Z8 Bruno Heinemann  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. The ship took part in two mining operations in British coastal waters. During in Operation Weserübung  the Z8 Bruno Heinemann  was part of the Kriegsschiffgruppe 2 heading for Trondheim. After the German attack on the Soviet Union, the 6th destroyer division transferred to Arctic, stationed in Kirkens until October 1941. After repairs in Germany, the destroyer was send to France as part of the 5th destroyer division to take part in Operation Cerberus  in February of 1942. On transit to france, the ship sunk by a mine hit on 25.01.1942 west of Ostend at 51°16'N,02°15'E.