===
German invasion of Poland === The 19th Infantry Division under General
Józef Kwaciszewski belonged to northern group of
Prusy Army, under General
Stefan Dąb-Biernacki. On September 5, 1939, the division was sent to
Piotrków Trybunalski, where it faced the
Wehrmacht's
1st Panzer Division of the
XVI Army Corps. On September 6, following their victory in the
battle of Piotrków Trybunalski, Germans captured General Kwaciszewski and the remains of the division withdrew due to mounting German pressure. On the evening of the September 7, the division's units were scattered and tried to break through the German lines and escape eastwards, towards the
Vistula. On September 8 Colonel
Tadeusz Pełczyński began reconstruction of the division, with two infantry regiments (77th, 86th), and some artillery, which managed to cross the Vistula. Following the order of General Dab-Biernacki, the division was renamed to the 19th Infantry Brigade. The unit took part in the
Battle of Tomaszów Lubelski, finally capitulating on September 27.
Lida was where the reserve center of the division was stationed. ===
Soviet invasion of Poland === On September 17, 1939, when news of the
Soviet invasion of Poland reached the town, a 150-man strong assault company was formed in Lida with the task of reaching Wilno by breaking through the advancing
Red Army. The plan was changed, and the company headed for
Grodno, where it partook in the
Battle of Grodno. == Commanders ==