and considerations to agree to sending a delegatation to the proposed cease-fire conference in Stockholm, tentatively scheduled for the 18th of July. At no point did it commit itself publically or privately to the second provision of the German proposal, to ceasing field operations by July 10th (midnight) against the Insurrectionists.

The Lithuanian National Defense Ministery decides some reorganizing of its available assets are again in order in view of Polish military intervention in the Vilnius region. The need to contain this "surprise" invasion and continue the suppression of the Insurrection are uppermost in Lithuanian Armed Forces planners. The I Army Corps (1st and 4th Infantry divisions), II Army Corps (2nd and 3rd Infantry Divisions) are prepared for mobilization in the field. Frantic staff officers work to decide the best deployment for the two infantry corps. Serious consideration is given to ordering the two corps to the Southwestern Front, rather then to the Central or Northestern Front.

The still working working up 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Infantry Divisions are formed into the III Army and IV Army Corps and directed to Kaunas. They are ordered to take up the duty of protecting the capital from any possible attack either by the Insurrectionist Wilno Army or by elements of the Polish expeditionary force, now on Lithuanian soil.

The I Rifle Corps (1st and 4th Rifle Division), and the II Rifle Corps (2nd and 5th Rifle Divisions), are recalled from their positions of on the Latvian and Russian borders and assigned to the Lithuanian Northeastern Front's command. The Reserve Corps (3rd Rifle Division, 1st and 2nd Life Guard Battalions) it is finally decided will follow the 1st Cavalry Division and deploy to Vilnius under the Central Front's command. The I Cavalry Corps (2nd and 3rd Cavalry Divisions), is ordered to make it's way with all possible dispatch to the Southwestern Front. the II Cavalry Corps (4th and 5th Cavalry Divisions) is likewise ordered to assemble and make it's way to the Southwestern Front to reinforce it.

Efforts are increased to get the new air squadrons operational, using Dutch volunteers in combination with Lithuanian personel. Several flights of aircraft are made available by Legion Commander Snellensoon for limited deployment that are crewed exclusively by Dutch volunteers.

The Lithuanian Navy is ordered to go on stand by, and patrol Lithuanian coastal waters vigourously, with however special emphasis to avoid any altercations with elements of the Polish Navy or Polish Merchant Marine, that might be encountered. Romanian shipping arriving in Lithuanian ports, is on the other hand to be subjected to thorough inspections for possible contraband deliveries to the Insurrectionists through possible smugglers in Klaipeda or Polish insurrectionist sympathizers (this also applies to Polish flagged vessels but is ordered to be done more circumventally). The LNS Presidentas Smetona is recalled to Klaipeda. Three of the Lithuanian Navy's motor/torpedoboats are ordered to Palanga, while the other three are ordered to Klaipeda.

The III and VII Field Corps continue to contest the advance of the 9th, 14th and 20th Polish Infantry Divisions, although outnumbered and out gunned, they resort to heavy skirmishing and ambush tactics to slow rather then stop the Poles.

Elements of the I and II Field Corps form a defensive line in the outskirts of Vilnius in the path of the breakthrough by the Polish Suwaiska and Wolynska Cavalry Brigades and 1st Polish Tank Battalion. The Vilnius Corps now reinforced by additional National Guards and Security Auxiliaries continues to dispose of various tiny Wilno Army resistance pockets within the city center.

Scouting patrols of Polish cavalrymen detached by the commanders of the two cavalry brigades clatter into the southern and southeastern suburbs of Vilnius expecting to be met by Wilno troops are startled to be met by Lithuanian troops behind barricades and field fortifications, who promptly block their advance into the city and open fire. Momentary confusion reigns in the Polish ranks, men and horses fall. Abruptly the disciplaned Poles come back on balance, and return the Lithuanian fire, a brisk fire-fight develops between the two forces of combatants. A few Polish tanks move up in support of the horsemen, causing the Lithuanians to fall back, artillery fire forces the Polish tanks to withdraw a short distance in their turn. Elements of the Legion Oranje filter unexpectedly into the escalating battle, with their FT-17's in the lead they launch a sharp counter-attack, the Dutch volunteers and Polish tankers exchange fire for twenty minutes in an indecisive but violent duel, before more Lithuanian troops begin arriving with more guns and howitzers in support, elements of the arriving 1st Lithuanian Cavalry Division. The Polish cavalrymen and tankers decide that they have done enough for today, and withdraw leaving the field to the Lithuanians for the moment. The scouts report back to their commanders, Vilnius is in the hands of the enemy, if an advance into the city is desired it will have to be in force by both brigades and the tank battalion.

July 12th, 1935:

Marshal Letowska considers his options carefully, the intervention of the Polish Army into Wilno affairs has given the prospect of new life to the flagging Wilno Republic, as has the first glimmer of wider foreign recognition. Letowska's staff draws up several plans for possible operations against the Lithuanian forces in the field. Opinions within Letowska's staff and key general-secretariats are divided on the wisdom of the plans and their respective merits. Matters are complicated by the unexpected suicide of the general-secretary of the Interior, Sidor Tarkowski when news reached the Marshal's headquarters concerning the destruction of the Army of the North. After considerable debate, the Interior portfolio was given to the general-secretary for Security.

Marshal Letowska also is finally appraised of Lt.General Waclaw's conduct. Initially his first response is to have Waclaw removed from his command. It is pointed out to Letowska, that the Wilno Army has lost three experienced commanders already, one army and two divisional, and things would not be improved by lossing a fourth. Marshal Letowska confines himself to ordering Waclaw to dig in as soon as possible, he also orders the Letowska Guards complement of the Army of the South increased, both at it's army and divisional headquarters to make sure his future orders are complied with. Additionally a second Letowska Guards Division is ordered to be put together from available elements to be attached to the Army of the South from now on.

Three particular operations are directed to Marshal Letowska's attention. Plan 3 which calls for the Wilno Army to concentrate on an attack in the South, against the Lithuanian IX and X Field Corps with the 4th and 5th Divisions, supported by the detachment of the 1st and Letowska Guards divisions from the Army of the Northeast. Plan 4 calls for the Army of the Northeast (1st, 2nd, 3rd Divisions, and the Letowska Guards Division) to launch an offensive aimed at recapturing Vilnius- possibly in conjunction with the three Polish infantry division now in Wilno territory. and Plan 5 called for the Wilno Army to stand on the defensive against possible Lithuanian attacks in the Amantas Line, and a similar defensive line to be constructed in the southern theater, and concentrate on rebuild the army's rather depleted strength.

Marshal Letowska, and most of his staff favour Plan 4, although Lt.General Jasunski demured given the condition of his troops. The newly reformed 1st Division's poor morale and threadbare equipment particularly bothers the commander of the Army of the Northeast. The 2nd and 3rd Divisions are in better shape, while the Letowska Guards Division is well equiped but virtually untried as a combat formation, its men more used to security and policing duties then combat.

Jasunski and his combat commanders hold that Plan 5 is the proper course of action, this is supported by many of the other general-secretariats and some of Letowska's staff. Having been fighting the Lithuanian governmental forces very much on their own until now, the soldiers and officers of the Wilno Army don't have a particularly lively faith in the Polish Armed Forces. After further discussion, Marshal Letowka orders the Army of the Northeast to make the attack with only the two more reliable divisions, the 1st will hold the Amantas Line until it is ready for more active operations. The Letowska Guards Division is included in the operation to make up numbers and gain some experience. The Wilno Army Air Service makes plans to sortie in support of the attack with all it's aircraft.

The General-secretariat for Military Affairs, works desperately to arm and train new recruits, and make up shortfalls in munitions and equipment. The planned Vilnius Offensive will absorb practically all the remaining stockpiles of military supplies. The General-secretariat for Interior and Security, effects what amounts to a reign of terror within Wilno controlled territory. Letowska Guards and the newly formed Wilno Civil Guard (which now takes over much of the Letowska Guards's civil police duties), work quickly to forceably conscript anyone of military age that are not in exempted occupations to refill the ranks of the Wilno Army, ruthlessly collect - often at gunpoint -cash and foodstuffs from local citizens to support the army and fill the Wilno Republic's almost bankrupt treasury and empty stockpiles. Anyone who protests these policies is promptly arrested and placed in ad hoc prison camps, anyone who resists is shot by the Wilno authorities.

Minister Michalo Bernotas, Lithuanian delegate to the League of Nations sat red-faced and cholic in his seat as he listened to Foreign Minister Mital's speech. He made himself listen as calmly as possible to the Pole's words and that of the Nordmark delegate. While he might have agreed at some levels with the Nordish position, he had his orders from President Smetona and the Council of Ministers.

Bernotas, rose in the silence following the Polish and Nordish delegates addresses to the League members.

"Gentlemen, Lithuania finds it self in one of the most difficult positions of its history. Since our wars of independence, we Lithuanians have made it our mission to make ourselves a free and prosperous country. Largely, I like to think we've managed it."

"Not everyone has been satisfied, that is a given. However such differences of opinion have generally been settled in our parliment, through due democratic processes. The insurrectionists, who have proclaimed the 'Wilno Republic', are a pack of incorrigable national traitors, disgruntled political agitators and social misfits or foreign adventurers. These people, gentlemen, are bent on the destruction of Lithuania - nothing less. Even now, they are using the harshest methods against their own people to achieve that end, people who are it seems to be forgotten by some, Lithuanian citizens."

"It is the duty of Lithuanian government, as any soveriegn state will agree, to protect it's citizens and administer it's laws. The Wilno Republic defys these concepts, and strikes at the heart of Lithuania's soverignty as a nation. If it is accepted into the body of nations, then it represents the carving up of Lithuania, and it's eventual destruction as a country."

"The Lithuanian government has acceeded to the idea of participating in a ceasefire conference, which King Carl Philip has graciously offered to host. A decision made by the majority of the Seimas, neither the Seimas or the government however agreed to the idea, that the Insurrection would be allowed to go unchecked and uncontested before the conference was convened. Certain persons have made remarks about this - to them I ask, if their country was faced with the same crisis that threatens Lithuania, would they stay idle against the efforts of people bent on bringing down their country from within?"

"Yes, Lithuanians wish to see an end to this ruinous civil war and destruction that ravages much of their country, but not at the cost of diminishing their country. Which is exactly what is being suggested here, today before this august body. We ask to be left to solve our crisis in our own manner, to the best of our ability, without outside interference or invasion by other countries."

July 13th, 1935:

The advance of the Polish 9th, 14th and 20th Infantry Divisions slowly grinds towards Vilnius, the force of the Polish attack has succeeded in forcing the III and VII Field Corps apart. The III Field Corps begining forced to retreat to west of the advance, while the VII Field Corps falls back to the east. A few mounted pickets keep pace with the Polish troop columns,observing, sometimes sniping and making the odd spoiling attack whenever a chance is offered by circumstance and terrain.

The CO of the Lithuanian VI Field Corps, Brig.General Saulius Kaschut decides to launch a feint attack into the western (left) flank of the 9th Polish Infantry Division with four of the mounted Security and National Police companies at his disposal, supported by two companies of armoured cars and a few of his field artillery pieces. Riled by these stinging probes, the Polish division commander, detaches an infantry battalion and some supporting divisional artillery, to secure the unhindered passage of his unit.

This lone battalion marches aggressively against Kaschut's feint, pushing it back almost to it's starting point, a quiet country hamlet known locally as Brazas's Tavern. Brig.General Kaschut isn't satisfied with this result and orders another attack, this one built around his 1st Brigade: the 2nd, 8th and 15th National Guard Battalions and a battery of light artillery. Meanwhile the retreating mounted Lithuanian troops and armoured cars rally and prepare to assist the VI Field Corps next attack. The Poles are surprised by this mass of Lithuanian infantry approaching them, however they stand their ground for some thirty minutes, taking up defensive positions amid the hamlet's mixture of stone and wooden buildings, trading volleys and generally giving a gallant account of themselves.

The 9th Polish Infantry Division appraised of what is happening, deploys the single battalion's parent regiment to assist. The Lithuanians find that once again their plans have been thwarted by prompt Polish action. With an escalating fight on his hands, Kaschut gamely decided to launch yet another attack, before breaking off the action. He deploys his 2nd Brigade: the 14th, 16th, and 18th National Guard Battalions, with a supporting battery against the Polish infantry regiment's right flank, while the four mounted companies and armoured cars sortie against the Poles's left flank. With a brisk fire-fight raging to his front, and now both his flanks threatened, the Polish regimental commander decided it was time to effect a withdrawl.

The commander of the 9th Polish Infantry, by this time somewhat alarmed by the reports coming from his flank, orders his whole division deployed to assist the endangered infantry regiment. Other Lithuanian mounted units quickly make the VI Field Corps aware of this, Kaschut decides it's time to go, he has no intention of fighting a full division of Polish regulars by himself. He orders his own troops to fall back, a short, sharp charge delivered by some Polish divisional cavalry encourages his troops to retreat with some aclarity. The VI Field Corps in some measure has succeeded in it's mission, a gap now begins to yawn between the inner flanks of the 9th and 14th Polish Infantry Divisions, as the 9th is slowed to a stop by the VI's spoiling attack. Meanwhile the 14th and 20th columns continue on towards Vilnius.

Near Vilnius the enterprising commanders of the Suwaiska and Wolynska Cavalry Brigades and the 1st Polish Tank Battalion, decide on their own incentive to test the Lithuanian defenses. They are convinced from air reconnaissance reports and their own observations that perhaps some Wilno resistance pockets still hold out within the city. Again they send out scouting troops to examine the Lithuanian positions, what they report does nothing for any of the three unit commander's peace of mind. The Lithuanians have barricaded every street and road, posted machineguns and artillery in well fortified covering positions. Lithuanian riflemen line the defensive entrenchments and are heavily dug in amid the buildings.

Undaunted but cautious, the Suwaiska Cavalry Brigade with the 1st Tank Battalion in tow siddled further south along the Vilnius outskirts, while the Wolynska Cavalry Brigade moves eastward along the Lithuanian lines. Two cavalry squadrons of the Wolynska Brigade, on a dismounted reconnaissance are the first to find a chink in the Lithuanian armour. They occupy a abandoned hotel, that stands amid several derelict entrenchments, and quickly make it into a worthwhile defensive position. Lithuanian troops in the city, quickly notice a large red-and-white Polish flag flying over the building, on examination they also notice that some cheeky Pole has splashed the words "Wilno Forever!" in red and white paint across the upper walls of the building.

The Lithuanians are incensed by this defiant act and immediately launch an attack with whatever troops are in the area. Twice the Lithuanians are drive back by the Polish cavalrymen, on the third attack a swirling vicious fight with rifle butts, knifes and fists punctunated by rifle and pistol shots and the occassional grenade blast occupies the ground floor of the building. Poles on the upper 1st and 2nd floors and the roof, snipe at the Lithuanians moving in the hotel grounds. After some minutes of trying unsuccessfully to take the building, the Lithuanians withdraw and bring up heavier fire-power in the form of several 75-mm and 105-mm guns. The Lithuanians shell the hotel to pieces, and then send in the Security Shock Battalion which made it's way up during the bombardment. The Security special tactical troops charge into the shattered buildings with a fusilade of submachinegun fire, flame-throwers and a deadly shower of grenades.

The Lithuanians capture the shrapnel marked flag that has been flying over the hotel for 90 minutes, several Polish cavalrymen are captured after being found wounded amid the ruins. Many of their comrades, also lay amoung the rubble, many of whom died at their posts killed by shellfire, or when the Lithuanians finally successfully stormed the building.

The 1st Polish Tank Battalion tries to force a gap in the Lithuanian defenses by following a railway line that leads into the heart of Vilnius. Supported by several squadrons and the artillery of the cavalry brigade, they make some progress. Soon however the Lithuanians respond with a whithering fire, and the Polish dismounted cavalrymen are force to seek cover. The Polish tankers advance firing back trying to bull their way through, but without infantry support they can't make much headway. The 1st Tank Battalion contents itself with running amok amide the Lithuanian defensive positions for several minutes before falling back on the Suwaiska Brigade.

The I Field Corps sends forward the battle-tested 1st, 3rd and 13th National Guard Battalions with three supporting artillery batteries to drive off the Polish attackers. The FT-17 tanks of the Legion Oranje detachment in Vilnius join the attack along with some Landsverk L-181 armoured cars from the 1st Lithuanian Cavalry Division. The Lithuanian assault lands hard on the Polish cavalrymen, they begin to fall back, when the 1st Polish Tank Battalion launchs a bold counter-attack into the heart of the Lithuanian formation. The clash between Polish and Lithuanian armour is bitter this time, neither side gives way. Tanks and armoured cars on both sides explode or slew to a sickening halt spewing smoke, cannons and machineguns blaze away. In the gaps between the armoured vehicles men brawl and struggle with one another, while artillery fire wildly at any target they can register in the swirling, shifting smoke and dust begining kicked up by the rapid movement of men, horses and machines.

Just as suddenly as it seems for the troops involved, both sides spring apart. The Lithuanians fall back into their entrenchments, the Poles roll their tanks back, under the cover of horse artillery firing smoke, while cavalrymen hurriedly re-mount and race to relative safetybehind the guns. The dead of both sides seem to blanket the field and streets, both the Poles and Lithuanians realize they have been fighting for several hours, although it seemed to both of them to be only minutes. The three Polish unit commanders decide to fall back further and await the arrival of the 9th, 14th and 20th Polish Infantry Divisions. Messangers are sent off with a warning, the Lithuanians will fight for every inch of the city, if the Polish Army or the Wilno Army try and take it from them.

At nightfall on the Russian-Lithuanian border, a heavily armoured, powerful locomotive with protective gun carriages attached at front and rear, pulling two fuel cars, several military carriages, including a radio/telegraph and Headquarters carriage passes over the points, Lithuanian border guards wave it through. Russian Federation pennants fly smartly as the train moves purposely down the line through the darkened Lithuanian country side.

July 14th, 1935:

Marshal Letowska's day starts on a decidedly bad note when he and his staff are awoken by the drone of aircraft engines and the sound of flak bursts. Nine F.VIIm3 bomber, over flown by a two dozen Lithuanian fighters all prominently marked with Lithuanian Crosses, tear over the Amantas Line, dropping bombs at low level. Firery emplosions mark each plane's progress through the defensive line. Wilno flak guns fire wildly and inaccurately, trying to engage the bombers as they sweep over. Several hits are registered, but the Lithuanian aircraft quickly swing around in a wide turn and make for home at full speed. Wilno fighters rise from the air field attempt to pursue, they skirmish with the escorting Lithuanian fighter. Wilno pilots claim to shot down three of the bombers, and five of the fighters (Lithuanian after action reports note only one bomber was hit by Wilno fighter gunfire, while hits were registered on two of the fighters deployed - only one fighter was in fact lost, and it crashed on returning to base, not due to combat).

Considerable confusion reigns in the Army of the Northeast's encampments. Troops were readying themselves to march out for the planned attack on Vilnius, many of these camps now have several smoking craters marking them, the falling bombs have injured or killed scores of men. Officers and non-comms rush about restoring order as best they can, medics and stretcher bearers move quickly amid the tents and wagons attending to those in need. The dead are gathered up and prepared for burial.

Some of Marshal Letowska's staff advise that Plan 4 be cancelled in view of this attack. Marshal Letowska refuses to council the idea. The attack will go ahead as planned, if not as exactly scheduled. Surprisingly Lt.General Jasunski agrees, feeling that it is a matter of now or never. The three Wilno divisions leave the Amantas Line by a northeasternly route, then turn west and make in the direction of Vilnius. The Wilno Air Service sends out it's seven recon/light bomber planes, seeking ahead of the Wilno attack for any Lithuanian forces. The Wilno pilots fail to notice the progress of the southward advance of the Lithuanian IV, V and VIII Field Corps, nor do they notice the movement of the Lithuanian I and II Rifle Corps to join up with the advancing field corps. The Northeastern Front and the Army of the Northeast are both unknowingly on a collision course, they will met in a dusty cross roads town, west of Vilnius, named Giedrikas.

General Tamassaulo considered his troop dispositions. The Vilnius Corps's staff reports to him, that all remaining pockets of Wilno resistance in the city of Vilnius have finally been crushed. Security Auxiliaries are cleaning up the mess and dealling with the care and tranport of Insurrectionist wounded and prisoners. Tamassaulo orders the Vilnius Corps into the fortified lines, while the Reserve Corps is ordered to be ready to counter-attack any enemy thrust at a moment's notice. The I and II Field Corps in their defensive lines on the city outskirts prepare for action, the Polish cavalry and tank probes have already put them on the alert for a possible Polish or Wilno attack in force. The III Field Corps is ordered link up with the VI Field Corps to the southwest of the city. These two units will operate together against the Polish divisions's left flank, while the VII Field Corps is ordered to fall back on the city itself and join the defensive line.

In the Southwestern Front, General Feliks Baltusis-Ziemaitis has reluctantly called off his Field Corps advance, considering the news from other fronts, he decides to make a short withdrawl to better defensive positions. His scouts have surveyed the Army of the South's defensive line, the Southwestern Front General Staff do not regard the prospects of attacking it with only two units as profitable. Baltusis-Ziemaitis decides to wait for the Lithuanian I and II Cavalry Corps to join up with his command, then hazard an offensive attack against the Wilno forces opposite him.

The Russian Federation military train which has been travelling all night arrives in Vilnius's main railway station late in the afternoon. Directed into a siding which has been just cleared of debris and wreckage from the fighting, it passengers are greeted on the platform by General Pranas Tamassaulo personally and his assembled Central Front General Staff.

The Lithuanians manning observation posts in and around Vilnius are surprised to see the Polish cavalry and it's supporting armour seemingly withdraw. Puzzelment as to what the Poles are up to reigns amid the various field corps and Central Front headquarters. It doesn't take them long however to figure out what the Poles are up to. The Suwaiska and Wolynska Cavalry Brigades and the 1st Polish Tank Battalion pulled out of their defensive lines to make a series of short, sharp attacks against the fortified Lithuanian positions guarding the approaches to the city.

The Lithuanians are thoroughly alarmed when the Poles succeed in gaining several lodgements, elements of the Vilnius Corps, Army Reserve Corps, I, II and VII Field Corps are deployed at various times and points to contain these attacks and block any attempt by the the Polish cavalry to again fight their way into Vilnius. By the afternoon both sides are at a stalmate, several limited counter-attacks by the Lithuanian troops have failed to erase Polish cavalry's firmly entrenched hold on several positions on the outskirts of the city. General Tamassaulo calls off any further operations, and decided to adopt a wait and see attitude.

Further to the south, the Lithuanians of the III and VI Field Corps, which have finally linked up, recieve their own thoroughly unpleasant surprise from the 9th Polish Division. The commander of the 9th launches his whole division in a surprise attack against the encampments of the two Lithuanian field corps.
Brig.Generals Barniskis and Kaschut are thunderstruck when Polish divisional artillery hits their troops without warning. Chaos is total amid the Lithuanian Security and National Guards troops, a series of multi-battalion level assaults then hit the encampments.

Here and there amid the encampments, some groups of Lithuanians - pulled together by an officer, or a few ncos or even just a plain enlisted man, courageously stand their ground against the Polish attacks, offering spirited resistance and inflicting painful casualties on the Polish but they themselves suffer brutal losses for their efforts. The bulk of the Lithuanian troops seized by panic, run, falling back in an uncontrolled and unordered retreat. The personal efforts of Barniskis and Kaschut, and many of their respective subordinates, prevent the diaster from becoming a total rout, but only just. It will take them some days to pull their scattered and hard hit commands together, count heads and assess the real damage.

July 15th, 1935:

Lt.General Bartold Jasunski, Commander of the Wilno Army of the Northeast is a man with considerable doubts on his mind, as he leads his marching columns of men westward towards the city of Vilnius. Been one of the most experienced and now the principal battlefield leaders of the Wilno Republican Army, he knows just how serious the overall situation is for the flegling republic.

Dispite Marshal Letowska's assurances and his own public statements to the Wilno General Staff and members of government, Jasunski is not at all sure his troops are read for the coming battle. His army has undergone several severe reforms before being marshalled for battle. Many of the 2nd and 3rd Infantry Division's original volunteer fighters are gone: disabled by wounds, killed or captured in action, or worse deserted. Over two thirds of the men in his infantry battalions are partially trained conscripts, the ulan regiments are better off still having a high proportion of volunteers and experienced riders, and his artillerymen are of reasonable quality as well.

The General-secretariat for Military Affairs had decided to restructure the Wilno divisions to deal with severe equipment and munitions shortages. The Army of the Northeast has three divisions, the 2nd and 3rd Wilno Infantry Divisions are each composed of four infantry battalions, 3 field artillery battalions, 1 ulan regiment and several divisional service companies. The 1st Letowska Guards Division (Maj.General Ziven Konarski) has an establishment of four infantry battalions, 1 ulan regiment and a single field artillery battalion, plus divisional service units. Attached to his headquarters, are a Letowska Guards battalion, 2 rifle battalions, 3 ulan regiments and a battalion of light artillery.

To complicate matters the establishment of his divisional artillery battalions had been cut from 24 guns, to just 12 guns per battalion. While the artillery sections attached to his cavalry units have been cut from 8 to just 4 guns. The guns freed up by this organizational reform have been cannibalized for spare parts, and the ammunition redistributed to the remaining artillery teams. The artillerymen now without guns then being formed into rifle companies and incorporated into the army as rifle battalions. The artillery unit of the Letowska Guards Division, being considered a guards unit, is unaffected by the reorganization and still has an establishment of 36 guns, the Army Reserve Artillery Battalion at his disposal has the former establishment of 24 guns.

Given reports at his disposal, Lt.General Jasunski is begining to think he may have made an error in judgement in not bringing the 'new' 1st Division (which contains a far higher number of veterans and seasoned soldiers due to it being formed from the surviving elements of the Guards and 6th divisons, and the core of the veteran 'old' 1st) along. In any battle with the Lithuanian defends of Vilnius, he will need weight of numbers to make up for his deficiencies in other areas. However his staff advises that it is too late to call up the 1st Division from it's post in the Amantas Line, where it is in any case needed, as a precaution against a possible Lithuanian attack by the field corps of the Northeastern Front. Both Jasunski and Letowska's staffs consider such an attack unlikely given the presence of the 9th, 14th and 20th Polish Infantry Divisions and supporting cavalry brigades as well at the arrival of the 1st, 7th and 12th Polish Infantry Division and a supporting heavy artillery unit on Wilno soil.

As his troops toil stolidly through the heat of the day, the lead element of his army, the 7th Ulan Regiment moves into the Giedrikas. Picket groups fan out across the countryside, seeking contact with or news of, any Lithuanian governmental units. Slowly the 2nd Wilno Division in the lead follows the ulans into the village. Lt.General Jasunski also rides into Giedrikas with his staff to confere with Maj.General Bogdan Kawecha. By the map, Jasunski estimates he's made good progress towards Vilnius despite the slowness of his men's march through the heat and dust. He orders Kawecha to rest his men in the environs of Giedrikas, and even authorizes him to do a little foraging. The army support units are trailing the 2nd Division's lengthy march column, and will arrive in Giedrikas in several hours. Marching parallel to the 2nd Division on a more southern route is the 3rd Wilno Division, while to to the north also moving in parallel is the 1st Letowska Guards Division. Mounted dispatch riders arriving at intervels at Jasunski's temporary headquarters in the Giedrikas's Roman Catholic church from both flanking formations announce that neither have had any contact or word of the Lithuanians. This lack of news worries, Jasunski, he begins to suspect a trap, but has no obvious intelligence to work with. He orders Maj.Generals Radowski and Konarski to join him in Giedrikas as soon as possible before the Army of the Northeast moves to make it's attack on Vilnius, Jasunski hoped to make his first attack against the Lithuanian lines sometime on the 16th of July.

Lithuanian General Emil Vimieris, reads the reports of his scouts carefully. A Wilno division is passing along before him, the IV, V and VIII Field Corps moving along separate routes of advance into Wilno territory are all within easy supporting distance of each othe, while the I and II Rifle Corps are following a day or twos march behind. Vimieris discusses the idea of an attack with his staff, there is concern that this single division isn't alone. Further reconnaissances are ordered by both mounted and air units attached to the Lithuanian Northeastern Front. In the meantime, General Vimieris decides to order his field corps commanders to attack.

Brig.Generals Marijus Drotvinas, Slovo Bagdonas and Leonas Arbo respond enthusiastically to their orders, they believe their prospects for destroying another Wilno division are good. Morale and fighting spirit amoungst their troops, a mix of security, security auxiliaries, and national guardsmen is high. The VIII Field Corps is the first to contact the 1st Letowska Guards Division's right flank, screened by only a single squadron of Letowska Ulans. The outnumbered and surprised Insurrectionist horsemen flee before the massed Lithuanian mounted units of the VIII Field Corps: the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Lipka Tartar Uhlan Squadrons that charge them with drawn sabers.

The Lithuanian Tartars impetously run down or scatter the fleeing Wilno ulans, promptly crashing headlong into the marching Letowska Guards infantry. The mass of the charging Lithuanians hit the 6th Letowska Guards Battalion, who are just as startled to see several hundred cavalry riding down on them as their ulans had been. Confusion and shock smashed through the Wilno ranks even before the Tartars crashed into the infantry. Here and there men fled, some fired back wildly, still others were hacked down where they stood frozen in fear or astonishment. Some platoons actually managed to form rough squares, and blazed away at the Tartars.

Abruptly the Lipka Tartars fell back, the Wilno troops were begining to come back on balance as the 5th and 7th Letowska Guards Battalions swung out into battle lines and began to pour fire into the mass of horsemen, picking off both men and horse in increasing numbers, amid the men of the 6th. The first round had gone to the Lithuanians. the 1st Letowska Guards Division pulled itself together, sending the frazzeled 6th battalion to the rear, while the 4th, 5th and 7th battalions formed a more solid battle line, the 1st Letowska Ulans reformed and spread out to guard the division's flanks, while the divisional artillery went into battery positions amid the infantry. They waited to see what would happen next, they didn't have to wait long.

Lithuanian batteries fired salvo after salvo into the ranks of the Letowska Guards. Maj.General Ziven Konarski, the commander of the division watched through his field glasses as three waves of Lithuanian soldiers advanced toward his position. The VIII Field Corps had sent it's 22nd, 23rd National Guard battalions and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Security Auxiliary battalions into the attack. While the 4th, 5th, 6th, 10th, 12th, and 14th National Guard battalions of the V Field Corps followed slightly behind and to the right of the VIII's brigades. Further back still came the 4th, 7th Security, the 21st, 22nd and 23rd Security Auxiliary battalions of the IV Field Corps. Additional Lipka Tartar squadrons, batteries of field and horse artillery and armoured cars moved in support of each advancing Lithuania field corps.

For some twenty minutes the soldiers of the 1st Letowska Guards Division withstand, a dreadful hail of artillery fire, then the Lithuanian infantry close to rifle range, and a blistering small-arms fire begins to strike the Wilno line. Casualties rapidly strip units of men, here and there, men start to fall back against orders. The Lithuanians continue to close, their fire intensifying. Suddenly the 5th Letowska Guards, start to break and run, pulling the other battalions with them. The 6th Letowska Battalion, holds it's ground, fighting desperately to hold the wilting battle line together. Lithuanian armoured cars barrel into their position, spewing machinegun and automatic cannon shells into their midst. The Lipka Tartar squadrons daringly charge into the crumbling 6th ranks, hacking and slashing at anything in reach with their flashing sabers. Shotguns and rifles fired at close range add another measure of havoc to the Insurrectionist ranks. The men of the 1st Letowska Guards Division can take no more of this. Running pell mell, the men begin to breakaway from the fight and stream towards Giedrikas, hoping for help and safety.

In Giedrikas, Lt.General Jasunski warned by the drifting sounds of heavy fighting, is appalled when he spots the wreckage of the 1st Letowska Guards Division moving hurriedly towards the 2nd Wilno Division. He also sees the advancing columns of the IV, V and VIII Field Corps beyond the fleeing Letowska Guardsmen. Jasunski orders Kawecha to turn his troops to face the oncoming assault, and dig in amid the buildings, fields and farms of Giedrikas. He then dispatches orders to the 3rd Wilno Division to join him as soon as possible. Additionally he orders his Army support units into reserve behind the 2nd Division. The retreating Letwoska Guards, funnel through gaps in the forming battle line, to be met by the Army of the Northwest's Letowska Guards detachment and the 3 cavalry regiments which work to halt the running men, horses and guns, and knock them back into some state of order.

Lithuanian General Vimieris, looking on at the developing battle is less then satisfied. While proud of the accomplishments of his troops against the Letowska Guards, he knows the real fight will be against the 2nd Wilno Division which he sees frantically putting it self into a creditable battle order. Vimieris orders his artillery to assemble into a grand battery and pound Giedrikas and it's immediate environs before he sends in his reforming infantry, armoured car and cavalry units.

Jasunski moves amid the troop positions, speaking a word of encouragement here and there, making a joke to lighten the tension and making careful observations of the Lithuanian line as they preparing to attack. As shells explode amid the rifle pits and gun lines of the 2nd Division, both Jasunski and Kawecha know an attack will not be long in coming.

Vimieris decides he can wait no longer, the Letowska Guards have fallen back behind their comrades and are slowly begining to put themselves back together.
Moving dust clouds in the distance warn him that another Wilno force is approaching, if he is to drive the Insurrectionists out of Giedrikas today, he must do it now. The IV Field Corps begins the attack but striking the 2nd Wilno division's left flank, planted amid several village stonewall lined orchards and wooden barns. The fighting is brutal, positions change hands frequently as one side or the other makes an assault, attempts to consolitdate, only to be thrown back by a counter-attack. The V Field Corps goes in against the 2nd Division's center, here the fighting quickly devastates the village, building are demolished by artillery fire, or set ablaze. Still other buildings riddled with bullets and battered by grenade blast change hands as often as a dozen time each, in the space of an hour.

Finally the VIII Field Corps makes it's attack on the Wilno right flank. This to develops into a hard, gruelling fight as neither side is prepared to give ground. Lithuanian and Wilno troops volley back and forth at each other across the fields and farms. Neither Vimieris nor Jasunski are happy men. Vimieris realizes he isn't going to be able to drive through the strong resistance of the 2nd Wilno Division. While Jasunski realizes that help is not going to be able to reach him before night fall. The Battle of Giedrikas is going to become a two or more day affair, and that is something he doesn't want, it will cost him more casualties and delay his attack on Vilnius even more then have been lost already.

Vimieris decides to call off his attack, reports from Brig.Generals Drotvinas, Bogdanas and Arbo and their subordinates and staffs confirm that the Lithuanian attack is making no real headway, such tactical gains that have been made are minor and with too great a cost in casualties. Vimieris orders his field corps to fall back and await the arrival of the I and II Rifle Corps, and requests the Lithuanian Air Force liason staff with his Front to see what air support can be arranged for an attack the following day.

Jasunski riding once again amoung his troops is surprised when the Lithuanians break off the action. They were dangerously close to piercing his line. He conferes with his staff and Kawecha and Konarski. The 1st Letowska Guards Division will move to the right flank of the 2nd Wilno Division and dig in. Radowski sends word that his division can be up to support the 2nd's left flank sometime after dawn. Jasunski orders some of his cavalry to picket his positions front and flanks to guard against an possible Lithuanian night attack and waits. It will be a restless and uneasy night for him and his army.

In and around Vilnius an enforced lull is occuring, neither Lithuanian or Polish forces seem to make any overt moves against each other, although within their lines considerable covert activity is going on. Troops on both sides for the most part take time to enjoy the first relatively calm day that they have had in some time. For many it is a welcome reprieve from the deadly and heavy fighting they have had to endure to date.

Elements of the 14th and 20th Polish Divisions arrive throughout the day, to reinforce the positions of the Polish Suwaiska and Wolnska Cavalry Brigades. The 1st, 7th and 12th Polish Infantry Division marching from further within Wilno territory, are expected by their fellow Poles to arrive by the end of the day, if they manage to keep to schedule. To ensure that they do, the 9th Polish Infantry Division, assumes a guarding position further south of Vilnius covering the other divisions line of advance. The Lithuanian III and VI Field Corps mauled by their second encounter with the 9th Division on the 14th, warily observe them from a safe distance.

July 16th, 1935:

Russian military trains one after the other pass across the Russian-Lithuanian border along the Minsk-Vilnius Railway line. They carry the men, horses and equipement of the Russian Federation's 7th Cavalry Corps, along with the attached 34th Howitzer Artillery Brigade. Behind them comes trains carrying the 9th Gun, 19th and 22nd Howitzer Artillery Brigades. Long columns of Russian troops via various roads also cross the Russian-Lithuanian border, these are the men of the 16th Rifle Corps. Summoned by the request of the Lithuanian Government on the 11th of July, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Kaunas and quickly loaded onto and dispatched on trains awaiting them in Minsk, the 7th Cavalry Corps and the artillery brigades make their way without fanfare into Vilnius throughout the day. The 16th Rifle Corps, dusty, tired and more then a little footsore from its several days march from the Russian frontier, also makes it's way into the city. The Lithuanians work quickly to make sure all the Russian troops and their equipment are unloaded and the men and animals watered and feed. They are directed into camps and depots set up by the Lithuanian Ministries of National Defense and Interior Affairs.

As word of the Russian troops arrival quietly spreads amoung the Lithuanian troops dug in throughout and outside the city, morale surges to new heights. Bolstered with these fresh, well equiped troops, the Lithuanian soldiery believe they have an excellent chance to beat off any Wilno, or Polish assault bent on retaking Vilnius. General Tamassaulo mets with General-leutnant Platon A. Lechiskiy, the commander of the 16th Rifle Corps and acting overall commander of the Russian Relief Force, and General-major Ivan S. Gorbanov, Colonel Pavel Y. Melnik, and General-major Viktor I. Efrimov, the commanders of the 7th, 33rd and 52nd Rifle Divisions respectively. Tamassaulo and his staff also meet with the commander of the 7th Cavalry Corps, General-major Georgii K. Zhukov.
General Tamassaulo and his Front General Staff, aquaint the Russians with the situation on the ground both in and around Vilnius. Plans and potential dispositions are throughly discussed and examined by Lithuanian and Russian officers. Both Lithuanian and Russian commanders are agreed that a defensive action against either a Polish or Wilno forces is the most effective course of action to take at the present time.

General Baltusis-Ziemaitis, doesn't find things going the way he would have liked or planned. Various logistical and transport difficulties force him to forego any offensive operations against the Wilno Army of the South. The I and II Cavalry Corps has arrived to reinforce him as planned, but a lack of certain supplies means they are not yet ready for offensive action. Baltusis-Ziemaitis contents himself with the knowledge that a short delay will at least allow him to rectify any problems with his Southwestern Front's organization and stockpiles, before he does attack the Wilno defensive line. He orders his mounted units out in the field reinforced and to continue their aggressive scouting patrols. When he does move, General Baltusis-Ziemaitis wants up to date information on the Wilno deployments and positions.

General Vimieris, is becoming thoroughly exasperated by the situation in which he finds himself. He had hoped to smash the Wilno Army of the Northeast, when he incountered it near the village of Giedrikas. However while he partially achieved that goal with the surprise attack upon the Letowska Guards Division. The stalwart defense of the 2nd Wilno Division has stalled his planned offensive to the Amantas Line. Now instead of fighting one division piecemeal he will be forced to fight all three of the Wilno Army of the Northeast's divisions together.

General Vimieris decides to gamble on another attack against Giedrikas. The IV, V and VIII Field Corps shift over towards the right flank of the Wilno defensive line straddling the village. The three field corps will attack the 1st Letowska Guards Divsion in a combined assault. Elsewhere on the battlefield, the newly arrived I and II Rifle Corps will launch attacks against the left flank and center of the Wilno line. Vimieris is confident that his troops can win this second day of the battle.

Marshal Aleksy Letowska is not a happy man, this day. He reviews the reports coming in from his field commanders. The struggles of the Army of the Northeast are not encouraging, Letowska toys with the idea of either calling off the new Vilnius offensive, or sending the 1st Division to reinforce Jasunski at Giedrikas. In the end he does neither, at the urging of his staff, they consul patience and a wait and see attitude to developments.

Since the first surprise air raid on the Amantas Line, the Lithuanian air force has made several other unpleasant visits, dropping bombs and straffing troops positions around Amantas. His own headquarters building is demolished by several alarmingly well aimed high explosive bombs, several of his staff are killed or wounded. The Wilno Air Service continues to make occassional sorties to try and stop these attacks, but results are inconclusive - despite claims of multiple kills by the pilots.

Lt.General Waclaw and his Army of the South are another worry for Marshal Letowska. The lack of offensive action on that front is a persistance annoyance to Letowska and his advisors. Letowska considers once again if it might not be advisable to relieve Waclaw of his command and replace him with a more enterprising officer, Jasunski perhaps? That would of course require a new commander to be appointed to the Army of the Northeast, but Maj.General Kawecha was an aggressive and capable understudy to Jasunski.

Lt.General Jasunski at his temporary field headquarters in the village's townhall, has spent a busy and sleepless night. His 2nd Infantry Division is now well entrenched in and around Giedrikas, while the 1st Letowska Guards Division now guards his right flank. He is worried about how brittle that division's fighting morale might be after the painful drubbing they received the day before. Maj.General Konarski assures Jasunski that his men will stand and fight better today. Jasunski takes the man at his word, his next worry is the late arrival of the 3rd Infantry Division. Maj.General Radowski's estimate of the other day, that he would arrive at dawn was awry, only his divisional ulan regiment and a single battalion of his artillery has arrived yet. Jasunski directs these units to hold his open left flank as best they can until the rest of the 3rd comes up.

Jasunski and his staff are painfully aware that if the Lithuanians strike upon the left flank in any sort of real force, before the bulk of the 3rd arrive, then the Army of the Northeast will be faced with with a potentially disasterous defeat. Jasunski prays that Radowski will hurry his men along as fast as he can.

The Lithuanians open the second day with a heavy cannonade of the 1st Letowska Division's part of the line. Shells crash down amoung the Letowska Guardsmen but this time they hold their ground with a steady determination. They wait for the Lithuanians next move, it is not long in coming. Vimieris orders the three field corps to make their attack. the nine 75-mm and three 105-mm batteries of the Letowska Guards division hammer back at the advancing Lithuanian infantry and cavalry. In places the Lithuanian advance buckles and wavers but the majority sweep forward, Konarski orders his machinegunners and riflemen to begin firing. There weight is added to the fire already hitting the Lithuanians. Still they march closer, their own weapons began to flame back into the Letowska Guards. Both sides are bleeding in this battle, the Lithuanian attack finally lands upon the Wilno line. The Lithuanian 14th National Guards Battalion breeches the line between the 4th and 5th Letowska Guards Battalions, occupy a small stone farm house and fend off every attempt to drive them out. The decimated 6th Letowska Battalion finds itself overwhelmed when the 23rd National Guards and the 1st Security Auxiliary Battalions hit it, driving deeply into the Wilno position. Maj.General Konarski personally leads a charge by his 1st Letowska Ulan regiment to try and to try and halt the Lithuanians.

A Lithuanian marksman shots Konarski out of the saddle as he leads his mounted squadrons forward. The Letowska Ulans attack falters and is then smashed when two squadrons of Lipka Tartar charge through the gap to crash through them. The 6th Letowska Battalion disintigrates, while the men of the 4th, 5th and 7th begin to fall back overruning their artillery battalion's positions. A badly wounded Ziven Konarski rises from the ground and tries to rally his troops, he is partially successful and forces parts of the 5th Letowska Battalion to hold their ground for several minutes. The 1st Letowska Division manages to rally and hold it position although several of it's guns and rifle entrenchments are captured and successfully held by the Lithuanians of the IV, V and VIII Field Corps.

In the center the Lithuanian II Rifle Corps drives into Giedrikas under the cover of a virtual hail of high explosive artillery shells. Infantry mortars firing smoke shells blind, the Wilno artillery positions, the Lithuanian riflemen managed to cover considerable ground before being slowed by the defensive fire of the 2nd Division's infantry. Never the less, like the field corps they make it to the Wilno line. Terrible bouts of hand-to-hand combat breaks out throughout the village and the entrenchments and rifle pits. The fighting is bitter, close range and deadly - casualties pile up quickly on both sides.

The Lithuanian I Rifle Corps cannons into the thinly held right flank, sending the 3rd Ulan regiment flying into a panic stricken retreat. The twelve artillery pieces and their gunners stay at their posts blazing away at the on coming Lithuanian riflemen until their batteries are overrun. The I Rifle Corps begins to slowly turn to strike at the exposed 2nd Division's left flank. Jasunski survaying the scene from his headquarters launches his two rifle battalions supported by part of his reserve artillery and one of his ulan regiments in a attempt to block the Lithuanian attack. The hold, the mass of the I Rifle Corps for a few minutes before being thrown back bleeding and broken into Giedrikas. Jasunski gathers up his two remaining ulan regiments and personal makes ready to charge the Lithuanian riflemen, in a desperate and foolhardy move to save his army.

Suddenly artillery fire ripples across the I Rifle Corps advancing batte lines. Shock takes hold amid the Lithuanian ranks, some units turn and begin firing at the unexpected threat that has suddenly confronted them. Jasunski is nearly weeping with relief, Radowski has finally arrived with his division. The 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Wilno Infantry Battalions swept across fields and farms, the twenty-four 75-mm and 105-mm divisional artillery guns hurl shot after shot into the milling Lithuanian riflemen. The I Rifle Corp, begins to start falling back, it's commanders confounded by this sudden development. Jasunski throwns in his cavalry attack in support of Radowski's advance, the I Rifle Corps abruptly retreats to a safe distance. Jasunski has bought himself a moments breathing space to try and sort out his units.

General Vimieris on hearing of the defeat of the I Rifle Corps attack, realizes his attempt to defeat the Army of the Northeast has once again been thwarted. After some argument amoung his staff, the decision to halt the attacks of the II Rifle Corps and the IV, V and VIII Field Corps is considered. Vimieris however overrules this idea. He will see how things pan out with the assaults on the Wilno center and right before considering a halt in the battle.

To Jasunski's horror, the II Rifle Corps is slowly making headway in the village, much of it is now in the Lithuanian riflemen's hands. Many of the units in the 2nd Division are short officers, non-commissioned officers and men due to heavy casualties, they are also desperately short of ammunition. Reluctantly Jasunski considers that a retreat is in order, Maj.General Kawecha is of the same mind. Jasunski also consults with a blood stained and swaying Maj.General Konarski, he reports that his division continues to hold it's ground but that it is a spent force. Radowski surprises his army commander and his fellow divisional commanders by advocating holding on in Giedrikas, they think his taste of victory over the I Rifle Corps has dangerously emboldened the normally cautious field commander.

Lt.General Bartold Jasunski reviews the statis of his remaining units and abruptly decides that fighting for this particular piece of Lithuania no longer is worth the price he is paying in either equipment or his men's lives. He orders a withdrawl to be effected as soon as possible.

General Vimieris calls off his attack at this moment, he orders the II Rifle Corps and the field corps to hold their ground. The I Rifle Corps is rallied and ordered to drive up to the flank of the Wilno Army of the Northeast. General exhaustion, of the troops who have been fighting literally all day, prevents the Lithuanians from considering an advance after the retiring Wilno units. Giedrikas and the battle is theirs but at a heavy price. Vimieris warns the Government in Kaunas that the Wilno Republic may have lost another battle but it's Army of the Northeast is a force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile the Poles of the six infantry divisions, two cavalry brigades, one tank battalion and one heavy artillery detachment outside the city of Vilnius put the finishing touches on their own plans for the day. For both the Lithuanians and the Polish troops the day starts deceptively quiet, many hope on both sides that it will remain so. The Polish High Command, has other ideas however.

At 1800 hrs exactly, the 220-mm Skoda-built Howitzers of the Polish Heavy Artillery detachment thunder to life, hurling shells each weighing 128 kg into the Lithuanian fortified lines. There is shock and surprise amoung the Lithuanian defenders of Vilnius, but this quickly wears off, to be replaced by a grim determination to stop the coming Polish attack dead in it's tracks. The troops of the Vilnius Corps, the Army Reserve Corps, and I, II, VII Field Corps hunker down in their trenches, pillboxes and make-shift bunkers, checking their weapons and making sure supplies of ammo are near to hand. They know, today will be a bloody day. General Tamassaulo warns the commanders of the 16th Rifle Corps and 7th Cavalry Corps to be ready for action, they will undoubtably be needed.

The 7th, 14th Polish Divisions try their strength against the Lithuanian defensive lines at various points. The 1st, 12th and 20th Polish Infantry Divisions, and the Polish cavalry and tanks are held in reserve to exploit any successful attack. To Polish commanders very great surprise, their first assaults make considerable headway against the Lithuanian defenders. It is after nearly an hour's fighting that the men of 7th and 14th Polish Divisions, who have made the most progress into the city, suddenly hit a proverbial wall. The Lithuanian field corps launch a series of ferocious counter-attacks. The Polish suddenly find themselves blocked in every street and alley with small-arms and artillery fire pouring into them from seemingly every direction. Elements of the 16th Rifle Corps are released with General Tamassaulo's permission to join the Lithuanians efforts. Elements of a now reinforced Legion Oranje detachment (now at battalion strength, under the command of Kolonel Van Der Slagt. Majoor Van Der Kade, having left the city to report to Legion Oranje Headquarters in Palanga) also joins the Lithuanian attack columns inside Vilnius.

Interrogation of Polish prisoners taken during the fighting reveals to the astonishment of the Lithuanian defenders that, the Polish High Command, or at least the Polish divsions attacking Vilnius, they don't realize the Russians are in the city in force. General-leutnant Lechitskiy and General-major Zhukov realize that they are being presented with an interesting possiblility. Zhukov, requests that General Tamassaulo release his 7th Cavalry Corps and the attached 34th Howitzer Artillery Brigade to make an encircling attack against the Polish attackers. Tamassaulo is very interested in the Russian proposal and orders several of his armoured car and mounted units to accompany Zhukov's command into the attack. Lithuanian guides are assigned to Russian units to direct them along the best routes both in the city and countryside outside the city limits.

General-leutant Lechitskiy requests General Tamassaulo's permission to counter-attack with the 7th, 33rd and 52nd Rifle Division. The 122-mm guns and howitzers of the 9th Gun, and the 19th and 22nd Howitzer Artillery Brigades are already coming into action, guided to Polish targets by Lithuanian observation posts throughout Vilnius. General Tamassaulo immediately agrees.

Within in half an hour, the men of the 7th and 14th Polish Divisions are in serious trouble, their casualties from the heavy fighting are appalling and still climbing. Parties of Lithuanian troops are in danger of flanking their percarious positions. Suddenly the Russian 7th Rifle Division strikes a hammer blow to the 14th's left flank, while the Russian 52nd strikes the Poles head on. Seriously outnumbered, and even more heavily outgunned the Poles of the 14th, stubbornly at first but with fatal rapidcy begin to give ground. The Polish 7th Infantry Division is in no better shape, finds itself under attack by several infantry columns from the Russian 33rd Rifle Division, while additional Lithuanian battalions pin it in place with fierce assaults.

The situation for the two Polish divisions is atrocious, and with each passing minute and as the fighting gets more and more savage, it doesn't get any better. The Polish High Command, becoming frantic at the developing situation directs the the 20th Polish Infantry Division to attack into the seething maelstrom. The attempted attack crumbles under withering Russian fire, more and more Polish casualties are suffered by the units within the city. To many - both Russians, Lithuanians and Poles - the streets and buildings of Vilnius appear to be bleeding, where they aren't blackened and scarred by shell and bullet fire.

For the Poles fighting within Vilnius, the situation is rapidly becoming impossible, they can't go forward - the Russians and Lithuanians won't let them, they cannot retreat - their own generals won't give the order, they can't even stay where they are - the heavy artillery and small-arms fire being directed into their positions makes it suicidal to stand and fight, any one who does quickly winds up dead or wounded. The increasingly bloody stalemate goes on hour after hour, with neither side giving or gaining ground.

For the hard pressed Poles the last straw is learning that the Wilno Army of the Northeast has been been defeated in it's offensive towards Vilnius from the east, no help will come from that direction. The Polish High Command must make a hard choice, the battle in Vilnius is going badly and the men of the 12th Polish Infantry Division might be able to tip the balance in the vicious street fighting if they are committed to support the 7th, 14th and 20th Infantry Divisions already engaged. However, there is a far more overriding consideration to worry about, the Polish attack force's right flank is now dangerously exposed to the possiblility of a Russo-Lithuanian counter-attack, with the defeat of the Wilno offensive. The 12th Polish Infantry Division is ordered to swing north and fill the gap that now yawns in the Polish flank. After some reflection, the the Suwaiska and Wolynska Cavalry Brigades, are sent further out to screen the 12th Division's dangerously thin defensive front. This leaves the 1st Polish Infantry Division as the Polish attack force's only other tactical reserve, unless the 9th is called up.

The Poles are right to worry about that possibility, for it is exactly what General-major Zhukov is perparing to do with his 7th Cavalry Corps, supported by various Lithuanian units transferred to the enterprising Russian general's command by Lithuanian General Tamassaulo's order. By road and train, more Lithuanian troops are pouring into the city from Kaunas, the Lithuanian Government alarmed by what is going on in the city has released the I and II Army Corps to the Central Front's command. During the late hours of the day, the combined Russo-Lithuanian attack force moves out of the city, marches some miles from the city, then swings south again. By midnight on the 16th, they are in position, to launch their attack. The gun barrels of the 34th Howitzer Artillery Brigade lift to the darkened sky, ready to fire. Men, horse and tanks and armoured cars wait for the order to go forward.

Looks like its going to be a real barn burner at this rate...Yikes!

Romania, in an effort to call a halt to the fighting before the Russians are actively engaged imposes immediate sanctions of any resources useful for the conduction of war, including oil upon Poland and Lithuania. It urges other nations to follow its lead in curtailing the fighting in Lithuania before Russia turns this into WWII.

OOC Yep sure is but hopefully this should throw some water on the fire. No oil from Romania=no fuel for Polish tanks=no advance. C'mon people support me here do we really want WWII to happen over Lithuania?

Canada likewise will pass a temporary embargo with both nations.

Tho I can't think of anything too important Canada trades to either...

OOC You have oil as well, and if im not supplying Poland with oil then they can buy from you.