|
There is a very reasonable explanation. Franks and Bennett explain at page 61 that Lt Turner of the Royal Garrison Artillery, instructed Gunner Twycross to to climb out of their observation trench "and take the German pilot prisoner before he could set his plane on fire". Twycross ran over to the plane and heard Ricthofen say his 3 words. Then, "Gunner Twycross, smelling the petrol, hearing the ticking sound made by hot metal as it cools, and seeing several soldiers running towards the aeroplane, prudently returned to his post."
In other words Twycross had come and left before the others arrived.
|