Pilot Hatton really should have turned back toward base, at this point. Lady Be Good was alone. Her inexperienced navigator was nervous, the sun was setting, she was flying in and out of the clouds and through rain showers, and the high winds had pushed her toward the Libyan coast. Hatton knew that he would not reach Naples until 9 PM. Recognizing his target after dark would have been nearly impossible. He couldn't call for help on the radio, because radio silence was being observed in order to avoid detection by enemy aircraft. An experienced pilot would have seen that pressing on, under these circumstances, was foolish. But, Hatton was not experienced, so he pressed on. What he was thinking is anyone's guess. A courageous and determined man, Hatton may have wanted to accomplish his mission regardless of the conditions arrayed against him.
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