During the first half of 1943 Japanese submarines operated off the Australian east coast, sinking 16 ships and damaging several more.

In response to these losses the Australian Government expanded the military's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) forces.

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

71 Squadron Anson was patrolling over a convoy when the merchant ship SS Fingal was torpedoed and sunk.

71 Squadron took part in the subsequent intensive search for both further survivors and the submarine responsible, but only found empty life rafts.

The aircraft ran low on fuel shortly after the attack, and had to return to base without sighting the submarine.