Archive for April 2010

Pumpėnai

Apr 30th, 2010 | By
Pumpėnai

In WWI, Pumpėnai (Pompjany) a township in northern Lithuania, ca. 20 km north of Panevėžys, was taken by German forces after their successful second attempt to occupy Šiauliai on July 21, 1915. Pumpėnai was entered by units of 78th Res. Div. (78. Reserve-Division) on about July 25. When the German army was withdrawing from Russia
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Babtai 1919-1920

Apr 30th, 2010 | By
Babtai 1919-1920

In WWI, Babtai [Bobty] a township on the river Nevėžis (Nevjazha) was taken in late July 1915, when German forces were making preparations to storm the Kaunas fortress, which fell on August 18, 1915. After the German army’s withdrawal from Russia at the end of 1918, Babtai found itself, for a few months, within the
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Kaltinėnai 1919-1921

Apr 28th, 2010 | By
Kaltinėnai 1919-1921

In WWI, after the German drive into Žemaitija and Courland started on April 27, 1915, Kaltinėnai (Koltinjany) was passed through the following day by fast infantry units of Abteilung Pappritz coming via Skaudvilė and on the 29th by cavalrymen of Abteilung Lenski coming via Laukuva. The township was not affected by the subsequent Russian counteroffensive.
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Vilnius – the one-liner “Wilna”

Apr 24th, 2010 | By
Vilnius – the one-liner “Wilna”

In World War One, Vilnius was taken by the German Tenth Army, led by Gen. Hermann von Eichhorn, on August 18, 1915. A civilian post office WILNA, within the system of Postgebiet Ob.-Ost was opened on January 16, 1916 and was closed down on December 26, 1918. During the German retreat from the East, the
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Linkuva 1919-1920

Apr 23rd, 2010 | By
Linkuva 1919-1920

In WWI, Linkuva (Linkovo, Linkowo) was passed through by German cavalry of the Kavallerie-Korps Schmettow, on ca. July 23, 1915 after German troops had taken Šiauliai (Schaulen) on July 21. This was part of a general strategy with a double aim: to strengthen a front line against the Russian fortress of Daugavpils (Dvinsk, Dünaburg )
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Veliuona 1919-1920

Apr 21st, 2010 | By
Veliuona 1919-1920

In WWI, the township Veliuona (Veliony, Wileny) on the right bank of the river Nemunas was passed through by fast-moving German cavalry of Abteilung Cnopf (Bayersche Kavallerie-Division) on April 27, 1915 – the very first day of the German drive into Žemaitija and Courland. The area was back in Russian hands during their counter-offensive but
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Balbieriškis 1919

Apr 20th, 2010 | By
Balbieriškis 1919

In WWI, after the Germans had taken the Kaunas fortress on August 18,1915 and were planning to take Vilnius by a pincers movement, the river Nemunas (Njemen) had to be crossed at several other points as well. The township Balbieriškis (Balverzhishki, Balwerzischki) on the left bank of the river south of Kaunas was within the
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Rare Stamps and Covers (Apr 2010)

Apr 18th, 2010 | By
Rare Stamps and Covers (Apr 2010)

Every week we compile list of rare stamps and covers on the market. These are some of the most interesting philatelic items that we felt are interesting enough for collectors to browse. Rare Stamps and Covers | 2010-Current | Archives | Lithuania 1863 pre-stamp era Palanga cover A pre-stamp era cover with a circular Polangen
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Ariogala (also Airiogala) 1919-1921

Apr 5th, 2010 | By
Ariogala (also Airiogala) 1919-1921

In WWI, when the German advance into Žemaitija and Courland started on April 27, 1915, Ariogala or Airiogala (Ejragola, Eyragola) as a township on the river Dubysa (Dubissa) within a few days found itself in the battle zone for the militarily important possession of the river crossings. First taken by the German cavalry (Abteilung Cnopf),
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Kuršėnai 1919

Apr 3rd, 2010 | By
Kuršėnai 1919

During the German advance into Žemaitija and Courland which started on April 27, 1915, Kuršėnai (Kurshany, Kurschany) near Šiauliai (Schaulen) was swiftly, on April 29, entered by German cavalry (22. Kavallerie-Brigade, 3. Kavallerie-Division) which had rushed up via Kelmė all the way from Jurbarkas on river Nemunas. Šiauliai was taken on April 30. But Kuršėnai
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