When the German forces began to move into Žemaitija and Courland on April 27, 1915, the township Varniai (Vorne, Worne) was passed through by cavalry of 12th Res. Brigade (6. Kavallerie-Division) on April 29, followed the next day by Abteilung Pappritz.  After the German withdrawal from Russia, the westward advance of a newly formed Lithuanian
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In WWI, Lydavėnai (later Lyduvėnai, russ. Lidovjany) was passed through by Bavarian cavalry the following day after the German push into Žemaitija began on April 27, 1915. The cavalrymen were from the reco Abteilung Gonnermann of the Bayerische Kavallerie-Division which was speeding to flank Šiauliai from the south. During the German occupation Lydavėnai acquired some
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In WWI, Vandžiogala [Wandsagola, different old spellings] a township 22 km north of Kaunas 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, Vandžiogala found itself, for a few
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Postcard mailed by the initiator and builder of the church at Žarėnai, Rev. Juozapas Lomanas. Žarėnai 1922 is a township with a previous manor in central Žemaitija, 20 km south of Telšiai. In WWI, during the German push into Žemaitija and Courland which started on April 27, 1915, Žarėnai (as Zorany) was rushed through by
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Kalvarija is a town in Suvalkija, 18 km south of Marijampolė. In World War One it was taken on February 12, 1915, by 42. Infanterie-Division rushing through to participate in the encircling of substantial Russian forces at Augustavas (Augustow). After the German retreat from Russia at the end of 1918, Kalvarija enjoyed relative peace and
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Kazlų Rūda is a township and a railway junction ca. 35 km south-west of Kaunas. In World War One, Kazlų Rūda was taken by German infantry during their preparations to storm the fortress of Kaunas, which fell on August 18, 1915. Kazlų Rūda was the rail section where, starting on August 7, the assault on
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Seinai is a town in southern Suvalkija with a large Lithuanian population, which eventually was included in Poland. In World War One, it was taken by 42. Infanterie-Division on February 14, 1915. After the German withdrawal from Russia at the end of 1918, Seinai was first guarded by the Grenzschutz, esp. Brigade Grodno, and later
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Švėkšna is a township in western Žemaitija, ca. 40 km south-east of Klaipėda (Memel) and close to the border of what was Memelgebiet. In World War One, when the German forces launched a drive into Žemaitija and Courland, Švėkšna was passed through the very same day, April 27, 1915, by units of 6. Reserve-Division. After
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There are two towns in Lithuania with the name “Naumiestis” which are usually differentiated by a further geographic addition. The Naumiestis in Žemaitija, in the district of Tauragė, is postally known as “Naumiestis (Taurag.)” or, more popularly, as “Žemaičių Naumiestis”. The second Naumiestis is in Suvalkija, in the district of Šakiai, and during the czarist
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Laižuva is a township ca. 15 km north-east of Mažeikiai, close to the border with Latvia, on the railway line Mažeikiai – Jelgava (Mitava, Mitau). Laižuva’s railway station gained some importance during the German advance into Žemaitija and Kurland in 1915. After a Russian counteroffensive, the area was secured on about July 15, 1915 by
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