Echoes of the Resistance
@balticghost.bsky.social
Exploring Lithuania's resistance and history, war history and human experience of conflict. Sharing stories and insights into how our past shapes our present.
🇱🇹 | Member of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union
History enthusiast not an expert
🇱🇹 | Member of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union
History enthusiast not an expert
After the war, the native population of Lithuania Minor had virtually disappeared – victims of genocide, deportation, and silence.
#LithuaniaMinor #History #WWII #GenocideRemembrance #Lithuania
#LithuaniaMinor #History #WWII #GenocideRemembrance #Lithuania
October 16, 2025 at 4:14 PM
After the war, the native population of Lithuania Minor had virtually disappeared – victims of genocide, deportation, and silence.
#LithuaniaMinor #History #WWII #GenocideRemembrance #Lithuania
#LithuaniaMinor #History #WWII #GenocideRemembrance #Lithuania
Tens of thousands of refugees were killed as they fled across the frozen Curonian Lagoon; 73 ships were sunk, including the Wilhelm Gustloff, claiming about 9,500 lives.
October 16, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Tens of thousands of refugees were killed as they fled across the frozen Curonian Lagoon; 73 ships were sunk, including the Wilhelm Gustloff, claiming about 9,500 lives.
As the Red Army advanced to crush Nazi Germany, countless local civilians – Germans, Prussian Lithuanians (lietuvinkai), Masurians and others – were massacred, deported, or perished in camps. Entire villages were destroyed, women assaulted, and property looted.
October 16, 2025 at 4:14 PM
As the Red Army advanced to crush Nazi Germany, countless local civilians – Germans, Prussian Lithuanians (lietuvinkai), Masurians and others – were massacred, deported, or perished in camps. Entire villages were destroyed, women assaulted, and property looted.
In 2019, the ECHR ruled: the USSR committed genocide in Lithuania. 1 in 2 men, 1 in 8 women, 1 in 15 children — were victims of soviet brutality.
May 8, 2025 at 11:44 AM
In 2019, the ECHR ruled: the USSR committed genocide in Lithuania. 1 in 2 men, 1 in 8 women, 1 in 15 children — were victims of soviet brutality.
In 1945, four youths were burned alive near Pandėlis. One mother had her scalp ripped off along with her hair. Pregnant women disemboweled, babies smashed against walls, genitals mutilated post-mortem.
May 8, 2025 at 11:44 AM
In 1945, four youths were burned alive near Pandėlis. One mother had her scalp ripped off along with her hair. Pregnant women disemboweled, babies smashed against walls, genitals mutilated post-mortem.
Soviet brutality in villages: in 1945, all men and women in Radučiai were murdered. Neighbors trying to help were shot. Mutilated corpses were displayed in town squares: genitals in mouths, bodies nailed to walls. A Soviet terror tactic.
May 8, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Soviet brutality in villages: in 1945, all men and women in Radučiai were murdered. Neighbors trying to help were shot. Mutilated corpses were displayed in town squares: genitals in mouths, bodies nailed to walls. A Soviet terror tactic.
NKVD and Soviet collaborators rampaged through Lithuanian villages—rape, arson, mass killings—all under the guise of “suppressing partisans.” Women were raped and abused in prisons. Even children and the elderly suffered in camps. Some victims’ bodies were publicly desecrated.
May 8, 2025 at 11:44 AM
NKVD and Soviet collaborators rampaged through Lithuanian villages—rape, arson, mass killings—all under the guise of “suppressing partisans.” Women were raped and abused in prisons. Even children and the elderly suffered in camps. Some victims’ bodies were publicly desecrated.
In 1944–45, the Red Army “liberated” Lithuania—bringing with it arrests, imprisonment, sadistic torture, and systematic violence against civilians. The number of prisoners reached 16,591—second only to Ukraine in the USSR.
May 8, 2025 at 11:44 AM
In 1944–45, the Red Army “liberated” Lithuania—bringing with it arrests, imprisonment, sadistic torture, and systematic violence against civilians. The number of prisoners reached 16,591—second only to Ukraine in the USSR.
6/6 After returning, she lived modestly—but her life speaks volumes. Marcelė was a fighter in silence, a light in the underground, a symbol of values. Let us remember her not only as a hero, but as someone who chose resistance when it was most dangerous. 🇱🇹
April 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM
6/6 After returning, she lived modestly—but her life speaks volumes. Marcelė was a fighter in silence, a light in the underground, a symbol of values. Let us remember her not only as a hero, but as someone who chose resistance when it was most dangerous. 🇱🇹
5/6
Arrested in 1944, tortured by the KGB, imprisoned in Lukiškės, later deported to a labor camp in Komi. She endured exile, imprisonment, and humiliation. Though her body suffered, her spirit never broke. She remained faithful to the ideal she gave her life for—Lithuania’s freedom.
April 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM
5/6
Arrested in 1944, tortured by the KGB, imprisoned in Lukiškės, later deported to a labor camp in Komi. She endured exile, imprisonment, and humiliation. Though her body suffered, her spirit never broke. She remained faithful to the ideal she gave her life for—Lithuania’s freedom.
4/6
During the Soviet occupation, she joined the resistance: passed information, supported partisans and their families. For her, resistance was a sacred duty. She fought without weapons, but with no less danger—with courage and dignity.
April 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM
4/6
During the Soviet occupation, she joined the resistance: passed information, supported partisans and their families. For her, resistance was a sacred duty. She fought without weapons, but with no less danger—with courage and dignity.
3/6
After the occupation of the Vilnius region, she stayed in the city. Worked in the underground, aided the arrested, gathered intelligence, and secretly collaborated with Lithuanian counterintelligence. She resisted Polish rule silently, but persistently—out of loyalty to her homeland.
April 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM
3/6
After the occupation of the Vilnius region, she stayed in the city. Worked in the underground, aided the arrested, gathered intelligence, and secretly collaborated with Lithuanian counterintelligence. She resisted Polish rule silently, but persistently—out of loyalty to her homeland.
2/6
Born in 1898 in the Ukmergė region, she was raised in a patriotic family. Her parents instilled love for Lithuania, education, and responsibility. As a teenager, she joined the national revival—planting the seeds of her devotion to freedom.
April 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM
2/6
Born in 1898 in the Ukmergė region, she was raised in a patriotic family. Her parents instilled love for Lithuania, education, and responsibility. As a teenager, she joined the national revival—planting the seeds of her devotion to freedom.
5️⃣ A Lasting Impact
LŠS shaped Lithuania’s defense, national pride, and resistance traditions. From the interwar years to the post-war partisan struggle, it proved that national spirit and preparedness could outlive occupation.
LŠS shaped Lithuania’s defense, national pride, and resistance traditions. From the interwar years to the post-war partisan struggle, it proved that national spirit and preparedness could outlive occupation.
February 28, 2025 at 7:33 AM
5️⃣ A Lasting Impact
LŠS shaped Lithuania’s defense, national pride, and resistance traditions. From the interwar years to the post-war partisan struggle, it proved that national spirit and preparedness could outlive occupation.
LŠS shaped Lithuania’s defense, national pride, and resistance traditions. From the interwar years to the post-war partisan struggle, it proved that national spirit and preparedness could outlive occupation.
4️⃣ LŠS & the Partisan War
Former LŠS members became leaders in the partisan movement (1944–1953). Their military skills, discipline, and underground networks helped organize one of the longest-lasting armed resistance movements in post-war Europe. The fight for Lithuania’s freedom continued.
Former LŠS members became leaders in the partisan movement (1944–1953). Their military skills, discipline, and underground networks helped organize one of the longest-lasting armed resistance movements in post-war Europe. The fight for Lithuania’s freedom continued.
February 28, 2025 at 7:33 AM
4️⃣ LŠS & the Partisan War
Former LŠS members became leaders in the partisan movement (1944–1953). Their military skills, discipline, and underground networks helped organize one of the longest-lasting armed resistance movements in post-war Europe. The fight for Lithuania’s freedom continued.
Former LŠS members became leaders in the partisan movement (1944–1953). Their military skills, discipline, and underground networks helped organize one of the longest-lasting armed resistance movements in post-war Europe. The fight for Lithuania’s freedom continued.
3️⃣ Soviet Occupation & Suppression
In 1940, the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania and banned LŠS. Many members were arrested, deported, or executed. But the Riflemen’s spirit wasn’t broken—those who survived would later become key figures in the Lithuanian anti-Soviet resistance.
In 1940, the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania and banned LŠS. Many members were arrested, deported, or executed. But the Riflemen’s spirit wasn’t broken—those who survived would later become key figures in the Lithuanian anti-Soviet resistance.
February 28, 2025 at 7:33 AM
3️⃣ Soviet Occupation & Suppression
In 1940, the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania and banned LŠS. Many members were arrested, deported, or executed. But the Riflemen’s spirit wasn’t broken—those who survived would later become key figures in the Lithuanian anti-Soviet resistance.
In 1940, the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania and banned LŠS. Many members were arrested, deported, or executed. But the Riflemen’s spirit wasn’t broken—those who survived would later become key figures in the Lithuanian anti-Soviet resistance.
2️⃣ Interwar Period
LŠS was more than a paramilitary group. It organized civic education, cultural activities, and military training. By preparing society for potential threats, it helped strengthen national defense and unity. This training would later prove crucial in Lithuania’s fight for freedom.
LŠS was more than a paramilitary group. It organized civic education, cultural activities, and military training. By preparing society for potential threats, it helped strengthen national defense and unity. This training would later prove crucial in Lithuania’s fight for freedom.
February 28, 2025 at 7:33 AM
2️⃣ Interwar Period
LŠS was more than a paramilitary group. It organized civic education, cultural activities, and military training. By preparing society for potential threats, it helped strengthen national defense and unity. This training would later prove crucial in Lithuania’s fight for freedom.
LŠS was more than a paramilitary group. It organized civic education, cultural activities, and military training. By preparing society for potential threats, it helped strengthen national defense and unity. This training would later prove crucial in Lithuania’s fight for freedom.
1️⃣ Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union – A Legacy of Resistance 🇱🇹
LŠS played a vital role in Lithuania’s defense and national identity during the interwar period (1919–1940). It trained citizens, supported the military, and promoted patriotism. But its influence didn’t end there. 🧵👇
LŠS played a vital role in Lithuania’s defense and national identity during the interwar period (1919–1940). It trained citizens, supported the military, and promoted patriotism. But its influence didn’t end there. 🧵👇
February 28, 2025 at 7:33 AM
1️⃣ Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union – A Legacy of Resistance 🇱🇹
LŠS played a vital role in Lithuania’s defense and national identity during the interwar period (1919–1940). It trained citizens, supported the military, and promoted patriotism. But its influence didn’t end there. 🧵👇
LŠS played a vital role in Lithuania’s defense and national identity during the interwar period (1919–1940). It trained citizens, supported the military, and promoted patriotism. But its influence didn’t end there. 🧵👇
5️⃣ Why Does This Matter?
Kosciuška & these uprisings shaped Lithuania’s resistance culture. The struggle for independence never stopped—it just took different forms, leading to the 20th-century partisan war.
Kosciuška & these uprisings shaped Lithuania’s resistance culture. The struggle for independence never stopped—it just took different forms, leading to the 20th-century partisan war.
February 19, 2025 at 6:22 AM
5️⃣ Why Does This Matter?
Kosciuška & these uprisings shaped Lithuania’s resistance culture. The struggle for independence never stopped—it just took different forms, leading to the 20th-century partisan war.
Kosciuška & these uprisings shaped Lithuania’s resistance culture. The struggle for independence never stopped—it just took different forms, leading to the 20th-century partisan war.