The two groups fought in the successful early phase of the battle. On 20 October 1941, I./ZG 26 was ordered to return to Germany and was renamed II./NJG 1 leaving II./ZG 26 and SKG 210 the only Bf 110 units in the Soviet Union. Days later, Luftflotte 2 was ordered to transfer to southern Europe and support the Battle of the Mediterranean. The Moscow offensive failed and was subjected to a large Soviet counter-offensive on 5 December 1941. II./ZG 26 remained on the central sector protecting the Demyansk Pocket.