Wilcke was promoted to "Oberst" on 1 December 1943 and requested permission to fly operationally and lead his "Geschwader" from the air. In February 1944, although still officially banned from flying operations, Wilcke ignored the order and flew several missions leading his "Stabsschwarm" against the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in Defense of the Reich missions. He claimed his 157th victory, over a Lockheed P-38 Lightning, on 10 February and his 158th, over a Consolidated B-24 Liberator, on 24 February. He shot down two Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers on 4 March 1944, his 159th and 160th aerial victories. On 6 March, his Bf 109G-6 was crippled in aerial combat and he made an emergency landing at Neuruppin. Combat on 6 March cost both sides heavy losses. The Eighth Air Force lost 75 four-engined bombers and 14 escort fighters, the Luftwaffe lost 65 aircraft; 36 German pilots were killed and 27 wounded.