Vilnian National Guard

Vilnian National Guard (Polish: Gwardia Narodowa Wileńska) was a paramilitary unit formed in the city of Vilna (modern Vilnius, Lithuania) during the French invasion of Russia in 1812.

Soon after his arrival to Vilna, Napoleon Bonaparte formed the Provisional Government of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, promising to restore it to its former wealth.

The unit, named Vilnian National Guard, or Gwardia Narodowa Wileńska in Polish, was composed of 2 battalions.

[3] In accordance with the rules for similar units formed in Warsaw, Minsk, Grodno and other towns, the membership was to be limited to all able-bodied men between 18 and 50 years of age, who possessed financial qualifications for the service (two thirds of all the recruits paid for their own equipment and uniform).

Following the renewal of the Polish–Lithuanian Union the command over the unit was passed to experienced Polish officers from the Duchy of Warsaw, often veterans of the Old Guard.