Z12 Erich Giese  to part in one mining operation in British coastal waters on 07.12.1939 where it torpedoed the British destroyer Jersey , damaging the ship heavily.  During in Operation Weserübung  the Z12 Erich Giese  was part of the Kriegsschiffgruppe 1 heading for Narvik, where it was sunk on 13.04.1940 after a battle with 6 British destroyers.