I./KG 55 moved to Le Bourget on 11 February while the other two "Gruppen" resumed operations from their stations of the previous winter. On 10/11 March the Luftwaffe returned Portsmouth and to the West Midlands on the night of the 11/12. pitted its entire strength including "Stab"./KG 55 against Birmingham. The attack is notable as 5 "staffel" of II./KG 55 lost two He 111s to night fighters this night—Pilot "Feldwebel" Karl Brüning became a prisoner of war but his crew were killed by a Boulton Paul Defiant from No. 264 Squadron RAF flown by Flying Officer Frederick Hughes. Pilot "Oberfeldwebel" Karl Single was shot down by a No. 96 Squadron RAF Hawker Hurricane flown by Sergeant McNair, though three of his crew were killed. On 14/15 March KG 55 flew diversionary raids to Sheffield and Plymouth to allow other units to bomb Glasgow. One of its pathfinders fell to No. 604 Squadron RAF Bristol Beaufighter piloted by Flying Officer Keith Geddes. The growing efficiency of night fighters increased German bomber losses. On 10 April "Major" Rudolf Kiel took command of I "Gruppe" from "Hauptmann" Otto Bodemeyer. Kiel led the group until 6 January 1943.