Most of the Polish troops fighting the Battle of Grodno (1939) including the Wołkowysk Cavalry Brigade were able to retreat north and so avoid capture by the victorious Soviet forces to Grandzicze and Hoża.

[1] Wacław Przeździecki planned on 22 September that all of his troops would breakthrough to Lithuania through areas currently lightly held by Soviet forces.

[1] The 2nd Light Tank Brigade under Col Alexey Kurkin received orders from Ivan Boldin commander of the force it was part of the Dzerzhinsky Cavalry-Mechanized Group on September 21 at 11:00 am to form a new group with tanks, armoured cars and motorised troops as well as with anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to be commanded by Maj.

[1] Also at this time Polish Lancers probably of 4th Squadron from 101st Uhlan Regiment spotted resting Soviet troops to the east.

[1] Meanwhile Soviet armour under Maj Czuwakina attacked from the east of Sopoćkiń after arriving in the vicinity on 3am the previous day.

[1] In the morning of the next day the KOP Sejny Battalion withdrew to the Augustów Canal after halting the Soviet advance.

[1] Despite heavy casualties received in the fighting in Poland including commander of 3rd squadron Lieutenant Stanisław Dobrzański.