BIGGLES DELIVERS THE GOODS

by Captain W. E. Johns

XX. THE STORM BREAKS (Pages 170 - 182)

For two days all is peaceful on Elephant Island and the Liberators are running to a regular time table. Biggles has flown out and seen the approach of the Japanese troop ships which will arrive by tomorrow evening. 3000 tons of rubber has been shifted and Biggles plans to burn the remaining 2000 tons, rather than allow it to fall into enemy hands. The pilots are virtually dead on their feet. Biggles gets some sleep but is awaken by the arrival of an aircraft - a Marauder. Two passengers get out, Air Commodore Raymond and Li Chi! The navy has taken over the "Sumatran" and flown Li Chi to Madras where he was waiting for a lift back and Raymond has obliged as he was coming out. Raymond takes Biggles up a hill to view Victoria Point. Here they witness 36 Fortress aircraft attack the stranded destroyers. Attention now turns to the Strait to the south where two big ships are emerging from the haze. Raymond smokes his pipe as they watch. Raymond tells Biggles Squadron Leader Johnny Crisp is coming to attack the ships. Minutes later, Beaufighters from an aircraft carrier arrive and the two ships are sunk. "Think you'll be able to manage the rubber?" asks Raymond. It should be easy - now," returned Biggles, smiling. "The rest of the story of Elephant Island is no more than a report of a routine operation." All the rubber is transported in the following month and Biggles' squadron is recalled to Home Establishment. It is reported in Japan that Admiral Tamashoa has been killed in action in the Mergui Archipelago. There had been no survivors from the sunken ships. Refugee Chinamen and Malays hiding on the islands saw to that. Lalla calls at Elephant Island to report that the Japanese have abandoned Shansie due to guerilla action and that rubber was also collected and transported. When Biggles squadron leaves, Lalla goes with them to India to join the R.A.F. He also sells his valuable collection of rubies and donates the money to the Red Cross. Li Chi and his men remain in the Archipelago.