Galland found a partial solution to Göring's order to maintain close escort by developing a flexible escort system that allowed his pilots constantly to change altitude, airspeed, direction and distance to the bombers during close-escort operations. The results were better and acceptable to his pilots; by the end of the Battle of Britain, JG 26 had gained a reputation as one of only two fighter wings that performed escort duties with consistently low losses to the bombers. The worst day for JG 26 in the battle was 30 September when it lost four pilots for seven victory claims. Fighter bomber () operations became prominent in October and November as the bombers turned to night bombing (The Blitz) with London the main target. On 20 October 1940, in (Operation Opera), flew in support of a 300-aircraft mission against Fighter Command targets.