Jonas Kukauskas-Kukis aka “Jack“ – Lithuanian Cold War Hero or Villain?

Jonas Kukauskas-Kukis aka “Jack“ – Lithuanian Cold War Hero or  Villain? 

 

In February 1938 Kukauskas at that time a student in Vilnius, then under Polish suzerainty, attempted to cross the Polish border into Lithuania to deliver information to the Lithuanian Intelligence Service. He was apprehended by the Polish counter-intelligence, interrogated, and brought to trial. He was released because his act was determined to have been that of an irresponsible boy, rather than sponsored by an intelligence service.

 

In 1944 he crossed Poland and arrived in Berlin. He later studied and the university in Frankfurt. In October 1946, he was recruited by the Operations Chief of Vlik for a mission organized by French intelligence. At Pfullingen, Germany, he was trained in communications until May 1947. 

In May 1948,  he was taken to Paris where he was given intelligence training, including jump techniques by the French. There had, been no contact with French representatives except their instructors, administrative matters being handled by Dr. Backis, the Lithuanian representative in Paris. In April 1950 when the French dispatch failed to materialize, Kukauskas was dismissed by the French case officer and were escorted by a French representative to Strasbourg. He was met by a representative of VLIK who sent him on to Munich. Jonas Kukauskas-Kukis' "Jack", was recruited by OSO sometime in Spring 1950.

 

Kukauskas was recruited by OSO sometime in Spring 1950. 

 

He was dispatched on 18-19 April 1951 into Kaunas area of Lithuania with Butenas for the purpose of

 

a. Establishment of contact with the underground resistance forces in Lithuania.

b. Reorganization of the underground resistance forces along more effective lines.

c. Establishment of reliable w/t and s/w communication between Lithuania and the American Zone of Germany.

d. Procurement of positive and operational intelligence.

 

Kukauskas was in the forest bunker with Butenas on May 21, 1951, and surrendered to the Lithuanian security forces. He then agreed to cooperate with them in a radio game with CIA. Kukuskas continued to send messages as part of the “radio game” that had been initiated in 1949 (Volna—Wave) and 1950 (Lyes – Forest).  Reportedly his KGB operational pseudonym was “Balandis.”

Kukauskas made contact with resistance leader Luksa (and CIA agent) and got him to agree to a meeting in Pabartupis village forest near Kaunas. The meeting never took place as Luksa was killed or committed suicide during an ambush by Lithuanian security forces. 

 

Jack sent his first message on 15 June 1951 and continued sending sporadically until 29 November 1951. He reported again for the first time since his silence in April 1952 with the excuse that his silence was due to a faulty generator. The last message received from jack to date as on 27 December 1952. One CIA report stated, " It is not definitely established that Jack is under control but his long silence during the winter and the content of his messages seem to indicate that control is likely." 

 

CIA reviewed the failed Lithuanian operations and stopped them in 1952, when it was estimated that only 700 partisans wee in Lithuania. In 1956, Adolfas Ramanauskas (Vanagas), the last partisan leader, was arrested and hanged in Kaunas.