Werner Mölders
By the end of 1941 the Luftwaffe had been reduced to just 30–40% of their original strength. The winter weather and the snow caused damage to aircraft, as engines seized and the oil and fuel froze inside the tanks. The Luftwaffe was losing as many aircraft damaged than in combat. The Luftwaffe also lost its "General der Jagdflieger" Werner Mölders, who was killed on 22 November in an accident, sapping morale even further.