With the German invasion of the Netherlands in 1940, and the defeat of the nation, "Douwe Aukes" and "Van Merleent" both sailed for the United Kingdom in May. "Van Merleent" was transferred to British Royal Navy service on 14 March 1941. "Douwe Aukes" was converted to a convoy escort leader and transferred to Royal Navy service on 29 April 1941. "Van Merleent" did not survive much longer when on 4 June 1941, the vessel was mined and sunk in the Thames River estuary. "Douwe Aukes" survived the war and was returned to the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1945. In 1948, the vessel was converted to a depot ship and remained as such until scrapped in 1962.