Stab and I. returned to France on 15 July at Audemburt, near Calais, a former grain field. It redeployed to 2 once again under the command of 2, though the date they became operational is unknown. Some ground crews did not reach France until August. Re-equipment with the more heavily armed and armoured Bf 109 E-4 was incomplete and many E-1s remained on charge. The pilots of JG 26 believed that a campaign against the United Kingdom would end in a swift victory. II. and III. were based at Marquise, Pas-de-Calais and Caffiers respectively. II. led by Karl Ebbighausen had 35 Bf 109s operational from 39 and Galland 38 from 40 serviceable. All four aircraft of the Bf 109s were combat ready and I. had 34 from 38 operational.