Mutiny Żeligowski's Mutiny

map of polish population living in central lithuania c. 1920

in october 1920, polish general lucjan Żeligowski, native of historic lands of lithuania, given command of 1st lithuanian-belarusian infantry division (comprising poles polish marches). Żeligowski had been contacted piłsudski late september 1920 suggestions carry out mutiny. prepared plan Żeligowski , forces under command pretend desert polish army , take control of city of vilnius , vilnius region. polish government officially deny involvement, thereby preserving reputation on international scene.

Żeligowski, piłsudski himself—may have been 1 of many torn between lithuanian , polish identities; possibly, in proclaiming central lithuania, believed creating lithuania if dominated polish culture rather lithuanian culture.

on october 6, 1920, Żeligowski informed officers of plans mutiny; @ point, no 1 under command knew acting piłsudski s backing, , refused follow him. support Żeligowski wavered such extent on october 7, messaged piłsudski not carry out operation due lack of support among troops. eventually, however, of officers , men decided follow him, , proceeded operation.

polish caricature: lithuanian trying stop general Żeligowski taking wilno (vilnius)

Żeligowski s forces set out on morning of october 8 (two days before suwałki agreement ceasefire take hold). day, declared liberate wilno lithuanian occupation , form parliament decide fate of disputed territories.

Żeligowski s forces—numbering 14,000, centered on 1st lithuanian-belarusian infantry division—defeated lithuanian 4th infantry regiment near rūdininkai forest, , again in skirmish near jašiūnai. polish forces reached vicinity of wilno, slowed enough delay taking city until next day. death toll, reported contemporary sources, low: few casualties on both sides.

the lithuanian forces in region heavily outnumbered: not faced Żeligowski s numerically superior regular forces, supported polish army logistics, had garrison vilnius, polish population restless. on october 9, lithuanian forces unable defend vilnius , evacuated city, token attempts @ defending (the decision evacuate made in afternoon of october 8, , evacuation took place during night of october 8–9). when polish units assaulted remaining lithuanian defenses around vilnius, city s polish population supported polish troops, militia units staging uprising , engaging lithuanian units still in city, , civilians welcoming polish troops entered vilnius.

lithuanian government representatives (led ignas jonynas) passed control of city resident entente officials (led french colonel constantin reboul). Żeligowski, however, refused recognize authority, , forced leave city.

gen. Żeligowski leading soldiers, wilno (vilnius), 1920

on october 12, Żeligowski proclaimed independence of area republic of central lithuania, vilnius capital. historians agree state dependent on poland, disagree extent (polish historian jerzy j. lerski calls puppet state).

meanwhile, uniformed polish armed force of 20 airplanes , 13th cavalry regiment under command of col. butkiewicz joined mutiny. polish army, however, officially bound suwałki agreement ceasefire , did not engage lithuanian units line. on october 20–21 there further battles between central , lithuanian forces near village of pikeliškiai. on november 7, Żeligowski s army began advance upon giedraičiai, Širvintos , kėdainiai. Żeligowski s proposals of cease-fire ignored lithuania. Żeligowski ignored league of nations s military control commission proposals withdraw october 20–21 lines , begin negotiations. on november 17, soviet russia offered military aid, lithuanians declined. polish cavalry broke lithuanian defense lines , on november 18 reached kavarskas , continued toward kaunas. however, on november 19–21, lithuanian main forces pushed Żeligowski s main forces near giedraičiai , Širvintos. in polish literature, considered local skirmish of minor importance.

both sides exhausted. of league of nations, on november 20 ceasefire negotiated, take effect on november 21, 1920, @ 9 o clock in morning; until then, both sides agreed take no offensive actions. lithuanian 7th infantry regiment broke agreement, counterattacking @ giedraičiai on night of november 20–21, before ceasefire go effect, persisting after ceasefire (until 1400); offensive gained giedraičiai lithuanians. lithuanian forces stopped after request league of nations, , truce signed on november 29.

it @ time close ally of piłsudski, michał pius römer, leader of krajowcy movement, broke pilsudski , made decision side re-established lithuanian republic, though piłsudski offered appoint him prime minister of republic of central lithuania.