While it was recognised that the Ansons lacked sufficient range and payload to be effective in the ASW role, superior aircraft were not available.

Pilots from the squadron ferried more Ansons from RAAF Base Laverton to Bundaberg in early August, and it reached a strength of 18 aircraft on the 8th of that month.

[5] From late July 1943 onwards the squadron escorted Allied shipping travelling off the east coast of Australia.

66 Squadron aircraft also exercised with Royal Australian Navy ships east of Moreton Island on 29 and 30 August.

[6] In November 1943 the Government decided to reduce the military's ASW force as no Japanese submarines were known to have operated off Australia since June.