THE CAMELS ARE COMING

by W. E. Johns

XVII. THE LAST SHOW (Pages 245 – 259)

“In the days that followed his tragic affaire, Biggles flew with an abandon and with such utter disregard of consequences, that Major Mullen knew that if he persisted it could only be a matter of time before he ‘failed to return’”. The C.O. speaks with McLaren and Mahoney. Mahoney says “Biggles is finished unless he takes a rest”. “He’s drinking whisky for his breakfast, and you know what that means – he’s going fast. He drank half a bottle of whisky yesterday morning before daylight and he walked up to the sheds as sober as I was”. (When reprinted in “Biggles Pioneer Air Fighter” this became “He’s drinking, and you know what that means – he’s going fast. Of course, a fellow doesn’t get drunk when he’s in the state Biggles is in”). The C.O. says he has to send somebody home to form a new Squadron – of Snipes, and although McLaren and Mahoney are more senior, he wants to send Bigglesworth. McLaren and Mahoney have no objection. The C.O. also says that he shall be going to Wing in a week or two, he has heard, and either McLaren or Mahoney will have to take over at 266. Biggles is out flying and thinking of Marie. He flies over Chateau Boreau and thinks he sees a blue-clad figure waving a black and white scarf. He returns to base to be told that tomorrow is going to be a “big show”. That evening a notice is put on the Squadron notice board. Promotions Act Capt. J. Bigglesworth, M.C. to Major W.E.F. 10.11.18 (Authority) P.243/117/18. Postings Major J. Bigglesworth, from 266 Squadron to Command 319 Squadron. H.E., W.E.F. 11.11.18. P.243/118/18. Biggles is not pleased to be told that he will be getting Sopwith Snipes. “Camels are good enough for me”. Asking about the raid tomorrow, he is told that targets include Chateau Boreau. Mahoney slaps Biggles on the back and says “Have a drink, Biggles”. “Biggles swung round with a curse”. (In “Biggles Pioneer Air Fighter” this became “Go to -). “No, I didn’t mean that, old lad,” he said quickly. “I was a bit upset at leaving the Squadron. Sorry”. Biggles asks Major Mullen if he can leave tomorrow afternoon, so he can do one last show with the Squadron in the morning and he is given permission to do this. Biggles can’t sleep that night. “It crossed his mind that he might drop a message of warning, but he dismissed the thought at once, because such an act would definitely make him a traitor to his own side. The thought of returning to England and leaving the girl to her fate without lifting a finger to save her nearly drove him to distraction. After all, the girl had tried to save him when the positions had been reversed!” The next morning he flies off with Cowley and Algy and a host of aircraft to bomb the Boche aerodrome at Lille. Here they are engaged in a huge aerial dog-fight and Biggles is caught in a hail of gunfire. “A burning pain paralysed his leg”. Biggles fights on and shoots down a Fokker but his plane is hit again and he goes down. “Biggles knew his time had come. He knew he was going down under a hail of lead in just the same way as he had seen dozens of machines go down, as he himself had sent them down. He knew he was going to crash, but the knowledge left him curiously unmoved”. Biggles crashes but is able to get away from the blazing Camel. German soldiers appear. “One of them stepped forward; “Schweinhunt flieger!” he grunted, and kicked him viciously in the side. Biggles bit his lip at the pain”. A German officer with the Pour-le-Merite Order and an Iron Cross of the First Class calls the soldier off. “So you have had bad luck,” he said, in English, with scarcely a trace of accent. “Yes,” replied Biggles with an effort, forcing a smile and trying to get on to his feet. “And I am sorry it happened this morning”. “Why?” “Because I particularly wanted to see a raid this afternoon,” he answered. “Yes? But there will be no raid this afternoon,” replied the German smiling. “Why not?” The German laughed softly. “An Armistice was signed half an hour ago – but of course, you didn’t know”.