<sod>After Mölders' departure in September 1941 (and death later that year) the Geschwader adopted his name as a title of honor in early 1942. Jagdgeschwader 51 ''Mölders'' was to remain on the centre sector of the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Russian front]] throughout the rest of 1941. However, [[Oberstleutnant]] [[Friedrich Beckh]] (one of the few fighter pilots to wear spectacles) proved an uncharismatic commander after Mölders, and it was not until [[Major]] [[Karl-Gottfried Nordmann]] took over in April 1942 that a worthy successor to Mölders was found. 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.<ref>Bergström 2007, p. 116.</ref><eod>
<sod>After Mölders' departure in September 1941 (and death later that year) the Geschwader adopted his name as a title of honor in early 1942. Jagdgeschwader 51 ''Mölders'' was to remain on the centre sector of the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Russian 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.<ref>Bergström 2007, p. 116.</ref><eod>