World War II
Having successfully occupied and annexed Lithuania, the Soviet Union began a policy of massive repressions. Many officials and intellectuals were arrested, Lithuanian army was disbanded, and the majority of its officers shot. Massive deportations of Lithuanian citizens to Siberia began on June 14 - 18, 1941. Only in four days around 18,000 Lithuanians, mainly teachers, lawyers and substantial farmers, were transported to Siberia in cattle cars in the most inhumane conditions.
On June 22, 1941, Germany declared war on the Soviet Union and the Red Army pulled out of Lithuania. During the first days of war troops of both enemy armies terrorized and killed Lithuanian citizens. Especially brutal was the mass murder of over 70 Lithuanian political prisoners, tortured and killed by the Red Army in the Rainiai forest.
During the first days of war, the underground anti-Soviet organization, Lithuanian Activist Front, took advantage of the situation and started an insurrection. Already on June 23, a declaration reaffirming Lithuanian independence was issued and a constituent government was established. Rebels took control of a large portion of the country. There were around 20 - 30 thousands of rebels and almost 2 thousand of them died in battles.
