 At the end of 1940 Mayer had four victories to his credit and JG 2 "Richthofen" was withdrawn from combat to replenish the heavy losses it had sustained.Following a short tour as fighter pilot instructor at the "Jagdfliegerschule" (fighter pilot school) in Werneuchen, Mayer was sent back to the Channel Front.On 10 June 1941, "Oberleutnant" (First Lieutenant) Mayer was appointed "Staffelkapitän" (squadron leader) of 7.