Upon his return to Germany he was awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds and promoted to Hauptmann (Captain). He then served on the Stab (Headquarters) flight of the newly formed IV. Gruppe of the Jagdgeschwader 132 (JG 132—132nd Fighter Wing). Over the next year, this Gruppe, which was commanded by Hauptmann Johannes Janke, was renamed to I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 331 (JG 331—331st Fighter Wing) on 3 November 1938, before becoming the I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) on 1 May 1939.
