Werner Mölders
World War II in Europe had begun on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. JG 51, under the command of "Oberst" Werner Mölders, was preparing for Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union which was launched on 22 June 1941. On 29 June, Brendel claimed his first aerial victory. On 1 July, he was promoted to "Leutnant" (second lieutenant) and two days later he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class ().