The Book for the Oksas – In Memoriam Major Juozas Tomkus

The memory of Major Juozas Tomkus will be engraved on the cenotaph at the Military Cemetery in Kaunas and immortalized in the monograph

This year, as we mark the anniversary of the reintegration of the Klaipeda region into Lithuania, special attention will be given to one of the leaders of this operation – Major Juozas Tomkus, known by the alias Oksas. J. Tomkus was a highly adventurous, daring individual, always playing a key role in significant events for an independent Lithuania. His memory, which was diminished by his tragic fate during Soviet times, will be immortalized in an upcoming monograph, the material for which is being collected by medical professor Aleksandras Vitkus, who has published several historical works, public figure Gintautas Tamulaitis, a former military volunteer, rifleman and the leader of the Lithuanian Customs Veterans Association, and Ernestas Lukoševičius, historian, former military volunteer, rifleman, member of Lithuanian National Guard. 

Second in Command, but First in Action

J. Tomkus was a reliable and exceptional assistant in the operation to reintegrate the Klaipeda region into Lithuania. While most attention was given to the operation’s leader, intelligence officer, and diplomat, Jonas Polovinskas-Budrys, many other officers worked alongside him. They were responsible for various aspects of the operation. Among them, Major J. Tomkus stood out as his experience and courage being irreplaceable 

During World War I, J. Tomkus gained significant military experience in battles against the Bolsheviks in Siberia, later serving in the Vytautas, the Great Lithuanian Battalion. He also served in the Lithuanian Army and was known for his leadership skills, ability to navigate complex situations, and expertise in reading military maps. Historian Vilnius Kavaliauskas said these qualities helped J. Tomkus become a highly valued chief of staff during the Klaipeda operation. J. Tomkus, upon becoming a military volunteer in the Lithuanian Minor region, chose the alias Oksas.

The Klaipeda operation was carried out by insurgents who split into three groups and moved towards Klaipeda. The staff of the Lithuanian Minor military volunteers, led by J. Tomkus, was located at the Ginduliai farm near Klaipeda. This temporary headquarters became an important center during the operation.

The Warrior of Tragic Faith

Unfortunately, J. Tomkus’ fate after the operation was tragic. After the first Soviet occupation, when J. Budrys was working diplomatically abroad, J. Tomkus was arrested. He was included in a Soviet list of people targeted for destruction. His arrest became inevitable. He was detained on July 11, 1940, and placed in the 139th cell of the Kaunas heavy labor prison, where he survived just over a day. A few days later, news spread that he had committed suicide.

The Soviet authorities spread what seemed to be a false version, claiming that J. Tomkus had died by suicide, cutting the veins in his left arm in an attempt to protect his family from further prosecution by the Soviets. However, subsequent investigations revealed that he had been severely injured – a blow to the head with a blunt object, a severed carotid artery, and broken fingers. The investigations also revealed that the body had been dressed differently, and bloodstains had been removed. These discoveries were made after a phone call from Antanas Sniečkus, and the remains were transferred to the anatomy department of Vytautas Magnus University (VDU).

Document Shedding the Light Into The Death of The Hero

Historical researchers found an important document indicating his “suicide.” This document was signed by a Soviet intelligence officer who went by the alias Jefimas. Researchers believe this document may have been authentic, as the intelligence officer had no reason to lie about the event to his superiors in Moscow. This document raises the possibility that J. Tomkus most likely committed suicide.

Buried and Honored Despite Soviet’s Prohibitions

After Juozas Tomkus’ death, the communists prevented his burial, instead sending his body to the morgue of the university for the use of medical students for practice. This was a way to prevent his grave from becoming a sacred place for Lithuanian patriots seeking freedom. However, after more than a year, when the political situation changed, his body was properly buried. After World War II, on October 6, 1941, he was solemnly buried at the Old (Karmelitai) Cemetery in Kaunas in the section for war pilots; later, his remains might have been transferred to the Kaunas’ Šančiai Cemetery.

Mystery of the Final J. Tomkus’s Place of Rest Is Still Unsolved

Researchers still have disagreements about the possible reburial of J. Tomkus’ remains, but A. Vitkus is convinced that J. Tomkus’ body remained undisturbed at the Old Karmelitai Cemetery due to his family’s fear of obtaining permission from the then-Soviet authorities for reburial, in the Kaunas Šančiai Cemetery, where J. Tomkus’ remains may have been reburied in 1958, but researchers found no trace of his grave.

Striking Luck

Recently, researchers struck luck as they unexpectedly discovered Juozas Tomkus’ personal library, which contained several hundred books, which mysteriously ended up in a Kaunas public library two years ago. The books were marked with Tomkus’ personal stamps or signatures and were brought from Vilnius County. It is said that these books were donated to the library after being left by a person who moved abroad. These books will be inventoried and made available to the public sometime in the near future.

Monograph Is Nearing the Finish Line

The idea to write a book about Major J. Tomkus-Oksas took root in Chicago when American Lithuanian Ernestas Lukoševičius developed an interest in the major’s life and his crucial role in Lithuania’s history, particularly in the Klaipėda reintegration operation. This inspiration coincided with the solemn occasion of Commander Jonas Budrys’s remains being transported to Lithuania for reburial. Recognizing the need for thorough research, Lukoševičius later involved Aleksandras Vitkus and Gintautas Tamulaitis in the project.

Today, Ernestas Lukoševičius, Gintautas Tamulaitis, and Aleksandras Vitkus are nearing the completion of their book about Major J. Tomkus-Oksas. With 200 pages already written, they hope to publish the book by the end of the year. This work promises to be a fitting tribute to a distinguished military figure whose contributions were instrumental in reclaiming the Klaipėda region for Lithuania.

Reference:

• Tragiško likimo majorui Oksui skirs knygą, Klaipeda Diena