On 1 September 1943, Ehrler was unofficially appointed Gruppenkommandeur (Group Commander) of III. Gruppe of JG 5. The position had to be backfilled following Major Günther Scholz's promotion to Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) of JG 5 thus succeeding Oberstleutnant Gotthard Handrick. Ehrler's command of 6. Staffel was passed on to Oberleutnant Weissenberg. Ehrler then went on vacation for approximately one month. Following his return, Ehrler claimed his first aerial victory as Gruppenkommandeur and 116th in total over a P-40 on 24 September. On 25 November, following ten days of relative quiet, the Soviet Air Forces conducted a coordinated attack on Titovka, the Høybuktmoen airfield at Kirkenes, and the Luostari airfield near Pechenga. Titovka was attacked by sixteen Ilyushin Il-2s and six P-40s, escorted by six Yakovlev Yak-1s and four Yakovlev Yak-9s. Høybuktmoen was hit by twelve Petlyakov Pe-2s escorted by twelve Bell P-39 Airacobras and six Yak-9s. The Luostari airfield was struck by sixteen Il-2s and six P-40s, protected by fourteen Yak-1s and six Hurricanes. That day, Ehrler claimed two P-40s and two Il-2 ground attack aircraft, taking his total to 120 aerial victories.
