Lithuania's 1923 Recovery of Klaipėda (Memel) скачать в хорошем качестве

Lithuania's 1923 Recovery of Klaipėda (Memel)

This historic video shows the return of the port city of Klaipėda back to Lithuania that took place between 10-15 January, 1923. The Lithuanian majority in Klaipėda long awaited the day to take back the city and on 15 January, 1923 they revolted. The city was entrusted to French military forces as previously stipulated by the League of Nations at the close of WWI. Martynas Jankus a fighter for Lithuanian causes was the chairman of the committee to liberate Lithuania Minor which included Klaipėda. At 0.14 the leader of the revolt, Budrys reviews his men who enthusiastically greet their top man. Between 0.18-0.24 one can see Lithuanian transatlantic hero, Stephen Darius who was a participant in the revolt. 10 years later he would fly across the Atlantic in an attempt to reach Lithuania. The video then shows the Lithuanians attacking French military positions as well as German agitators. In one skirmish French and German enemies are taken prisoner. The populace of the city warmly greeted the rebels. The leader of the second group of rebels, Mikas Bajoras was the first to penetrate into the city. The French defenders clearly understood this man's Lithuanian commands which was to surrender their weapons. Sentries were monitoring the coastline for western alliance warships. One ship was spotted which was the British light cruiser "Caledon" which hoisted a white flag. The ship appeared to be non-threatening to the Lithuanians and its sailors were watching the revolt unfurl with great interest. Lithuanians who died were given military burials. Shortly after the arrival of the light cruiser "Caledon" two French torpedo boats arrived in the port of Klaipėda. The League of Nations mission was guarded by the French and after the arrival of the "Caledon", British sentries were also posted there. Lithuanian Americans participated in the recovery of Klaipėda. They included: Pranas Rimkus, Steponas "Stepas" Darius, Martus, Ivašauskas and Kostas Jurgela. After the Lithuanian occupation, the first train arrives in Klaipėda. Remaining French soldiers can be seen at their barracks. The former President of Lithuania, Antanas Smetona arrived in the city with his military advisor, Major Jakutis. He had specific documents and stipulations from the Lithuanian government. The port and its facilities were now under Lithuanian control. (This historic event that took place in 1923 was significant as the city of Klaipėda was now a Lithuanian city with a Lithuanian majority. In March 1939. Hitler forced the Lithuanians to surrender the city to the Germans. After WWII the city was under Soviet control, however still a part of Lithuania. If the 1923 revolt would not suceeded, Klaipėda would have become a Soviet district like the Kaliningrad region. and today's Lithuania would not have the city and its only seaport).