Battles of Rzhev
III./StG 1 returned in time to render valuable air support to the collapsing German front. Army Group Centre's lines were penetrated and the Red Army drove a deep wedge, or salient, into the German-held territory. StG 1 operated on the seam between Army Group North and Centre and helped contain the Soviet advance. One pilot Erich Hanne claimed 16 tanks and 26 artillery and anti-tank guns destroyed. The German air operations were critical in stabilising the front and preventing a general collapse on the ground. The subsequent fighting on the central sector continued for over a year, and became known as the Battles of Rzhev. On 1 March 1942 II./StG 1 recorded 42 Ju 87s operational. On 13 May, while in Rzhev, the group supported Operation "Nordpol", a failed attempt to surround the 39th and 29th Soviet armies.