In March 1943 "Błyskawica" replaced , which was sunk by E-boats on 12 March 1943, in Cruiser Force Q based at Bône, North Africa. In January 1944, the "Błyskawica" was assigned to the Anglo-Polish-Canadian 10th Destroyer Flotilla that battled the "Kriegsmarine" for the control of the English Channel. The Canadian sailors could not pronounce the name of the "Błyskawica" correctly and always called her the "bottle of whiskey". On 8 June 1944, the "Błyskawica" took part in the Battle of Ushant against "Kriegsmarine" destroyers.