1919 m. vasario 12-13 d. Alytaus kautynės

ENIn February 1919 the Red Army launched an attack on Lithuania in Alytus region. At that time the part of the German troops had not yet been withdrawn from Lithuania and tried to maintain a united front against the aggressor. However, the strained morale of soldiers and poor relations with Lithuanians made the hardships of the front fell on the shoulders of soldiers of the 1st Infantry Regiment, which defended Alytus. At night, on 12-13 February, during the battle of Alytus, Lithuanian troops were forced to give up. The aim of the commander was to save weapons - the most valuable inventory. On February 13, 1919 at 8 a.m., on the day of his birthday, the military commander Antanas Juozapavičius while riding a horse over the bridge in Alytus was mortally wounded. He was the first Lithuanian army officer killed in the struggle for independence. Several Lithuanian soldiers were killed in the battle of Alytus, 20 soldiers were captured, however, some of them managed to escape. At night, on 14-15 February, German armoured train with soldiers came from Suvalkai to Alytus. One company of the 1st Regiment of Infantry from Jieznas also came to Alytus. The soldiers together with the Germans stormed and retook Alytus. After the first shots the Red Army left the city, leaving the bodies of their soldiers. The significance of the battle of Alytus is not limited to the defence of the way to Kaunas from to the north side. The possibility to enter the territory of Central Lithuania by the invaders was cut off and the security of Kaunas was provided.