What do you think?
Rate this book
Biggles #15
Biggles Goes To War
The escort fell in on either side of the prisoners, and at a word of command the party moved forward. Down the corridor it marched, and through an open door into a grim-looking courtyard. Across this it proceeded, and came to a halt against a wall on the far side.-Biggles glanced at the sky. It was just turning pink with the first flush of dawn. 'If Ginger is going to do the rescue act, he hasn't got much time left.' He observed calmly.-Algy said nothing. His face was pale. In the uneasy atmosphere of Europe between the two World Wars, Biggles, Algy and Ginger are persuaded to defend a small middle European country from an aggressive neighbour backed up by an unnamed Big Power.
189 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1938
8 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
W.E. Johns
613 books113 followersInvariably known as Captain W.E. Johns, William Earl Johns was born in Bengeo, Hertfordshire, England. He was the son of Richard Eastman Johns, a tailor, and Elizabeth Johns (née Earl), the daughter of a master butcher. He had a younger brother, Russell Ernest Johns, who was born on 24 October 1895.
He went to Hertford Grammar School where he was no great scholar but he did develop into a crack shot with a rifle. This fired his early ambition to be a soldier. He also attended evening classes at the local art school.
In the summer of 1907 he was apprenticed to a county municipal surveyor where he remained for four years and then in 1912 he became a sanitary inspector in Swaffham, Norfolk. Soon after taking up this appointment, his father died of tuberculosis at the age of 47.
On 6 October 1914 he married Maude Penelope Hunt (1882–1961), the daughter of the Reverend John Hunt, the vicar at Little Dunham in Norfolk. The couple had one son, William Earl Carmichael Johns, who was born in March 1916.
With war looming he joined the Territorial Army as a Private in the King's Own Royal Regiment (Norfolk Yeomanry), a cavalry regiment. In August 1914 his regiment was mobilised and was in training and on home defence duties until September 1915 when they received embarkation orders for duty overseas.
He fought at Gallipoli and in the Suez Canal area and, after moving to the Machine gun Corps, he took part in the spring offensive in Salonika in April 1917. He contracted malaria and whilst in hospital he put in for a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps and on 26 September 1917, he was given a temporary commission as a Second Lieutenant and posted back to England to learn to fly, which he did at No. 1 School of Aeronautics at Reading, where he was taught by a Captain Ashton.
He was posted to No. 25 Flying Training School at Thetford where he had a charmed existence, once writing off three planes in three days. He moved to Yorkshire and was then posted to France and while on a bombing raid to Mannheim his plane was shot down and he was wounded. Captured by the Germans, he later escaped before being reincarcerated where he remained until the war ended.
He went to Hertford Grammar School where he was no great scholar but he did develop into a crack shot with a rifle. This fired his early ambition to be a soldier. He also attended evening classes at the local art school.
In the summer of 1907 he was apprenticed to a county municipal surveyor where he remained for four years and then in 1912 he became a sanitary inspector in Swaffham, Norfolk. Soon after taking up this appointment, his father died of tuberculosis at the age of 47.
On 6 October 1914 he married Maude Penelope Hunt (1882–1961), the daughter of the Reverend John Hunt, the vicar at Little Dunham in Norfolk. The couple had one son, William Earl Carmichael Johns, who was born in March 1916.
With war looming he joined the Territorial Army as a Private in the King's Own Royal Regiment (Norfolk Yeomanry), a cavalry regiment. In August 1914 his regiment was mobilised and was in training and on home defence duties until September 1915 when they received embarkation orders for duty overseas.
He fought at Gallipoli and in the Suez Canal area and, after moving to the Machine gun Corps, he took part in the spring offensive in Salonika in April 1917. He contracted malaria and whilst in hospital he put in for a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps and on 26 September 1917, he was given a temporary commission as a Second Lieutenant and posted back to England to learn to fly, which he did at No. 1 School of Aeronautics at Reading, where he was taught by a Captain Ashton.
He was posted to No. 25 Flying Training School at Thetford where he had a charmed existence, once writing off three planes in three days. He moved to Yorkshire and was then posted to France and while on a bombing raid to Mannheim his plane was shot down and he was wounded. Captured by the Germans, he later escaped before being reincarcerated where he remained until the war ended.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 20, 2024
Grammatical amendments and citations added, 20 September 2024, original review 2015)
My wife gave me three vintage hardcover Biggles books for my birthday: Biggles Goes to War, Biggles and the Black Raider and Biggles Follows On.
This was a very thoughtful gift because Biggles is a guilty pleasure, but one which has become less guilty over time. I loved the stories when I was a kid, what with Sopwith Camels beetling about the skies of war-torn France (BIGGLES OF THE CAMEL SQUADRON., radium death rays in the Himalayas (Biggles Hits the Trail) and, when I was a bit older, the air detective series, Biggles Air Detective Omnibus, which had an unsettling post-war darkness, which I liked, as Biggles and his pals dealt with enemy fighters who had turned their wartime skills to international crime.
Biggles Goes to War is pretty good. A rattling good yarn, although touchingly naïve with some outdated attitudes and perceptions which invite comment and perhaps some amateur psychology.
A small mythical European principality is being monstered by a bullying neighbour. Biggles and his loyal comrades come to their aid by shooting down enemy aircraft, blowing up a bridge, rescuing a captured diplomat and generally interfering in the politics of the warring states.
The development of the plot is simple, following the standard Captain WE Johns adventure template: Biggles and his slightly bored comrades receive a mysterious but dignified and courteous visitor to their rooms (the boy’s domestic circumstances are never dwelt upon but are much mocked by satirists).
The mysterious but distinguished visitor explains that his homeland, Maltovia, is being heavied by Lovitzna, abetted and backed by an unnamed European power, clearly Germany, as becomes clear when Biggles and company come across the latest Fokker aircraft sporting Lovitznian colours.
Shortly after the visit of the courteous gentleman, who’s plea for help Biggles has politely declined; a disreputable, rude man barges in. He turns out to be from Lovitzna. Biggles reverses his earlier decision and vows to help the Maltovians. Biggles does so largely because of the respective manners of the two visitors and, of course, his innate sense of fair play:
The band of intrepid Britishers is much encouraged by a clandestine visit from the head of state, Princess Mariana, who also happens to be young and beautiful (a similar princess turns up in the later Biggles Fails to Return). The airmen recognize Prinscess Mariana's innate breeding and poise. It is worth noting here that when Biggles suggests (before meeting the young woman) that a man might be more suited to governing, one of the key locals bristles and says they are quite happy with their princess. Along the way there is subterfuge, battles in the forest, encounters with wolves, a raid on enemy headquarters, and a climactic dash (in an aircraft of course) to save a Biggles and Algy from a firing squad.
For me the daring–do is pleasing enough but it is the doubts, apprehensions and anticipated difficulties in our hero’s head that make the story worthwhile. They transcend its original purpose of spinning a yarn for the boys of pre-war Britain, although the book was not published until after the war had started.
Soon after taking off for Maltovia Biggles reflects upon the fact that Ginger’s fate is in his hands and he worries should misfortune befall the lad, like being captured and shot for example. Biggles then thinks about what reward they will receive for their efforts:
Biggles' character
After I read Biggles Goes to War, I pondered it and other Biggles books.
I thought about Biggles Hits the Trail, which I have also recently re-read for the umpteenth time, and reviewed. Given it still has the power to thrill and entertain; I wondered why it, and the Biggles canon, has such lasting appeal.
That particular story is sensational, imaginative and scary. The tale is well-paced, unfolds in a tantalising way, is literally a flight into the unknown, with exotic locales, strange people and perilous adventure, with the fortunes of our heroes ebbing and flowing right up until the crashing climax. In general, Biggles stories are exciting, with palpable danger and great peril. The good guys have principles, high standards of fair play and excellent manners, and the formidable bad guys are properly nefarious. The stories have lots of action and good pace: there’s little mucking about. They have hiatuses too, but there is usually a good balance.
The morality is old school, the politics often simplistic and sometimes naïve. John’s knowledge and understanding of aircraft and aviation is authentic, especially the experience of flying and aerial combat, although he is better on the early days on biplanes with open cockpits. His grasp of geography, geology, social change and different cultures is to say the least variable, often quaint and sometimes just dodgy (his understanding of Australian society and culture was poor Biggles in Australia. His treatment of non-whites sometimes leaves a lot to be desired and some have said him sexist (although the example I was talking about in Biggles Goes to War suggests an approach with some nuance. So while there is evidence on both these counts and others, I find the shortcomings are generally forgivable, or can at least be understood in the context of the times Johns wrote and his own background.
As we have established I think, the main element which attracts me to the series is the character and persona of Major James Bigglesworth. Biggles is the only person in the entire canon with a fully fleshed out personality. Algy Lacey (‘the Hon’ Algernon) is a completely reliable, competent old comrade whose function it is to carry out useful important tasks, maintaining the station, rescuing, the dependable pilot, somewhat dyspeptic.
To be fair, Algy gets some scenes on his own or where he is the focus, as does ‘Ginger’ Hebblethwaite (where did Johns get these names?) Biggles and Algy’s protégé (what an old–fashioned concept) Ginger is young, impetuous, not all that reliable where obeying orders is concerned and specialises in roles where running around and other youthful qualities are required. He is also ‘modern’, although this is a relative concept. In Biggles Hits the Trail; Ginger is the only member of the party not slowed down when the evil radium people start irradiating the ground. It turns out Ginger is wearing ‘modern’ crepe rubber soled shoes and is therefore insulated. The others, the older guys, are wearing leather flying boots. He often says to himself, in these circumstances, ‘What would Biggles do?’
But Biggles is the man. He is honourable, resourceful, a leader and a man of action, but also knows when action is not possible and resigns himself to his fate: ‘we’ve been through many scrapes Algy, but I can’t think my way out of this one and that’s a fact.’ whereupon he and Algy are usually rescued by Ginger in the nick of time. He is a believer in nobility, fair play and the value of democratic institutions, British, of course, and the worth of international organisations and the capacity to restore order where necessary.
A guilty pleasure, but much less so nowadays.
My wife gave me three vintage hardcover Biggles books for my birthday: Biggles Goes to War, Biggles and the Black Raider and Biggles Follows On.
This was a very thoughtful gift because Biggles is a guilty pleasure, but one which has become less guilty over time. I loved the stories when I was a kid, what with Sopwith Camels beetling about the skies of war-torn France (BIGGLES OF THE CAMEL SQUADRON., radium death rays in the Himalayas (Biggles Hits the Trail) and, when I was a bit older, the air detective series, Biggles Air Detective Omnibus, which had an unsettling post-war darkness, which I liked, as Biggles and his pals dealt with enemy fighters who had turned their wartime skills to international crime.
Biggles Goes to War is pretty good. A rattling good yarn, although touchingly naïve with some outdated attitudes and perceptions which invite comment and perhaps some amateur psychology.
A small mythical European principality is being monstered by a bullying neighbour. Biggles and his loyal comrades come to their aid by shooting down enemy aircraft, blowing up a bridge, rescuing a captured diplomat and generally interfering in the politics of the warring states.
The development of the plot is simple, following the standard Captain WE Johns adventure template: Biggles and his slightly bored comrades receive a mysterious but dignified and courteous visitor to their rooms (the boy’s domestic circumstances are never dwelt upon but are much mocked by satirists).
The mysterious but distinguished visitor explains that his homeland, Maltovia, is being heavied by Lovitzna, abetted and backed by an unnamed European power, clearly Germany, as becomes clear when Biggles and company come across the latest Fokker aircraft sporting Lovitznian colours.
Shortly after the visit of the courteous gentleman, who’s plea for help Biggles has politely declined; a disreputable, rude man barges in. He turns out to be from Lovitzna. Biggles reverses his earlier decision and vows to help the Maltovians. Biggles does so largely because of the respective manners of the two visitors and, of course, his innate sense of fair play:
Biggles permitted a faint smile to cross his face. ‘We are not doing this for money…If you want the truth, we are doing it because there is in us, as there is in most Englishmen, a love of justice, a sense of right and wrong, and sympathy for the underdog.’ (p30)Essentially Biggles then creates the Maltovian air force, flying three Launcester 'Lance' aircraft to the small nation. They meet supporters loyal to the cause, but also encounter duplicitous traitors conniving with the enemy. So the battle becomes one of wits just as much as daring action.
The band of intrepid Britishers is much encouraged by a clandestine visit from the head of state, Princess Mariana, who also happens to be young and beautiful (a similar princess turns up in the later Biggles Fails to Return). The airmen recognize Prinscess Mariana's innate breeding and poise. It is worth noting here that when Biggles suggests (before meeting the young woman) that a man might be more suited to governing, one of the key locals bristles and says they are quite happy with their princess. Along the way there is subterfuge, battles in the forest, encounters with wolves, a raid on enemy headquarters, and a climactic dash (in an aircraft of course) to save a Biggles and Algy from a firing squad.
For me the daring–do is pleasing enough but it is the doubts, apprehensions and anticipated difficulties in our hero’s head that make the story worthwhile. They transcend its original purpose of spinning a yarn for the boys of pre-war Britain, although the book was not published until after the war had started.
Soon after taking off for Maltovia Biggles reflects upon the fact that Ginger’s fate is in his hands and he worries should misfortune befall the lad, like being captured and shot for example. Biggles then thinks about what reward they will receive for their efforts:
They stood to lose their lives, and against that, to gain nothing-at least, their pay as Maltovian officers, a matter of a few shillings a day, really amounted to nothing. It was always the way when one was fighting for a cause, he thought moodily. Still, it was too late to turn back now. (p33)Biggles demeanour changes when he goes into battle. On hearing an enemy aircraft open fire…
…a new expression crept over Biggle’s face. The habitual quiet, almost placid look disappeared, to be replaced by hard, grim lines that drew his lips tight together with the corners turned down. A frosty light glinted in his eyes…(p50)Battle is joined. And while Biggles is not without wit, he is fundamentally serious and hard headed, yet idealistic at the same time. Without any compunction about Algy shooting one of the county’s senior officers (a traitor and it was in self-defence) Biggles sets out a scenario to help the Maltovians solve their internal divisions. It involves forming a Ministry of Defence, which will then be the instructing organ for the renegade General they have encountered, and seek to control. He says:
‘…-that’s how it’s done in Great Britain, and if it is good enough for Great Britain it ought to be good enough for Maltovia. (p104)Easy as that.
Biggles' character
After I read Biggles Goes to War, I pondered it and other Biggles books.
I thought about Biggles Hits the Trail, which I have also recently re-read for the umpteenth time, and reviewed. Given it still has the power to thrill and entertain; I wondered why it, and the Biggles canon, has such lasting appeal.
That particular story is sensational, imaginative and scary. The tale is well-paced, unfolds in a tantalising way, is literally a flight into the unknown, with exotic locales, strange people and perilous adventure, with the fortunes of our heroes ebbing and flowing right up until the crashing climax. In general, Biggles stories are exciting, with palpable danger and great peril. The good guys have principles, high standards of fair play and excellent manners, and the formidable bad guys are properly nefarious. The stories have lots of action and good pace: there’s little mucking about. They have hiatuses too, but there is usually a good balance.
The morality is old school, the politics often simplistic and sometimes naïve. John’s knowledge and understanding of aircraft and aviation is authentic, especially the experience of flying and aerial combat, although he is better on the early days on biplanes with open cockpits. His grasp of geography, geology, social change and different cultures is to say the least variable, often quaint and sometimes just dodgy (his understanding of Australian society and culture was poor Biggles in Australia. His treatment of non-whites sometimes leaves a lot to be desired and some have said him sexist (although the example I was talking about in Biggles Goes to War suggests an approach with some nuance. So while there is evidence on both these counts and others, I find the shortcomings are generally forgivable, or can at least be understood in the context of the times Johns wrote and his own background.
As we have established I think, the main element which attracts me to the series is the character and persona of Major James Bigglesworth. Biggles is the only person in the entire canon with a fully fleshed out personality. Algy Lacey (‘the Hon’ Algernon) is a completely reliable, competent old comrade whose function it is to carry out useful important tasks, maintaining the station, rescuing, the dependable pilot, somewhat dyspeptic.
To be fair, Algy gets some scenes on his own or where he is the focus, as does ‘Ginger’ Hebblethwaite (where did Johns get these names?) Biggles and Algy’s protégé (what an old–fashioned concept) Ginger is young, impetuous, not all that reliable where obeying orders is concerned and specialises in roles where running around and other youthful qualities are required. He is also ‘modern’, although this is a relative concept. In Biggles Hits the Trail; Ginger is the only member of the party not slowed down when the evil radium people start irradiating the ground. It turns out Ginger is wearing ‘modern’ crepe rubber soled shoes and is therefore insulated. The others, the older guys, are wearing leather flying boots. He often says to himself, in these circumstances, ‘What would Biggles do?’
But Biggles is the man. He is honourable, resourceful, a leader and a man of action, but also knows when action is not possible and resigns himself to his fate: ‘we’ve been through many scrapes Algy, but I can’t think my way out of this one and that’s a fact.’ whereupon he and Algy are usually rescued by Ginger in the nick of time. He is a believer in nobility, fair play and the value of democratic institutions, British, of course, and the worth of international organisations and the capacity to restore order where necessary.
A guilty pleasure, but much less so nowadays.
May 11, 2021
Usually for a good plot you might have someone in a position of power who you think is good, but then turns out to be bad in a final twist at the end. However, in this book it's done differently; Biggles and Co knew who was for them and who was against them from very early on. This is an interesting new concept, as they have to try and make plans whilst hiding them from their own 'allies'.
With a brilliant storyline and a satisfying ending, I would definitely recommend this book.
With a brilliant storyline and a satisfying ending, I would definitely recommend this book.
February 13, 2024
This is my third Biggles book and whilst it wasn't my favorite, it was still a very enjoyable read. My dad recommended these books to me and I'm certainly enjoying working my way through his collection of them
December 16, 2025
Weinig zal W.E. Johns hebben kunnen vermoeden dat wat in zijn verhaal en zijn tijd letterlijk een halsmisdaad was waar niet alleen de doodstraf op stond maar dat die ook nog uitgevoerd werd, in deze tijd genormaliseerd is. Het is zelfs bon ton bij extreem-links (socialisten, communisten en de groenen) om te spuwen op het land dat hen subsidieert (want aan werken hebben ze ook een broertje dood) en het te verraden aan de directe vijanden van het eigen volk waarbij ze er eerst voor gezorgd hebben dat dit straffeloos kan. Daarmee is dit verhaal wel door de tijd getekend en misschien moeilijker te begrijpen door de hedendaagse jeugd.
De cover geeft tegen een (toepasselijk) blauwe achtergrond Biggles, Ginger en een net bevrijd staatsman weer die door een ijzig landschap vluchten.
Het verhaal geeft ons weer hoe het zover kwam. Biggles, Algy en Ginger zullen na een bedreiging door de vijanden van hun nieuwe opdrachtgever aanvaarden om een luchtmacht op te richten in een vreedzaam landje dat door zijn oorlogszuchtige buur (met luchtmacht) bedreigd wordt met annexatie.
Eens daar wordt al snel duidelijk dat er sabotage gebeurt op het hoogste niveau. Dit brengt niet enkel Biggels in gevaar maar het hele land inclusief de mooie prinses die aan het hoofd ervan staat. NIet vergeten dat John Engelsman is en dat ten tijde van dit schrijven de meeste kleine Europese landen nog een koningshuis hadden. In zijn essentie en zonder al die franje is dit een Biggles verhaal waarin relatief weinig aandacht aan het vliegen wordt besteedt (al wordt er wel heel wat gevlogen) en meer aan de politieke implicaties van het oprichten van een luchtmacht. Inderdaad, is dat ooit een heel belangrijk vraagstuk geweest: horen vliegtuigen bij de landmacht of zeemacht of (god verhoede) wordt dit een apart legerondeel? Hetzelfde debat dat nu met cyberdefensie en ruimtekorpsen woedt.
Veel aktie, vooral aan de grond dan, een inzicht in de politiek, uiteraard heel wat spanning en enkele onverwachte complicaties. De vertrouwde mechanien van Biggles, Smythes, is hier ook weer eens van de partij. Een boek dat (zeker destijds) het eerder moet hebben van de poltiek geladen inhoud dan van de pure waaghalzerij in de lucht. Prettig om te lezen, past mooit in de rest van de reeks maar is op zich geen topper daarin.
De cover geeft tegen een (toepasselijk) blauwe achtergrond Biggles, Ginger en een net bevrijd staatsman weer die door een ijzig landschap vluchten.
Het verhaal geeft ons weer hoe het zover kwam. Biggles, Algy en Ginger zullen na een bedreiging door de vijanden van hun nieuwe opdrachtgever aanvaarden om een luchtmacht op te richten in een vreedzaam landje dat door zijn oorlogszuchtige buur (met luchtmacht) bedreigd wordt met annexatie.
Eens daar wordt al snel duidelijk dat er sabotage gebeurt op het hoogste niveau. Dit brengt niet enkel Biggels in gevaar maar het hele land inclusief de mooie prinses die aan het hoofd ervan staat. NIet vergeten dat John Engelsman is en dat ten tijde van dit schrijven de meeste kleine Europese landen nog een koningshuis hadden. In zijn essentie en zonder al die franje is dit een Biggles verhaal waarin relatief weinig aandacht aan het vliegen wordt besteedt (al wordt er wel heel wat gevlogen) en meer aan de politieke implicaties van het oprichten van een luchtmacht. Inderdaad, is dat ooit een heel belangrijk vraagstuk geweest: horen vliegtuigen bij de landmacht of zeemacht of (god verhoede) wordt dit een apart legerondeel? Hetzelfde debat dat nu met cyberdefensie en ruimtekorpsen woedt.
Veel aktie, vooral aan de grond dan, een inzicht in de politiek, uiteraard heel wat spanning en enkele onverwachte complicaties. De vertrouwde mechanien van Biggles, Smythes, is hier ook weer eens van de partij. Een boek dat (zeker destijds) het eerder moet hebben van de poltiek geladen inhoud dan van de pure waaghalzerij in de lucht. Prettig om te lezen, past mooit in de rest van de reeks maar is op zich geen topper daarin.
January 7, 2018
I have read some Biggles books before and enjoy them as a quick, sneaky read because they remind me so much of the adventure stories I used to read as a kid (Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and such like).And this is why the Biggles canon had endured the test of time because I think, like with those sort of books, the appeal of Biggles books is in the charming simplicity of the stories and the chivalry of Biggles and his men as they put their lives on the line for others.
"We are not doing this for money, Count Stanhauser," [Biggles] said quietly, "If you want the truth, we are doing it because there is in us, as there is in most Englishmen, a love of justice, a sense of right and wrong, and sympathy for the under-dog".
The overall story seems to follow the same outline as many of the other adventures written by Captain W. E. Johns, his purpose being to rouse the spirits of young lads in pre-war Britain, little knowing another war was swiftly approaching (This Biggles book was first published in 1938, less than a year before the outbreak of WWII).
Again, remembering its age, it also expressed some views that we would now frown upon in this day and age - e.g. when the Maltovian Ambassador tells Biggles that "at the moment we have no prince, but the sovereign princess Mariana, daughter of our late prince, administers our little country with ability and affection" and Biggles's response is to shake his head sadly and say (sexistly) "You need a man in times like this". There is also a very relaxed attitude to smoking because the dangers of them hadn't quite been realised back then - it is almost actively encouraged in some places, like when they learn that the Ambassador has been captured by the enemy and Biggles calmly suggests that they "have a cigarette and see if we can work something out".
i like the illustrations that accompanied my edition (an old paperback Armada Books copy released in 1974) and would have liked more of them. Overall I feel that the story is well-paced, keeps the reader interested (as evidence by the fact I read it in less than 2 days!) and evokes a feeling of genuine involvement with the characters and the action. For me, it had similar tones to a James Bond novel, but obviously slightly more child-friendly. Its an easy read and an enjoyable one.
"We are not doing this for money, Count Stanhauser," [Biggles] said quietly, "If you want the truth, we are doing it because there is in us, as there is in most Englishmen, a love of justice, a sense of right and wrong, and sympathy for the under-dog".
The overall story seems to follow the same outline as many of the other adventures written by Captain W. E. Johns, his purpose being to rouse the spirits of young lads in pre-war Britain, little knowing another war was swiftly approaching (This Biggles book was first published in 1938, less than a year before the outbreak of WWII).
Again, remembering its age, it also expressed some views that we would now frown upon in this day and age - e.g. when the Maltovian Ambassador tells Biggles that "at the moment we have no prince, but the sovereign princess Mariana, daughter of our late prince, administers our little country with ability and affection" and Biggles's response is to shake his head sadly and say (sexistly) "You need a man in times like this". There is also a very relaxed attitude to smoking because the dangers of them hadn't quite been realised back then - it is almost actively encouraged in some places, like when they learn that the Ambassador has been captured by the enemy and Biggles calmly suggests that they "have a cigarette and see if we can work something out".
i like the illustrations that accompanied my edition (an old paperback Armada Books copy released in 1974) and would have liked more of them. Overall I feel that the story is well-paced, keeps the reader interested (as evidence by the fact I read it in less than 2 days!) and evokes a feeling of genuine involvement with the characters and the action. For me, it had similar tones to a James Bond novel, but obviously slightly more child-friendly. Its an easy read and an enjoyable one.
March 26, 2018
Perhaps slightly romantic view, but it depicts the sentiment of the interbellum period, where the tension of an upcoming is clearly shown.
Ofcourse, the idea of such a small group of people forming "an airforce", against a stronger unscrupulous adversary, is humourously absurd.
Still, I would recommend it for anyone liking this genre!!!
Ofcourse, the idea of such a small group of people forming "an airforce", against a stronger unscrupulous adversary, is humourously absurd.
Still, I would recommend it for anyone liking this genre!!!
May 20, 2024
When Johns writes about Biggles' battles against Germans in WWI, or even his various exploits after the war, the stories ring so true because they are based of Johns' lived experiences. Here, where Biggles is in a made up country, fighting another made up country, with made up princesses and counts... the story just doesn't have that air of authenticy about it. It reminds me that another Biggles that I didn't like was 'Biggles Hits the Trail' which was a sort of sci-fi tale. It's these fantastical ones that seem a bit airy and don't quite land. I remember in the first book Johns went to great lengths to show you the perils that pilots faced, and how death was waiting for them behind every corner. Here Biggles is a military genius, perfectly predicting his enemies' every moves, and turning a war around in a few days. It's a bit fantastical and earns this book 2 stars.
May 25, 2025
Well, a confectionary of nonsense - "The Prisoner of Zenda" takes to the air. Biggles and his mob become mercenaries (but please don't use that term) in a fight between two 'Ruritanian' kingdoms. Hundred miles an hour, no time to concern oneself with morality or legality, schoolboy romp. And there's a beautiful young woman in this one - but, never fear, chaps, Biggles remains pure and doesn't get distracted ... though he does, of course, smoke and happily contrasts the different pleasures of different types of tobacco.
June 18, 2023
Yet another good "Biggles" adventure as this time our hero & his friends come to the rescue of a small little known country (Maltovia) that is threatened by a coup.
In typical "W E JOHNS " style this is a fast paced story that, once it got going , had me hooked to the end. Perhaps not his best story as the between the wars adventures seem ,in my opinion , to lack some of the excitement & unexpected twists of the ones set in war time ,but nonetheless still very good & I really enjoyed it.
In typical "W E JOHNS " style this is a fast paced story that, once it got going , had me hooked to the end. Perhaps not his best story as the between the wars adventures seem ,in my opinion , to lack some of the excitement & unexpected twists of the ones set in war time ,but nonetheless still very good & I really enjoyed it.
August 6, 2024
4.2 out of 5. Written between the wars when the author had touching fate that the League of Nations could protect small countries from large powers. As with all Biggles books it’s a quick enjoyable read if you ignore the main character’s smug arrogance!
July 23, 2025
This book was pretty fun and it had more on the ground action than most of the other Biggles books
I don’t really have too much to say as I haven’t read this book in a while and this is just a quick recap but I do like the additional characters especially the princess and Ludwig
I don’t really have too much to say as I haven’t read this book in a while and this is just a quick recap but I do like the additional characters especially the princess and Ludwig
Read
November 30, 2019it's a reread project
July 8, 2020
Another thriller by Capt. W.E. Johns with quite humorous incidents included
May 28, 2022
As ever a cracking read!!
Read
May 10, 2023glad to discover that w.e johns also loves a good old fashioned loyal retainer/beloved princess relationship. ludwig and mariana had a spring wedding!
January 22, 2020
Haven't read one of these books in years, great to get back into them. A good story that as usual keeps the suspense right up to the end.
February 23, 2017
As with all Biggles books some of the charm is the simplicity. There is black and white and no grey. You are rarely left in the doubt about what side each character is on. If they have a strong handshake, they are good. If they have a shifty glance, they are bad. So when the real world, where nothing is black or white, is too draining. There is the Biggles world.
In this book a representative from an eastern European state contacts Biggles asking him to set up an minimal airforce because a neighbouring state has started moving aggressively. It could be modeled on a Baltic state since this is before they were occupied by Russia. He's reluctant but when someone tells him not to go... well, if you know Biggles books you know the rest.
I think this is one of the better books in the Biggles library. That doesn't mean it's great, but sometimes you don't need a great book, just a simple book.
In this book a representative from an eastern European state contacts Biggles asking him to set up an minimal airforce because a neighbouring state has started moving aggressively. It could be modeled on a Baltic state since this is before they were occupied by Russia. He's reluctant but when someone tells him not to go... well, if you know Biggles books you know the rest.
I think this is one of the better books in the Biggles library. That doesn't mean it's great, but sometimes you don't need a great book, just a simple book.
December 22, 2025
I am reviewing the series as a whole, rather than the books individually
The Biggles series is great adventure fiction: we get high stakes, aerial action (in most of the books), and a hero who is endlessly loyal, competent, and calm under pressure.
I love the dogfights, recon missions, and wartime scenarios.
Where the series falls short is character depth. Some attitudes and simplifications reflect the period in which the books were written. There are very definitely dated elements, but considering the era the books were written - overall the series performs well. More than a few of the stories defy plausibility, but who doesn't love to curl up with a good adventure book or 10?
“Never say die.”
The Biggles series is great adventure fiction: we get high stakes, aerial action (in most of the books), and a hero who is endlessly loyal, competent, and calm under pressure.
I love the dogfights, recon missions, and wartime scenarios.
Where the series falls short is character depth. Some attitudes and simplifications reflect the period in which the books were written. There are very definitely dated elements, but considering the era the books were written - overall the series performs well. More than a few of the stories defy plausibility, but who doesn't love to curl up with a good adventure book or 10?
“Never say die.”
June 28, 2016
Biggles krijgt het verzoek om te helpen met het opzetten van een luchtmacht in Maltovië.
In eerste instantie ziet hij er niet veel in, maar na een bezoek van vertegenwoordiger van een vijandig land, en besluit dan om toch in te stemmen met het verzoek.
Eenmaal aangekomen in Maltovië worden Biggles cs danig tegengewerkt door de opperbevelhebber van het leger, en dreigen Biggles en Algy voor het vuurpeleton te komen, maar uiteindelijk komt alles goed.
In eerste instantie ziet hij er niet veel in, maar na een bezoek van vertegenwoordiger van een vijandig land, en besluit dan om toch in te stemmen met het verzoek.
Eenmaal aangekomen in Maltovië worden Biggles cs danig tegengewerkt door de opperbevelhebber van het leger, en dreigen Biggles en Algy voor het vuurpeleton te komen, maar uiteindelijk komt alles goed.
August 10, 2007
The blatant message of 'what those effete foreigners and women in positions of authority need is a Biggles' is, well, blatant. Biggles' idea of diplomacy is like John Sheppard and Rodney McKay doing diplomacy without Teyla and Elizabeth or even Ronon for a sanity-restoring, sobering, or restraining influence.
September 6, 2014
After time of exotic adventures Biggles puts on a war uniform again (not the bitish one this time, though) and flies into a web of intriques and international politics. I read it in one sitting, it was awesomely fast. I really enjoyed it.
November 8, 2016
One of my favourite Biggles books because of its unusual setting and premise. I get the impression W.E. Johns wanted to go back to his roots and tell a war fighting story. He didn't know that in just a couple more years, Britain would again be at war with Germany, so he had to find a reason.
March 20, 2020
Easy to read adventures of the famous pilot.
September 9, 2012
what's to say? Biggles stories are hardly going to be a surprise. Boys own adventure stuff. Short, untaxing and enjoyable.
June 20, 2015
not the best biggles story, but stell good.
March 14, 2015
A book that every boy should read. One of the best from a cracking selection of adventure yarns by W.E. Johns
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews