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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Nemunėlio (Naujas) Radviliškis is a township ca. 23 km north of Biržai, on the border with Latvia. In World War One, it was entered by German 8. Kavallerie-Division on August 7, 1915. During the German withdrawal from Russia at the end of 1918, formations of the Red Army appeared in the Biržai district in mid-January
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The township Batakiai (Batoki) lies ca. 20 km nort-east of Tauragė. In World War One, as a locality on the strategic Šiauliai – Tilsit highway, Batakiai was taken by Abteilung Pappritz on the very first day, April 27, 1915, of the start of German advance into Žemaitija. During the German occupation the highway was duplicated
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In World War One, Skuodas (Shkudy, Schkudy), a town in northwestern Lithuania, was passed through on May 5, 1915 by German forces (Abteilung Schulenburg) on their way to storm the naval base of Liepaja (Libava, Libau) which was taken in the early hours of May 7. When the German army withdrew from Russia at the
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In WWI, Gruzdžiai (Gruzdzi, Grusdi, Grusen), a township ca. 20 km north of Šiauliai (Schaulen), was involved in the swift German advance resulting in the taking of Šiauliai on April 30, 1915, then their retreat and their repeated taking of Šiauliai on July 21. Around Gruzdžiai, the troops active on both sides were mostly cavalry,
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Meškučiai (later known as Meškuičiai) is a township and a railway station ca. 18 km. north of Šiauliai. In World War One, during the two battles for Šiauliai involving fast moving cavalry actions Meškučiai changed hands repeatedly and was finally secured by 78. Reserve-Division on July 20, 1915. During the German withdrawal from Russia at
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For description and analysis of the Raseiniai 15 k Local Issue, including the two printings and use of different postmarks, see article by Audrius Brazdeikis on this website under Local Issues – “Raseiniai 1919 Local Issue Printings“. For an article on Raseiniai 1919 see Vytautas Doniela, this website under “Raseiniai 1919“. Register of Local Issue
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Užpaliai is a township in Aukštaitija, 16 km north of Utena. In World War One, it was passed through by Bayersche Kavallerie-Division on September 12, 1915 during the northern flanking of Vilnius. After German withdrawal from Russia, units of the Red Army came to Užpaliai in late December 1918. Lithuanian regulars (“Ukmergės rinktinė”) pushing Bolshevik
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