"friedrich eckoldt" was allocated to group 2 for the norwegian portion of operation weserübung. the group's task was to transport the 138th mountain infantry regiment ("138. gebirgsjäger regiment") to seize trondheim together with "admiral hipper". the ships began loading troops on 6 april and set sail the next day. "eckoldt"s port propeller shaft began to overheat shortly after passing the mouth of the elbe river and she had to slow down. the ship managed to repair the problem and joined the main body later in the day. the ship escorted "admiral hipper" as they entered trondheim fjord and both ships disembarked their troops once they reached trondheim harbor. all of the german ships proved to be very low on fuel after their journey and fuel oil was transferred to "eckoldt" from "theodor riedel" and "heinemann". "admiral hipper" and "eckoldt" attempted to leave on the night of 10 april, but the smaller ship proved to be unable to match "admiral hipper"s speed in the heavy seas encountered and was forced to turn back. after some fuel was discovered in trondheim on 12 april, the ship and "heinemann" sailed for germany two days later.