Maksimas Katche



Maksimas Katche (Wilhelm Johannes Arwed Max Kattchée, also Kattchee; Макс Арведович Катхе) (5 November 1879 – 10 June 1933), was a Russian and Lithuanian military officer, Knight of St. George. Of Baltic German descent, he was born in Joniškis, Lithuania (then Kovno Governorate of the Russian Empire). In 1899 he graduated from the Military Academy of St. Petersburg and served in the Russian Army. He fought in the Russo-Japanese War and in World War I, attaining the rank of colonel and decorated with the Cross of the Order of St. George 4th degree on 10 August 1907.

In April 1919 he joined the Lithuanian Army and fought successfully against Bolsheviks and Bermontians in the Lithuanian Wars of Independence. As a tactician, he planned Zarasai liberation operation. Among other Lithuanian soldiers he received the Latvian Military Order of Lāčplēsis 3rd class. Katche chaired the Lithuanian delegation negotiating and signing the Suwałki Agreement on October 7, 1920 between Lithuania and Poland, and he was appointed chief of the General Staff of the Lithuanian Army, decorated with the Cross of Vytis 4th and 5th classes. He also reached the rank of a Lieutenant General. In April 1921 he organized higher courses for officers, and was the first chief of them. For reasons of health he retired from active duty in 1922. He died in Biržai.