Archival Research

Early on the morning of 26 June 1941, the 8th Panzer Division in Erich von Manstein’s LVI Panzer Corps captured the critical vehicle and railroad bridges over the Western Dvina River at Dvinsk.

The 8th Panzer Division reported achieving complete surprise and capturing both bridges before 07:30 on the morning of 26 June 1941:

However, both bridges were partially damaged. The vehicle bridge could only handle medium loads, and the railroad bridge was cracked and not usable for rail traffic.

Sources: 8th Panzer Division, Ia, Kriegstagebuch, Band I, NARA Record Group 242, Series, T315, Roll 483, Frames 000666-000667; 8th Panzer Division, Ia, Kartenlage zum Kriegstagebuch, 22-30 June 1941, NARA Record Group 242, Series, T315, Roll 484, Frame 000206. Available at https://catalog.archives.gov/id/345856293 and https://catalog.archives.gov/id/345857282.