Special Sub-Topic: Biggles in World War II Click Here To Play: Biggles in World War II

In which story do Biggles, Algy and Ginger actually hear the radio broadcast about the outbreak of World War Two?

Biggles in the Baltic. Strangely a lot of readers believe that "Biggles Defies the Swastika" is the first World War Two story. That is because Biggles is actually in Norway when the Germans invade.

In "Biggles in the Baltic" with which country are all the names of the aeroplanes in "Z" squadron connected?

Australia. Ginger chooses the name "Dingo", Algy picks "Didgeree-du", Biggles wants "Willie-Willie" and the spare machine is called "Platypus". Captain W.E. Johns may have done this to please his many Australian readers.

Who are the three flight lieutenants in Biggles' squadron during World War Two?

Algy Lacey, Bertie Lissie, Angus Mackail. All the people named in the answers are members of Biggles' squadron but Ginger is never given a flight to lead. He is looked after by Algy. Angus Mackail is one of the casualties of the war, though he is only injured and not killed. He makes an unexpected return in the post-war book "Biggles Takes a Holiday".

What is causing the British aeroplanes to fall out of the sky in the conflict with the Japanese in "Biggles in the Orient"?

chewing gum and chocolate that has been drugged. In this story Biggles is required to behave like Sherlock Holmes as he gradually eliminates all the possibilities until just one theory is left.

In which World War Two "Biggles" story does his squadron operate from a dried-up blue lake shown him by Captain Rex Larrymore?

Biggles in Borneo. This is also the story in which some of their allies prove to be head-hunters ! Perhaps the most unlikely event is Ginger taking off from the deck of an aircraft carrier in a Liberator - something which most aviation experts consider to be impossible.

What are the "goods" that Biggles manages to deliver in "Biggles Delivers the Goods"?

large quantities of rubber. The centre of the story of the rubber collection in the story is an island in the Mergui archipelago which is off the coast of Malaya. Time and again Biggles outwits the Japanese but unlucky Algy comes very near to getting his head cut off.

Which three people parachute into Monaco in an attempt to locate Biggles in "Biggles 'Fails to Return'"?

Algy, Ginger and Bertie. Bertie knows Monaco and Monte Carlo very well from the many holidays he spent there before the war. Algy and Ginger are Biggles' closest friends and so they are bound to take part in the adventure. Angus Mackail is left in charge of the squadron.

Who is the leader of the squadron against which Biggles conducts the operations in "Biggles Sweeps the Desert"?

Von Zoyton. Von Zoyton proves to be a tremendous pilot and a man with something of a chivalrous streak. After the war the turns up in "Sergeant Bigglesworth C.I.D." where he fights an aerial duel with Bertie Lissie.

What does Bertie actually do in the "Spitfire Parade" story "Bertie Picks the Lock"?

He blows up an important stretch of canal.. This assignment should originally have been carried out by Biggles but he was injured by Bertie's dog. Bertie flies over an agent who backs out of carrying out his part of the sabotage. In the explosion which takes place Bertie loses his monocle.

In "Biggles 'Fails to Return'" what is the name of the girl from Monaco for whom Ginger starts to develop a deep affection?

Jeanette. Apparently Captain W.E.Johns was told that he would lose his young readers if he started to introduce too much romance into the storyline of the "Biggles" books. Thus Jeanette vanishes without trace or explanation and Ginger never mentions her again.

In which wartime adventure does Biggles use a blue pencil as a means of communication?

Biggles 'Fails to Return'. Whilst injured in Monaco Biggles passes the blue pencil to Princess Marietta who writes the warning messages for the three comrades.

In "Biggles Flies Again" Biggles and Algy met Li-Chi, a celebrated Chinese pirate. He turns up once again during the Second World War with an interesting scheme. In which book does this happen?

Biggles Delivers the Goods. Li-Chi is the man who proposes the whole idea of taking the precious rubber from under the noses of the Japanese. He proves a very useful and ruthless ally as the operation gets under way on Elephant Island.

In which sort of aircraft do Biggles, Algy and Bertie make the attack on the oil store in "Thunder Over Germany", the "Biggles" story in the volume entitled "Comrades in Arms"?

Mosquito. The story is told from the point of view of young Peter Masters who goes on the raid to point out the target which is concealed beneath some concrete chicken houses. It is the only "Biggles" story in the book which contains also a "Gimlet" and a "Worrals" story.

In which World War Two story does Erich von Stalhein finally succeed in capturing Biggles, Algy and Ginger all at the same time?

Biggles Defies the Swastika. In "Biggles in the Baltic" he comes close to this on the island of Bergen Ait but Ginger is luckily still free. In "Biggles Defies the Swastika" the three comrades once again manage to wriggle free.

Which member of Biggles' squadron is hit on the head by the escaping Nazi pilot in "Biggles Sweeps the Desert"?

Henry Harcourt. Captain W.E.Johns is concerned to mark the difference between the Nazi pilot who breaks his parole and attacks Henry and the honourable Von Zoyton who returns a favour by telling Biggles where the spare water is kept in the armoured car. Biggles constantly tells the rest that he is not prepared to lower his standards even in war-time.