1st Division (Lithuania)

The 1st Division (Lithuanian: 1-oji divizija) was a tactical and administrative military formation of the Lithuanian Armed Forces during the interwar period (1918-1940). It was one of the four original divisions established after the restoration of Lithuanian independence and played a crucial role in the Lithuanian Wars of Independence, particularly in fighting against the Bolsheviks and Polish forces.

The division's area of responsibility generally encompassed the southeastern region of Lithuania, including significant cities and territories. Its headquarters were often located in Kaunas, the temporary capital of Lithuania during that period. The precise structure and composition of the 1st Division evolved over time, reflecting changes in military doctrine and available resources. Typically, it comprised several infantry regiments, artillery units, and support elements such as engineers, signal corps, and logistical detachments.

Key commanders of the 1st Division were often prominent figures in the Lithuanian military, reflecting the division's importance. The division was involved in peacetime training exercises and maintaining border security in its assigned region.

Following the Soviet occupation of Lithuania in June 1940, the Lithuanian Armed Forces, including the 1st Division, were disbanded and reorganized into the 29th Rifle Corps of the Red Army. This marked the end of the division's existence as an independent Lithuanian military unit. The legacy of the 1st Division remains significant in Lithuanian military history as a symbol of the country's struggle for independence and its efforts to build a modern national defense force.