The occupation of Vilnius by the forces of General Zeligowski met with violent protests of Lithuania, backed by the British authorities. After the failure of the diplomatic offensive, the Lithuanians decided to try to regain the city by force. In spite of apparent neutrality, the Polish authorities put the 2nd and 3th Polish Army in readiness.

Soon, the fighting around Vilnius flared with new force. Lithuanian airplanes constantly bombed Polish troops, railway stations and airfields. For a dozen or so days the Lithuanian pilots were practically impaired, because the forces of Zeligowski did not have aviation. It was not until early November that a Polish squadron from Lida was transferred to the Vilnius area.

Another Polish operation began in mid-November and was intended to capture Kaunas.

