Su žvalgybos užduotimis : Lietuvos karo aviacijos skrydžiai

Abstract

On 16 February 1918, Lithuania declared independence. The following period was very strained and difficult in the history of Lithuania. In 1918-1920, the country had to defend its freedom and fight for its existence. The Lithuanian war aviators twice participated in the battles for freedom. In the first period, in 1919, the whole Lithuanian army defended the Russian Red Army. Lithuanian war aviators had to join in the battles immediately. The Lithuanian army did not have enough aviators. Hired German pilots, scouts and mechanics the subunit "Fliegerabteilung No.425" were located in Aleksotas airfield in Kaunas. In the second period, in 1920, Lithuanian war aviators fought in the battles against the Zeligowskian army. In this period, war aviators were Lithuanian pilots who had graduated from the first aviation school on 15 January, 1920. Thirty-four young pilots and scouts took part in the operations against Želigowski's army. The principal tasks were the same in both periods: 1) reconnaissance, 2) counterattacks after detected hostile army, e.g. throwing bombs о the enemy, 3) air battles, 4) spreading information and propaganda among the Lithuanian population and to Polish army. In 1920, the Lithuanian war aviation had three commanders in succession: Ch.R.Carr, V.Gavelis and J.Kraucevičius. Despite their different personal positions, perspectives and points of view, their tactics in battles was similar. From October 13 to November 1, 1920, the Lithuanian war aviators had 14 missions with air reconnaissance tasks. Scout planes observed the moves of Želigowski's army and recorded changes in its traffic. Their reports helped the Lithuanian army to stop Želigowski's army from penetrating into the depth of Lithuanian territory. During the fight with Polish army, Lithuanian war aviators had 103 fighting missions. The Lithuanian pilots, who participated in the fights for in dependence, formed the main body of the war aviation. The Second Squadron (Chief V.Šenbergas) was formed on 21 March, 1921. Soon the Third Squadron was formed, too. The pilots who took part in the fight later formed the basis of Lithuanian aviation. In 1921, J.Dobkevičius constructed the airplane DOBI-I. In 1925, A.Gustaitis constructed ANBO-I. Later ANBO serial airplanes formed the whole Lithuanian aviation park.