When the next Soviet offensive, Operation Bagration, started at the end of June, its devastating force shattered most of Army Group Centre and forced rapid retreats. Despite inflicting nearly 500 losses on the Soviets, JG 54 was powerless to halt the advance. In August, the "Jagdwaffe" (Luftwaffe fighter force) had a major unit re-organization. From this 6./JG 54 was renamed 16./JG 54, and transferred to operate as part of IV./JG 54 which was re-equipping near Warsaw at the time. Having recently lost their "Staffelkapitän" (Squadron leader), "Oberleutnant" Sterr was appointed the unit's "Staffelführer" (Flight leader) also in August. His last shootdown on the Eastern front was a Yak-9 fighter, which he shot down on 12 August.