Wing near Ostend. Fighter pilots from the two units claimed seven aerial victories in this encounter. This figure includes a Hurricane fighter from either No. 213, No. 229 or No. 242 Squadron shot down northwest of Ostend. RAF units lost six Hurricane fighters in this battle. On 9 June, German forces had breached the French defenses at the Somme-Aisne. That day, Ebeling claimed a M.S.406 shot down near Rouen. The aircraft was probably a Caudron C.714 from GC I/145 () which lost seven aircraft. By the end of the French campaign, he had claimed 5 victories. During the initial stages of the Battle of Britain against the RAF, Ebeling shot down 10 British fighters in August 1940, including three victories on 12 August and two more on 15 August. Squadron leader On 22 August, the command hierarchy in JG 26 changed. Hauptmann Adolf Galland, who had commanded III. Gruppe, was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of JG 26. In consequence, Hauptmann Gerhard Schöpfel, who had led 9. Staffel until then, succeeded Galland as Gruppenkommandeur of III. Gruppe and Ebeling was given command of 9. Staffel as Staffelkapitän (squadron leader). On 31 August, Ebeling claimed three aerial victories. JG 26 flew three combat air patrols to the northern banks of the Thames Estuary. Near North Weald, Ebeling claimed a No. 56 Squadron Hurricane fighter shot down at 09:50. In this encounter, his Bf 109 E-4 (Werknummer 3712—factory number) sustained combat damage, resulting in a forced landing in the English Channel. He was then rescued by a Dornier Do 18 flying boat from the Seenotdienst (sea rescue service). On a later patrol that day, Ebeling engaged combat with Hurricane fighters of the No. 85 Squadron and was credited with the destruction of two fighters northwest of Folkestone. In September, 9. Staffel began flying fighter-bomber missions. That month, Ebeling claimed three further aerial victories. Sources provide conflicting information regarding actions on 6 and 7 September. According to Caldwell, on 6 September, Ebeling shot down a No. 303 Squadron Hurricane fighter northwest of Dover. That day, the Luftwaffe had targeted RAF airfields and aircraft factories in southern England. According to the authors Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, this claim was filed on 7 September. On 7 September, the Luftwaffe launched a bombing campaign against the United Kingdom, predominantly against London, which was dubbed The Blitz. That day, Ebeling claimed two, only one was confirmed, No.