the flotilla laid defensive minefields in the north sea in august and early september before it was transferred to the atlantic coast of france in mid-september. now based at brest the flotilla laid a minefield in falmouth bay during the night of 28/29 september. five ships totalling only 2,026 grt were sunk by this minefield. led by captain ("kapitän zur see") erich bey, "steinbrinck" and four other destroyers sortied for the southwest approaches on 17 october and were intercepted by a british force of two light cruisers and five destroyers. the british opened fire at extreme range and were forced to disengage in the face of long-range torpedo volleys and attacks by luftwaffe bombers without having hit any of the german ships. "steinbrinck" returned home on 7 november for a refit in stettin.