Iron Wolf (organization)
Established at the end of 1927 by the ruling Lithuanian Nationalist Union to help suppress its opposition, it was inspired by the Blackshirts, an Italian fascist organization.
The organization spied on its political opponents, engaged in limited physical coercion, and launched propaganda initiatives.
They planned several anti-Smetona coups, became increasingly sympathetic to fascism, and often collaborated with Nazis during the German occupation of Lithuania.
On 26 May 1928, it established the Iron Wolf Sports Union, chaired by Jonas Pyragius [lt], which became its public front organization.
[5] While its chief was Prime Minister Augustinas Voldemaras, the organization was headed by the Supreme Staff (Vyriausiasis štabas) commanded by Algirdas Sliesoraitis.
[11] If called, the members were supposed to help the Lithuanian Nationalist Union suppress protests, coups, or other anti-government disturbances.
[7] Detail plans were drawn up on rapid response to threats; in this regard Iron Wolf duplicated the functions of the police and the military.
[13][14] They patrolled city streets, followed activists, on occasion engaged in public scuffles, particularly with members of national minorities (Poles and Jews).
[16] Iron Wolf was suspected of kidnapping and torturing newspaper editor Kazys Bridžius [lt] in August 1928.
[17] Bridžius refused to submit a complaint to the police and resigned; the newspaper Momentas (Moment) was taken over by members of Iron Wolf.
[18] In early 1929, a group of Iron Wolf members vandalized Jewish store signs in Kaunas; this was done without approval from superiors and the perpetrators were threatened with disciplinary sanctions.
During the night, several men (officially identified as members of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union) started patrolling the streets and asking Jews for identification documents.
[21] Iron Wolf declared itself to be an apolitical organization – it did not have a political program and only stood active guard against anti-government threats.
[19] Members were required to promote the ideas of Iron Wolf – participate in pro-government gatherings, publish articles, etc.
[22] From 1928 to December 1929, Iron Wolf published its periodical Tautos kelias [lt] (Path of the Nation) twice a month.
[19] Tautos kelias published some articles exposing corruption or lack of patriotism based on secret reports submitted to the Supreme Staff.
[25] In April 1929, Minister of Education Konstantinas Šakenis [lt] approved school curriculum on military preparedness and removed legal obstacles for Iron Wolf to organize student groups.
[28] On 30 November 1930, the office of the Supreme Staff was bombed, giving Smetona an impetus for a full-scale prosecution of Voldemaras supporters.
[29] The Lithuanian Nationalist Union installed new commanders, Kazys Matulevičius and Brunonas Štencelis,[7] who attempted to cleanse and reorganize the severely reduced organization.
