After Mölders's departure in September 1941 and death later that year, the unit adopted his name in early 1942. The unit remained on the centre sector of the Eastern Front throughout the rest of 1941. In the period 22 June - 5 December 1941 the unit destroyed 1,881 Soviet aircraft against 84 losses in aerial combat and a single aircraft on the ground.
After Mölders's departure in September 1941 and demise later that year, the unit adopted his name in early 1942. The unit continued to operate on the central sector of the Eastern Front throughout the remainder of 1941. During the period June 22 - December 5, 1941, the unit destroyed 1,881 Soviet aircraft with only 84 losses in aerial combat and a single aircraft on the ground.