He was assigned as chief of staff of the 16th "Lithuanian" Rifle Division in April 1943 and its commanding officer in September 1944.

[1] After graduating from the War School of Kaunas in 1921, he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to the 4th Infantry Regiment.

He was promoted to colonel in September 1938 and confirmed as chief of staff of the 3rd Infantry Division in November 1938.

[2] On 6 June 1941, just before the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Urbšas was sent to study at the Frunze Military Academy in Moscow and later Ufa.

It suffered significant losses and within the first month lost 1,169 dead and 3,275 injured out of total strength of 10,000.

[1] After recovering and receiving reinforcements, the 16th Rifle Division (as part of the 48th Army) participated in the Battle of Kursk in July–August 1943.

In October and November, the division unsuccessfully attacked German positions at Jeziaryšča [be] (Haradok District), Blinky [ru] and Borok [ru] (Nevelsky District, Pskov Oblast) suffering 2,390 casualties (dead and injured).

The division received reinforcements of conscripted Lithuanians and successfully withstood the German Šiauliai offensive.

[4] Urbšas was named the first honorary citizen of Klaipėda and awarded symbolic keys to the city.