In May 1941, Lütjens commanded a German task force, consisting of the battleship "Bismarck" and the heavy cruiser , during Operation Rheinübung. In a repetition of "Berlin", Lütjens was required to break out of their naval base in occupied Poland, sail via occupied Norway, and attack merchant shipping. The operation went awry and the task force was soon spotted and engaged near Iceland. In the ensuing Battle of the Denmark Strait, was sunk and three other British warships were forced to retreat. The two German ships then separated. Three days later, on 27 May, Lütjens and most of the ship's crew lost their lives when "Bismarck" was caught and sunk.