Following the battle for the borders, the forces of General Wincenty Kowalski began a steady withdrawal and undertook delaying actions in the area to the north-east of Warsaw.

Following the battles of Pułtusk and Różan, the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division reinforced by the units of the Wyszków Operational Group arrived in the area of Mińsk Mazowiecki.

The Polish aim was to retake the town and break through the German encirclement before panzer reinforcements arrived and enemy resistance stiffened.

After a short preparation, the battle began overnight with a Polish assault on the villages surrounding the town.

[2] Most of the substantial Jewish population of the town was deported by Germans to the Warsaw ghetto or Treblinka extermination camp.