The Unknown War: Armed Anti Soviet Resistance in Lithuania, 1944-1953

by Dalia Kuodytė, Rokas Tracevskis

50 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[El Slow Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read! It lays out the partisan war of independence that brave Lithuanian partisans fought against an enemy, that was clearly superior. As the title suggests, the mere fact that this war took place is likely unknown to most people, especially in western countries, which is a shame. It is a very humbling and emotional reading experience, which illustrates the brutality and difficulties that Lithuania unfortunately had to go through on its way to independence.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Lithuanian partisan war was and still remains unknown in the West. Such a situation was caused by the Iron Curtain, which still exists in Western minds"

"The resistance hoped for liberation from the West. Their disappointment was acute."

I am thankful that I came across this important work that describes the Lithuanian partisan fighters who attempted to defend their home from the Soviet oppression. Amazing to me is how true it is that this resistance is largely unknown. This is the first time that I have learned of the resistance and had no idea that "some 22,000 Lithuanian partisans and their supporters lost their lives in an unequal war against the Soviet regular army and NKVD units"

My grandfather was from Lithuania and was one of the many who fled to America - yet his family remained behind. One sister was deported to Siberia and lived in captivity there for many years. My grandfather communicated to his family throughout the years through letters but because of the Soviet occupation was never able to see his family again.