I have now found the
full set of METARs for FYWH (alas, they don't seem to exist for Eros). I have flown from Eros, but cannot remember how the wx conditions there correlate with FYWH.
IF (and locals will be able to comment) the wind conditions are similar between the two, then in my mind there was no pressing need to take off from 19. He would have had a couple of knots tailwind taking off from 01. No big deal.