She was joined at 11:25 by Prinz Eugen, which had departed the previous night at 21:18, off Cape Arkona.[33] The two ships were escorted by three destroyers—Z10 Hans Lody, Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt, and Z23—and a flotilla of minesweepers.[34] The Luftwaffe provided air cover during the voyage out of German waters.[35] At around noon on 20 May, Lindemann informed the ship's crew via loudspeaker of the ship's mission.