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Halifax gr mk II with bombs

pasted from:
https://uboat.net/allies/aircraft/halifax.htm

It was obvious that the four-engined long-range bombers could be very useful to Coastal Command, but Bomber Command was very reluctant to release even a few aircraft. It always argued that the bombers combatted the German U-boats more effectively if they were used for attacks on the German production base and the U-boat pens. When Bomber Command was eventually forced to release some of its four-engined bombers to other branches of the RAF, it preferred to release Halifaxes rather than Lancasters. Hence the Halifax also served as maritime patrol aircraft, meteorological reconnaissance aircraft, glider tug, and transport. Bomber Command was especially anxious to get rid of the Halifax Mk.V with its brittle undercarriage legs.

But initially, Bomber Command only loaned units, and the Halifaxes of No.405 (RCAF) and No.158 Squadron flew U-boat patrols on behalf of Coastal Command. After exerting much pressure, Coastal Command acquired its own aircraft, and could equip squadrons 58 and 502 with the Halifax GR Mk.II. These modified B Mk.IIs were equipped with ASV Mk.III radar, and a fixed forward-firing .50 gun to suppress the Flak guns of an U-boat. The Halifaxes considerably hindered U-boat activities by forcing them to dive, but actual sinkings were rare. For example, No.58 sighted 15 U-boats in May 1943 alone and made 13 attacks; but it was credited with sinking three German and one Italian submarine during the year. In 1944 the Halifaxes increasingly flew night patrols.

Coastal Command aircraft could easily be distinguished from the bombers: All but the top surfaces were painted white, while in Bomber Command they were black. Armament could consist of up to eight 250lb depth charges, but in 1944 600lb anti-submarine bombs were introduced