As a result of his injury, Grasshoff transferred to pilot training school at Johannisthal. Although the historical record is unclear, it appears that Grasshoff originally trained to pilot two-seat observation aircraft, and by November 1916 as an Oberleutnant he was assigned to Jasta 15 as a single-seater pilot, based at Habsheim. During his service with Jasta 15, Grasshoff developed a close friendship fellow pilot Ernst Udet.
Oberleutnant Grasshoff reported to Armee Flug Park B on 1 March 1917 and was assigned as Commanding Officer of new fighter unit Jasta 37, based at Möntingen, on 10 March 1917. Over the next months, Oberleutnant Grasshoff’s friend Udet became weary of his service in Jasta 15, then located at La Selve. According to Udet’s biography, translated into English under the title Ace of the Iron Cross, on 4 June 1917: “I write to Grasshoff, an old friend from the days at Habsheim -- ‘I want to go to another front, I would like to come to you. I’m the last of Jasta 15, the last of those once left from Mülhausen to go to Champagne.”
The transfer was arranged and Udet began his service with Jasta 37 on 19 June 1917.
Udet’s biography by van Ishoven adds additional insights about Oberleutnant Grasshoff. After Udet outfits an abandoned house with a large bed, Grasshoff reportedly commented, “With a landing area of such size, you can set yourself down as you wish, whichever way the wind is blowing.” Another Jasta 37 pilot noted that he and Udet often played “tag” in the air. Grasshoff, who watched these exercises from his canvas chair on the edge of the airfield, soon advised, however, that “No more of my men are going to do this kind of thing!” Van Ishoven’s biography also suggests that Oberleutnant Grasshoff, who did not claim any enemy aircraft kills, sought transfer to Macedonia where he believed it might be easier to have success in the air.
Udet succeeded Oberleutnant Grasshoff as commander of Jasta 37 when Grasshoff became commander of Jasta 38, and made several other references to his friend: “Many were surprised at Grasshoff leaving me in command when he was transferred to Macedonia. There are men here senior both in years and rank. But, back in the fall, when I brought down the three Englishmen over Lens, he had promised it to me. It was a surprise success in Guynemer’s style. I came down out of the sun and attacked the last one on the outside left, finishing him with five rounds. Then the next one and, finally, the leader. The other two were so surprised, they didn’t get a shot off. The whole thing didn’t last more than twenty seconds, just as it was with Guynemer back then. In war, one must learn the trade of fighter piloting or get knocked off. There is no alternative. When I land, Grasshoff knew all about it. ‘When I leave here some day, Knaegges, you will inherit the staffel,’ he said. Thus I became the C.O. of Jasta 37.”