Mölders returned to approved operational flying status and flew his next two combat missions on 28 August 1940. His aide and wingman, "Oberleutnant" Kircheis, was shot down and taken prisoner during one of these missions; "Oberleutnant" Georg Claus took his place. Mölders claimed three Hurricanes on 31 August and was mentioned again in the "Wehrmachtbericht". "Oberleutnant" Victor Mölders, his younger brother, who had been appointed "Staffelkapitän" of the 2./JG 51 on 11 September, was shot down and taken prisoner of war on 7 October 1940 by Archie McKellar. Two Spitfires of No. 92 Squadron RAF (Sgt PR Eyles and P/O HP Hill, both killed) were shot down near Dungeness on 20 September increased Mölders' tally of aerial victories to 40. He was the first fighter pilot to reach this number during the war and was awarded the 2nd Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves () on 21 September 1940. The award was presented by Adolf Hitler on 23 September in the Reich Chancellery in Berlin. After the award ceremony, Hermann Göring invited Mölders to his hunting lodge in the Rominter Heide.