Local Self-Defence in Lithuania during the Nazi German occupation (1941–1944)

Local Self-Defence in Lithuania during the Nazi occupation consisted of voluntary units formed from the local population to protect villagers from the raids of the armed Soviet underground. Although originally banned, German authorities provided moderate support by 1943-44.

Immediately after the German occupation of Lithuania, rebel groups formed during the uprising of June 1941 were disbanded.

In order to prevent movements for Lithuanian autonomy, the German occupation force disarmed the units and restricted the activities of the self-defense initiatives. Self-defense functions were delegated to the Lithuanian Police and Auxiliary Police reserve units, ensuring allowed a strict control of membership of those loyal to the regime. The organization of local armed defense structures was prevented, while unarmed volunteer groups were controlled by self-governing Lithuanian authorities and the local people.

Following the orders of German administration the so-called "night guard" groups, formed in areas with large concentrations of partisans, were created to protect the villages in the region. As firearms were not provided the "night guards" equipped themselves with sticks. Their duty was to carry out surveillance, to detain suspicious persons and to warn both police and people of possible danger. As late as the autumn of 1943, these "night guard" groups were the only self-defense organizations that really existed. In summer 1943 the first groups of loyal residents were armed for operations against banditry. Furthermore, the Lithuanian administrations unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate the revival of the Riflemen Union. By the autumn of 1943 the coordinated Soviet underground activities forced the German authorities to allow armed self-defense bodies in Lithuania.

In the summer of 1943 the Germans lost their strategic initiative on the Eastern front and were dislodged far to the West. Lithuania was no longer a remote and quiet country to protect their rear. Due to unsuccessful military and labour mobilization, and spreading armed underground activities of the Soviets, the German forces consolidated the mass repressions in Lithuania, but proclaimed the locals responsible for the acts of sabotage.

In an attempt to protect the Lithuanians from the terror of Soviet partisans and the retaliation of the Germans, the Lithuanian administrations volunteered to form armed security units consisting of about 30,000 men. These units were to act under the supervision of the regional authorities. During negotiations with the Germans in early September 1943 principle agreements on the establishment of these units were made, however the Lithuanians were forced to equip the squads themselves. The local defence (self-defense) units as planned were to be established in villages, boroughs and towns. Their task was to protect the "property and residents of the living sites", and generally fight against the "banditry of the Bolshevik elements". Moreover, a separate military unit of 3000 men was to be formed to defend the major communication roads and objects, and to support the local squads.

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