Klaipėdos universitetas

The key topics discussed in the article are related to the dating of the commencement of construction of Kriegsmarine coastal defence and antiaircraft (Flak) artillery batteries in Memel (Klaipeda). The author argues that the most important goal of Kriegsmarine was to protect the port entrance channel from attacks or blocking from the sea. Therefore, the period of March 1939 to the early 1940 discussed in the article could have been used to build fortifications for coastal defence batteries. Stationary fortifications for Flak batteries around the city could have been built in a later period. Until then, temporary emplacements for Flak guns could have been constructed in the surrounding areas. Field research data on Tauralaukis Flak battery gave more credibility to the presumptions presented in the article. Some shell remains revealed ammunition marks stating that this ammo was made in 1941.

On the basis of archival documents, the interwar Lithuanian press, and historical literature, the article analyzes the policy of Lithuania’s Government in Klaipėda Region occupied by Nazi Germany in 1939. The author argues that Lithuanian authorities were not merely passive spectators of the events; they actively responded to the Nazi policy in Klaipėda Region, tried to defend the national and private economic interests and the rights of their citizens, made an effort to stop Lithuanians’ deportation from the region, as well as mediated in releasing Lithuanians from the places of imprisonment and recreated the abolished educational and cultural institutions. The efforts of Lithuanian authorities to change the situation in Klaipeda Region to its advantage were thwarted by the Soviet occupation in June, 1940.