Kaunas Fortress

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Kaunas Fortress is the remains of a fortress complex in Kaunas, Lithuania. Originally built as a Russian Empire first-class fortress, its gradual construction lasted from 1882 to 1915. During its heyday, the fortress was the largest defensive structure in the entire state.^[1] Sections of the fortress have been renovated, and the Ninth Fort houses a museum and memorial devoted to the victims of mass executions that took place there during World War II.

Contents 1 Background 2 Construction 3 Fall of the Fortress in World War I 4 Post-World War I to present 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Background

Due to its strategic location near the confluence of two rivers, hilltops, and major trade routes, the city of Kaunas has long been a key geopolitical feature of the region. During the course of the city's history and the many wars that took place in Lithuania, defensive structures were built there by Lithuanians, Germans, Swedes, and Russians — a testament to its importance.

The idea of building a fortress in this particular area of Kaunas was first discussed at the end of the 18th century, but it became a critical concern during the the French invasion of Russia in 1812 led by Napoleon, when the Grande Armée, without major difficulties, managed to cross the Nemunas river near Kaunas on its push towards Moscow.

In 1861 a branch of the railroad from Saint Petersburg to Warsaw opened in Kaunas, increasing the importance of the city.^[2] Railroads played a key role in the region during military campaigns, since they were the primary means of transporting military equipment and supplies; moreover, Lithuania and Kaunas were at the western border of the Russian Empire. This made Kaunas an obstacle to possible attacks from the west, preventing further incursions towards Riga and Vilnius. In order to control the region, its attackers would need to first neutralize Kaunas. Facing this possibility and evaluating the natural advantages of the city, Russian officials decided to strengthen their western border by building a fortress in the city. After several delays, on 7 July 1879 an edict was issued by Tsar Alexander II, ordering the construction of a fortress in the city.^[1]

[edit] Construction

As originally planned, the fortress was intended to include seven forts and nine defensive batteries, deployed in closed cycles. Supporting buildings, such as barracks, new roads, and an ammunition depot, were also planned. In 1882 construction began on the fortress.^[3] About 4,000 workers were mustered for the construction project. The main structures of the fortress were concentrated in Freda, Panemunė, Aleksotas, and the new section of the city, significantly affecting the daily life of Kaunas citizens.

The first forts were built using bricks reinforced with thick ground layer, which were incorporated into the surrounding relief, making them harder to breach. The forts were symmetrical, usually having five angles, with provisions for infantry and artillery positions. The year 1887 marked the end of the first construction phase.^[3] At the same time, administrative rules were established which placed restrictions on the height of its civil buildings and controlled the fortress' impacts on the city and its surrounding areas. The fortress was designated first-class in that year, and Otto Klem was named its first commandant.

In 1889 construction began on an eighth fort, known as Linkuva. This particular fort was built using new techniques, particularly reinforced concrete. During the same year, massive groundworks were laid along with additional defensive structures, effecting the complete enclosure of the city center between its two rivers, the Nemunas and Neris. By 1890 seven forts had been completed, supporting roads had been constructed, and a railroad bridge over the Nemunas had been adapted for military transport. Plans were made in the same year for the construction of a church serving the fortress garrison. Bricks for the church were first laid in 1891, and it was completed in 1893. Expenditures on the fortress had reached over nine million rubles in 1890.^[3]

The complex of forts and defensive structures was divided into four sectors. The first followed the left bank of the Nemunas to its confluence with the Jiesia River and included the three earliest forts. The second sector extended from the Jiesia to Pažaislis monastery, and included two forts. The third lasted from right till left bank of Nemunas, this sector included also two forts; the fourth and last sector stretched from the right bank of the Neris to the left bank of the Nemunas. The fourth sector encompassed two forts, including the newest — the Ninth Fort.

As new building and war technologies developed, this fortress was renovated again and again. In 1912 an initiative was launched to expand and reconstruct the fortress. The project called for an additional twelve new forts with supporting buildings and defensive structures. The older forts were to be completely encircled by a new one. The construction was to have employed the newest military technologies.^[1] During the early realization of the plan, new defensive entrenchments were built, and the old forts were strengthened with concrete. However, when action began on the Eastern Front during World War I, work on the fortress was halted. In 1915 only one fort, the Ninth, was in conformance with the new technology criteria, while the Tenth Fort was partially complete. Despite the fact that the fortress's new construction was not fully accomplished, its internal railroad, supporting buildings, and military structures covering about 65 square kilometres still posed tremendous challenges for attackers.

[edit] Fall of the Fortress in World War I

In 1915, Germany and the Central Powers began an offensive against Russia, and the front began to approach Lithuania and Kaunas. At the end of July of the same year, the German army made its final push towards Kaunas Fortress. At that time about 90,000 soldiers were prepared to defend it, commanded by Vladimir Grigoriev (Russian: Владимир Григорьев).^[4] The Germans brought four divisions to the operation, which were placed under the command of Karl Litzmann.

While moving towards the Fortress, the Germans began constructing a railroad for their 42-cm Gamma-Gerät howitzer, which was brought to the front soon afterwards. The howitzer's shell weighed about 900 kilograms and had a range of 12 kilometres. After several days of the siege, more guns of various calibers were deployed.

The German army concentrated its attack on the First, Second and Third Forts, the complex's oldest structures. This decision meant that the entire fortress was not surrounded by advancing forces, providing flexibility for its defenders to regroup and resupply. On August 8, the Germans intensified their bombardment, but a Russian crew withstood attempts to breach the defensive perimeter several times. After several days, the bombardment of the fortress reached its peak; the defenders sustained a tremendous number of casualties, which reached around 50–75 percent. On August 14, over one thousand defensive forces were killed. Nevertheless, its defenders managed to hold the fortress that day. On the next day, August 15, the precision Gamma-Gerät's shell destroyed the First Fort, and an offensive action began on the Second Fort. The fight was now within the Fortress.

At the cost of many casualties the Third Fort managed to stave off the advance of the Germans, but not for long, and on the same day the defenders evacuated the fort and withdrew. On the next day the Fourth Fort was abandoned, and the Fifth Fort was conquered on the next. In a chain reaction, the other forts began capitulating. The defensive commander Vladimir Grigoriev left his soldiers and escaped to Žiežmariai. When the Germans crossed the Nemunas they managed to capture the Sixth and Seventh Forts, and the remaining two forts were captured soon afterwards. After eleven days of fighting, the first-class fortress was lost.^[1]

The defensive forces sustained 20,000 casualties, and hundreds of weapons were captured by the Germans.^[4] The fortress commander, Vladimir Grigoriev, was arrested and tried, and was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for failure to properly perform his duties. He also suffered the revocation of all his awards, military degrees, and honors. The Germans went on to use materials from the Fortress to serve their needs in the front.

[edit] Post-World War I to present

After Lithuania regained its independence on February 16, 1918, the Fortress was placed under engineering staff supervision. Those materials that had not been taken by the Germans were used to re-supply Lithuanian military needs, and for the construction of the armored train Gediminas, named after Grand Duke of Lithuania, Gediminas. In 1920 the Kaunas Fortress Board was organized and charged with the office of administering the Fortress. Due to the development of new military technologies, its reconstruction was seen as inappropriate as well as vastly expensive. Nevertheless sections of the Fortress were given to various official institutions; for example, one of the forts was used as a prison and another as an archive.

When Lithuania was re-occupied by Germans and Russians during World War II, the Fortress was used for interrogations and for mass executions. Especially notorious in this regard was the Ninth Fort: it housed political prisoners during the Soviet occupation, but its role in the Nazi regime was extremely brutal. About 10,000 Jews brought from Europe and some 30,000 Lithuanians (mainly Jews) and members of other nationalities were murdered there.^[5]

As of early 2007, only the Ninth Fort had been completely renovated. A 32-metre tall memorial to the victims was constructed there in 1984. The other forts await their preservation. In 2005 an international project was launched, "Baltic Culture and Tourism Route Fortresses", with the goal of promoting transnational scientific cooperation in monument protection as well as creating strategies of reconstruction and management. Kaunas Fortress is part of this project.^[6]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• (German) Gamma-gerät in pictures