Logotyp: till Försvarshögskolans hemsida

Guerrilla warfare in the Baltic- How to trade space for time, and use the time to produce will.

1944-1952; a fierce battle against the Soviet occupations of the Baltic states elapsed. The Baltic resistant organization named The Forest Brothers fought against overwhelming Russian security force for almost a decade. This thesis analyzes the guerilla warfare fought by The Forest Brothers in Lithuania.

The study uses the central meaning of Mao Tse-Tung theory On Guerrilla Warfare, how to trade Terrain for Time and how to produce Will. This is a case study to enhance the knowledge about the guerrilla warfare in Lithuania 1944-1952 and to test the validity of Mao Tse-tung theory On Guerilla Warfare. In 1991 the former Soviet archives was opened to the public which gives comprehensive material to source from. Despite the range of background material available there are still a lot to learn from the guerilla warfare conducted during the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states. A wide range of material on guerilla warfare is used in this study.

This study shows on both similarities and differences with Mao´s theories about guerrilla warfare.

The study identifies the importance of a guerilla to be a legitimate security provider for the people to be able to gain the support from the people over a long time. It shows on difficulties for a regular force to adapt and understand guerilla warfare.