Povilas Plechavičius
Povilas Plechavičius | |
|---|---|
Plechavičius, c. late 1920s | |
| Born | February 1, 1890 Bukančiai farmstead, Kovno Governorate, Russian Empire (now Židikai eldership, Mažeikiai district, Lithuania) |
| Died | December 19, 1973 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | Lithuanian |
| Occupations | General of the Lithuanian army |
| Years active | November 23, 1918 – February 10, 1929 |
| Spouse | Irena Grinbergaitė (Plechavičienė after marriage) (1897–1983) |
| Children | Irena Plechavičiūtė (1920–2001) Povilas Plechavičius (1923–2000) Norbertas Plechavičius (1926–?) |
| Parent(s) | Ignas Plechavičius (1852–1928) Konstancija Bukontaitė-Plechavičienė (1862–1959) |
Povilas Plechavičius (1 February 1890 – 19 December 1973) was a Lithuanian military officer and statesman. His military career began in the Imperial Russian Army as a yunker during World War I. Then, Plechavičius climbed the ranks of the interwar period Lithuanian Army from captain to lieutenant general.
He is best known for his actions during the Lithuanian Wars of Independence when the partisans he led fought against the Soviet invasion of northwest Lithuania, liberated Seda, Mažeikiai and Telšiai, and later forced out the Bermontians. He is also known for organizing the 1926 Lithuanian coup d'état and creating and leading the Lithuanian Territorial Defense Force during the German occupation of Lithuania.