In World War One, after the German forces had conclusively secured Šiauliai (Schaulen) on July 21, 1915, Skapiškis (Skopischki) in north-east Lithuania was taken during the battle of Kupiškis (Schlacht bei Kupischki) by 1. Reserve-Division on ca. August 6, 1915.
When the German army’s retreat from Russia was followed by the Red Army, Skapiškis was entered by units of so-called International Division in very late December 1918. During the Wars of Independence, Bolshevik troops were pushed out of Skapiškis by Lithuanian troops (Panevėžio grupė) on June 3, 1919.
In czarist times, Skapiškis had had a recently established post office (Skopishki) but none during the German occupation. Nor is one recorded in archival lists during the several months of Bolshevik presence in the first half of 1919.
A mandate to open a Lithuanian post office was given to Juozas Likas, effective from July 4, 1919, who as postmaster continued into 1920 and probably later. For stamps, Skapiškis was supplied with Fourth Berlin issue, followed by the Sėjėjas Issue etc.
Earliest cancelling may have been done by handwriting, though there is no clear evidence of it among surviving fragments. Later in 1919, Skapiškis made use of a one-line cachet “SKAPISKIS” with the date added separately by hand. As yet, no other provisional markings have been recorded.
A regular calendar-type postmarker was provided in 1920 or early 1921.
Known provisional markings:
6 – XI – 19 card to Switzerland, Berlin IV 40 [colln. Doniela]
29 – I – 20 card to Switzerland, Berlin IV 10, 30 [colln. Liesis]
No date, singles, Berlin IV 10, 30 [several collns.]