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{{plainlist| |
{{plainlist| |
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* [[Major]] (August 1927) |
* [[Major]] (August 1927) |
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* [[ |
* [[Podpolkovnik]] (Nov. 1932) |
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* [[Polkovnik]] (Nov. 1934) |
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* [[Brigadier general]] (Nov. 1937) |
* [[Brigadier general]] (Nov. 1937) |
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* [[Divisional general]] (April 1940) |
* [[Divisional general]] (April 1940) |
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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===Active military duty=== |
===Active military duty=== |
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Raštikis was born in [[Kuršėnai]], but his family soon moved to [[Dūkštas]] where his father worked as a [[sacristan]].<ref name=stari>Starinskas (2006-09-16)</ref> Raštikis attended primary school in Dūkštas and then a progymnasium in [[Zarasai]].<ref name=stari/> At the time, Lithuania was part of the [[Russian Empire]]. At the outbreak of [[World War I]], he volunteered for the [[Imperial Russian Army]] and was assigned to the 75th Infantry Regiment stationed in [[Varėna]] (part of the [[10th Army (Russian Empire)|10th Army]]). In summer 1915, the regiment withstood about ten days of German attacks along [[Merkys]] but then [[Great Retreat (Russian)|began retreating east]] towards [[Berezina River]]. After training in [[Tula, Russia|Tula]], the regiment was sent to the front in Romania. Raštikis completed training courses with the 10th Army, was promoted to [[non-commissioned officer]], and was sent for further studies to [[Tbilisi]]. After the graduation, he spent the remainder of the war in the [[Caucasus Campaign]] with the 279th Infantry Regiment. |
Raštikis was born in [[Kuršėnai]], but his family soon moved to [[Dūkštas]] where his father worked as a [[sacristan]].<ref name=stari>Starinskas (2006-09-16)</ref> Raštikis attended primary school in Dūkštas and then a progymnasium in [[Zarasai]].<ref name=stari/> At the time, Lithuania was part of the [[Russian Empire]]. At the outbreak of [[World War I]], he volunteered for the [[Imperial Russian Army]] and was assigned to the 75th Infantry Regiment stationed in [[Varėna]] (part of the [[10th Army (Russian Empire)|10th Army]]).<ref name=s135>Surgailis (1992), p. 135</ref> In summer 1915, the regiment withstood about ten days of German attacks along [[Merkys]] but then [[Great Retreat (Russian)|began retreating east]] towards [[Berezina River]].<ref name=s135/> After training in [[Tula, Russia|Tula]], the regiment was sent to the front in Romania.<ref>Surgailis (1992), pp. 135–136</ref> Raštikis completed training courses with the 10th Army, was promoted to [[non-commissioned officer]], and was sent for further studies to [[Tbilisi]].<ref name=s136>Surgailis (1992), p. 136</ref> After the graduation, he was promoted to the tank of ''[[praporshchik]]''<ref name=dobke>Dobkevičius (2006-09-20)</ref> and spent the remainder of the war in the [[Caucasus Campaign]] with the 279th Infantry Regiment.<ref name=s136/> |
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After the [[Russian Revolution]], the Imperial Army slowly disintegrated and Raštikis began looking for a way back to Lithuania. {{illm|Pranas Dailidė|lt}}, representative of the [[Council of Lithuania]] in [[Caucasus]], obtained a permission from the Germans for Lithuanian refugees and military personnel to return. Raštikis traveled via ship from [[Poti]] to [[Constanța]], spent two weeks in quarantine in a prisoner camp in [[Pitești]], and reached [[Vilnius]] in June 1918. Encouraged by his family, Raštikis entered the Catholic [[Kaunas Priest Seminary]]. The [[Lithuanian–Soviet War]] started in December 1918 and Lithuania began hastily organizing its own army by mobilizing all military officers. Raštikis reported for duty and was assigned to the |
After the [[Russian Revolution]], the Imperial Army slowly disintegrated and Raštikis began looking for a way back to Lithuania. {{illm|Pranas Dailidė|lt}}, representative of the [[Council of Lithuania]] in [[Caucasus]], obtained a permission from the Germans for Lithuanian refugees and military personnel to return.<ref name=s136/> Raštikis traveled via ship from [[Poti]] to [[Constanța]], spent two weeks in quarantine in a prisoner camp in [[Pitești]], and reached [[Vilnius]] in June 1918.<ref name=s136/> Encouraged by his family, Raštikis entered the Catholic [[Kaunas Priest Seminary]].<ref name=s136/> The [[Lithuanian–Soviet War]] started in December 1918 and Lithuania began hastily organizing its own army by mobilizing all military officers. Raštikis reported for duty and was assigned to the Vilnius Battalion organized by [[Kazys Škirpa]] (later the 5th Infantry Regiment of Grand Duke Kęstutis).<ref name=s137>Surgailis (1992), p. 137</ref> The battalion was sent to the front near [[Žiežmariai]] and [[Žasliai]] on March 31, 1919.<ref name=s137/> On August 27, during the final attacks towards [[Turmantas]],<ref>Lesčius (2004), pp. 165–166</ref> Raštikis was shot in shoulder and leg. He was taken prisoner by the [[Red Army]] and spent 20 months in captivity.<ref name=s138>Surgailis (1992), p. 138</ref> |
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===From drill instructor to commander of the General Staff=== |
===From drill instructor to commander of the General Staff=== |
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Released from captivity in April 1921, Raštikis received a warm welcome in [[Kaunas]] – the train with the prisoners was greeted by [[guards of honor]], a choir, and a banquet hosted by Minister of Defense {{illm|Konstantinas Žukas|lt}}.<ref name=stari/> Raštikis was assigned to the same 5th Infantry Regiment, now stationed along the [[Lithuania–Poland border]], as a [[drill instructor]]. He broke the same leg that was injured in 1919 – it continued to bother him for the rest of his life – and spent time recovering in a hospital. He returned to the same duties, but due to conflicts with regiment's commander was reassigned to the Intelligence Department of the General Staff in March 1922. While working, he attended an evening school and obtained a high school diploma. In 1925, he enrolled to the [[Kaunas University]]. |
Released from captivity in April 1921, Raštikis received a warm welcome in [[Kaunas]] – the train with the prisoners was greeted by [[guards of honor]], a choir, and a banquet hosted by Minister of Defense {{illm|Konstantinas Žukas|lt}}.<ref name=stari/> Raštikis was assigned to the same 5th Infantry Regiment, now stationed along the [[Lithuania–Poland border]], as a [[drill instructor]].<ref name=s139>Surgailis (1992), p. 139</ref> He broke the same leg that was injured in 1919 – it continued to bother him for the rest of his life – and spent time recovering in a hospital.<ref name=s139/> He returned to the same duties, but due to conflicts with regiment's commander was reassigned to the Intelligence Department of the General Staff in March 1922.<ref name=s139/> While working, he attended an evening school and obtained a high school diploma. In 1925, he enrolled to the [[Kaunas University]].<ref name=s140>Surgailis (1992), p. 140</ref> |
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During the [[1926 Lithuanian coup d'état|coup d'état of December 1926]], Raštikis was promoted from the director of the Polish Section to the director of the entire Intelligence Department by [[Povilas Plechavičius]]. The promotion was made official by a March 1927 decree of [[Antanas Merkys]], [[Lithuanian Minister of Defense|Minister of Defense]]. |
During the [[1926 Lithuanian coup d'état|coup d'état of December 1926]], Raštikis was promoted from the director of the Polish Section to the director of the entire Intelligence Department by [[Povilas Plechavičius]].<ref name=s140/> The promotion was made official by a March 1927 decree of [[Antanas Merkys]], [[Lithuanian Minister of Defense|Minister of Defense]].<ref name=s140/> On August 1, 1927, he was promoted to the rank of [[major]].<ref name=s140/> Raštikis continued his university studies and graduated with a veterinary degree in spring 1929.<ref name=s141>Surgailis (1992), p. 141</ref> In June 1929, he married Elena Marija, niece of [[Antanas Smetona]], [[President of Lithuania]]. This family connection proved instrumental in his future career. From early 1930 to June 1932, Raštikis attended the officer's courses of the General Staff of [[Reichswehr]] ({{lang-de|Führergehilfenausbildung}}).<ref name=s141/> In exchange for the financial support during his studies, he had to complete six years of military duty.<ref name=s141/> |
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Upon graduation, he was promoted to [[lieutenant colonel]] and assigned to the 5th Infantry Regiment as a trainee of its commander Colonel Juozas Vidugiris. In September 1933, Raštikis took over the command of the regiment. At the same time he lectured at the Lithuanian officer's courses and contributed to military press becoming a member of the editorial board of ''[[Karys]]'', magazine of the Lithuanian military. In early 1934, mutinous moods spread in the military and commanding officers were reshuffled in an attempt to forestall further disturbances. Raštikis became the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division stationed in [[Šiauliai]]. On June 7, 1934, General [[Petras Kubiliūnas]], commander of the General Staff, and other members of the [[Iron Wolf (organization)|Iron Wolf]] organization attempted a coup d'état against President Smetona. In an attempt to find a trustworthy and reliable officers, Smetona replaced {{illm|Zenonas Gerulaitis|lt}} with Raštikis as the director of the General Staff Directorate. At the same time, {{illm|Jonas Jackus|lt}}, the new commander of the General Staff, was ill and resigned in September 1934. Raštikis was promoted in his place. In his memoirs, Raštikis later wrote that he was not satisfied with these promotions as he felt he did not have enough education and command experience. |
Upon graduation, he was promoted to [[lieutenant colonel]] (''[[podpolkovnik]]'') and assigned to the 5th Infantry Regiment as a trainee of its commander Colonel Juozas Vidugiris.<ref name=s141/> In September 1933, Raštikis took over the command of the regiment.<ref name=s142>Surgailis (1992), p. 142</ref> At the same time he lectured at the Lithuanian officer's courses and contributed to military press becoming a member of the editorial board of ''[[Karys]]'', magazine of the Lithuanian military.<ref>Surgailis (1992), pp. 141–142</ref> In early 1934, mutinous moods spread in the military and commanding officers were reshuffled in an attempt to forestall further disturbances. Raštikis became the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division stationed in [[Šiauliai]].<ref name=s134>Surgailis (1992), p. 134</ref> On June 7, 1934, General [[Petras Kubiliūnas]], commander of the General Staff, and other members of the [[Iron Wolf (organization)|Iron Wolf]] organization attempted a coup d'état against President Smetona.<ref name=s134/> In an attempt to find a trustworthy and reliable officers, Smetona replaced {{illm|Zenonas Gerulaitis|lt}} with Raštikis as the director of the General Staff Directorate.<ref name=s134135>Surgailis (1992), pp. 134–135</ref> At the same time, {{illm|Jonas Jackus|lt}}, the new commander of the General Staff, was ill and resigned in September 1934.<ref name=s135/> Raštikis was promoted in his place. He was also promoted to colonel (''[[polkovnik]]'') in November 1934.<ref name=s142/> In his memoirs, Raštikis later wrote that he was not satisfied with these promotions as he felt he did not have enough education and command experience.<ref name=s134135/> |
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===Commander of the Armed Forces=== |
===Commander of the Armed Forces=== |
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====Military reforms==== |
====Military reforms==== |
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The first task of Raštikis as the new commander of the General Staff was to prepare a military reform. Within a month together with other officers he prepared a proposal which emphasized the need to modernize the army – enlarge [[Armoured fighting vehicle|armored units]], increase [[anti-aircraft artillery]], improve [[military aviation]], establish the second [[Combat engineer|engineer battalion]], strengthen officers' education, and other measures. At the same time, the command structure was reorganized to more clearly separate the duties and responsibilities of the Ministry of Defense (political representation, military tribunal, and defense procurement) and the General Staff (command and structure of the army). |
The first task of Raštikis as the new commander of the General Staff was to prepare a military reform. Within a month together with other officers he prepared a proposal which emphasized the need to modernize the army – enlarge [[Armoured fighting vehicle|armored units]], increase [[anti-aircraft artillery]], improve [[military aviation]], establish the second [[Combat engineer|engineer battalion]], strengthen officers' education, and other measures.<ref name=s142>Surgailis (1992), p. 142</ref> At the same time, the command structure was reorganized to more clearly separate the duties and responsibilities of the Ministry of Defense (political representation, military tribunal, and defense procurement) and the General Staff (command and structure of the army).<ref>Surgailis (1992), p. 142–143</ref> A new position of the Commander of the Armed Forces was established and Raštikis took the roles effective January 1, 1935. One of the goals of the new structure was to make the General Staff less politically involved hoping that it would make the command more stable: there were 20 commanders of the General Staff before Raštikis and the army lagged behind the newest developments. The reforms were opposed by [[Juozas Tūbelis]], Minister of Finance, as they required significant additional funding<ref name=s143>Surgailis (1992), p. 143</ref> to the army that already consumed about 20% of the Lithuanian budget. But President Smetona approved the reforms, except for the proposed military alliance with Latvia and Estonia, and they proceeded.<ref name=s144>Surgailis (1992), p. 144</ref> |
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Raštikis first undertook the issue of military education. Numerous new statutes were prepared and the education program was revamped to standardize and coordinate activities of the various branches of the armed forces (artillery, infantry, aviation, etc.) Raštikis personally commanded mandatory [[military exercise]]s and [[Military simulation|simulations]]. He emphasized discipline and loyalty within the army and built the trust and authority of the army within the civilian population. He opposed the [[martial law]] which was in effect in Lithuania since 1918 as military was forced to intervene in civilian law enforcement which distracted military officials from their primary duties and earned distrust of the general population. (The martial law was lifted in November 1938 due to German pressure in the months before the [[1939 German ultimatum to Lithuania|ultimatum of March 1939]].) The army also acquired new equipment, including [[light tank]]s ([[Carden Loyd tankette]]) and anti-tank and anti-aircraft artillery. The [[Lithuanian Riflemen's Union]] was restructured so that it fell more easily at the disposal of the Commander of the Armed Forces. |
Raštikis first undertook the issue of military education. Numerous new statutes were prepared and the education program was revamped to standardize and coordinate activities of the various branches of the armed forces (artillery, infantry, aviation, etc.) Raštikis personally commanded mandatory [[military exercise]]s and [[Military simulation|simulations]].<ref name=s144/> He emphasized discipline and loyalty within the army and built the trust and authority of the army within the civilian population.<ref name=s144/> He opposed the [[martial law]] which was in effect in Lithuania since 1918 as military was forced to intervene in civilian law enforcement which distracted military officials from their primary duties and earned distrust of the general population.<ref name=s145>Surgailis (1992), p. 145</ref> (The martial law was lifted in November 1938 due to German pressure in the months before the [[1939 German ultimatum to Lithuania|ultimatum of March 1939]].)<ref>Kuodys (2011), p. 45</ref> The army also acquired new equipment, including [[light tank]]s ([[Carden Loyd tankette]]) and anti-tank and anti-aircraft artillery. The [[Lithuanian Riflemen's Union]] was restructured so that it fell more easily at the disposal of the Commander of the Armed Forces. |
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====Foray into politics==== |
====Foray into politics==== |
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In March 1938, when [[1938 Polish ultimatum to Lithuania|Poland presented an ultimatum]], Raštikis spoke decisively for its acceptance and against armed resistance.<ref name=stari/> In the ensuing government crisis, he became the acting [[Lithuanian Minister of Defense|Minister of Defense]] in the government of [[Vladas Mironas]]. He refused to take the position permanently, perhaps afraid that he would lose the position of the Commander or the Armed Forces. After eights months, he was replaced by {{illm|Kazys Musteikis|lt}}. After the [[1939 German ultimatum to Lithuania|German ultimatum]] in March 1939 and loss of the [[Klaipėda Region]], Mironas government resigned and Raštikis was offered to become the new Prime Minister, but refused. The new government of included four generals including Prime Minister [[Jonas Černius]]. Raštikis, as Commander or the Armed Forces, had great influence over these ministers and his relationship with President Smetona became more tense. Smetona resented Raštikis' popularity.<ref name=stari/> |
In March 1938, when [[1938 Polish ultimatum to Lithuania|Poland presented an ultimatum]], Raštikis spoke decisively for its acceptance and against armed resistance.<ref name=stari/> In the ensuing government crisis, he became the acting [[Lithuanian Minister of Defense|Minister of Defense]] in the government of [[Vladas Mironas]]. He refused to take the position permanently, perhaps afraid that he would lose the position of the Commander or the Armed Forces. After eights months, he was replaced by {{illm|Kazys Musteikis|lt}}. After the [[1939 German ultimatum to Lithuania|German ultimatum]] in March 1939 and loss of the [[Klaipėda Region]], Mironas government resigned and Raštikis was offered to become the new Prime Minister, but refused. The new government of included four generals including Prime Minister [[Jonas Černius]]. Raštikis, as Commander or the Armed Forces, had great influence over these ministers and his relationship with President Smetona became more tense. Smetona resented Raštikis' popularity.<ref name=stari/> |
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During his tenure, Raštikis made several official visits to foreign countries. In May 1937, Raštikis attended the [[coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth]] in London. In February 1939, during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of [[Estonian Declaration of Independence|Estonia's independence]], Raštikis visited [[Johan Laidoner]], commander of the [[Estonian Army]], and inspected several Estonian military installations. On his way back, he stopped in Latvia and met with [[Jānis Balodis]] and [[Krišjānis Berķis]]. More politically sensitive, in light of the two ultimatums, were the visits to [[Nazi Germany]] on the occasion of [[Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday|Hitler's 50th birthday]] in April 1939 and to the [[Second Polish Republic]] in May 1939. |
During his tenure, Raštikis made several official visits to foreign countries. In May 1937, Raštikis attended the [[coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth]] in London.<ref name=s146>Surgailis (1992), p. 146</ref> In February 1939, during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of [[Estonian Declaration of Independence|Estonia's independence]], Raštikis visited [[Johan Laidoner]], commander of the [[Estonian Army]], and inspected several Estonian military installations. On his way back, he stopped in Latvia and met with [[Jānis Balodis]] and [[Krišjānis Berķis]].<ref name=s146/> More politically sensitive, in light of the two ultimatums, were the visits to [[Nazi Germany]] on the occasion of [[Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday|Hitler's 50th birthday]] in April 1939 and to the [[Second Polish Republic]] in May 1939.<ref name=s149>Surgailis (1992), p. 149</ref> |
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====Start or World War II and resignation==== |
====Start or World War II and resignation==== |
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[[World War II]] started on September 1, 1939 with the [[Invasion of Poland]]. Lithuania declared strict neutrality but, as the war was approaching its borders, it declared and executed partial mobilization on September 17. Citing financial difficulties, the mobilized men were released on October 2. At the same time, negotiations began for the [[Soviet–Lithuanian Mutual Assistance Treaty]]: Soviet Union promised to cede a portion of [[Vilnius Region]] to Lithuania in exchange for stationing 20,000 Soviet troops in the country. Raštikis was a member of the Lithuanian delegation to Moscow, but he did not lead the Lithuanian troops who entered Vilnius for the first time since 1920 on October 28. It was the first public sign that Raštikis was losing favor with Smetona's regime. In November, Černius was replaced by [[Antanas Merkys]] who had been openly critical of Raštikis in the past. In addition to being Prime Minister, Merkys wanted to become Minister of Defense (a position he already held in 1919 and 1927), but Raštikis protested and Musteikis retained his post. |
[[World War II]] started on September 1, 1939 with the [[Invasion of Poland]]. Lithuania declared strict neutrality but, as the war was approaching its borders, it declared and executed partial mobilization on September 17. Citing financial difficulties, the mobilized men were released on October 2. At the same time, negotiations began for the [[Soviet–Lithuanian Mutual Assistance Treaty]]: Soviet Union promised to cede a portion of [[Vilnius Region]] to Lithuania in exchange for stationing 20,000 Soviet troops in the country. Raštikis was a member of the Lithuanian delegation to Moscow, but he did not lead the Lithuanian troops who entered Vilnius for the first time since 1920 on October 28. It was the first public sign that Raštikis was losing favor with Smetona's regime. In November, Černius was replaced by [[Antanas Merkys]] who had been openly critical of Raštikis in the past. In addition to being Prime Minister, Merkys wanted to become Minister of Defense (a position he already held in 1919 and 1927), but Raštikis protested and Musteikis retained his post. |
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Around the New Year, Raštikis published his thoughts on the recent developments in ''Kardas'' magazine. In it, he complained that a mayor (Merkys' position before becoming Prime Minister) or other civil servants earned more than the Commander of the Armed Forces. The issue was taken out of circulation and Raštikis tendered a letter of resignation. However, fearing public backlash, he was officially given a three-month vacation for health reasons. In his duties, Raštikis was replaced by Vincas Vitkauskas. After the vacation, Raštikis resigned and refused any other military positions. On April 23, 1940, Smetona promoted him to [[divisional general]] and accepted the resignation. Raštikis used the free time to visit his family in [[Dūkštas]] which was part of the ceded Vilnius Region. |
Around the New Year, Raštikis published his thoughts on the recent developments in ''Kardas'' magazine. In it, he complained that a mayor (Merkys' position before becoming Prime Minister) or other civil servants earned more than the Commander of the Armed Forces. The issue was taken out of circulation and Raštikis tendered a letter of resignation. However, fearing public backlash, he was officially given a three-month vacation for health reasons. In his duties, Raštikis was replaced by Vincas Vitkauskas. After the vacation, Raštikis resigned and refused any other military positions. On April 23, 1940, Smetona promoted him to [[divisional general]] and accepted the resignation. Raštikis used the free time to visit his family in [[Dūkštas]] which was part of the ceded Vilnius Region.<ref name=s155>Surgailis (1992), p. 155</ref> |
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===Soviet and Nazi occupations=== |
===Soviet and Nazi occupations=== |
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As the [[Winter War]] between Finland and Soviet Union concluded by March 1940, Soviet Union began increasing diplomatic pressure on Lithuania. Raštikis was invited back to the military, but he agreed only to take the position of director of the military academy on June 7. A week later he was called to the emergency government meeting discussing the [[1940 Soviet ultimatum to Lithuania|Soviet ultimatum]]. He opined that mounting military resistance when Soviet troops were already in the country was impossible. He also opposed diplomatic protests as such empty actions would do no more than antagonize the Russians and invite repressions. In accordance with the Soviet demand of a new more pro-Soviet government (which became known as the [[People's Government of Lithuania]]), Raštikis was slated to become the new Prime Minister, but he was not acceptable to Moscow and the selection of another candidate was supervised by Molotov's deputy [[Vladimir Dekanozov]]. |
As the [[Winter War]] between Finland and Soviet Union concluded by March 1940, Soviet Union began increasing diplomatic pressure on Lithuania. Raštikis was invited back to the military, but he agreed only to take the position of director of the military academy on June 7.<ref name=s156>Surgailis (1992), p. 156</ref> A week later he was called to the emergency government meeting discussing the [[1940 Soviet ultimatum to Lithuania|Soviet ultimatum]]. He opined that mounting military resistance when Soviet troops were already in the country was impossible.<ref name=s156/> He also opposed diplomatic protests as such empty actions would do no more than antagonize the Russians and invite repressions.<ref>Anušauskas (2005), p. 60</ref> In accordance with the Soviet demand of a new more pro-Soviet government (which became known as the [[People's Government of Lithuania]]), Raštikis was slated to become the new Prime Minister, but he was not acceptable to Moscow and the selection of another candidate was supervised by Molotov's deputy [[Vladimir Dekanozov]].<ref>Misiunas & Taagepera (1993), p. 19</ref> |
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Lithuania lost its independence and was gradually converted into a [[soviet socialist republic]]. Concurrently, the Lithuanian army was gradually transformed into units of the [[Red Army]]. The work at the military academy ceased when men were called back to their units, but Raštikis was not allowed to resign. He was assigned to the [[29th Rifle Corps (Soviet Union)|29th Rifle Corps]] and released from active duty only at the end of 1940. On February 13, 1941, fearing an arrest by [[NKVD]] as an "[[enemy of the people]]", Raštikis left his wife and three young daughters in Kaunas and departed towards Germany. It was the last time he saw his daughters who were [[June deportation|deported to Siberia]] in June. He crossed the border during the night of March 19 and was well received by the Germans. With the help of various Lithuanians, he settled in Berlin. |
Lithuania lost its independence and was gradually converted into a [[soviet socialist republic]]. Concurrently, the Lithuanian army was gradually transformed into units of the [[Red Army]]. The work at the military academy ceased when men were called back to their units, but Raštikis was not allowed to resign.<ref name=s156/> He was assigned to the [[29th Rifle Corps (Soviet Union)|29th Rifle Corps]] and released from active duty only at the end of 1940.<ref name=s156/> On February 13, 1941, fearing an arrest by [[NKVD]] as an "[[enemy of the people]]", Raštikis left his wife and three young daughters in Kaunas and departed towards Germany.<ref name=s157>Surgailis (1992), p. 157</ref> It was the last time he saw his daughters who were [[June deportation|deported to Siberia]] in June. He crossed the border during the night of March 19 and was well received by the Germans. With the help of various Lithuanians, he settled in Berlin.<ref name=s157/> |
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On June 22, 1941, [[Operation Barbarossa|Germany invaded the Soviet Union]]. At the same time, Lithuanians organized an [[June Uprising in Lithuania|anti-Soviet uprising]] and organized the [[Provisional Government of Lithuania]] in hopes of reestablishing independent Lithuania. Raštikis was named as the Minister of Defense. Together with {{illm|Heinz Gräfe|de}}, an officer with ''[[Ausland-SD]]'', Raštikis flew to Kaunas on June 27. He joined the Provisional Government but there was no ministry or army for him to command. The government was not recognized by the Germans and was gradually deprived of any meaningful authority and self-disbanded on August 5. Raštikis was offered a position as General Counsel in the [[Reichskommissariat Ostland]] but refused ([[Petras Kubiliūnas]] |
On June 22, 1941, [[Operation Barbarossa|Germany invaded the Soviet Union]]. At the same time, Lithuanians organized an [[June Uprising in Lithuania|anti-Soviet uprising]] and organized the [[Provisional Government of Lithuania]] in hopes of reestablishing independent Lithuania. Raštikis was named as the Minister of Defense.<ref name=s158>Surgailis (1992), p. 158</ref> Together with {{illm|Heinz Gräfe|de}}, an officer with ''[[Ausland-SD]]'', Raštikis flew to Kaunas on June 27.<ref name=s158/> He joined the Provisional Government but there was no ministry or army for him to command. The government was not recognized by the Germans and was gradually deprived of any meaningful authority and self-disbanded on August 5.<ref>Sužiedėlis (2011), p. 23</ref> Raštikis was offered a position as General Counsel in the [[Reichskommissariat Ostland]] but refused (the position was taken by [[Petras Kubiliūnas]]).<ref name=s159>Surgailis (1992), p. 159</ref> |
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Raštikis was left without a job. With the help of General {{illm|Vladas Nagevičius|lt}}, he got a job at the [[Vytautas the Great War Museum|Lithuanian War Museum]] and began organizing army archives. In 1943, Germans unsuccessfully attempted to organize a Lithuanian [[Waffen-SS]] unit and called a Lithuanian conference. Raštikis was a member of the conference's organizational committee. Once it became clear that the conference was meant only to [[Rubber stamp (politics)|rubber-stamp]] German directives, Raštikis and the rest of the committee resigned. |
Raštikis was left without a job. With the help of General {{illm|Vladas Nagevičius|lt}}, he got a job at the [[Vytautas the Great War Museum|Lithuanian War Museum]] and began organizing army archives.<ref name=s159/> In 1943, Germans unsuccessfully attempted to organize a Lithuanian [[Waffen-SS]] unit and called a Lithuanian conference. Raštikis was a member of the conference's organizational committee.<ref name=s159/> Once it became clear that the conference was meant only to [[Rubber stamp (politics)|rubber-stamp]] German directives, Raštikis and the rest of the committee resigned.<ref name=s159/> |
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===Refugee and immigrant to United States=== |
===Refugee and immigrant to United States=== |
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In summer 1944, the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] was closing in on Lithuania and Raštikis and his wife retreated to [[Regensburg]] in Germany. He worked at a factory until the city fell into the [[American occupation zone]]. At that point he joined a Lithuanian Committee and Lithuanian Section of [[Red Cross]] helping Lithuanian refugees. In May 1946, Raštikis and other Lithuanians were moved to a [[displaced persons camp]] in [[Scheinfeld]]. In May 1949, he and his wife emigrated to United States.<ref name=stari/> |
In summer 1944, the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] was closing in on Lithuania and Raštikis and his wife retreated to [[Regensburg]] in Germany. He worked at a factory and an office of an electrical company until the city fell into the [[American occupation zone]].<ref name=s159/> At that point he joined a Lithuanian Committee and Lithuanian Section of [[Red Cross]] helping Lithuanian refugees.<ref name=s160>Surgailis (1992), p. 160</ref> In May 1946, Raštikis and other Lithuanians were moved to a [[displaced persons camp]] in [[Scheinfeld]].<ref name=s160/> In May 1949, he and his wife emigrated to United States.<ref name=stari/> |
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In Unites States, Raštikis obtained a job as a factory worker and became an active member of various [[Lithuanian American]] organizations. He delivered speeches and lectures, contributed articles to the Lithuanian press, participated in various events. In April 1951, he got a teaching position at [[Syracuse University]]. He taught Russian language to military aviation students. From November 1952 to September 1953, Raštikis was employed by the [[Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania]] (VLIK) and lived in London and [[Reutlingen]]. |
In Unites States, Raštikis obtained a job as a factory worker and became an active member of various [[Lithuanian American]] organizations.<ref name=s160/> He delivered speeches and lectures, contributed articles to the Lithuanian press, participated in various events. In April 1951, he got a teaching position at [[Syracuse University]]. He taught Russian language to military aviation students.<ref name=s160/> From November 1952 to September 1953, Raštikis was employed by the [[Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania]] (VLIK) and lived in London and [[Reutlingen]].<ref name=s160/> |
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Upon his return to United States, Raštikis moved to [[Monterey, California]], and joined the [[Defense Language Institute]] as instructor of Russian and Lithuanian. Monterey was far from centers of Lithuanian culture and Raštikis became a lot less active in the Lithuanian cultural life. He concentrated on writing his memoirs. He retired in 1968 and died of [[myocardial infarction]] in 1985. Originally interred in [[Los Angeles]], his and his wife's remains were returned to [[Kaunas]] in November 1993 and reburied in [[Petrašiūnai Cemetery]] with [[Military funeral|full military honors]].<ref name=stari/> |
Upon his return to United States, Raštikis moved to [[Monterey, California]], and joined the [[Defense Language Institute]] as instructor of Russian and Lithuanian.<ref name=s161>Surgailis (1992), p. 161</ref> Monterey was far from centers of Lithuanian culture and Raštikis became a lot less active in the Lithuanian cultural life. He concentrated on writing his memoirs. He retired in 1968 and died of [[myocardial infarction]] in 1985.<ref name=s161/> Originally interred in [[Los Angeles]], his and his wife's remains were returned to [[Kaunas]] in November 1993 and reburied in [[Petrašiūnai Cemetery]] with [[Military funeral|full military honors]].<ref name=stari/> |
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==Family== |
==Family== |
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Raštikis married Elena Marija Smetonaitė, niece of [[Antanas Smetona]], on 29 June 1929. She was a teacher and worked in [[Žiežmariai]], [[Jonava]], Kaunas.<ref name=racka>Račkauskas (2013-06-21)</ref> They had three daughters: Laima, Meilutė Marija, and Aldona. When Raštikis escaped to Germany in February 1941, he left his family behind.<ref name=zubre/> His wife was arrested and interrogated in an attempt to find out his location. She was imprisoned in [[Kaunas Prison]] and awaited deportation to a [[Gulag]] in Kazakhstan but was freed during the [[June Uprising in Lithuania|uprising of June 1941]].<ref name=zubre/> Their daughters (at the time, ages 11, 4, and 1) and their maternal grandparents were deported to [[Kamen-na-Obi]] and [[Pavlovsk, Altai Krai|Pavlovsk]] in [[Altai Krai]] during the [[June deportation]].<ref name=stony>Stonys (2011-05-26)</ref> Other family members were deported as well, including two brothers of Smetonaitė<ref name=racka/> and three siblings of Raštikis.<ref name=stari/> The youngest daughter Aldona and her grandfather died in exile.<ref name=stony/> |
Raštikis married Elena Marija Smetonaitė, niece of [[Antanas Smetona]], on 29 June 1929. She was a teacher and worked in [[Žiežmariai]], [[Jonava]], Kaunas.<ref name=racka>Račkauskas (2013-06-21)</ref> They had three daughters: Laima, Meilutė Marija, and Aldona. When Raštikis escaped to Germany in February 1941, he left his family behind.<ref name=zubre/> His wife was arrested and interrogated in an attempt to find out his location. She was imprisoned in [[Kaunas Prison]] and awaited deportation to a [[Gulag]] in Kazakhstan but was freed during the [[June Uprising in Lithuania|uprising of June 1941]].<ref name=zubre/> Their daughters (at the time, ages 11, 4, and 1) and their maternal grandparents were deported to [[Kamen-na-Obi]] and [[Pavlovsk, Altai Krai|Pavlovsk]] in [[Altai Krai]] during the [[June deportation]].<ref name=stony>Stonys (2011-05-26)</ref> Other family members were deported as well, including two brothers of Smetonaitė<ref name=racka/> and three siblings of Raštikis.<ref name=stari/> The youngest daughter Aldona and her grandfather died in exile.<ref name=stony/> |
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The two elder daughters and their grandmother were returned to Lithuania in 1946. Agents of [[Ministry of State Security (Soviet Union)|MGB]] made them write letters to Raštikis asking him to return to Lithuania.<ref name=zubre/> When the pace of [[Soviet deportations from Lithuania|Soviet deportations]] picked up in 1948, the grandmother was deported to Siberia for the second time and died in exile.<ref name=stony/> Laima and Meilutė went into hiding, changing their names and obtaining fake papers.<ref name=stony/> Meilutė graduated from [[Kaunas Medical Institute]] and became a pediatrician.<ref name=zubre/> The sisters reconnected with their parents in 1957 and exchanged a few letters.<ref |
The two elder daughters and their grandmother were returned to Lithuania in 1946. Agents of [[Ministry of State Security (Soviet Union)|MGB]] made them write letters to Raštikis asking him to return to Lithuania.<ref name=zubre/> When the pace of [[Soviet deportations from Lithuania|Soviet deportations]] picked up in 1948, the grandmother was deported to Siberia for the second time and died in exile.<ref name=stony/> Laima and Meilutė went into hiding, changing their names and obtaining fake papers.<ref name=stony/> Meilutė graduated from [[Kaunas Medical Institute]] and became a pediatrician.<ref name=zubre/> The sisters reconnected with their parents in 1957 and exchanged a few letters.<ref name=s161/> Raštikis died before seeing his daughters again. The sisters visited their ill mother in a Los Angeles hospital 1989.<ref name=stony/> Smetonaitė died on January 14, 1990.<ref name=zubre>Zubreckas (2003-08-20)</ref> |
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==Published works== |
==Published works== |
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Raštikis contributed about 1,000 articles to various Lithuanian newspapers and magazines. He wrote five military textbooks. He kept detailed diaries for most of his life. Some of the pre-1941 diaries were destroyed by him to avoid them falling into the Soviet hands |
Raštikis contributed about 1,000 articles to various Lithuanian newspapers and magazines on various topics ranging from veterinary to military strategy to official proclamations.<ref name=vardy>Vardys (1973)</ref> He wrote five military textbooks. He kept detailed diaries for most of his life. Some of the pre-1941 diaries were destroyed by him to avoid them falling into the Soviet hands,<ref name=stony/> but recreated some of they key moments as soon as he fled to Nazi Germany in 1941.<ref name=vardy/> While in United States, he published four volumes of valuable memoirs:<ref name=lukos>Lukoševičienė & Šaparavičienė (2001)</ref> |
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*''Kovose dėl Lietuvos'' (''In the Struggles for Lithuania''; two volumes; Los Angeles, 1956 and 1957; Vilnius, 1990) |
*''Kovose dėl Lietuvos'' (''In the Struggles for Lithuania''; two volumes; Los Angeles, 1956 and 1957; Vilnius, 1990) |
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*''Įvykiai ir žmonės'' (''Events and People''; Chicago, 1972; Vilnius, 1996) |
*''Įvykiai ir žmonės'' (''Events and People''; Chicago, 1972; Vilnius, 1996) |
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==Selected awards== |
==Selected awards== |
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===Lithuanian awards=== |
===Lithuanian awards=== |
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* [[Order of the Cross |
* [[Order of the Cross for the Homeland]] (December 1919)<ref>Ruzas (2002), p. 109</ref> |
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* [[Order of |
* [[Order of the Cross of Vytis]] (August 1921)<ref>Ruzas (2002), p. 138</ref> |
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* [[Order of the |
* [[Order of Vytautas the Great]]<ref name=kalne/> |
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* [[Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas]]<ref name=kalne/> |
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* [[Independence Medal (Lithuania)|Independence Medal]] |
* [[Independence Medal (Lithuania)|Independence Medal]]<ref name=kalne/> |
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* Riflemen Star of the [[Lithuanian Riflemen's Union]] |
* Riflemen Star of the [[Lithuanian Riflemen's Union]]<ref name=kalne/> |
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===Foreign awards=== |
===Foreign awards=== |
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* French [[Legion of Honour]] |
* French [[Legion of Honour]] (2nd degree)<ref name=kalne>Kalnėnas (1938-03-31), p. 308</ref> |
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* Swedish [[Order of Vasa]] |
* Swedish [[Order of Vasa]]<ref name=kalne/> |
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* Swedish [[Order of the Sword]] |
* Swedish [[Order of the Sword]]<ref name=kalne/> |
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* |
* Latvian [[Order of the Three Stars]]<ref name=kalne/> |
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* Latvian |
* Latvian Independence Medal<ref name=kalne/> |
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* Estonian [[Order of the Cross of the Eagle]] (1st class)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearer/14585/stasys-rastikis|title=Bearers of decorations |publisher=Office of the President |accessdate=2016-11-12}}</ref> |
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* Polish [[Order of Polonia Restituta]] |
* Polish [[Order of Polonia Restituta]] (1st degree)<ref>Vitas (Summer 1984)</ref> |
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* British [[King George VI Coronation Medal]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
||
;Inline |
;Inline |
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{{reflist| |
{{reflist|20em}} |
||
;Bibliography |
;Bibliography |
||
* {{cite book|editor-last=Anušauskas |editor-first=Arvydas |title=Lietuva, 1940–1990|year=2005 |publisher=[[Lietuvos gyventojų genocido ir rezistencijos tyrimo centras]] |location=Vilnius |isbn= 9986-757-65-7 |language=lt |display-editors=etal}} |
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* {{cite journal |first=Kazimieras |last=Dobkevičius |date=2006-09-20 |title=Pagarba Lietuvos karvedžiui |url=http://www.xxiamzius.lt/numeriai/2006/09/20/aktu_05.html |volume=70 |issue=1470 |journal=XXI amžius |issn=2029-1299 |language=lt}} |
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* {{cite journal |editor-first=Jonas |editor-last=Kalnėnas |date=1938-03-31 |url=http://www.epaveldas.lt/vbspi/showImage.do?id=DOC_O_39358_1&biRecordId=4059 |title=Nauja Lietuvos vyriausybė. Ministras pirmininkas – Vl. Mironas |journal=[[Trimitas (magazine)|Trimitas]] |language=lt |volume=13 |issue=902 |issn=1392-4753}} |
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* {{cite journal |first=Modestas |last=Kuodys | url=http://www.istorijoszurnalas.lt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=393&Itemid=391 |title=Lietuvos visuomenės reakcija į karo padėties atšaukimą šalyje 1938 m. lapkričio 1 d. |journal=Istorija. Mokslo darbai |language=lt |issn=1392-0456 |year=2011 |volume=83 |pages=37–45}} |
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* {{cite book | first=Vytautas |last=Lesčius |url=http://www.lka.lt/download/7665/lietuvos_kariuomene_1.pdf | title=Lietuvos kariuomenė nepriklausomybės kovose 1918–1920 |year=2004 |location=Vilnius |publisher=[[General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania]] |series=Lietuvos kariuomenės istorija | isbn=9955-423-23-4 |language=lt}} |
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* {{cite book |editor-first1=Regina |editor-last1=Lukoševičienė |editor-first2=Nijolė |editor-last2=Šaparavičienė | title=Jonavos krašto žmonės |chapter=Raštikis Stasys |chapterurl=http://www.jonbiblioteka.lt/index.php/lt/krastotyra/krastieciai/287-rastikis-stasys |language=lt |location=Jonava |publisher=Linotipas |year=2000 |isbn=9986-9328-5-8 |pages=142–144}} |
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* {{cite book| title=The Baltic States: Years of Dependence 1940–1990 |first1=Romuald J. |last1=Misiunas |first2=Rein |last2=Taagepera | publisher=University of California Press |edition=expanded | year=1993 |isbn=0-520-08228-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vmovabvYackC&pg=PA19}} |
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* {{cite journal |first=Kazys |last=Račkauskas |date=2013-06-21 |title=Kai Elena Marija Smetonaitė mokytojavo Žiežmariuose |url=http://www.kaisiadoriuaidai.lt/content/view/837/25/ |journal=Kaišiadorių aidai |language=lt |accessdate=2016-11-11}} |
* {{cite journal |first=Kazys |last=Račkauskas |date=2013-06-21 |title=Kai Elena Marija Smetonaitė mokytojavo Žiežmariuose |url=http://www.kaisiadoriuaidai.lt/content/view/837/25/ |journal=Kaišiadorių aidai |language=lt |accessdate=2016-11-11}} |
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* {{cite journal |first=Vincas |last=Ruzas |title=Karininkai Vyčio kryžiaus kavalieriai 1919-1926 |url=http://vddb.laba.lt/fedora/get/LT-eLABa-0001:J.04~2002~ISSN_1392-6489.V_17.PG_100-143/DS.002.0.01.ARTIC |language=lt |year=2002 |journal=Karo archyvas |volume=17 |pages=100–143 |issn=1392-6489}} |
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* {{cite journal | first=Kęstutis |last=Starinskas |date=2006-09-16 |url=http://lzinios.lt/lzinios/zmones/lemtingi-metai-generolo-rastikio-dienorasciuose/103318 |title=Lemtingi metai generolo Raštikio dienoraščiuose |journal=Lietuvos žinios |language=lt |accessdate=2016-11-11}} |
* {{cite journal | first=Kęstutis |last=Starinskas |date=2006-09-16 |url=http://lzinios.lt/lzinios/zmones/lemtingi-metai-generolo-rastikio-dienorasciuose/103318 |title=Lemtingi metai generolo Raštikio dienoraščiuose |journal=Lietuvos žinios |language=lt |accessdate=2016-11-11}} |
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* {{cite journal |first=Marius |last=Stonys |date=2011-05-26 |url=http://www.santarve.lt/zmones/generolo-rastikio-seima-visam-likusiam-gyvenimui-isskyre-karas-ir-perversmai/ |title=Generolo Raštikio šeimą visam likusiam gyvenimui išskyrė karas ir perversmai | journal=Santarvė |language=lt |accessdate=2016-11-11}} |
* {{cite journal |first=Marius |last=Stonys |date=2011-05-26 |url=http://www.santarve.lt/zmones/generolo-rastikio-seima-visam-likusiam-gyvenimui-isskyre-karas-ir-perversmai/ |title=Generolo Raštikio šeimą visam likusiam gyvenimui išskyrė karas ir perversmai | journal=Santarvė |language=lt |accessdate=2016-11-11}} |
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* {{cite book| first=Gintautas |last=Surgailis |title=Lietuvos kariuomenės vadai |location=Vilnius |publisher=Mintis |year=1992 |isbn=5-417-00513-4 |language=lt}} |
* {{cite book| first=Gintautas |last=Surgailis |title=Lietuvos kariuomenės vadai |location=Vilnius |publisher=Mintis |year=1992 |isbn=5-417-00513-4 |language=lt}} |
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* {{cite book| first=Saulius A. |last=Sužiedėlis |title=Historical Dictionary of Lithuania |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VkGB1CSfIlEC&pg=PA23 |edition=2nd |date= 2011 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-7536-4 }} |
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* {{cite journal |first=Vytautas |last=Vardys |year=1973 |url=http://www.aidai.eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=870&Itemid=126 |title=Generolo Raštikio memuarai ir jo vaidmuo Lietuvos politikoje |language=lt |journal=Aidai |volume=4 |pages=145–153 |issn=0002-208X}} |
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* {{cite journal| first=Robert |last=Vitas| title= The Polish–Lithuanian Crisis of 1938: Events Surrounding the Ultimatum |url=http://www.lituanus.org/1984_2/84_2_03.htm |journal=Lituanus |volume=20 |issue=2 |date=Summer 1984 |accessdate=2008-03-02| issn= 0024-5089| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080323160232/http://www.lituanus.org/1984_2/84_2_03.htm| archivedate= March 23, 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}} |
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* {{cite journal |first=Alfonsas |last=Zubreckas |date=2003-08-20 |url=http://www.xxiamzius.lt/archyvas/xxiamzius/20030820/atmi_02.html |title=Nepalūžusi gyvenimo audrose. Elenos Raštikienės gimimo 100-osioms metinėms |volume=63 |issue=1167 |journal=XXI amžius |issn=2029-1299 |language=lt}} |
* {{cite journal |first=Alfonsas |last=Zubreckas |date=2003-08-20 |url=http://www.xxiamzius.lt/archyvas/xxiamzius/20030820/atmi_02.html |title=Nepalūžusi gyvenimo audrose. Elenos Raštikienės gimimo 100-osioms metinėms |volume=63 |issue=1167 |journal=XXI amžius |issn=2029-1299 |language=lt}} |
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Revision as of 23:44, 12 November 2016
Stasys Raštikis | |
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Born | September 13, 1896 Kuršėnai, Kovno Governorate, Russian Empire |
Died | May 3, 1985 Los Angeles, California | (aged 88)
Buried | |
Allegiance |
|
Years of service | 1914–1940 |
Rank |
|
Commands held | Commander of the Lithuanian Army |
Battles/wars |
Stasys Raštikis (September 13, 1896 – May 3, 1985) was a Lithuanian military officer, ultimately obtaining the rank of divisional general. He was the commander of the Lithuanian Army from September 21, 1934 to April 23, 1940.
During World War I, he served in the Imperial Russian Army mostly in the Caucasus Campaign. After return to Lithuania in 1918, he joined the newly formed Lithuanian Army and fought in the Lithuanian–Soviet War. He was severely injured and spent 20 months in Soviet captivity. He returned to the 5th Infantry Regiment and later joined the Intelligence Department of the General Staff. The coup d'état of December 1926 brought his future uncle-in-law Antanas Smetona to power and propelled his career. Raštikis completed military education in Germany and, after a failed military coup in 1934, became commander of the General Staff and Commander of the Armed Forces. He undertook an extensive military reform to standardize, streamline, and modernize the army during the period of increasing militarization and rising tensions in Europe. He placed particular attention on soldiers' and officers' education organizing and personally commanding various military exercises.
Raštikis attempted to distance himself and the army from the politics and did not support the ruling Lithuanian Nationalist Union. After the Polish ultimatum of March 1938, Raštikis became Minister of Defense and became increasingly drawn into the political arena. He was one of the negotiators of the Soviet–Lithuanian Mutual Assistance Treaty by which Lithuania regained a portion of Vilnius Region but virtually sacrificed its independence. A conflict with Prime Minister Antanas Merkys led to Raštikis' resignation in April 1940. When Soviet Union presented its ultimatum in June 1940, he was briefly considered for the Prime Minister role in the new pro-Soviet People's Government. Fearing arrest by NKVD, Raštikis escaped to Nazi Germany.
Raštikis returned to Lithuania when Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941. He was named Minister of Defense in the short-lived Provisional Government of Lithuania. However, it soon became clear that Germans would not allow Lithuanian autonomy and Raštikis obtained a job organizing army archives at the Lithuanian War Museum. Towards the end of the war, he retreated to Germany and immigrated to United States in 1949. He taught Russian and Lithuanian languages at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. Raštikis published a four-volume memoir.
Biography
Active military duty
Raštikis was born in Kuršėnai, but his family soon moved to Dūkštas where his father worked as a sacristan.[1] Raštikis attended primary school in Dūkštas and then a progymnasium in Zarasai.[1] At the time, Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire. At the outbreak of World War I, he volunteered for the Imperial Russian Army and was assigned to the 75th Infantry Regiment stationed in Varėna (part of the 10th Army).[2] In summer 1915, the regiment withstood about ten days of German attacks along Merkys but then began retreating east towards Berezina River.[2] After training in Tula, the regiment was sent to the front in Romania.[3] Raštikis completed training courses with the 10th Army, was promoted to non-commissioned officer, and was sent for further studies to Tbilisi.[4] After the graduation, he was promoted to the tank of praporshchik[5] and spent the remainder of the war in the Caucasus Campaign with the 279th Infantry Regiment.[4]
After the Russian Revolution, the Imperial Army slowly disintegrated and Raštikis began looking for a way back to Lithuania. Pranas Dailidė , representative of the Council of Lithuania in Caucasus, obtained a permission from the Germans for Lithuanian refugees and military personnel to return.[4] Raštikis traveled via ship from Poti to Constanța, spent two weeks in quarantine in a prisoner camp in Pitești, and reached Vilnius in June 1918.[4] Encouraged by his family, Raštikis entered the Catholic Kaunas Priest Seminary.[4] The Lithuanian–Soviet War started in December 1918 and Lithuania began hastily organizing its own army by mobilizing all military officers. Raštikis reported for duty and was assigned to the Vilnius Battalion organized by Kazys Škirpa (later the 5th Infantry Regiment of Grand Duke Kęstutis).[6] The battalion was sent to the front near Žiežmariai and Žasliai on March 31, 1919.[6] On August 27, during the final attacks towards Turmantas,[7] Raštikis was shot in shoulder and leg. He was taken prisoner by the Red Army and spent 20 months in captivity.[8]
From drill instructor to commander of the General Staff
Released from captivity in April 1921, Raštikis received a warm welcome in Kaunas – the train with the prisoners was greeted by guards of honor, a choir, and a banquet hosted by Minister of Defense Konstantinas Žukas.[1] Raštikis was assigned to the same 5th Infantry Regiment, now stationed along the Lithuania–Poland border, as a drill instructor.[9] He broke the same leg that was injured in 1919 – it continued to bother him for the rest of his life – and spent time recovering in a hospital.[9] He returned to the same duties, but due to conflicts with regiment's commander was reassigned to the Intelligence Department of the General Staff in March 1922.[9] While working, he attended an evening school and obtained a high school diploma. In 1925, he enrolled to the Kaunas University.[10]
During the coup d'état of December 1926, Raštikis was promoted from the director of the Polish Section to the director of the entire Intelligence Department by Povilas Plechavičius.[10] The promotion was made official by a March 1927 decree of Antanas Merkys, Minister of Defense.[10] On August 1, 1927, he was promoted to the rank of major.[10] Raštikis continued his university studies and graduated with a veterinary degree in spring 1929.[11] In June 1929, he married Elena Marija, niece of Antanas Smetona, President of Lithuania. This family connection proved instrumental in his future career. From early 1930 to June 1932, Raštikis attended the officer's courses of the General Staff of Reichswehr (German: Führergehilfenausbildung).[11] In exchange for the financial support during his studies, he had to complete six years of military duty.[11]
Upon graduation, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel (podpolkovnik) and assigned to the 5th Infantry Regiment as a trainee of its commander Colonel Juozas Vidugiris.[11] In September 1933, Raštikis took over the command of the regiment.[12] At the same time he lectured at the Lithuanian officer's courses and contributed to military press becoming a member of the editorial board of Karys, magazine of the Lithuanian military.[13] In early 1934, mutinous moods spread in the military and commanding officers were reshuffled in an attempt to forestall further disturbances. Raštikis became the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division stationed in Šiauliai.[14] On June 7, 1934, General Petras Kubiliūnas, commander of the General Staff, and other members of the Iron Wolf organization attempted a coup d'état against President Smetona.[14] In an attempt to find a trustworthy and reliable officers, Smetona replaced Zenonas Gerulaitis with Raštikis as the director of the General Staff Directorate.[15] At the same time, Jonas Jackus , the new commander of the General Staff, was ill and resigned in September 1934.[2] Raštikis was promoted in his place. He was also promoted to colonel (polkovnik) in November 1934.[12] In his memoirs, Raštikis later wrote that he was not satisfied with these promotions as he felt he did not have enough education and command experience.[15]
Commander of the Armed Forces
Military reforms
The first task of Raštikis as the new commander of the General Staff was to prepare a military reform. Within a month together with other officers he prepared a proposal which emphasized the need to modernize the army – enlarge armored units, increase anti-aircraft artillery, improve military aviation, establish the second engineer battalion, strengthen officers' education, and other measures.[12] At the same time, the command structure was reorganized to more clearly separate the duties and responsibilities of the Ministry of Defense (political representation, military tribunal, and defense procurement) and the General Staff (command and structure of the army).[16] A new position of the Commander of the Armed Forces was established and Raštikis took the roles effective January 1, 1935. One of the goals of the new structure was to make the General Staff less politically involved hoping that it would make the command more stable: there were 20 commanders of the General Staff before Raštikis and the army lagged behind the newest developments. The reforms were opposed by Juozas Tūbelis, Minister of Finance, as they required significant additional funding[17] to the army that already consumed about 20% of the Lithuanian budget. But President Smetona approved the reforms, except for the proposed military alliance with Latvia and Estonia, and they proceeded.[18]
Raštikis first undertook the issue of military education. Numerous new statutes were prepared and the education program was revamped to standardize and coordinate activities of the various branches of the armed forces (artillery, infantry, aviation, etc.) Raštikis personally commanded mandatory military exercises and simulations.[18] He emphasized discipline and loyalty within the army and built the trust and authority of the army within the civilian population.[18] He opposed the martial law which was in effect in Lithuania since 1918 as military was forced to intervene in civilian law enforcement which distracted military officials from their primary duties and earned distrust of the general population.[19] (The martial law was lifted in November 1938 due to German pressure in the months before the ultimatum of March 1939.)[20] The army also acquired new equipment, including light tanks (Carden Loyd tankette) and anti-tank and anti-aircraft artillery. The Lithuanian Riflemen's Union was restructured so that it fell more easily at the disposal of the Commander of the Armed Forces.
Foray into politics
Raštikis had a tenuous relationship with the Lithuanian Nationalist Union, the ruling political party in Lithuania. He was not a member of the party and was generally favorable to the opposition. The Union disapproved of Raštikis' attempts at keeping the army impartial, his prohibition of officer involvement in politics, and his growing prestige and popularity among Lithuanians. In particular, the Union wanted to turn the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union into the party organ by merging it with Young Lithuania, party's youth organization,[1] but Raštikis opposed such plans and the Riflemen remained open to everyone.
In March 1938, when Poland presented an ultimatum, Raštikis spoke decisively for its acceptance and against armed resistance.[1] In the ensuing government crisis, he became the acting Minister of Defense in the government of Vladas Mironas. He refused to take the position permanently, perhaps afraid that he would lose the position of the Commander or the Armed Forces. After eights months, he was replaced by Kazys Musteikis. After the German ultimatum in March 1939 and loss of the Klaipėda Region, Mironas government resigned and Raštikis was offered to become the new Prime Minister, but refused. The new government of included four generals including Prime Minister Jonas Černius. Raštikis, as Commander or the Armed Forces, had great influence over these ministers and his relationship with President Smetona became more tense. Smetona resented Raštikis' popularity.[1]
During his tenure, Raštikis made several official visits to foreign countries. In May 1937, Raštikis attended the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in London.[21] In February 1939, during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Estonia's independence, Raštikis visited Johan Laidoner, commander of the Estonian Army, and inspected several Estonian military installations. On his way back, he stopped in Latvia and met with Jānis Balodis and Krišjānis Berķis.[21] More politically sensitive, in light of the two ultimatums, were the visits to Nazi Germany on the occasion of Hitler's 50th birthday in April 1939 and to the Second Polish Republic in May 1939.[22]
Start or World War II and resignation
World War II started on September 1, 1939 with the Invasion of Poland. Lithuania declared strict neutrality but, as the war was approaching its borders, it declared and executed partial mobilization on September 17. Citing financial difficulties, the mobilized men were released on October 2. At the same time, negotiations began for the Soviet–Lithuanian Mutual Assistance Treaty: Soviet Union promised to cede a portion of Vilnius Region to Lithuania in exchange for stationing 20,000 Soviet troops in the country. Raštikis was a member of the Lithuanian delegation to Moscow, but he did not lead the Lithuanian troops who entered Vilnius for the first time since 1920 on October 28. It was the first public sign that Raštikis was losing favor with Smetona's regime. In November, Černius was replaced by Antanas Merkys who had been openly critical of Raštikis in the past. In addition to being Prime Minister, Merkys wanted to become Minister of Defense (a position he already held in 1919 and 1927), but Raštikis protested and Musteikis retained his post.
Around the New Year, Raštikis published his thoughts on the recent developments in Kardas magazine. In it, he complained that a mayor (Merkys' position before becoming Prime Minister) or other civil servants earned more than the Commander of the Armed Forces. The issue was taken out of circulation and Raštikis tendered a letter of resignation. However, fearing public backlash, he was officially given a three-month vacation for health reasons. In his duties, Raštikis was replaced by Vincas Vitkauskas. After the vacation, Raštikis resigned and refused any other military positions. On April 23, 1940, Smetona promoted him to divisional general and accepted the resignation. Raštikis used the free time to visit his family in Dūkštas which was part of the ceded Vilnius Region.[23]
Soviet and Nazi occupations
As the Winter War between Finland and Soviet Union concluded by March 1940, Soviet Union began increasing diplomatic pressure on Lithuania. Raštikis was invited back to the military, but he agreed only to take the position of director of the military academy on June 7.[24] A week later he was called to the emergency government meeting discussing the Soviet ultimatum. He opined that mounting military resistance when Soviet troops were already in the country was impossible.[24] He also opposed diplomatic protests as such empty actions would do no more than antagonize the Russians and invite repressions.[25] In accordance with the Soviet demand of a new more pro-Soviet government (which became known as the People's Government of Lithuania), Raštikis was slated to become the new Prime Minister, but he was not acceptable to Moscow and the selection of another candidate was supervised by Molotov's deputy Vladimir Dekanozov.[26]
Lithuania lost its independence and was gradually converted into a soviet socialist republic. Concurrently, the Lithuanian army was gradually transformed into units of the Red Army. The work at the military academy ceased when men were called back to their units, but Raštikis was not allowed to resign.[24] He was assigned to the 29th Rifle Corps and released from active duty only at the end of 1940.[24] On February 13, 1941, fearing an arrest by NKVD as an "enemy of the people", Raštikis left his wife and three young daughters in Kaunas and departed towards Germany.[27] It was the last time he saw his daughters who were deported to Siberia in June. He crossed the border during the night of March 19 and was well received by the Germans. With the help of various Lithuanians, he settled in Berlin.[27]
On June 22, 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union. At the same time, Lithuanians organized an anti-Soviet uprising and organized the Provisional Government of Lithuania in hopes of reestablishing independent Lithuania. Raštikis was named as the Minister of Defense.[28] Together with Heinz Gräfe , an officer with Ausland-SD, Raštikis flew to Kaunas on June 27.[28] He joined the Provisional Government but there was no ministry or army for him to command. The government was not recognized by the Germans and was gradually deprived of any meaningful authority and self-disbanded on August 5.[29] Raštikis was offered a position as General Counsel in the Reichskommissariat Ostland but refused (the position was taken by Petras Kubiliūnas).[30]
Raštikis was left without a job. With the help of General Vladas Nagevičius, he got a job at the Lithuanian War Museum and began organizing army archives.[30] In 1943, Germans unsuccessfully attempted to organize a Lithuanian Waffen-SS unit and called a Lithuanian conference. Raštikis was a member of the conference's organizational committee.[30] Once it became clear that the conference was meant only to rubber-stamp German directives, Raštikis and the rest of the committee resigned.[30]
Refugee and immigrant to United States
In summer 1944, the Eastern Front was closing in on Lithuania and Raštikis and his wife retreated to Regensburg in Germany. He worked at a factory and an office of an electrical company until the city fell into the American occupation zone.[30] At that point he joined a Lithuanian Committee and Lithuanian Section of Red Cross helping Lithuanian refugees.[31] In May 1946, Raštikis and other Lithuanians were moved to a displaced persons camp in Scheinfeld.[31] In May 1949, he and his wife emigrated to United States.[1]
In Unites States, Raštikis obtained a job as a factory worker and became an active member of various Lithuanian American organizations.[31] He delivered speeches and lectures, contributed articles to the Lithuanian press, participated in various events. In April 1951, he got a teaching position at Syracuse University. He taught Russian language to military aviation students.[31] From November 1952 to September 1953, Raštikis was employed by the Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania (VLIK) and lived in London and Reutlingen.[31]
Upon his return to United States, Raštikis moved to Monterey, California, and joined the Defense Language Institute as instructor of Russian and Lithuanian.[32] Monterey was far from centers of Lithuanian culture and Raštikis became a lot less active in the Lithuanian cultural life. He concentrated on writing his memoirs. He retired in 1968 and died of myocardial infarction in 1985.[32] Originally interred in Los Angeles, his and his wife's remains were returned to Kaunas in November 1993 and reburied in Petrašiūnai Cemetery with full military honors.[1]
Family
Raštikis married Elena Marija Smetonaitė, niece of Antanas Smetona, on 29 June 1929. She was a teacher and worked in Žiežmariai, Jonava, Kaunas.[33] They had three daughters: Laima, Meilutė Marija, and Aldona. When Raštikis escaped to Germany in February 1941, he left his family behind.[34] His wife was arrested and interrogated in an attempt to find out his location. She was imprisoned in Kaunas Prison and awaited deportation to a Gulag in Kazakhstan but was freed during the uprising of June 1941.[34] Their daughters (at the time, ages 11, 4, and 1) and their maternal grandparents were deported to Kamen-na-Obi and Pavlovsk in Altai Krai during the June deportation.[35] Other family members were deported as well, including two brothers of Smetonaitė[33] and three siblings of Raštikis.[1] The youngest daughter Aldona and her grandfather died in exile.[35]
The two elder daughters and their grandmother were returned to Lithuania in 1946. Agents of MGB made them write letters to Raštikis asking him to return to Lithuania.[34] When the pace of Soviet deportations picked up in 1948, the grandmother was deported to Siberia for the second time and died in exile.[35] Laima and Meilutė went into hiding, changing their names and obtaining fake papers.[35] Meilutė graduated from Kaunas Medical Institute and became a pediatrician.[34] The sisters reconnected with their parents in 1957 and exchanged a few letters.[32] Raštikis died before seeing his daughters again. The sisters visited their ill mother in a Los Angeles hospital 1989.[35] Smetonaitė died on January 14, 1990.[34]
Published works
Raštikis contributed about 1,000 articles to various Lithuanian newspapers and magazines on various topics ranging from veterinary to military strategy to official proclamations.[36] He wrote five military textbooks. He kept detailed diaries for most of his life. Some of the pre-1941 diaries were destroyed by him to avoid them falling into the Soviet hands,[35] but recreated some of they key moments as soon as he fled to Nazi Germany in 1941.[36] While in United States, he published four volumes of valuable memoirs:[37]
- Kovose dėl Lietuvos (In the Struggles for Lithuania; two volumes; Los Angeles, 1956 and 1957; Vilnius, 1990)
- Įvykiai ir žmonės (Events and People; Chicago, 1972; Vilnius, 1996)
- Lietuvos likimo keliais (On the Paths of Lithuania's Fate; Chicago, 1982; Vilnius, 1996)
Selected awards
Lithuanian awards
- Order of the Cross for the Homeland (December 1919)[38]
- Order of the Cross of Vytis (August 1921)[39]
- Order of Vytautas the Great[40]
- Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas[40]
- Independence Medal[40]
- Riflemen Star of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union[40]
Foreign awards
- French Legion of Honour (2nd degree)[40]
- Swedish Order of Vasa[40]
- Swedish Order of the Sword[40]
- Latvian Order of the Three Stars[40]
- Latvian Independence Medal[40]
- Estonian Order of the Cross of the Eagle (1st class)[41]
- Polish Order of Polonia Restituta (1st degree)[42]
References
- Inline
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Starinskas (2006-09-16)
- ^ a b c Surgailis (1992), p. 135
- ^ Surgailis (1992), pp. 135–136
- ^ a b c d e Surgailis (1992), p. 136
- ^ Dobkevičius (2006-09-20)
- ^ a b Surgailis (1992), p. 137
- ^ Lesčius (2004), pp. 165–166
- ^ Surgailis (1992), p. 138
- ^ a b c Surgailis (1992), p. 139
- ^ a b c d Surgailis (1992), p. 140
- ^ a b c d Surgailis (1992), p. 141
- ^ a b c Surgailis (1992), p. 142
- ^ Surgailis (1992), pp. 141–142
- ^ a b Surgailis (1992), p. 134
- ^ a b Surgailis (1992), pp. 134–135
- ^ Surgailis (1992), p. 142–143
- ^ Surgailis (1992), p. 143
- ^ a b c Surgailis (1992), p. 144
- ^ Surgailis (1992), p. 145
- ^ Kuodys (2011), p. 45
- ^ a b Surgailis (1992), p. 146
- ^ Surgailis (1992), p. 149
- ^ Surgailis (1992), p. 155
- ^ a b c d Surgailis (1992), p. 156
- ^ Anušauskas (2005), p. 60
- ^ Misiunas & Taagepera (1993), p. 19
- ^ a b Surgailis (1992), p. 157
- ^ a b Surgailis (1992), p. 158
- ^ Sužiedėlis (2011), p. 23
- ^ a b c d e Surgailis (1992), p. 159
- ^ a b c d e Surgailis (1992), p. 160
- ^ a b c Surgailis (1992), p. 161
- ^ a b Račkauskas (2013-06-21)
- ^ a b c d e Zubreckas (2003-08-20)
- ^ a b c d e f Stonys (2011-05-26)
- ^ a b Vardys (1973)
- ^ Lukoševičienė & Šaparavičienė (2001)
- ^ Ruzas (2002), p. 109
- ^ Ruzas (2002), p. 138
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Kalnėnas (1938-03-31), p. 308
- ^ "Bearers of decorations". Office of the President. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
- ^ Vitas (Summer 1984)
- Bibliography
- Anušauskas, Arvydas; et al., eds. (2005). Lietuva, 1940–1990 (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Lietuvos gyventojų genocido ir rezistencijos tyrimo centras. ISBN 9986-757-65-7.
- Dobkevičius, Kazimieras (2006-09-20). "Pagarba Lietuvos karvedžiui". XXI amžius (in Lithuanian). 70 (1470). ISSN 2029-1299.
- Kalnėnas, Jonas, ed. (1938-03-31). "Nauja Lietuvos vyriausybė. Ministras pirmininkas – Vl. Mironas". Trimitas (in Lithuanian). 13 (902). ISSN 1392-4753.
- Kuodys, Modestas (2011). "Lietuvos visuomenės reakcija į karo padėties atšaukimą šalyje 1938 m. lapkričio 1 d." Istorija. Mokslo darbai (in Lithuanian). 83: 37–45. ISSN 1392-0456.
- Lesčius, Vytautas (2004). Lietuvos kariuomenė nepriklausomybės kovose 1918–1920 (PDF). Lietuvos kariuomenės istorija (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania. ISBN 9955-423-23-4.
- Lukoševičienė, Regina; Šaparavičienė, Nijolė, eds. (2000). "Raštikis Stasys". Jonavos krašto žmonės (in Lithuanian). Jonava: Linotipas. pp. 142–144. ISBN 9986-9328-5-8.
{{cite book}}
: External link in
(help); Unknown parameter|chapterurl=
|chapterurl=
ignored (|chapter-url=
suggested) (help) - Misiunas, Romuald J.; Taagepera, Rein (1993). The Baltic States: Years of Dependence 1940–1990 (expanded ed.). University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-08228-1.
- Račkauskas, Kazys (2013-06-21). "Kai Elena Marija Smetonaitė mokytojavo Žiežmariuose". Kaišiadorių aidai (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2016-11-11.
- Ruzas, Vincas (2002). "Karininkai Vyčio kryžiaus kavalieriai 1919-1926". Karo archyvas (in Lithuanian). 17: 100–143. ISSN 1392-6489.
- Starinskas, Kęstutis (2006-09-16). "Lemtingi metai generolo Raštikio dienoraščiuose". Lietuvos žinios (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2016-11-11.
- Stonys, Marius (2011-05-26). "Generolo Raštikio šeimą visam likusiam gyvenimui išskyrė karas ir perversmai". Santarvė (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2016-11-11.
- Surgailis, Gintautas (1992). Lietuvos kariuomenės vadai (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Mintis. ISBN 5-417-00513-4.
- Sužiedėlis, Saulius A. (2011). Historical Dictionary of Lithuania (2nd ed.). Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-7536-4.
- Vardys, Vytautas (1973). "Generolo Raštikio memuarai ir jo vaidmuo Lietuvos politikoje". Aidai (in Lithuanian). 4: 145–153. ISSN 0002-208X.
- Vitas, Robert (Summer 1984). "The Polish–Lithuanian Crisis of 1938: Events Surrounding the Ultimatum". Lituanus. 20 (2). ISSN 0024-5089. Archived from the original on March 23, 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
{{cite journal}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - Zubreckas, Alfonsas (2003-08-20). "Nepalūžusi gyvenimo audrose. Elenos Raštikienės gimimo 100-osioms metinėms". XXI amžius (in Lithuanian). 63 (1167). ISSN 2029-1299.