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
[continue reading...]

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
[continue reading...]

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,
[continue reading...]

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
[continue reading...]

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
[continue reading...]

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
[continue reading...]

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.
[continue reading...]

Suvalkai is a town in ethnographic south Lithuania or north Poland, which at various times has been claimed by Lithuanians, Poles and even Germans. In World War One it was taken by 76. Reserve-Division on ca. February 14, 1915. After the German withdrawal from Russia at the end of 1918, Suvalkai was guarded by Grenzschutz
[continue reading...]

Marijampolė is a major town in central Suvalkija. In World War One, it was taken by Landwehr- Division Königsberg in mid-February 1915. During the German withdrawal from Russia at the end of 1918, when the Red Army was stopped on the far side of the river Nemunas, Marijampolė was not affected by further hostilities and
[continue reading...]

Kybartai, Kibarty (in some postal aspects a joined-twin of Virbalis, Verzhbolovo, Wirballen) is a town with an important railway station next to the border of what was East Prussia, ca. 25 km west of Vilkaviškis. In World War One, after repeatedly changing hands it was finally secured by 78. Reserve-Division on February 10-11, 1915. After
[continue reading...]