Stasys Nastopka
Stasys Nastopka | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 June 1881 Rinkuškiai, Russian Empire |
| Died | 19 October 1938 (aged 57) Biržai, Lithuania |
| Allegiance | Imperial Russian Army Lithuanian Armed Forces |
| Years of service | 1902–1918 (Russia) 1918–1924 (Lithuania) |
| Commands | 178th Venden Infantry Regiment Separate Lithuanian Battalion 2nd Brigade Chief of the Lithuanian General Staff |
| Battles / wars | |
Stasys Nastopka (19 June 1881 – 19 October 1938) was a Lithuanian military officer during World War I and the Lithuanian Wars of Independence.
Born into a Lithuanian peasant family, Nastopka graduated from Vilnius Military School and served in the Imperial Russian Army. During World War I, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel (podpolkovnik) and commanded the 178th Venden Infantry Regiment. In 1918, he returned to Lithuania and volunteered for its newly established Lithuanian Army.
During the Lithuanian–Soviet War, he commanded the Separate Brigade that carried out the first organized Lithuanian offensive in April 1919 and the Panevėžys Group which pushed the Soviets across Daugava by August 1919. In October 1919, when West Russian Volunteer Army attacked Lithuania, Nastopka became the Chief of the General Staff and was promoted to lieutenant general. When Poland staged the Żeligowski's Mutiny in October 1920, Nastopka commanded the 1st Division which attempted a counteroffensive, but almost the entire command, including Nastopka, was captured by Polish troops. After the return from captivity, he was army's inspector and retired from the military in 1924.