eastern european eagle

Chapter 622: Lithuania's Destruction

"Your Majesty, we have been attacking Kaunas for a month. This place is really strong. We have tried everything, but it just won't break."

After conquering Vilnius, the Russian army attacked Kaunas, but they still underestimated the local defense. In addition, under the command of Vytautas and others, the defenders were all very brave, and the Russian army could not gain any advantage.

"It's okay, just take your time. I don't believe Vytautas can stay behind the city wall forever."

Mihaly knew that the battle to attack Lithuania had entered its final stage, and both sides were now fighting to the death. Everyone would fight with all their might, otherwise they would die.

The archers defending the city aimed at the attacking troops, and their arrows flew through the air, accurately passing through the gaps in the armor, and soldiers fell one by one. The tight defense made it difficult for the attacking troops to move forward.

Vytautas and a dozen Lithuanian nobles were commanding the battle in the castle of Kaunas. They sat around with solemn expressions, and the atmosphere seemed a little depressing.

"Everyone, I want to remind you that although Kaunas has not fallen today, the defenders' mentality has reached its limit. I think this will cause them a lot of trouble, so I hope everyone will take good care of them after returning!"

"I have sent more soldiers, so you can rest assured, Grand Duke." The commander in charge of defending the city responded.

"We have been holding the city for a month! Why haven't we seen any reinforcements? Is it true, as some people say, that the Polish army has been defeated by the Romanians?"

Many people shuddered when they heard this, as this was exactly the issue they were most afraid of. Vytautas tried to comfort them: "Poland has an army of 100,000, with the king as the commander, and so many allies, how could it possibly suffer a disastrous defeat!"

The long-term pressure finally caused some people's spirits to collapse. "If Władysław's army did not fail, then where are they? Did they escape?"

"Don't talk nonsense! Don't believe these rumors, but these rumors also tell us a message, Poland is leading the army to attack Romania!"

Many nobles accepted this explanation, but some refused to give in. "Why attack Romania instead of directly rescuing here? Has Władysław lost his mind and forgotten where his hometown is?"

"Now that Poland is surrounded on three sides, Władysław must be trying to find the fastest solution. Stop complaining."

Although they did not complain, they were indeed in danger. The Russian army really did everything they could, throwing corpses and fireballs into the city, causing heavy casualties. The people were crowded in the remaining places, eating poorly, sleeping poorly, and in a bad mood. Some people fell ill and could not get good treatment, and they could not recover.

In order to give the defenders enough strength to defend the city, they had to deprive the citizens of their supplies, but this caused them to resist, and the whole city became even more chaotic.

On the streets of the city, filthy vomit and soldiers lying on the roadside could be seen everywhere. The square was crowded with people. They ignored the pungent stench and the flying mosquitoes and flies, and insisted on seeing a doctor. Their heart-wrenching coughs almost echoed throughout the city.

The plague spread in Kaunas, and the defenders were increasingly unable to cope. Seeing that the enemy was already showing signs of decline, the Russian army accelerated its attack. The Russian attack on the city was extensive and fierce. Many nobles had all their troops on the city defense. There were no extra reserve soldiers around, so they had to quickly draw troops from the troops defending the city.

They finally used the wooden beams to break open the city gate. The soldiers roared excitedly and swarmed into the cave entrance. They wanted to kill all the enemies.

But the Lithuanian army unexpectedly launched a charge, catching the Russian army off guard. But this was also the last attack, and they were soon submerged in the tide of the Russian army.

Vytautas did not personally lead the soldiers to charge. He was waiting outside to hear cheers of victory. What he waited for was countless soldiers with terrified faces, desperately fleeing back. His desperate shouting and dissuading them were of no avail. Instead, under the influence of these fleeing soldiers, other soldiers outside the fortress also fled along with them. The loud Russian bugle calls made the fleeing soldiers flee even faster.

Vytautas led his army in a roaring charge towards the enemy. Since the final outcome was related to both sides, the battle was very fierce from the beginning.

But after a fierce battle, the Lithuanian army, mostly light infantry, gradually lost its strength, and some civilians arrived, attacking their flanks with sticks and oars, so they had to retreat to the castle.

At this time, many nobles gathered in the castle. They were all noble families that had existed since the founding of the country. Now they were all sitting in various places lonely, which was really sad.

"Back then, we resisted the Mongols and the Teutons, but now we are being destroyed by the weak Russia. But never mind. Every race and force has to go through the process of going from weak to strong, and from strong to weak. Today it is our turn, but one day it will be their turn."

They were pale, dusty, and their clothes were tattered. They no longer had the magnanimity they once had. Vytautas looked at them and was overcome with grief. He finally announced their fate.

"Light a fire, and leave nothing for them. Let everyone know that there was once a great country called Lithuania."

The soldiers seemed to have just woken up from a dream, and threw the torches in their hands towards the castle which was already covered with oil, and a raging fire broke out in an instant.

A noble suddenly stood up and smashed the statue of Jesus next to him. "Damn Jesus! Damn God! Damn Lithuania! Go to hell!"

The crazy laughter and the screams of the nobles and soldiers after they were engulfed in flames became the last echoes of the fire. From the establishment of Lithuania in 1253 to its demise, Lithuania existed for 166 years.

The fire spread quickly, and other places also burned. Some people who were unwilling to obey Russia chose to commit suicide, and the local bishop and 200 believers locked themselves in the church and burned themselves. Some defenders were still making a final resistance, and some people took advantage of the chaos to escape from other directions. It was not until the third day that the whole city calmed down.

After the fall of Kaunas, Lithuania had no important fortresses to resist the Russian army. The manors in the countryside were even worse. Mihaly announced that Lithuania would be incorporated into the Russian province, and together with the previously occupied Livonia, a total of four provinces. The coastline was extended several times at once, which can be said to be the biggest gain.

(End of this chapter)