The monument commemorating the first battles of Lithuania’s Independence Wars against the Bolsheviks near Koliupė village on February 7, 1919, was unveiled on November 23, Lithuanian Armed Forces Day.
At the end of 1918, the advancing Bolsheviks had occupied more than two-thirds of Lithuania. Only Kaunas, Alytus, and Kėdainiai remained free. The Bolsheviks needed to break through Kėdainiai to reach Kaunas. In January and early February 1919, a volunteer unit of about 120 men was assembled in Kėdainiai to stop the advancing Bolsheviks.
When news arrived that Bolsheviks were moving from Šėta to Kėdainiai, the frontline was established near Koliupė village, where the first clash between the Bolsheviks and Lithuanian volunteers took place. Until then, the Bolsheviks had occupied two-thirds of Lithuania without firing a single shot, facing no resistance. The first real opposition occurred here, in the Kėdainiai district.
At the time, the Lithuanian government had coordinated with the Germans, whose army had not yet fully withdrawn. German support, especially in arms, helped the Lithuanians withstand the Bolshevik attack.
The defeated Bolsheviks retreated to Šėta. On February 11, a battle took place near Šėta, after which the Bolsheviks were pushed out as well.
According to historian Audronė Pečiulytė
Memorial architect: V. Kundrotas, implemented by UAB Laumetris
Photo: R. Valionis
Address
Koliupės k., Kėdainių r.