1st Division (Lithuania)
| 1st Division | |
|---|---|
.png) Divisional symbol | |
| Active | 1775–1795 1920–1923 1931–1940 2025– |
| Country |  Lithuania |
| Branch |  Lithuanian Land Force |
| Type | Division |
| Size | ~20,000 |
| Part of | .svg){kind=small} Multinational Corps Northeast (NATO) |
| Garrison/HQ | Rukla (?) |
| Motto(s) | Unity, Strength, Victory |
| Anniversaries | 11–12 April 1775 |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brigade general Aurelijus Alasauskas |
| Chief of Staff | Lieutenant Colonel Darius Kisielius |
| Insignia | |
| Patch insignia | .svg) |
The 1st Division (Lithuanian: Pirmoji divizija) is the main military unit of the Land Forces of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The division is planned to reach full operational capacity by 2030.[1]
As of January 2025, the division consists of a command headquarters, three infantry brigades, engineering and artillery regiments, as well as a reconnaissance battalion.[1][2] Units of other military branches are also used to support the division.
History
[edit]
The 1st Division continues the traditions of the Grand Ducal Lithuanian Army's 1st Lithuanian Division.
1775–1795
[edit]Officially, the Grand Ducal Lithuanian Army's 1st and 2nd Divisions were established on April 11–12, 1775, after the Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth approved the framework.[1] However, the actual formation through the transformation of the old units into a new structure began in 1777.[1] The divisions were equivalent to a modern military district.
The first commander of the 1st Lithuanian Division was Lieutenant General Juozapas Judickis, the Grand Guard of Lithuania (1776–1789), the elder of Strzalków and Bohiń.
Divisional commanders
- Adomas Kazimieras Čartoriskis (nominal commander, patron, colonel-in-chief);
- Juozapas Judickis
- Mykolas Jurgis Grabovskis
1920–1940
[edit]In 1918, after the restoration of Lithuanian statehood, the Lithuanian army and its regiments were reborn, which were combined into brigades in 1919.[2] In 1920, the 1st Division was re-formed based on the 1st Brigade, which fought in the Lithuanian Wars of Independence.[2]
With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the 1st Division was mobilized to defend the borders of Lithuania and ensure the security of Vilnius and elsewhere in Lithuania.[2] After the government's surrender to the Soviet ultimatum to Lithuania in 1940 and the subsequent Soviet occupation, the Lithuanian Army was disbanded, but the 1st Division's soldiers went on to fight for Lithuania against the occupation as partisans.[2]
21st century
[edit]At the 2022 Madrid Summit, the main military tactical unit was upscaled from a brigade to a division in NATO's military plans.[3] In May 2023, the Lithuanian State Defence Council approved the future formation of a division.[3] In order to establish a Lithuanian Infantry Division with a tank battalion, on 11 July 2024 the Seimas approved changes to the basic structure of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, which entered into force on 18 July 2024.
Structure
[edit]The 1st Division is based on the existing Iron Wolf, Žemaitija and Aukštaitija Brigades and supporting units from the Lithuanian Air Force, Lithuanian Military Police, Training and Doctrine as well Logistics Commands and other units.[1][2]
The 1st Division was officially re-established on 28 January 2025 in Rukla.[1]
Divisional commanders
- Brigadier General Aurelijus Alasauskas (2025)
References
[edit]Sources
[edit]- Biržietis, Dominykas (2025-01-28). "Rukloje inauguruota Pirmąja pavadinta Lietuvos kariuomenės divizija". Baltic News Service (in Lithuanian).
- kam.lt (2025-01-28). "Lithuania re-establishes the 1st Division of the Lithuanian Armed Forces". LR Krašto apsaugos ministerija.
- kariuomene.lt (2025). "Lietuvos kariuomenės Pirmoji divizija". Lietuvos kariuomenė (in Lithuanian).