He was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) and made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) in 6./Jagdgeschwader 5 (JG 5-5th Fighter Wing) after his 11th victory on 20 July.
Ehrler was in command of 9./JG 5 at Fliegerhorst Bardufoss with 12 operational Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-3s.