Karinės psichologinės operacijos Lietuvoje: 1919–1938 m. Istorinė patirtis

LTStraipsnyje analizuojamos 1919–1938 m. Lietuvoje vykdytos karinės psichologinės operacijos ir taikytos psichologinio poveikio priemonės. Šia tema iki šiol domėtasi gana menkai, tad literatūros lietuvių kalba yra mažai. Jame, remiantis Lietuvos centrinio valstybės archyvo duomenimis, analizuojamos vidaus ir užfrontės propagandos priemonės ir pagrindinės jos kryptys. Nustatyta, jog pagrindinis psichologinių operacijų (angl. santrumpa PSYOPS1 ) ir propagandos tikslas – paveikti auditorijų mąstymą, požiūrį ir elgseną. Nepaisant šiuolaikinių technologijų teikiamų galimybių, pagrindinės PSYOPS taktikos ir technikos liko nepakitusios, o bendravimas „akis į akį“, siekiant daryti įtaką, aktualus ir šiandien. Tarpukario Lietuvoje prie Literatūros skyriaus įsteigta Spaudos propagandos dalis (1920 m. kovo 1 d.) vykdė propagandą tiek valstybės viduje, tiek užfrontėje. Lietuvos kariuomenės vadovybė kartu su Švietimo ministerija numatė, jog valstybėje, apsuptoje stipresnių kaimynų, karinį rengimą reikia pradėti vykdyti jau mokykloje ir paskui universitete. Propaganda užfrontėje dažniausiai buvo nukreipta į valstybes, su kuriomis vyko kariniai konfliktai arba teritoriniai ginčai, vidaus propaganda – į šalies visuomenės švietimą, pilietiškumo ir atsparumo ugdymą.

ENThe topical subject is based on current events in the increasingly global world where psychological operations and propaganda are used almost every day to influence target audiences. The article analyzes military psychological operations and psychological measures used in Lithuania in the period from 1919 to 1938. The article aims to investigate whether psychological operations and psychological measures where used in the mentioned period in Lithuania. As the subject has been poorly researched, the literature on the subject in Lithuanian is scarce. Domestic and frontline propaganda measures and key targets are analyzed based on the archives of the Office of the Chief Archivist of Lithuania. The article revealed that the main aim of psychological operations and propaganda was to affect the understanding, attitude and behavior of a target audience. Despite the possibilities of modern technologies, the key tactics and techniques of psychological operations have remained unaltered as well as face-to-face interaction. During the Wars of Independence, Lithuanian political and military authorities realized that in addition to a strong and modern military it is necessary to have an institution for public education, informing the public on the issues of concern and disseminating national narrative in the provinces, frontlines and occupied territories. During the first years of independence, the state propaganda and its dissemination in the country and frontlines were the responsibility of the Section of Literature at the General Staff. The Subsection of Publishing was opened on 1 September 1920. When the General Staff was reformed, the responsibility for the dissemination of propaganda was delegated to the subsections of the newly established Section of Military Science. The Section of Military Training and Propaganda carried out the functions of military education and civil-military cooperation.The specialists had a heavy workload. They had to spread the propaganda supporting military actions and mobilizing and educating the society. In 1920, the separation of military and civil propaganda was proposed. When the fights ceased and Klaipėda region was reclaimed, the propaganda nationwide was assigned to the Riflemen’s Union and later to the Union for the Liberation of Vilnius. The circumstances were favorable for separating military and civil propaganda. Lithuanians succeeded in the psychological operations against the state opponents. The frontline propaganda aimed to demoralize and confuse enemy soldiers, increase their dissatisfaction with their government and make them doubt its actions. The most common psychological measures in the frontline were taken using airborne leaflet propaganda. Different leaflets (proclamations, letters, caricatures, etc.) were scattered from the aircrafts by recruited local agents, etc. Psychological measures also included activities of special instructors, face-to-face interaction, activism, public speeches, etc. Domestic propaganda focused on educating the residents about the key issues of the state and military training and education. The Subsection of Propaganda under the Section of Literature closely cooperated with the Section of Intelligence and other institutions in psychological operations or, as it was said then, spreading propaganda in three directions: Latvia, Poland and Klaipėda region.