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.
Following Mölders's departure from the unit in September 1941 and his subsequent death that year, the unit took on his name in early 1942. The unit remained stationed on the central front line of the Eastern Front for the rest of 1941. Between June 22 and December 5, 1941, the unit successfully destroyed 1,881 Soviet planes while sustaining only 84 losses in air combat and one aircraft on the ground.