The Battle of Širvintos - Giedraičiai was the final chord in the war with Poland and all the struggles for Independence. It was the battle between the Lithuanian army and the Polish army team led by Lucjan Żeligowski. Violating the Suwałki Agreement, the Polish army occupied Vilnius on October 9, 1920, and prepared to deliver a decisive blow to Lithuania. On October 26, Polish troops occupied Giedraičiai, and by October 28 they had advanced into the lands of Želva and Balninkai. The main battles took place on October 31, November 17, and November 19–21. Against a numerous and well-armed enemy, the Lithuanian High Command could at that time send only three battalions, commanded by Captain Eduardas Noreika and Lieutenant Teodoras Balnas. The first clash occurred near Pusnė on October 31, forcing the Polish troops to retreat. On November 1, Captain Noreika’s battalion occupied Giedraičiai. Gathering four infantry battalions, a cavalry brigade, and heavy artillery, the Polish forces launched a new offensive. On November 16, their advance was halted near Kraujaleidžiai.
On the early morning of November 17, the Polish forces launched a new offensive along a 30-kilometer front. Supported by artillery and armored vehicles, Polish infantry attacked in two directions — along Vilnius - Širvintos and Vilnius - Giedraičiai roads. The heaviest fighting fell upon the 2nd Infantry Regiment, which was defending Giedraičiai. To avoid encirclement, the regiment withdrew in the evening of November 17 to the Želva line. The 7th Infantry Regiment, defending Širvintos, retreated after fierce fighting to positions in the Viesos – Liūnai - Degučiai section. The 4th Infantry Regiment, which defended the Musninkai front, remained unmoved from its positions. The 7th Infantry Regiment had no more reserves.
General Lucjan Żeligowski decided to exploit the gaps between the Lithuanian units, sending a cavalry brigade to attack from the rear while eight Polish infantry battalions were to advance through Giedraičiai and Širvintos toward Kaunas. The Commander of the Lithuanian army, General Žukauskas, regrouped his forces and ordered his battalion commanders to occupy Giedraičiai by November 21. The Lithuanian offensive began during the night of November 20–21. In the direction of Giedraičiai, heavy fighting took place near Šiupieniai, Bekupė, and Giedraičiai itself, where the 3rd Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Regiment particularly distinguished itself. On November 21, in the afternoon, Giedraičiai was liberated. Despite suffering significant losses, the Lithuanian army regained its positions held before November 17. At the instruction of the League of Nations representatives, hostilities were halted on November 22, and a demarcation line was established behind the village of Kraujaleidžiai.
