French Commissariat in Klaipėda Infrastructure

The French Commissariat is located in the Old Town of Klaipėda. After the First World War, the Treaty of Versailles separated the Klaipėda region (Memel Gebiet or Territoire de Memel) from Germany. In January 1920, the administration of the district was taken over from the German representative by the French-appointed administrator, Brigadier-General, Dominique Odry, who settled at 3 Perkasų Street (now Sukilėlių Street). Thus, from 1920–1923, the Prefecture became the seat of the French Commissariat General and the most important state institution in the Klaipėda region.
On 10–15 January 1923, a well-organised and successfully executed military operation organised by the Lithuanian government, the army and the Riflemen Union took place, which was known as the “Klaipėda County Uprising” for a long time. After that, Klaipėda was annexed to Lithuania. During the military operation, the 2nd (Pagėgiai) Battle Group of Special Task Force, led by Mykolas Kalmantas-Bajoras, broke into and occupied the Prefecture building. High Commissioner Gabriel Petisné was forced to raise the white flag and surrender.
In cultural history, the Prefecture is associated with the victory of the “rebels”, which was the final part of the annexation of Klaipėda. Therefore, the theatrical storming of the prefecture, which is imitated by the reconstructors of war history, is depicted when the annexation of Klaipėda to Lithuania is commemorated.