22.06.41The 6th Panzer Division is assigned to Panzer Group 4, XXXXI Army Corps (Motorised), 18th Army, Army Group North. The division is split into two battle groups (Kampfgruppe Raus and Kampfgruppe von Seckendorf). Both battle groups cross the Nemen River to the north of Tilsit in East Prussia on engineer bridges during the night, then proceed to attack from the march following a short artillery barrage at 0305 hours. By 0600 hours, the division has advanced to within 4km of Tauragė (a.k.a. Tauroggen) in Lithuania on it's way to the Dubysa River. Several well-defended trench positions are overcome during the course of the day, but the division fails to reach it’s objective for the day - a bridgehead over the Dubysa River - as Soviet resistance is stronger than expected.
23.06.41The advance towards the Dubysa River continues at first light. Kampfgruppe von Seckendorf captures the town of Rossienie (a.k.a. Raseiniai) in Lithuania on the afternoon, against light resistance. Both battle groups have formed bridgeheads over the Dubysa River by the early evening. Kampfgruppe von Seckendorf is attacked by the 2nd Motorised Rifle Regiment of the 2nd Tank Division at nightfall, but the attack is repulsed.
24.06.41Kampfgruppe von Seckendorf is attacked during the early hours of the morning by a large number of Soviet tanks of the 2nd Tank Division, including the first appearance of the KV heavy tank against the Germans. The attack is supported by artillery. The battle group is forced to evacuate the bridgehead after sustaining heavy losses. The 2nd Panzer Battalion is ordered to recapture the bridgehead, but after three successive attempts during the course of the day, it fails to dislodge the Soviet troops from the west bank of the river. The road between Rossienie and Kampfgruppe Raus is blocked by a single KV heavy tank until the following day.
25.06.41The Soviets withdraw from the west bank of the Dubysa River during the night, allowing Kampfgruppe von Seckendorf to re-establish it’s bridgehead across the river during the day. Kampfgruppe Raus widens it’s bridgehead to the north and, together with the 1st Panzer Division approaching from the north-west, encircles the 2nd Tank Division. Fighting rages all day, but by nightfall the 2nd Tank Division is out of fuel and ammunition.
26.06.41Contact is established with the 1st Panzer Division advancing from the north-west. The remnants of the 2nd Tank Division are mopped-up.
27.06.41The division advances towards the Dvina River (a.k.a. Duna River) against negligible resistance.
28.06.41The division reaches the Dvina River between Livony and Jacobstadt. The division has advanced some 300 kilometres (185 miles) in just six days.
29.06.41The division crosses the Dvina River and establishes a bridgehead near Livenhof (a.k.a. Libemuze).
30.06.41The division remains in the bridgehead near Livenhof.
~ July 1941 ~