Like the "Cavendish" class, they were mainly employed on the ocean trade routes, also seeing fleet service in the Far East in 1942–43 with the East Indies Fleet. However, unlike almost all of the other older cruisers, both ships had active employment until the last few months of the war, in almost every theatre. "Enterprise" served in Force H in 1940 when that naval task force attacked the French naval squadron at Mers-el-Kebir in July 1940. "Enterprise" after her 1942–43 refit served with the Home Fleet where, in company with the cruiser , she participated in the successful battle against a well-armed German destroyer and torpedo boat force in December 1943 in the Bay of Biscay.