Battles of Rzhev
On 2 July 1942, the 9th Army launched Operation Seydlitz as part of the Battles of Rzhev. Defending against this operation, the Soviet Air Forces (VVS—"Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily") attacked the Luftwaffe airfield at Bryansk on 5 July. II. "Gruppe" of JG 51 was scrambled and claimed 46 Soviet aircraft shot down for the loss of Bf 109s damaged. That day, Grasser was claimed eight aerial victories, making him an "ace-in-a-day".