NO REST FOR BIGGLES

In a matter of weeks, three aircraft flying over Africa had disappeared without trace and Biggles, who was called in to investigate, did not believe it was by accident. To prove his own theories, he, Ginger, Algy and Bertie were soon flying off on Operation Lex to discover what had forced these planes to land somewhere in darkest Africa.

by Captain W. E. Johns

First published 15^th March 1956

COLOUR FRONTISPIECE – “You’re under arrest,” he announced – See page 27”

TITLE PAGE – Page 3 (features a small drawing by Leslie Stead of an Africa native beating on a drum)

CONTENTS – Page 5

ILLUSTRATIONS – Page 7 – (six illustrations by Stead – the frontispiece, then facing pages 30, 65, 96, 137 and 152)

A MAP OF THE COMPOUND – Page 8

I. BIGGLES ANSWERS SOME QUESTIONS (Pages 9 – 19)

“Biggles considered the faces round the table of the high-level Court of Enquiry appointed to investigate the disappearance, over Africa, without trace, of three aircraft within a few weeks. Two were civil machines, air-liners of regular services; the other, the last, was a Hastings of R.A.F. Transport Command. He had been called to the conference room for expert opinion, but as this had not so far been sought he had merely listened to arguments which, almost without exception, favoured the “accident” theory in one form or another”. At last the President addressed him directly. “Inspector Bigglesworth, do you concur in the view that these machines were lost through accident?” “No, sir,” answered Biggles, quietly but firmly. Biggles explains his thinking. If there had been bad conditions such as turbulence, the radio operators on the aircraft would have reported it. Asked if there may not have been time Biggles says “All I can say to that, sir, is, I do not believe that three practically new machines of different types, each with a proved record for efficiency, and an ample margin of safety, could break up in the air, completely, in any weather conditions. Such a thing had never happened in my experience and I’ve flown through weather as bad as it’s possible to imagine. That it could happened three times within a few weeks introduces a coincidence factor no practical pilot would entertain”. Biggles thinks it was sabotage and the machines were interfered with and forced down. They must have been off course as no wreckage has been found. Biggles asks “Was it coincidence that in every case the aircraft was carrying a Very Important Person – bearing in mind that other machines, without such persons on board, went through on schedule?” Biggles doesn’t think the aircraft were shot down as again the radio operator would have “flashed a signal saying what was happening”. Biggles thinks this was not just an attempt to kill the VIP onboard as that would be easier on the ground. “It would be more advantageous to a potential enemy to have the man’s portfolio undamaged. I assume it would contain documents of a secret nature”. Biggles thinks two devices are in use, one to force the aircraft off course and the other to bring it down. The discussion continues and the Court of Enquiry accepts that this could not be handled by one individual. Biggles is asked if his suggestion is a foreign government has established a secret base in Africa. Biggles says his theory is that the aircraft are forced down within gliding distance of a possible landing ground. Biggles is asked how he might locate such a base. “If I am to undertake a search, sir, I’d prefer not to discuss the technical aspect of it outside my Operations Room”. Biggles says that if he was to run into the same trap, he would have the advantage of expecting trouble and ensuring that somebody knew where he was going. The President of the Enquiry suggests they adjourn the conference until Biggles is able to produce concrete evidence to support his opinion. “Lighting a cigarette Biggles walked slowly back to his office, where he found Algy, Bertie and Ginger, waiting for him”. Biggles briefs them on what happened. “I take it this means we’re going to Africa,” put in Ginger. “We shan’t find these machines anywhere else” Biggles tells him. Air-Commodore Raymond walks into the room. Looking at Biggles half reproachfully he remarked: “I’m afraid you’ve started something”. “I don’t see that you’ve anything to be afraid of, sir,” returned Biggles. “I’m the one who’ll get the dirty end of the stick if we find ourselves in the mud. Moreover, I haven’t started anything. It was the saboteur who scuppered the machines who pushed the starter”. “All right. How are you going to find him? I wasn’t happy to hear you commit yourself to that”. Biggles tells Raymond “This talk of a secret base. I glossed over it because I don’t believe it. A base is static. The thing that’s causing the mischief is mobile. I say that for this reason. The first two machines were lost on the or near the East Coast route. We can forget them. The trail’s stone cold. The last machine went down in West Africa. If the same device was used it must have been moved there – unless the enemy has got bases all over the place, which I can’t believe”. Biggles says “A high-ranking American general, with his assistants, who had been over the Far and Middle East looking for military bases, was at Aden when he had an urgent call to return to America for a conference. He decided that the quickest way he could get there was to fly across Africa to Dakar, from where he could catch the regular U.S. service home via the Azores. We laid on a machine for him, the route being Khartoum – Kano – Dakar. The aircraft was on schedule as far as Kano in Nigeria but it never got to Dakar. Somewhere on that section it got off course, which means that it could be in Nigeria, French West Africa, Dahomey, Sierra Leone or Liberia – all nice countries to get lost in”. Biggles suggests there could be another V.I.P. hurrying home from the Far East to attend the same conference in Washington and he will take the same route. Biggles says he will be that V.I.P and he will fly the plane with Ginger as his passenger. He will take the usual compass and another one heavily insulated in lead to keep a check on the standard instrument. He will follow the course of the lost aircraft, a Hastings Mark IV, (There was a Handley Page HP.67 Hastings which was a British troop-carrier and freight transport aircraft designed and manufactured by the Handley Page aviation company for the RAF. Upon its introduction to service during September 1948, to help with the Berlin airlift, the Hastings was the largest transport plane ever designed for the service) in the same aircraft if the Air Commodore can borrow one. Biggles says he is hoping to find two of their best pilots, Tony Wragg and Vic Roberts, who have logged ten thousand or more hours in the air. Raymond tells Biggles to be careful. Biggles sighed. “I’m always careful, sir. You know that. Why do you suppose I’m still alive?” “I sometimes wonder,” said the Air-Commodore, soberly, and went out. “Now, let’s get down to work,” Biggles told the others, briskly”.