Panevėžys Operation 1919 I Wars of Independence

The Lithuanian army conducted operations against the Bolsheviks in the Utena-Zarasas and Panevėžys-Kupiškis directions. The Kurkliai-Panevėžys operation took place on May 18–23, 1919 and was one of the first offensive operations against the Bolsheviks. In mid-1919, the Red Army had occupied the Molėtai–Želva–Balninkų–Žemaitkiemis–Kavarskos–Raguva–Upytė–Pumpėnai–Pasvalys–Saločiai line. The Panevėžys operation was carried out under the order of Gen. S. Žukauskas. The Panevėžys detachment of the Lithuanian army, led by Gen. M. Katche and Col. J. Variakojas, launched an attack in three directions on May 18, 1919 and was supported by aviation, so the next day it occupied Panevėžys. However, it did not last long in the city, as the Red Army units on May 21 counterattacked the Panevėžys detachment and forced it to withdraw from the city. After the withdrawal, it was regrouped and, having changed the direction of attack, attacked the city again. The Red Army was forced to withdraw from the city on the night of May 22–23, and on May 23 the city was occupied by the Lithuanian army. During the operation, the Lithuanian army not only occupied the city of Panevėžys, but also took more than 400 prisoners, 1 military train, 2 guns, and 16 machine guns. After the battles, the Red Army units retreated and concentrated on the Pakalniai–Leliūnai–Debeikiai–Svėdasų–Kupiškis–Vabalninkas line.