On 22 June 1941 Romania joined Operation Barbarossa in order to reclaim the lost territories of Bessarabia and Bukovina, which had been annexed by the Soviet Union in June 1940. Dobriceanu was in command of the 3rd Battalion of the "Vânători de Gardă" Regiment. His troops crossed the Prut River and took control of Lărguța on 12 July. For his actions during this operation he was awarded on 22 September the Order of the Star of Romania, Officer rank. Subsequently, he took part in the Siege of Odessa. He was promoted to Colonel in June 1943 and was put in command of the 1st Heavy Artillery Regiment.