BIGGLES SWEEPS THE DESERT

by Captain W. E. Johns

X. THE HABOOB (Pages 121 - 129)

The journey continues and a sandstorm arises - a haboob! Biggles uses the radio to send a message to the officer commanding the Luftwaffe at Wadi Umbo to tell them to pick up their prisoners as a haboob is coming their way. The winds and sands buffet the armoured car and sand gets in choking our heroes. Eventually the car grinds to a halt. Without water things look grim when Biggles receives a radio signal back from von Zoyton at Wadi Umbo to tell them there are reserves of water under the medical chest in the armoured car. "You'll sometimes find" (averred Biggles) "that is you throw a crust of bread on the water you get a slice back". "Without this water we were all dead men". Having drunk their fill and having a good supply in bottles, our heroes are able to walk across the desert back to their base at Salima Oasis. As they approach there is an aerial battle going on.