Returning to Germany, Mölders was promoted to "Major" on 19 July 1940 and took command the following day of "Jagdgeschwader" 51 (JG 51) from the recently promoted "Generalmajor" Osterkamp. On 26 July, Mölders took command of JG 51 and flew from Brandenburg-Briest to the French coast on the English Channel. At the time, JG 51 were based at the Saint-Inglevert Airfield, Pas-de-Calais, France. Mölders flew his first combat sortie with JG 51 on 28 July, attacking a No. 41 Squadron RAF Supermarine Spitfire flown by Flying Officer Tony Lovell. On this mission, according to legend, Mölders was hit in a dogfight over Dover by the South African ace Sailor Malan, sustaining three splinter wounds in the lower leg, one in the knee and one in the left foot. "Oberleutnant" Richard Leppla shot down the pursuing Spitfire, and Mölders was able to make an emergency landing at Wissant, France. Recent research suggests Mölders was actually wounded in combat by Flight Lieutenant J.T (John Terence) "Terry" Webster DFC in a Spitfire of No. 41 Squadron RAF. Webster was killed in action on 5 September 1940. Mölders wounds, although not serious, kept him from further operational flying for a month. "Generalmajor" Osterkamp briefly led the" Geschwader" again during Mölders' convalescence. On 7 August 1940, Mölders returned to the "Geschwader" without medical clearance for combat, to participate in Operation Eagle Attack (code name "Adlertag"). Hitler had issued Führer Directive no. 17 on 1 August 1940; the strategic objective was to engage and defeat the RAF so as to achieve air superiority in preparation for Operation Sea Lion ("Unternehmen Seelöwe"), the proposed amphibious invasion of Great Britain.