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W.E. Johns Trivia

W.E. Johns Trivia Quizzes

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Captain W. E. Johns is best remembered as the creator of the pilot and adventurer Biggles, whose flying exploits span the time from World War I to his time in the Special Air Police after World War II.
12 W.E. Johns quizzes and 180 W.E. Johns trivia questions.
1.
  Basic "Biggles" Quiz - Captain W.E.Johns' Air Ace.    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This quiz is for those of you who have ever read a "Biggles" book. "Biggles" is the famous flying ace created by Captain W.E.Johns.
Average, 15 Qns, Philian, May 09 03
Average
Philian
345 plays
2.
  Biggles - the Golden Era Stories    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Most fans agree that the "Biggles" stories of the 1930s were amongst the best that Captain W.E.Johns ever wrote. Fly into adventure again with these questions.
Average, 15 Qns, Philian, Apr 01 09
Average
Philian
247 plays
3.
  Biggles and Erich von Stalhein.    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Erich von Stalhein is the perfect villain. He is clever; he is ruthless;he has a strange code of honour and his skills are highly respected by Biggles. So why does he never win ? Find out in these questions about all the best books in the series.
Average, 15 Qns, Philian, Apr 21 04
Average
Philian
224 plays
4.
  "Biggles 'Fails to Return'" by W.E.Johns    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
For well over half of this book the series' hero, Biggles, is missing. Follow the exploits of his three comrades whilst they search for their chief as you answer questions on this World War 2 adventure.
Tough, 15 Qns, Philian, Mar 09 04
Tough
Philian
204 plays
5.
  Worrals - a heroine of the skies !    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
"We need more girls in the WAAF" was the message given to Captain W.E.Johns during World War Two. And so the "Worrals" series took off and flew on for eleven exciting adventures. Fasten your safety belt and answer these questions.
Average, 15 Qns, Philian, May 14 03
Average
Philian
197 plays
6.
  Biggles and Bertie    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
The final member to join Biggles' group of comrades is Bertie or Lord Bertie Lissie to give him his full title. See how he gradually "mucks in" with his colleagues as he shares their adventures.
Tough, 15 Qns, Philian, May 04 04
Tough
Philian
215 plays
7.
  Biggles and Ginger    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
The youngest member of Biggles' team of comrades is Ginger. From the start he proves to full of courage, cunning and resourcefulness. Trace part of his career by looking at these questions.
Tough, 15 Qns, Philian, Apr 18 04
Tough
Philian
226 plays
8.
  Biggles and Algy    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
From the First World War to the end of his career Biggles is supported by his friend, comrade and cousin. Learn more about Algy's many appearances in the "Biggles" books by taking this quiz.
Tough, 15 Qns, Philian, Apr 17 04
Tough
Philian
224 plays
9.
  "Biggles & Co" - a top 1930s Biggles story.    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
"Biggles & Co" has been voted the top "Biggles" story by an on-line group of Biggles fans. Check out the details in this multi-choice quiz.
Average, 15 Qns, Philian, Jul 06 03
Average
Philian
219 plays
10.
  Biggles of the RFC    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Captain W.E.Johns' ace pilot first took to the air during World War One. All these questions are about those early stories. Will they shoot you down ?
Average, 15 Qns, Philian, Dec 18 12
Average
Philian
263 plays
trivia question Quick Question
In which WW1 squadron do Biggles and Algy first serve together ?

From Quiz "Basic "Biggles" Quiz - Captain W.E.Johns' Air Ace."




11.
  "Biggles Delivers the Goods" by W.E.Johns    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This is the final World War 2 full length "Biggles" adventure. It takes our hero and his squadron out to the far East.
Tough, 15 Qns, Philian, Jun 30 03
Tough
Philian
231 plays
12.
  Biggles in World War II    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Another war and another challenge for Captain W.E. Johns' redoubtable hero? Can you meet the challenge and shoot down these questions?
Average, 15 Qns, Philian, Jun 05 05
Average
Philian
297 plays

W.E. Johns Trivia Questions
1. In which book do Biggles and Erich von Stalhein first meet?

From Quiz Biggles and Erich von Stalhein.

Answer: Biggles Flies East

In fact Erich von Stalhein only appears in one of the Biggles "directions" books. "Biggles Flies East" is set during World War I. Biggles is working undercover and von Stalhein definitely has his suspicions about him. The book ends with a crash in which Erich is apparently killed.

2. In which "Biggles" book does Bertie first make his appearance?

From Quiz Biggles and Bertie

Answer: Spitfire Parade

The reader learns about Bertie Lissie before he actually enters the story for Air Commodore Raymond writes a letter describing him to Biggles as the new 666 squadron is formed.

3. What name does Ginger use when he serves in the French Foreign Legion?

From Quiz Biggles and Ginger

Answer: Hepple

Biggles also has his name clipped back and goes under the identity of "Biggs". The two of them have joined the legion in order to give a helping hand to Marcel Brissac. Much later in the story Biggles and Ginger find that their paths cross those of Erich von Stalhein. For a while there is even a strange alliance between them.

4. What sort of flowers did Algy attempt to grow near the Officers' Mess of 266 squadron?

From Quiz Biggles and Algy

Answer: sunflowers

Algy's attempts at developing a flower bed were destroyed by a German Hannoverana dropping a bomb. Biggles tells Algy that the aeroplane came from Aerodrome 29 and immediately Algy sets off for revenge on their beds of geraniums.

5. Which man did Algy, Ginger and Bertie decide to approach in order to find out what had happened to Biggles?

From Quiz "Biggles 'Fails to Return'" by W.E.Johns

Answer: Air Commodore Raymond

Air Commodore Raymond is attached to the Intelligence Branch of the R.A.F. He had used Biggles, Algy and Ginger on several missions during the 1930s and in the early stages of World War II. Bertie had also met him during "Spitfire Parade". In fact it was Raymond who assigned Bertie to Biggles' new squadron.

6. Where had the first consignment of gold been heading when the plane crashed and the crew were killed?

From Quiz "Biggles & Co" - a top 1930s Biggles story.

Answer: Paris

Cronfelt tells the story of the first bullion robbery in some detail and it turns out that Biggles had known the pilot who had been killed. Cronfelt goes on to point out the insurance problems and proposes that Biggles starts an airline on behalf of Cronfelt and Carstairs.

7. In which earlier "Biggles" book had Biggles met the character whom he knew by the name of Li Chi?

From Quiz "Biggles Delivers the Goods" by W.E.Johns

Answer: Biggles Flies Again

Back in 1934 or 1935 Biggles and Algy had been on a long flight home in their Vickers Vandal aircraft when they met the man who later turned out to be a Chinese pirate. However, Li Chi was a clever man who had been educated at Oxford and spoke perfect English.

8. Like any young and attractive girl aged 18 Worrals compelled a good deal of male attention.Who tried hard to become her regular boy-friend?

From Quiz Worrals - a heroine of the skies !

Answer: Flying Officer Bill Ashton

Poor Bill Ashton pursues her through several of the adventures but Worrals remains always just out of reach. There is no doubt, however, that Bill has a special place in her heart.When he falls into the hands of the Germans her heart nearly stops.

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

From Quiz Biggles in World War II

Answer: 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.

10. How do Biggles, Algy and Ginger first get involved in an adventure during the Spanish Civil War as described in "Biggles in Spain"?

From Quiz Biggles - the Golden Era Stories

Answer: Their ship is sunk and they swim ashore to Barcelona.

It is one of the most exciting openings in all the "Biggles" books. Biggles is supposed to be on a rest cure by taking a cruise on a Greek ship. Suddenly, out of the sky, comes a plane that dives down and unleashes a bomb. Men overboard !

11. What is the name of the commander of Squadron 169 which is Biggles' first aquadron in France?

From Quiz Biggles of the RFC

Answer: Major Paynter

Biggles starts his first combat missions in F.E.'s and his exploits are described in "Biggles Learns to Fly"? Major Mullen is his commander in 266 squadron which he transfers to later in the war.

12. What is Biggles' first name ?

From Quiz Basic "Biggles" Quiz - Captain W.E.Johns' Air Ace.

Answer: James

It is strange that the name "James" only comes up in a few books such as "The Boy Biggles". His initials are J.C. but Captain W.E.Johns never revealed what the "C" stood for. Even Biggles' only love, Marie, called him "Beegles" rather than by his first name.

13. In "Biggles & Co." von Stalhein arranges a firing squad.Which one of the comrades does he intend shall be the victim?

From Quiz Biggles and Erich von Stalhein.

Answer: Ginger

Von Stalhein tells Biggles that the firing squad was merely a ruse to get Biggles to give himself up. Ginger as a mere boy would not have been shot, he claims. It is sometimes difficult to know when Erich is telling the truth.

14. What had been Bertie's nickname at Cranwell R.A.F. College?

From Quiz Biggles and Bertie

Answer: Cissy

The name "Cissy" had been coined because of his appearance. He is first described as having "a wisp of hay-coloured moustache and a rimless eye-glass"" and "small aristocratic features". However, Bertie's record as a fighting pilot gives a lie to any idea of softness.

15. In which "Biggles" book does Ginger make his first appearance?

From Quiz Biggles and Ginger

Answer: Biggles and the Black Peril

Ginger and Biggles meet each other somewhere in the north-east of England. By following the geographical logic of the events in the book it is probably in County Durham. However, Johns contradicts this idea later in the book by using Northumberland as the locale.

16. In which book does Algy nearly get his head chopped off by the Japanese?

From Quiz Biggles and Algy

Answer: Biggles Delivers the Goods

The book describes in detail Algy's courage and self-control whilst he is under the most tremendous pressure. His answers to the Japanese Tamashoa show his defiance in the face of death. Naturally he is saved at the last minute by the arrival of Biggles and his group.

17. Biggles had been sent on a mission to rescue an Italian princess. From which part of Italy did she come?

From Quiz "Biggles 'Fails to Return'" by W.E.Johns

Answer: Sicily

The princess' father had been heavily involved in an anti-Mussolini movement. He was eliminated and the princess then plotted against the regime. She was assisted by members of a secret society, the sort of organisation that was very likely to be found on the island of Sicily.

18. What is the name of Biggles' housekeeper?

From Quiz "Biggles & Co" - a top 1930s Biggles story.

Answer: Mrs. Symes

This lady makes a few appearances in the "Biggles" books but we learn very little about her. On occasions she seems to provide cups of tea and in "Biggles Flies West" she notices the mess left by a clandestine visitor.

19. What has motivated Li Chi so strongly to join in the war effort against the Japanese?

From Quiz "Biggles Delivers the Goods" by W.E.Johns

Answer: His father had his head cut off by the Japanese.

W.E. Johns points out how ancestor worship is almost a religion with the people of China. Thus when a man loses a father to an enemy it is his duty to exact revenge. That is why Li Chi has come to offer his services to the British.

20. What colour best describes Worrals' hair?

From Quiz Worrals - a heroine of the skies !

Answer: brown

The point about Worrals is not that she is tremendously beautiful but that she is person with tremendous character. W.E.Johns gives her both brown hair and brown eyes. Her features were "regular" and she was "attractive in a way not easy to define".

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

From Quiz Biggles in World War II

Answer: 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.

22. Erich von Stalhein, the villain of the series, first appeared in the World War One story "Biggles Flies East" but in which story of the thirties does he suddenly come back to life?

From Quiz Biggles - the Golden Era Stories

Answer: Biggles & Co

Von Stalhein was apparently killed in a plane crash at the end of "Biggles Flies East" but Captain W.E.Johns knew he was too good a villain to waste. In "Biggles & Co" he is one of the brains behind a series of gold robberies and by the end of the book he shows his callous and ruthless nature once more.

23. Biggles' first observer and gunner is called Mark Way. From which country in the British Empire did he come?

From Quiz Biggles of the RFC

Answer: New Zealand

Mark has been in the R.F.C. for three months but he is already very experienced in air-fighting. It is thanks to him that Biggles makes such a good start as a combat pilot.

24. What is the name of Biggles' brother ?

From Quiz Basic "Biggles" Quiz - Captain W.E.Johns' Air Ace.

Answer: Charles

Charles Bigglesworth is only mentioned in the very early WW1 books. Unlike Biggles he seems to have been ideally cut out for joining the army. At school he was Head Boy and an all round success. At first young James (Biggles) believes he will never live up to his older brother.

25. What is the first name of Erich von Stalhein's nephew?

From Quiz Biggles and Erich von Stalhein.

Answer: Fritz

The nephew's full name is Fritz Lowenhardt. He comes to see Biggles in London after his uncle has been put into the political prison on the island of Sakhalin. Fritz wants Biggles to consider attempting a rescue of Erich.

26. What is the name of Bertie's mongrel terrier who bursts into Biggles' office in pursuit of a cat?

From Quiz Biggles and Bertie

Answer: Towser

Bertie declares to Biggles that he is just giving his dog some exercise. In the last story in "Spitfire Parade" Towser succeeds in making Biggles damage his wrist by suddenly darting in through the door and causing Biggles to trip and fall heavily. The result is that Bertie has to go on the secret mission in stead of Biggles.

27. In which English city do Biggles and Algy ensure that Ginger gets his first decent set of clothes?

From Quiz Biggles and Ginger

Answer: Newcastle

For a while the comrades are based at Cramlington aerodrome which is a few miles to the north of Newcastle. After Biggles is helped to escape from the house where he is being held the three of them visit Newcastle to make Ginger look more respectable. This all happens in "Biggles and the Black Peril".

28. In which book does Algy tell Ginger that he had seen Biggles crying once before whilst he was in France?

From Quiz Biggles and Algy

Answer: Biggles - Air Commodore

Biggles, Algy and Ginger had just witnessed the death of the last crew member of the "Bengal Star", the decoy ship that had been sunk by the enemy. Biggles is upset because he was responsible for the ship being there and thus, in a way, responsible for the deaths of all those sailors. Algy reveals his closeness to Biggles by revealing to Ginger that his friend has always been a sensitive man as well as a brave man.

29. After he lands, Ginger sets off through La Turbie. In honour of which Roman emperor had the monument of La Turbie been erected?

From Quiz "Biggles 'Fails to Return'" by W.E.Johns

Answer: Augustus

The area above and around Monaco was well known to the author. He creates a very special atmosphere of Ginger coping with the dangers of the present whilst being aware of a strange sensation of living in the past.

30. What is Stella Carstairs' attitude towards the gold bullion business?

From Quiz "Biggles & Co" - a top 1930s Biggles story.

Answer: She does not like it and wants her father to get out of it as soon as possible.

Her description is of dealings between men "who are utterly unscrupulous" and who are "pagans" and "Twentieth century infidels who worship the golden calf with such fervour that life, death and suffering mean nothing to them."

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