Why Bismarck lacked German destroyer support

Why did Bismarck not sail with German destroyers?

Narvik had badly damaged German destroyer strength and confidence, and the available destroyers were not positioned to accompany Bismarck when needed.

The Royal Navy had badly damaged the German destroyer force at Narvik in 1940. Germany could rebuild numerical strength, but the losses affected confidence and encouraged more cautious use of the surviving force. The destroyers that might have accompanied Bismarck would also have separated from her by this stage of the sortie. The missing screen therefore reflects both the aftermath of Norway and the availability of ships at the relevant moment.