War School of Kaunas

War School of Kaunas (Lithuanian: Kauno karo mokykla) was a military school for junior officers in Kaunas, the temporary capital of Lithuania. It was established in January 1919 during the Lithuanian Wars of Independence copying the example of Russian 4-month praporshchik schools established during World War I. Despite difficult circumstances and lack of some of the basic supplies, between March 1919 and October 1920, the school prepared three classes of 434 men who were sent to the front. 15 of these graduates were killed in action. The cadets also participated in suppressing several anti-government coups, including by the Polish Military Organisation in 1919 and by the Voldemarininkai in 1934.^[1] As a reliable and loyal force, they were used to guard the Constituent Assembly of Lithuania when it convened in 1920 or the former Prime Minister Augustinas Voldemaras during his trial.^[2]

After the wars, the length of study was extended to one year in 1920, two years in 1922, and three years in 1935. Starting in 1926, the school began aspirant courses for the reservists. Courses for more senior officers were offered by the Higher Officers' Courses. From 1932, the school published journal Kariūnas (Cadet) every two months. Before the occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union in June 1940, the school prepared 20 classes of 1,631 junior officers and 14 classes of 2,585 reserve officers.^[3] The last 21st class graduated already after the occupation. The school was moved to Vilnius and reorganized into an infantrymen school for the Red Army.