Bernd von Arnim was part of the 6st destroyer division at the outbreak of the war, operating in the Baltic Sea near Danzig and later transferred to the North Sea after the Polnish campaign. In September 1939 it was ordered to the North Sea for commerce warfare and was able to capture two Danish transports on their way to England. The ship took part in one mining operation in British coastal waters.

During in Operation Weserübung  the Bernd von Arnim was part of the Kriegsschiffgruppe 1 heading for Narvik. On 08.04.1940 it engaged the British destroyer Glowworm which was later sunk by the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper .

The ship was scuttled on 13.04.1940 in the Rombakkenfjord near Narvik after a battle with British destroyers because out of ammo and fuel.  In 1962, the wreck was broken down.