 "Staffel" was subordinated, was withdrawn and ordered to Lübeck-Blankensee and then on 15 September to Vörden where the unit stayed until January 1940.There, the "Gruppe" flew fighter protection during the "Phoney War" on the German border to the Netherlands.On 23 September 1939, Balthasar received the Iron Cross 2nd Class () He was promoted to "Hauptmann" (captain) on 1 December 1939.