The author and initiator of this work is blacksmith Juozas Tarailė.
The monument is being unveiled at the place where on October 27, 1948, the Iron Wolf unit of Lithuanian partisans led by V.Voveri-Žaib ambushed and destroyed the operative group of soldiers of the occupation government.
“The places where the battles and victories of our heroes are commemorated must not remain empty, otherwise there will soon be the enemy or signs glorifying the occupiers, – says J. Tarailė. “With this small contribution from our family, we hope to contribute to the memory of our heroes and strengthening the resilience of society.”
Until 2014, when Russia’s aggression against Ukraine began, there was a stone at the site of V. Voveri-Zaib’s operation, on which a text was carved during the Soviet era: “On October 27, 1948, bourgeois nationalists attacked and killed 16 soldiers who were traveling in a truck.”
Due to the dissatisfaction of the residents, this stone was removed during the road repair.
Arūnas Bubnys, director of the Genocide and Resistance Research Center of the Lithuanian Population, says that this testimony of historical memory “will not allow future generations to forget the struggles of our Lithuanian nation”.
“We hope that it will be possible to bury Vaclovas Voveris-Zaibas, the fourth commander of the Kazimieraitis national team, whose remains have not yet been found, in an honorable way, just as Juozas Vitkės-Kazimieraitis was recently,” said A. Bubnys.
In November 1948, V. Voveris-Žaibas became the commander of the Kazimieraitis national team, the deputy of Dainava district commander Adolfos Ramanauskas-Vanagas.
The partisan commander was killed in 1949, when the location of his bunker was betrayed by Soviet agents – writer Kostas Kubilinskas and poet Algirdas Skinkys.
After his death, V. Voveris-Žaibas was awarded the Freedom Struggle Cross of all degrees in 1950, and the Grand Cross of the Vytis Cross Order in 1997.
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#monument #partisan #commander #VoveriisŽaib #squad #unveiled #Trakai #district
2024-09-08 04:25:51
What were the key events that shaped the resistance movements in the Vilnius Ghetto and among Lithuanian partisans during World War II?
Table of Contents
The Vilnius Ghetto and Lithuanian Partisans: A Story of Resistance and Strength
During World War II, the city of Vilnius, Lithuania was occupied by Nazi forces, and a ghetto was established to confine and persecute the Jewish population. Despite the dire circumstances, a resistance movement emerged within the Vilnius Ghetto, as well as among Lithuanian partisans, who fought against the Nazi occupation and later against the Soviet regime.
The Vilnius Ghetto Resistance
The Vilnius Ghetto, which was established in 1941, was home to around 40,000 prisoners. Despite the mortal danger, a resistance movement began to take shape, with individuals smuggling machine guns and engaging in battles with Nazi forces [1]. One notable example is Rachel Margolis, a survivor of the Vilna Ghetto who escaped with other members of the FPO (United Partisan Organization) and later wrote a memoir about her experiences [2].
Lithuanian Partisans
In addition to the resistance within the ghetto, Lithuanian partisans played a significant role in fighting against the Nazi occupation and later against the Soviet regime. One notable example is Vaclovas Voveris-Žaibas, a partisan commander who led the Iron Wolf unit and ambushed and destroyed an operative group of Soviet soldiers in 1948. A monument was recently unveiled at the site of this operation, commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of Voveris-Žaibas and his unit
.
Commemorating the Heroes
The unveiling of the monument is a testament to the importance of remembering and honoring the struggles and sacrifices of Lithuania’s heroic past. As Arūnas Bubnys, director of the Genocide and Resistance Research Center of the Lithuanian Population, stated, “This testimony of historical memory will not allow future generations to forget the struggles of our Lithuanian nation”
.
In addition to the monument, there are efforts to honor the memory of Voveris-Žaibas, who was killed in 1949 after his bunker was betrayed by Soviet agents. He was posthumously awarded the Freedom Struggle Cross of all degrees in 1950 and the Grand Cross of the Vytis Cross Order in 1997.
Conclusion
The story of the Vilnius Ghetto and Lithuanian partisans is one of courage, resistance, and strength in the face of overwhelming oppression. As we remember and honor the heroes of the past, we are reminded of the importance of preserving historical memory and promoting resilience and strength in society.
References:
[1] Vilnius Ghetto resistance: smuggled machine guns and battles with Nazis. (2023). LRT.lt.
[2] Margolis, R. (2010). A Partisan from Vilna. Brandeis University.
[3] Jewish partisans in the Rudniki forest. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Forest Brothers
Title: The Lithuanian Partisan War: A Decade-Long Struggle for Independence and Freedom
Introduction
The Lithuanian partisan war, which lasted from 1944 to 1953, was a pivotal event in the country’s history, marked by brutal fighting, sacrifice, and ultimate defeat. This article delves into the key events that shaped the resistance movements in the Vilnius Ghetto and among Lithuanian partisans during World War II, exploring their struggles, triumphs, and tragedies.
The Lithuanian Partisan War: Background and Context
In the aftermath of World War II, Lithuania found itself caught in the crossfire of Soviet and German interests. In 1940, the Soviet Union annexed Lithuania, followed by the German occupation in 1941. The Lithuanian population was torn between collaborating with the occupiers and resisting their presence. The partisan movement emerged as a response to these occupation forces, with the aim of fighting for independence and self-governance.
Key Events Shaping the Resistance Movements
- The Formation of the Lithuanian Partisan Movement: In the summer of 1944, as the Soviet Army advanced into Lithuania, the Lithuanian partisan movement began to take shape. The movement was led by former Lithuanian Army officers, politicians, and intellectuals who were determined to fight against the Soviet occupation.
- The Vilnius Ghetto Uprising: In September 1943, a group of Jewish resistance fighters in the Vilnius Ghetto launched an uprising against the Nazi occupation forces. Although the uprising was brutally suppressed, it demonstrated the resilience and courage of the Jewish population in the face of overwhelming odds.
- The Iron Wolf Unit and V. Voveri-Žaib: In October 1948, the Iron Wolf unit, led by partisan commander V. Voveri-Žaib, ambushed and destroyed a group of Soviet soldiers near Trakai. This event is commemorated by a monument unveiled in 2024, which honors the bravery and sacrifice of the Lithuanian partisans.
- Soviet Repression and Betrayal: The Soviet authorities responded to the partisan movement with brutal force, deploying troops and intelligence agents to hunt down and eliminate the partisan leaders. One such example is the betrayal of V. Voveri-Žaib’s bunker location by Soviet agents, including writer Kostas Kubilinskas and poet Algirdas Skinkys, which led to his death in 1949.
- The Legacy of the Lithuanian Partisan War: Despite being defeated, the Lithuanian partisan war left an indelible mark on the country’s history and identity. The resistance movement’s courage and sacrifice inspired future generations to fight for independence, which was eventually achieved in 1990.
Statistics and Aftermath
An estimated 30,000 Lithuanian partisans and their supporters were killed during the war. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanianpartisans”>[1[1]
The Lithuanian partisan war lasted almost a decade, from 1944 to 1953.
* There were around 250 Lithuanian partisans, known as “hitmen,” who were more brutal than the Russians themselves. [2[2]
Conclusion
The Lithuanian partisan war was a defining moment in the country’s history, marked by courage, sacrifice, and tragedy. The key events that shaped the resistance movements in the Vilnius Ghetto and among Lithuanian partisans during World War II serve as a testament to the unwavering determination of the Lithuanian people to fight for their freedom and independence.
References:
[1] Wikipedia. (n.d.). Lithuanian partisans. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanianpartisans
[2] LRT. (2024). Lithuania’s last partisans: ‘People feared Siberia more than death’. Retrieved from https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2293570/lithuania-s-last-partisans-people-feared-siberia-more-than-death
[3] Sužiedelis, S. (n.d.). Lithuanian Collaboration during the Second World War. Retrieved from https://yivo.org/cimages/suziedelis_collaborators.pdf
