After "Bismarck" joined the fleet, plans were drawn up for a sortie into the North Atlantic, which was codenamed Operation Rheinübung (Rhine Exercise). The operation initially called for a force composed of "Bismarck", "Tirpitz", and the two s. "Tirpitz" was not yet ready for service by May 1941, and was being overhauled. The force was reduced to "Bismarck", , and the heavy cruiser . "Gneisenau" was damaged by a British bombing raid on Brest, so it was decided that only "Bismarck" and "Prinz Eugen" would conduct the operation. Admiral Günther Lütjens was placed in command of the pair of ships.