On 22 June the war began with the Luftwaffe attacking Red Air Force airfields. III./StG 1 was ordered to support the advance to Bialystok and Minsk—Battle of Białystok–Minsk. Until 29 July it also supported German forces in the Battle of Smolensk. III./StG 1 attacked road traffic in around the Roslavl, Gomel and Bryansk regions as Army Group Centre advanced east to Moscow until the beginning of August.