Unternehmen Cerberus
In October 1940, Oberst Ibel became "Kommandeur" of "Jagdfliegerschule 4" (Fighter Pilot School), where he remained until June 1941, when he was promoted to Generalmajor, and appointed Jagdfliegerführer 3 (Jafü 3) in occupied France. In February 1942 Ibel acted as liaison officer with the Kriegsmarine during the Channel Dash when the Luftwaffe provided effective air cover over the battle cruisers "Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau", and heavy cruiser "Prinz Eugen" passage through the English Channel.