Alytus is a major town in southern Lithuania 65 km south of Kaunas. Because of its fortifications and strategic importance Alytus played an important part both in the battles of 1915 and in the postwar confrontation between the withdrawing German … [Read more...] about Alytus 1919-1922
Provisional Postmarks
Andriejavas (Endriejavas) 1919–1920
In World War One, when the German advance into Žemaitija and Courland started on April 27, 1915, Andriejavas (Andrzejewo) in the western part of Žemaitija was passed through by 12th Res. Brigade ( 6. Reserve-Division) at 7 p.m. the same day. During … [Read more...] about Andriejavas (Endriejavas) 1919–1920
Anykščiai 1919-1923
Anykščiai is a town in Aukštaitija, ca. 60 km south-east of Panevėžys. In World War One, it was taken by German troops during the battle of Kupiškis. First entered by squadrons of Bayerische Kavallerie-Division at 10 am on August 4, 1915, … [Read more...] about Anykščiai 1919-1923
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 … [Read more...] about Ariogala (also Airiogala) 1919-1921
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 … [Read more...] about Babtai 1919-1920
Baisogala (also Beisagala)
Baisogala is a township ca. 45 km south-east of Šiauliai with a railway station (Bejsagola) of some importance during the volatile first battle for Šiauliai in late April - early May 1915. It was finally secured during the second battle by Division … [Read more...] about Baisogala (also Beisagala)
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, … [Read more...] about Balbieriškis 1919
Balninkai 1921-1922
Balninkai is a township in Aukštaitija, ca. 30 km east of Ukmergė. In World War One, during the German advance on Vilnius it was passed through by units of 3. Kavallerie-Division on September 9, 1915. During the German withdrawal from Russia … [Read more...] about Balninkai 1921-1922
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 … [Read more...] about Batakiai 1920-1922
Butrimonys (Butrimoniai) 1919 – 1921
Butrimonys is a township ca. 20 km north-east of Alytus. The first P.O. there, named Butrimancy, was opened in czarist times ca. 1880. It was closed during the German occupation 1915 -1918. After the German withdrawal from Russia at the end of World … [Read more...] about Butrimonys (Butrimoniai) 1919 – 1921
Čekiškė 1921-1922
Čekiškė is a township 35 km south-west of Kėdainiai. In World War One, it was passed through by Abteilung Esebeck on ca. July 20, 1915 while advancing to flank the Kaunas fortress. After the German retreat from the East at the end … [Read more...] about Čekiškė 1921-1922
Darbėnai
Darbėnai is a township in western Žemaitija, 40 km north of Klaipėda. The first P.O. in Darbėnai was opened during the czarist period in ca. 1908, named Dorbiany, but was closed during the German occupation in World War One. The locality acquired … [Read more...] about Darbėnai
Daugai 1919-1922
Daugai lies 20 km east of Alytus. In World War One it was taken by German infantry of XXI. Armeekorps in the battles of early September 1915 during their advance to encircle Vilnius, which fell on September 18. During the German withdrawal from … [Read more...] about Daugai 1919-1922
Daujėnai 1921 – 1922
Daujėnai is a township in central north Lithuania, 10 km south-east of Pasvalys. The locality had no postal faciliy in czarist times and none during German occupation in First World War. After the German advance into Lithuania in late April 1915, and … [Read more...] about Daujėnai 1921 – 1922
Dotnava (later Dotnuva) 1920-1921
Dotnava, after ca.1926 renamed Dotnuva, is a township with an agricultural academy on the strategic Šiauliai - (Kaunas) - Vilnius railway line, ca. 12 km north of Kėdainiai. In World War One, during the second battle of Šiauliai, Dotnava was in … [Read more...] about Dotnava (later Dotnuva) 1920-1921
Dusetos 1920-1921
Dusetos is a town in Aukštaitija, 35 km north-east of Utena. In World War One it was passed through by Division Beckmann on September 12, 1915. During the German withdrawal from Russia at the end of 1918, Red Army units came to Dusetos area in late … [Read more...] about Dusetos 1920-1921
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 … [Read more...] about Gardinas (Grodno) 1919
Gargždai 1919-1920
In WWI, when the German push into Žemaitija and Courland started soon after midnight into April 27, 1915, Gargždai (Garždai, Gorsdy, Gorzhdy) being right on the border was in no-man's land and was passed through by reco units. A little further south, … [Read more...] about Gargždai 1919-1920
Garliava 1921-1922
Garliava lies several km south of Kaunas but eventually came to be regarded as part of the metropolitan area. In World War One it was involved in the battle for the fortress of Kaunas, which fell on August 18, 1915. In the czarist period Garliava … [Read more...] about Garliava 1921-1922
Gelvonai (also Gelvonys) 1921-1922
Gelvonai (also written Gelvonys) is a small town in Aukštaitija 25 km south of Ukmergė. In World War One, during the German encirclement of Vilnius (which fell on September 18, 1915), Gelvonai was passed through in early September by troops of … [Read more...] about Gelvonai (also Gelvonys) 1921-1922