3rd Infantry Regiment (Lithuania)

3rd Infantry Regiment, later known as the 3rd Infantry Regiment of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas (Lithuanian: Trečiasis pėstininkų Lietuvos Didžiojo Kunigaikščio Vytauto pulkas) was a Lithuanian Army infantry regiment that saw combat in the Lithuanian Wars of Independence. It existed from 1919 to 1926 and from 1935 to 1940.

3rd Infantry Regiment of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas
Active4 May 1919–1 October 1926
1935–26 October 1940
CountryLithuania
BranchLithuanian Army
TypeInfantry
Size1,400 men (November 1919)
Part of1st Division
Garrison/HQHQ at Kėdainiai, Infantry in Raseiniai and Seredžius
EngagementsLithuanian Wars of Independence

Formation

The regiment began forming on 4 May 1919.[1] In Raseiniai, the regiment was formed on the basis of the Šauliai Battalion under the guidance of the commander of the 1st Brigade Pranas Liatukas. On 26 February 1920, the regiment was given the name of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas.

Lithuanian Wars of Independence

Since August 1919, the regiment fought against the Bolsheviks near Daugpilis.

In 1920, the regiment defended Lithuania against the invading Polish forces near Suvalkai, Kalvarija, distinguishing itself in the battles near Varėna, Lentvaris, Vievis. Thereafter, the 3rd Regiment guarded the demarcation line Vievis–Dubingiai–Zarasai.

Interwar

On 1 October 1926, the regiment was disbanded, but it was reformed in 1935. The regiment's HQ was in Kėdainiai, and the regiments garrisoned Raseiniai and Seredžius.[2]

When Soviet Union occupied Lithuania, the 3rd Regiment was disbanded. Most of the men were reassigned to the 256th Rifle Regiment of the Red Army.

Commanders
  • 1919 officer Pranas Liatukas
  • 1919 officer Ignas Musteikis
  • 1920 Major Jonas Gricius
  • 1922–1924 Major Aleksandras Jakaitis
  • 1925–1926 Colonel Vincas Šaudzis
  • 1935–1939 Staff colonel Viktoras Giedrys
  • 1939–1940 Colonel Petras Genys

References
  1. Ruzgas 1932, p. 136.
  2. Liekis, Algimantas (2002). Lietuvių karyba ir ginkluotė (iki 1940 m.) : monografija. Vilnius: Academia Scientiarum Lithuaniae. p. 543.
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