Content deleted Content added
No edit summary |
Citation bot (talk | contribs) Added date. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Superegz | Category:History of Lithuania (1918–1940) | #UCB_Category 18/21 |
||
| (9 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown) | |||
Line 12:
| type = [[Paramilitary organization]]
| role = Civilian self-defence organization
| size =
| command_structure =
| garrison = [[Kaunas]]
Line 24:
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| battles = [[Lithuanian Wars of Independence]]<br />[[Klaipėda Revolt]]<br /> [[June Uprising in Lithuania|June uprising]] [[Lithuanian partisans]]<br />[[January Events in Lithuania]]
| anniversaries = June 27, 1919 (founding)<br />September 20, 1989 (restoration)
| decorations =
Line 49:
}}
The '''Lithuanian Riflemen's Union''' ('''LRU''', {{lang-lt|Lietuvos šaulių sąjunga}}), also referred to as '''Šauliai''' (''the Riflemen''; from {{lang-lt|šaulys|links=no}} for ''rifleman''), is a paramilitary non-profit organization supported by the [[Government of Lithuania]],
In peacetime, it prepares [[Lithuania]]'s citizens for armed and unarmed resistance, ensures public safety and defends Lithuania's integrity and independence. In wartime it would support the [[Lithuanian Armed Forces]] with its fighting units, and use other units to ensure internal stability and defend critical infrastructure.
Line 72:
[[File:Orchestra of Lithuanian Riflemen from Salamiestis.jpg|thumb|One of the many orchestras of the Lithuanian Riflemen ([[Salakas]], 1931)]]
[[File:LŠS_20-metis,_Kaunas,1939_06_24.jpg|thumb|Exercises of the Lithuanian Riflemen, 1939]]
The LRU had three main areas of activities in 1919-1940 – culture, sport, and military training. The riflemen's units had theatres, libraries, and sport clubs alongside
The organisation received a unique legal basis. In 1921, 1924, and 1935, laws on the LRU were passed that defined its activities and functions, intended to restrict its autonomy and tie it as closely as possible to the [[Ministry of National Defence (Lithuania)|Ministry of Defence]] and [[Lithuanian Armed Forces|the armed forces]]. In 1935, the LRU became directly subordinate to the [[Chief of Defence (Lithuania)|Chief of Defence]]. The law abolished dual leadership – previously the organisation had been led by the Chairman of the Central Board, elected by riflemen, and by the LRU Commander, appointed by the Minister of Defence. Thus the riflemen were fully integrated in the country's defensive structure, and the district military commanders became commanding officers of rifle regiments.
Line 245:
==See also==
{{commons category|Lithuanian Riflemen's Union}}
* [[Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces]]
* [[Lithuanian Territorial Defense Force]]
* [[Estonian Defence League]]▼
* [[Forest Brothers]]
▲* [[Estonian Defence League]]
* [[Aizsargi]]
* [[Territorial Defence Force (Poland)]]
* [[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)]]
Line 273:
==External links==
* {{in lang|lt}} [http://www.sauliusajunga.lt Official site]
* {{in lang|en}} [http://www.sauliai.org Lithuanian National Guard] - Lithuanian Rifleman’s Union in Exile official site
{{Authority control}}
| |||