In WWI, Virbalis (Verzhbolovo, Wirballen), being very close to the Rusian - German border, at the beginning of the hostilities immediately found itself in the middle of battles. At first, the German 8th Army was pushed back deep into East Prussia, … [Read more...] about Virbalis 1919
Postal History
Šakiai 1919
Šakiai (Shaki, Schaki) was briefly entered by German troops in 1914 at an early stage of the war with Russia, then in February 1915 by reco troups of Ersatz-Brigade Esebeck, then finally and more permanently during the German preparations to storm … [Read more...] about Šakiai 1919
Prienai 1919
In WWI, after the Germans had taken the Kaunas fortress on August 18,1915 and were anxious to take the communications centre Vilnius by outflanking, the river Nemunas (Njemen) had to be negotiated at several other points as well. At Prienai (Preny), … [Read more...] about Prienai 1919
Vilkija 1919-1920
In WWI, Vilkija (Vilki, Wilki) was taken by German troops during their preparations in the summer of 1915 to storm Kaunas (Kovna, Kovno, Kowno) whose formidable fortress endangered the German advance further east. At Vilkija, a bridge across the … [Read more...] about Vilkija 1919-1920
Kretinga 1919
In WWI, being on the border and thus in a kind of no man's land, the town of Kretinga (Kretingen, Krottingen) was immediately passed through by German troops when the push into Žemaitija and Courland started on April 27, 1915. By 2.30 a.m. that … [Read more...] about Kretinga 1919