On 10 September, after a series of skirmishes in the vicinity of Reda at the western outskirts of Gdynia, the Polish commander of the Land Coastal Defence forces, pułkownik Stanisław Dąbek, was in a difficult position.

Although completely unprepared for defence, the area was densely forested and made enemy penetration and aerial and naval bombardment much more difficult.

Until 14 September all Polish forces, by then reduced to roughly 9,000 servicemen, gradually withdrew to the area, along with up to 140 HMGs, 14 mortars, 23 pieces of artillery and a large number of civilian refugees.

Massed in an area no greater than 4 km2, the Poles were able to inflict heavy losses on the numerically and technically superior enemy.

However, constant aerial bombardment and lack of supplies and reinforcements finally forced Col. Dąbek to order a cease-fire on 19 September.