Independent between the two World Wars, Lithuania was annexed by the USSR in 1940. In March of 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but this proclamation was not generally recognized until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently has restructured its economy for eventual integration into Western European institutions. - US CIA World Factbook

Armored cars in the War of Independence

Lithuanias first armored car was captured from Russians in May 1919. It was an Izhorsky-Fiat armed with 2 MGs. It was named "Zaibas". "Zaibas" was captured by Germans as they occupied Klaipeda (Memel) in March 1939.

In late 1919, Lithuania received five Ehrhardt/Daimler-Behelftswagens, captured by the English and French troops. They were armed with MGs. They were named: "Aras", Perkunas", "Pragaras", "Sarunas" and "Savanoris".

Renault FT-17---Renault FT-17
Renault FT-17

Twelve Renault FT-17 tanks were bought from France in 1923. The tanks were named: "Audra", Drasutis", "Galiunas", "Giltine", "Grianstinus", "Karzygis", "Kerstas", "Kovas", "Pagieza", "Pykoulis", "Slibinas" and "Smugis".

Vickers M1933

In 1933 some sixteen Vickers 4-ton tanks were bought. They armed with MGs only. They were registered  KAM 50-55, 61-65 and 71-75. 4 tanks were equipped with radio.

Landsverk L-181
Landsverk L-181

In 1933 Lithuania ordered six L-181 armored cars from AB Landsverk in Landskrona, Sweden. They were delivered in 1934 and were armed with a 20mm automatic cannon and 2 MGs. They were registered KAM 6-11.

Vickers M1936
Vickers M1936

In May 1936 a further 16 Vickers 4-ton tanks were bought. They were MG-armed only. They were registered: KAM 100-105, 111-115 and 121-125. 4 of them were equipped with radio.

LTL
LTL

Plans were made to replace the twelve Renault FT17 tanks, and both Czech CKD and Swedish AB Landsverk firms offered Lithuania their LLT (CKD), L-100 (Landsverk) and L-120 (Landsverk). The CKD offer won the contract, and 21 7.5 ton CKD LLT (Litva Lehky Tank) tanks were ordered from Czechoslovakia in 1938. These were more known as "LTL", and they were to be armed with a 20mm automatic-cannon and two MGs. They would have been a great addition to Lithuanias weapon arsenal, but they had not yet been delivered in 1940 when the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania. They were later sold as LT vz. 40 to Slovakia, who used them on the Eastern front (see Slovakia).
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