Military School in public and political life of Kaunas in 1919-1940

The establishment of the military school took place in the climax of the struggles for freedom of Lithuania. When the Bolsheviks were forcing in the direction of Kaunas city, the main troops of the newly-formed Lithuanian Armed Forces were deployed at the front. The school was also a substantial armed force that the Provisional Government of Lithuania could lean on while ensuring the order and functionality of the government in Kaunas. In the period of struggles for freedom, the school had a special platoon of cadets always ready to take part in an overnight search of communist organizations and some districts of Kaunas. Although there is no information how such participation in the searches influenced the attitude of the society towards the school and cadets, in the period from 1919 to 1920, the attitude was undoubtedly ambiguous as it depended on the residents’ view of the restoration of Lithuania. Since the very first days of the establishment of the military school, the authorities and cadets strove to create a positive image of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in the eyes of the society. The school employed drastic measures to make cadets’ appearance flawless for earning residents’ admiration and regard. Strict requirements for appearance had remained till the Soviet occupation in 1940. However, locals were particularly fond of the cadets’ exceptionally beautiful singing. Their marching with a song left the residents with indelible impression. On Sundays, local community gathered at the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel (Garrison Church) to listen to the cadets’ singing. On December 6, 1922, the school was transferred from the center of Kaunas to the barracks in Aukštoji Panemunė keeping the cadets out of sight. Despite military discipline, the cadets always had time in their busy schedule for surprising people with marching songs, distinctive appearance and behavior by participating in public and cultural events. Besides prestige and representation, the school also brought practical benefits for the city by encouraging positive cooperation. Regardless of the apolitical position, the school had to participate in the peripeteia of the Lithuanian domestic policy as its position and actions frequently had a decisive influence on further development of political military events. The cadets’ contribution to foil the attempt at staging a coup d’etat on June 7, 1934, exemplifies the influence best