After Operation Barbarossa began, Gorshkov led the division in the border battles as part of the Southwestern Front and in the Battle of Kiev. The 206th was encircled and destroyed beginning on 22 September. Gorshkov reached Soviet lines in the sector of the 21st Army on 20 November, still armed and in uniform with his documents and decorations. Wounded in the head, he was carried out of the encirclement by his adjutant and a nurse. Later that month, he was appointed commander of the 15th Don Cossack Cavalry Division, forming in the North Caucasus. In July 1942 the division joined the North Caucasian Front and fought in the Battle of the Caucasus. For distinguishing itself, the division was converted into the 11th Guards Cavalry Division on 27 August, while Gorshkov received the Order of Lenin for his leadership, continuing in command of the 11th Guards. In late 1942 it joined the Black Sea Group of Forces of the Transcaucasian Front, defending the passes of the Greater Caucasus and then in actions in the Rostov-on-Don region. He was evaluated as a competent, bold, and decisive commander by his superiors for his leadership of the division.