The first seven Re.2000 were sent to the Eastern Front on an experimental basis during autumn 1941. Flying alongside the Fiat CR.32s of 1/3 Fighter Company, the Reggiane pilots claimed eight kills, for one loss, during three months of combat, against Soviet Air Force. In the summer of 1942, Hungarian Air Force contributed with its 1st "Repülőcsoport" (aviation detachment) to the German offensive "Fall Blau". 1/1 Fighter Group (1./I "Vadász Osztály") equipped with 13 Re.2000s or "Héjas", reached its first front base near Kursk on 2 July. By 3 August, 2/1 FS joined the other Hungarian fighter unit, that had moved to Ilvoskoje airfield. The task of 2/1 was to escort short-range reconnaissance aircraft, while 1/1 would support bombing missions.