In September 1941 and now a "generalmajor," Apell was appointed commander of the newly raised 22nd Panzer Division. Formed in France, much of the division's equipment was captured and foreign equipment with relatively few modern tanks. With its training completed, the division was transferred to the Eastern Front in February 1942. Apell led the division through the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula until July 1942, when he became ill and was replaced.