The squadron used the Consolidated Catalina to patrol the Indian Ocean from its base at Diego Suarez in northern Madagascar.

Although the squadron headquarters remained at Diego Suarez, aircraft were also based in Kenya, Aden, Mauritius and South Africa.

Damaged by machine gun fire and depth charges from the plane, the U-boat was forced to remain on the surface.

Catalina FP-313 of 265 Squadron flown by Flying Office C Ernest Robin was called to attack, sinking the U-boat with all hands by depth charges.

[4] On 20 August 1944 Flight Lieutenant William Stewart Lough's Catalina FP104/H caught German submarine U-862 on the surface in the Mozambique Channel and attacked it.