BIGGLES DELIVERS THE GOODS

by Captain W. E. Johns

XVI. SORTIE TO SHANSIE (Pages 137 - 145)

Biggles and Ginger set off in the Liberator to bomb Shansie, with Biggles flying and Ginger operating the bomb release. They successfully blow up the embankment and cause a flood that rolls the Japanese aircraft over and over and if they were paper models. Flying back over the ocean they see a dilapidated kabang with two men in it. Ginger thinks he recognises Prince Lalla. On returning to base, Tug reports that the "Sumatran" is heading back towards their base. Ginger takes the Gosling to go and rescue Lalla from the sea. Henry mentions that he saw Johnny Crisp (a pilot character from the previous book, Biggles in the Orient). "He's got his own squadron now - Beau (Beaufighter) torpedo carriers. Says if you have a party he'd like to bring his gang along to it". Biggles smiled. " 'Fraid he's a bit too far away". Later, Ginger returns with Prince Lalla and Melong. Both are wounded, Melong is severely so. Lalla explains how they escaped from Shansie after the Japanese attack and agrees to join Biggles planned raid on Victoria Point. Melong dies during the night, before the fate of Melong's son is known. Biggles gets ready for the raid and agrees to Henry and Tug coming with them.