The subsequent month, the squadron transferred to the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier, HMS Victorious, to conduct operations in the Barents Sea region.

[3] The operations involved maintaining a presence with the carrier while utilising RNAS Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk), Mainland, Orkney, as a land-based support facility.

[3] Upon the completion of its work-up period, the ship departed for the Mediterranean to support the landings in Sicily, operating with an augmented complement of fifteen aircraft.

[6] The squadron reformed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), Hampshire, on 1 December 1943 and the unit retained its commanding officer, but incorporated twelve new Fairey Barracuda aircraft, a torpedo and dive bomber.

In November, 817 Naval Air Squadron was reassigned to HMS Unicorn and departed for South Africa, returning to southern India after spending several weeks on land.

[2] 817 Naval Air Squadron was reformed just over five weeks later at RNAS Rattray (HMS Merganser), Aberdeenshire, on 1 April 1945 and was equipped with eighteen Fairey Barracuda Mk II aircraft, which were outfitted with the AN/APS-04, an American ASV radar system.