On 26 February, water from the Váh started flooding the airfield at Piešťany. The airfield had to be abandoned and I. "Gruppe" first moved to Pápa before returning to Veszprém on 28 February. Lipfert claimed his 183rd aerial victory, an Il-2 ground-attack aircraft, on 8 March. The following day, German forces attacked Soviet position on both sides of Lake Balaton during Operation Spring Awakening. Supporting this operation, I. "Gruppe" flew many missions to the combat areas near Zvolen and Székesfehérvár (). On 11 March, Lipfert shot down a Yak-3 fighter near Sárbogárd and another Yak-3 near Siófok. From 12 to 17 March, I. "Gruppe" continued fighting in the vicinity of Székesfehérvár. In this timeframe, Lipfert claimed his 186th aerial victory on 13 March, his 187th and 188th on 14 March, and his 189th on 17 March. On 20 March, with Soviet forces advancing, ground combat shifted to the area north of Lake Velence and to Székesfehérvár. Flying his second mission of the day, Lipfert shot down two Il-2 ground-attack aircraft, the first near Székesfehérvár, the second near Várpalota. On 22 March, the airfield Veszprém was taken by Soviet forces and the "Gruppe" relocated to Pápa where they were joined by the "Stab" (headquarters unit) of "Jagdgeschwader" 76 (JG 76—76th Fighter Wing).