Eric Brown
Atcham,
Maybe it's only in our revised 2006 edition of 'Wings on My Sleeve' but Eric Brown is quite clear how he managed to find a 'live' ME-163 and, after seeing a German instructor perform towed glides, and a demo' of the rocket motor, flew it under power from its' trolley at 06:00 from Husum.
Pages 104-5.
His authority to do so was dubious, as he knew, and there had been a ban on other pilots flying captured aircraft after some accidents; Winkle Brown had a piece of paper giving him special permission and willing German groundcrew, but whether this was applicable was unsure so he didn't take any chances.