On 16 May, "Prinz Eugen" made the return voyage to Germany under her own power. While en route to Kiel, the ship was attacked by a British force of 19 Bristol Blenheim bombers and 27 Bristol Beaufort torpedo bombers commanded by Wing Commander Mervyn Williams, though the aircraft failed to hit the ship. "Prinz Eugen" was out of service for repairs until October; she conducted sea trials beginning on 27 October. Hans-Erich Voss, who later became Hitler's Naval Liaison Officer, was given command of the ship when she returned to service. In reference to her originally planned name, the ship's bell from the Austrian battleship was presented on 22 November by the Italian "Contrammiraglio" (Rear Admiral) de Angeles. Over the course of November and December, the ship was occupied with lengthy trials in the Baltic. In early January 1943, the "Kriegsmarine" ordered the ship to return to Norway to reinforce the warships stationed there. Twice in January "Prinz Eugen" attempted to steam to Norway with "Scharnhorst", but both attempts were broken off after British surveillance aircraft spotted the two ships. After it became apparent that it would be impossible to move the ship to Norway, "Prinz Eugen" was assigned to the Fleet Training Squadron. For nine months, she cruised the Baltic training cadets.