Despite navigator Dp Hays' nervousness, inexperience, and possible errors, he must have been somewhat aware of Lady Be Good's position- at least after 9 PM. For shortly after midnight on April 5, 1943, Lady Be Good overflew (or, at least flew near) Benghazi, Benina, and the airfield at Soluch. Indeed, Hatton's failure to find the Soluch airfield may have been the direct result of squabbling between Col. Compton and his radio crew at Benghazi regarding the type of aircraft that overflew the field that night.
Radio Operator LaMotte's sketchy log sheet does show that he made contact with Malta and Benina. His log ends at 10:05 PM.
A crewman on a B-24 which landed at Soluch at 11:10 PM stated that he heard Lady Be Good calling for a heading. This same person stated that it was assumed that Lady Be Good flew over Soluch and continued heading south.
Hatton's last radio call was transmitted at approximately 1:55 AM. "Faggart 64 to Lifebuoy. Faggart 64 to Lifebuoy. My direction finder is not working. Please give me a position report. I think I'm over the Mediterranean, close to Benghazi. Fuel almost gone. Will have to jump soon. Please give me a QDM."
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