"bernd von arnim" was allocated to group 1 for the norwegian portion of operation weserübung in april 1940. the group's task was to transport the 139th mountain infantry regiment ("139. gebirgsjäger regiment") and the headquarters of the 3rd mountain division ("3. gebirgs-division") to seize narvik. the ships began loading troops on 6 april and set sail the next day. "bernd von arnim" was spotted by the british destroyer in a storm on the morning of 8 april and the ship turned away to the north-west at full speed after laying a smoke screen. the german ship was suffering damage from the heavy seas at and was forced to reduce speed to after she had lost two men overboard. the british destroyer was better suited for the conditions and began to close on "bernd von arnim". lieutenant commander ("korvettenkapitän") curt rechel, captain of "von arnim", turned his ship to the north-east, closer to the heavy cruiser . the ships exchanged fire without effect for an hour until "hipper" came within range and sank "glowworm" shortly afterward.