 In the spring of 1942, a series of multiple victories (five aircraft on 24 March, seven on 30 March and seven on 20 April), saw Ihlefeld become the fifth pilot on 22 April 1942 to reach 100 victories during World War II.During the period of Ihlefeld's leadership, "I./JG 77" was credited with the destruction of 323 enemy aircraft while losing only 17 Messerschmitt Bf 109s.On 10 May 1942, Ihlefeld was replaced by "Hauptmann" Heinrich Bär as "Gruppenkommandeur" of I.