German military institutions in Kaunas (1941-1944)

A network of Wehrmacht Kommandantures was established in Lithuania occupied by Germany, officially named the General District of Lithuania. The government authorities resided in Kaunas, the administrative centre of the country. The key aim of the German military administration was to maintain the order; thus it did not cause a great harm to Lithuania and its inhabitants (except for the Jewish people). The German military administration was mostly concerned with the issues of security and provision of Wehrmacht with food and fuel. The Lithuanian institutions had relatively more freedom of action which diminished notably with the establishment of the civil German government. The Field Marshals had an unlimited power in the territory under their command. The sphere of action of Kaunas Kommandantures coincided with the borders of Kaunas district, which encompassed Kaunas, Alytus, Kėdainiai, Marijampolė, Lazdijai, Šakiai, and Vilkaviškis. In the beginning of the summer of 1942, the reorganization of Wehrmacht Kommandantures in Lithuania and Latvia began. The Kommandantures were renamed into Oberfeldkommandantures (OFK), whereas their commanders into the ‘Oberfeld’ Commanders and Commanders of the Defence Districts of Lithuania and Latvia. Since the middle of 1943, the major aim of Kommandantures became the battle with the soviet partisans and the defence of railroads, bridges and military objects from the partisan attacks, diversions and acts of sabotage