In March 1943 Błyskawica replaced , which was sunk by E-boats on 12 March 1943, in Cruiser Force Q based at Bône, North Africa. In January 1944, the Błyskawica was assigned to the Anglo-Polish-Canadian 10th Destroyer Flotilla that battled the Kriegsmarine for the control of the English Channel. The Canadian sailors could not pronounce the name of the Błyskawica correctly and always called her the "bottle of whiskey". On 8 June 1944, the Błyskawica took part in the Battle of Ushant against Kriegsmarine destroyers.
