Title Politiniai ir kariniai Klaipėdos krašto praradimo aspektai 1938–1939 metais
Translation of Title Seizure of Klaipeda region in 1938-1939: political and military aspects.
Authors Vareikis, Vygantas
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Is Part of Acta historica universitatis Klaipedensis: Klaipėdos krašto aneksija 1939 m.: politiniai, ideologiniai ir kariniai aspektai = The 1939 annexation of Klaipėda region: political, ideological, social and military issues.. Klaipėda : Klaipėdos universiteto leidykla. 2010, [t.] 21, p. 69-84.. ISSN 1392-4095. eISSN 2351-6526
Keywords [eng] Parliament of Klaipeda Region ; Third Reich ; Lithuanian Riflement Union ; 6th Infantry Regiment of Lithuanian Army
Abstract [eng] The article analyses the plans of Germany to seize Klaipėda Region in 1938, the political circumstances of the German ultimatum issued to Lithuania on 20 March 1939, the response of the Lithuanian Government to the German demands, the organisation of the retreat of Lithuanian military units and state institutions from Klaipėda, its process, and the dynamics of German units marching into Klaipėda Region. ;In spring 1938, after the Austrian Anschluss, the situation of Eastern Europe and the German politics with regard to Klaipėda essentially changed. The tension reached its peak in 1939, when the Germans occupied Czechoslovakia and focused on the occupation of Danzig. Although the Lithuanian Government started contemplating on the possible military occupation of Klaipėda Region at the beginning of March 1939, the evacuation which took place on 21–22 March 1939 from Klaipėda Region was chaotic and non-organised. Before any official documents on the ceding of the territory had been signed, the Lithuanian Government gave the first orders to start secret military evacuation from Klaipėda Region. No clear evacuation order were received from Lithuanian governing authorities, and the export of private and state property was implemented without any organised transportation. Belated information about the ceding of Klaipėda Region to Germany impeded effective implementation of evacuation plans by Lithuanian institutions and military units. The plans worked out for the Riflemen Union failed. On 22 March 1939, Lithuanian institutions no longer controlled the situation either in the city or the region of Klaipėda.
Published Klaipėda : Klaipėdos universiteto leidykla
Type Journal article
Language Lithuanian
Publication date 2010
CC license CC license description