 On 22 March 1941, "Abdiel" (Captain Hon.Edward Pleydell-Bouverie) had acceptance trials interrupted and was ordered to lay mines with the objective of preventing the German battleships and breaking out from Brest.In operation 'GV', 'GX' and 'GY', "Abdiel" with the destroyers , and escorted by , and on 23 and 28 March laid mines in the vicinity of Little Sole Bank and WSW of Brest.