First published  1941. 1951 reprint. pp. 256 #280824

(from biggles.info) This contains thirteen chapters, many of which are rewrites of World War I Royal Flying Corps short stories, rewritten as World War II Royal Air Force.

Chapter I – BIGGLES TAKES OVER

Biggles has been given command of 666 Fighter Squadron which consists of officers who do not take too kindly to discipline and for the first time we meet Lord Bertie Lissie (although the character was in the two short stories SO THIS IS WAR and SPITFIRE PARADE published in Air Stories in February 1940 and March 1940 – click here for more details).  Bertie will become a regular and popular companion for almost all of the future Biggles books. This chapter then goes on to introduce two of 666 Squadron’s pilots, George ‘Ferocity’ Ferris (from Liverpool) and Tex O’Hara (from Texas, U.S.A.) when Bertie is detailed to take “B” flight out (consisting of himself, Ferris and O’Hara) to escort a Blenheim back from taking photographs over Calais.

(With the exception of the first 10 pages, which is original work to set the scene, the original version of this story was published in Air Stories in February 1940 and called SO THIS IS WAR)

Chapter II – THE COMING OF CARRINGTON

Another pilot, Tug Carrington arrives and immediately shows his abilities by shooting down a German Junkers bomber.

(The original version of this story was published in Air Stories in October 1939 and called “HARD CASE” CARRINGTON”)

This story can also be found in Volume 1, Issue 3 of the Air Training Corps Gazette (May 1941)

Chapter III – THE ARRIVAL OF ANGUS

Angus Mackail is flying down to join 666 Squadron but due to bad weather, he is forced to land in a field and charged by a bull. Later in a farmhouse he meets a jealous Canadian pilot called ‘Nutty’ Armand who takes him on a ride to remember. When both arrive at 666 Squadron, ‘Nutty’ finds that he is going to be joining the Squadron as well.

(The original version of this story was published in two chapters called BIGGLES GETS A BULL and LOST IN THE SKY in BIGGLES IN FRANCE)

This story is a re-write of “Flying Luck” from ‘The Modern Boy’ – issue number 337 – 21st July 1934 

This story can also be found in Volume 1, Issue 4 of the Air Training Corps Gazette (June 1941)

Chapter IV – TAFFY TRUNDLES IN

Taffy Hughes ‘the Buster’ is next to arrive and does so in some style. Taffy tries out a British tank and wreaks havoc

 (The original version of this story was published in a chapter called ‘STAND CLEAR – I’M COMING’ in BIGGLES IN FRANCE)

This story is a re-write of “Biggles and the Runaway Tank” from ‘The Modern Boy’ – issue number 336 – 14th July 1934 

Chapter V – ONE GOOD TURN

When Ginger gets into trouble with Flight Lieutenant Bitmore, Algy pretends to be an Air Commodore and Bertie pretends to be a Wing Commander to teach Bitmore a lesson.

(The original version of this story was published in two chapters called UNDER OPEN ARREST! and THE LAUGH’S WITH US in BIGGLES IN FRANCE and then it was republished as REPRISALS in BIGGLES OF 266)

This story is a re-write of “Biggles’ Borrowed Plumes” from ‘The Modern Boy’ – issue number 363 – 19th January 1935

 This story is NOT to be confused with the story “Two Good Turns” found in Volume 1, Issue 5 of the Air Training Corps Gazette (July 1941)

 as that is a DIFFERENT story!  See THE RECORD BREAKERS below.

Chapter VI – SO THIS IS WAR!

A Hurricane with the number K-4 shoots at and kills a British pilot and Biggles is out for revenge

This story has a number of similarities with   J-9982   in THE CAMELS ARE COMING but a large part of the descriptive writing is taken from

“Knights of the Sky!” from ‘The Modern Boy’ – issue number 328 – 19th May 1934 

Chapter VII – CUTHBERT COMES – AND GOES

Cuthbert Mooney joins 666 squadron and he has a talent for mimicking machines.

Biggles takes Cuthbert on a flight over the channel and discovers that he also has other talents.

(This story was originally published in two chapters called THE HUMAN RAILWAY and ORANGE FIRE! in BIGGLES IN FRANCE)

This story is a re-write of “Biggles and the Mad Hatter” from ‘The Modern Boy’ – issue number 338 – 28th July 1934

Chapter VIII – THE LOVE SONG

Biggles is sent by Raymond to France to recover plans for a special supercharger for radial engines.

(I can’t identify this story as a re-write of anything – but I suspect that it must be, bearing in mind the rest of them are!)

Chapter IX – THE COWARD

Henry Harcourt joins the Squadron and his bravery is questioned until the Germans kill his pet pig.

This story is a re-write of “The Funk” from ‘The Modern Boy’ – issue number 289 – 19th August 1933 

Chapter X – THE FLYING SPY

Biggles suspects that a visiting pilot is really a German spy. A trap is set, but all is not as it seems and it is left to Algy to save Biggles from making a tragic mistake.

(The original version of this story was published in two chapters called SUSPICIONS and OFF AND AWAY in BIGGLES IN FRANCE)

 This story is a re-write of “Biggles’ Sky High Spy” from ‘The Modern Boy’ – issue number 357 – 8th December 1934

Chapter XI – THE RECORD BREAKERS

Biggles and Wilkinson compete to see who can shoot down the most Germans in one day.

(The original version of this story was published in two chapters called OUT FOR RECORDS! and BIGGLES’ BOMBSHELL in BIGGLES IN FRANCE)

This story is a re-write of “Biggles’ Sky High Hat Trick” from ‘The Modern Boy’ – issue number 339 – 4th August 1935 

This story was published in an edited format as the story “Two Good Turns” found in Volume 1, Issue 5 of the Air Training Corps Gazette (July 1941)

Chapter XII – THE FORTUNE OF WAR

Biggles tells the tragic tale of what happened to young Tony Luke and the trick fate played on him.

This story is a re-write of “Reunion” – originally published in “Britannia and Eve” in November 1941 – it can also be found as the first story in ‘Sky Fever’ 

Chapter XIII – BERTIE PICKS THE LOCK

Bertie takes a secret agent on a mission. When the agent loses his nerve Bertie has to do his job.

(The original version of this particular story was called BIGGLES’ EXCITING NIGHT and was first published in MODERN BOYS ANNUAL 1937

 and this original version was not published in any book at all until 1999 when a collection of all previously unpublished stories

were finally published in a limited edition of 300 books called   BIGGLES – AIR ACE)