postal history

Nemunėlio (Naujas) Radviliškis 1919-1920

Nov 20th, 2010 | By
Nemunėlio (Naujas) Radviliškis 1919-1920

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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Batakiai 1920-1922

Nov 20th, 2010 | By
Batakiai 1920-1922

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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Skuodas 1919

Nov 10th, 2010 | By
Skuodas 1919

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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Gruzdžiai 1919

Nov 6th, 2010 | By
Gruzdžiai 1919

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 (also Meškuičiai) 1921-1922

Oct 31st, 2010 | By
Meškučiai (also Meškuičiai) 1921-1922

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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Raseiniai 1919 – Local Issue 15 k on mail

Oct 31st, 2010 | By
Raseiniai 1919 – Local Issue 15 k on mail

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 (also Ušpaliai) 1920-1922

Oct 30th, 2010 | By
Užpaliai (also Ušpaliai) 1920-1922

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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Raseiniai 1919

Oct 29th, 2010 | By
Raseiniai 1919

Raseiniai is a major town north-west of Kaunas. In World War One, when German forces advanced into Žemaitija on April 27, 1915 Raseiniai was taken the same evening by fast moving Bayersche Kavallerie-Division. After a Russian counter-offensive Raseinai was re-taken by 78. Reserve-Division. During the German withdrawal from the East at the end of 1918
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Gardinas (Grodno) 1919

Oct 26th, 2010 | By
Gardinas (Grodno) 1919

[A more detailed study of the Lithuanian post office in Gardinas / Grodno in 1919 will appear as a separate publication. The following is a brief summary of the basic facts, including the two types of provisional cancellations and registration markings. Some attention is paid to the covers containing the overprints on Russian stamps released
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Lunno (Lith. Lunia) 1919

Oct 24th, 2010 | By
Lunno (Lith. Lunia) 1919

Lunno (Lith. Lunia) is a town 45 km south-east of Gardinas (Grodno), presently in Belorus. In WWI, it was entered by German infantry on September 6, 1915 engaged in the battle for Vilnius. During the German withdrawal from the East, Lunno area was controlled by the dissolving Tenth Army, followed by units of the Grenzschutz.
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