The military operation to annex Klaipėda in 1923.

On January 15, 1923, the so-called “Lithuanian rebels” occupied Klaipėda. This was the beginning of a military operation that created the prerequisites for annexing the city and region of Klaipėda to the territory of the interwar Republic of Lithuania and guaranteed Lithuania access to the sea. At the beginning of 1923, suitable conditions were created for the military operation, since a decision unfavorable to Lithuania regarding the future of the Klaipėda region was brewing at the Conference of Ambassadors, and the attention of the international community in those January days was diverted to the Ruhr area, which was occupied by the French army at that time. In such circumstances, a military operation began, the forefront of which was the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union.

On January 1, 1923, the Main Committee for the Salvation of Lithuania Minor issued a request to protect the Lithuanians of this region from German persecution. In conditions of complete secrecy, a Special Purpose Unit was formed in Lithuania, consisting of cadets of the Military School, Military Militia School, 5th and 8th Infantry Regiments, 1st Cavalry Regiment, Electrotechnical Battalion, Automobile Battalion, Military Aviation, volunteer soldiers and officers of the General Staff, riflemen of the Vilkaviškis, Kaišiadorys, and Panevėžys units. The rebel army consisted of 40 officers, 584 regular army soldiers, 455 riflemen, and approximately 300 residents of the Klaipėda region. The operation was led by Jonas Polovinskas-Budrys. On January 6, the soldiers of the Special Purpose Unit boarded a train in Kaunas, bound for Klaipėda. At the border, everyone was changed into civilian clothes. Participants in the military action wore armbands with the inscription "MLS" (Volunteer of Lithuania Minor) on their arms. The rebel forces were divided into three groups. The first group was to occupy Klaipėda, the second - Pagėgius and take care of the border with Germany, the third group's goal was Šilutė. The operation began on January 9, when the Lithuania Minor Rescue Committee published a manifesto in Šilutė, which stated that the German administration of the region was being released. On January 10, the rebels crossed the border. On the same day, they occupied Šilutė and Pagėgius without resistance. Klaipėda was surrounded, but its attack began on January 15, after which the French forces were forced to capitulate.

On February 16, 1923, the Conference of Ambassadors announced an agreement between the victorious countries of World War I and Lithuania, by which the Klaipėda region was transferred to Lithuania. In 1924, the Klaipėda Convention was signed in Paris. The Klaipėda region officially became an autonomous part of the Republic of Lithuania.