BIGGLES SWEEPS THE DESERT

by Captain W. E. Johns

XIII. BIGGLES TAKES HIS TURN (Pages 148 - 158)

Now down to two Spitfires and the Defiant, Biggles plans his attack on von Zoyton. Agly will fly the defiant at 11.00 pm to a point near Wadi Umbo where Ginger and Biggles will bale out and infiltrate the enemy camp. Bertie and Tug will attack at 12.00 midnight in the two Spitfires to help create a diversion. Taffy, Ferocity and Henry, not having aircraft, are sent to dig out the armoured car and patrol between their base and the German base in case anyone has to make a forced landing. Biggles and Ginger parachute out according to plan and bury their parachutes. (To Algy he said, “So long – see you later.” Biggles climbed out, and then dropped off into space – is the illustration on page 155. This Stead illustration is the one that is spoofed in ‘The Brand New Monty Python Bok’ on page 4 as the picture of Biggles stepping in a cow pat, heading a short story called ‘Biggles is Extremely Silly’. The original artwork by Stead for this illustration is in fact, owned by Michael Palin. The reason I know this is that I gave it to him). They then set out for von Zoyton's base at Wadi Umbo.