[1] Polish troops of the Prusy Army, under General Stanisław Skwarczyński, defended the city of Iłża and the road from Sandomierz to Radom.

The Poles were not ready to meet head on overwhelming German XV Army Corps (General Hermann Hoth), and were easily defeated after two days of fighting.

Armia Prusy, which was regarded as strategic reserve of Polish forces, remained deep behind front line, and was not planned to enter the battle before mid-September.

Its battalions were scattered around the town, while 12th Infantry Division was located in northern parts of the Starachowice Forest, next to an armored regiment of Krakow Cavalry Brigade.

Despite initial success of 52nd Infantry Regiment, which destroyed large quantities of German equipment, the enemy checked the Poles.

Under the circumstances, Generals Skwarczynski and Paszkiewicz gathered their officers in the village of Piotrowe Pole, and decided to break their units into small groups, heading towards the Vistula.