Excerpt about the coup of December 17, 1926 from the memoirs of Gen. V. Grigaliūnas Glowackis
The memoirs describe an episode when the coup plotters released Col. V. Grigaliūnas Glowackis from Kaunas prison and ordered him to join the coup.
An excerpt about the Saxon volunteers from the memoirs of Gen. V. Grigaliūnas Glowackis: Thus came December 16. I had already been informed about this date. At approximately 11:00 p.m. the warden told me to gather all my "possessions" and quickly go to the office. Before leaving, I said goodbye to all my neighbors. I came to the office, said goodbye to the prison warden. Immediately the main door was opened, then the gate, and I went to freedom. An armored hussar squadron was standing on Mickevičius Street. They escorted me to the main headquarters. The headquarters was already occupied by the rebels and Gen. Povilas Plechavičius ruled it. We hugged and greeted each other warmly. He told me:
- Brother Vinca, take the commandant's post. The city of Kaunas is at your disposal, the army and the province are mine. I will assign the battalion of the 2nd regiment to help you. Good luck!
I left the prison in civilian clothes, unshaven. I went to the commandant's office. I was met by an unfamiliar young officer.
- I am Colonel Glowackis. I am appointed as the commandant and city governor of Kaunas.
It turned out that he knew me and knew about the coup. I took over the commandant's office. I asked for a revolver. I ordered a guard to be posted at the apartment of Col. Skučas, the former commandant. He lived on the second floor of the same building. The battalion of the 2nd Regiment arrived, led by Maj. Andrius Butkevičius, who was later promoted to colonel and appointed commander of the 7th Regiment, and even later - commander of the Military School battalion. Just at that time I was informed that Col. Škirpa had called in the military police and was rushing to command the headquarters. I immediately took steps and measures to stop and take over the military police. I succeeded in this perfectly.
- V. Grigaliūnas – Glowackis, Memoirs of a General, Parts II – III, Vilnius, 2017.
Related objects
Oskars Kalpaks Museum and Memorial Site “Airītes”
The Oskars Kalpaks Museum and Memorial Site Airītes is located between Saldus and Skrunda near the A9 highway. The exhibit has extensive information about Colonel Oskars Kalpaks and his battalion, and shows the history of the Latvian National Army and the memorial site Airītes. The exhibit reveals Colonel Oskars Kalpaks as a personality, as a soldier and as a fighter for Latvia's independence. Audio logs in Latvian, English and German are also available as part of the exhibit. They emphasize the importance of the historic events of 1918/1919 in the protecting the statehood of Latvia. The museum building has been restored.
Entry is free; guided tour – for a fee. The complex has a recreation area, a park, an obstacle course, it is possible to take various classes, and there is a seminar hall for up to 30 people.
