First Published on 7th February 1957 - 192 pages

Air Commodore Raymond sends Biggles and Co. to investigate an apparent case of piracy in the Indian Ocean - in the region of the Nicobar Islands. Biggles has his doubts as to accuracy of the victim's story, (a Mr. Tidore), and he soon discovers that the piracy was really a dispute between smugglers. The rival smugglers murder Mr. Tidore and investigations trace their base, which is an island that was formerly occupied by the Japanese. The man behind the rival smugglers is known as "The Colonel". He is an ex-American officer, and he has access to the supplies of petrol that the Japanese abandoned on the island base at the end of the Second World War. A reconnaissance mission to the island leaves Biggles, Bertie and Ginger stranded after a storm hits unexpectedly. They have to use their wits to defeat the Colonel and his gang and prevent them from escaping from the island before help can arrive. The jacket dust cover shows gang members chasing after Ginger as he attempts to fly off in one of their planes.