"ihn" was under repairs during operation weserübung in april and did not leave the dockyard until may when she began working up as part of the 5th destroyer flotilla. the flotilla was transferred to the atlantic coast of france in early september and was attacked by bristol blenheim bombers of the royal air force on 11 september while crossing the baie de la seine without result, although "ihn" was near-missed. 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 "kapitän zur see" erich bey, "ihn" 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. "ihn" returned home on 7 november for a refit in stettin.