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The Decoy is a short story which first appeared in as the ninth chapter of the very first Biggles book The Camels are Coming, published in September 1932. The story was subsequently republished in The Modern Boy Issue 266, 11th March 1933.

The story also appeared as the fourth short story of Biggles Pioneer Air Fighter published in 1954.

Synopsis[]

Biggles' friend and wingman, Batson, is killed when he tries to be clever and attack a German two-seater which he knew to be the bait in a trap set for unwary pilots. Biggles takes over Batson's aircraft and vows to hunt down this two-seater decoy.

Plot[]

(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read)

Characters[]

Aircraft[]

Places[]

Visited[]

  • Ariet
  • Lille
  • Cambrai
  • Talcourt-le-chateau

Editorial Changes[]

Other Research Notes[]

References to the past[]

Incongruities[]

Chronology[]

(see also table at Timeline of the Biggles Stories)

  • As one of the stories before the arrival of Algy, this story would be set in July 1917.
  • The appearance of the D.H.9 would therefore be anachronistic.

Publication History[]

  • The Camels are Coming, John Hamilton, 1932
  • The Modern Boy, Issue 266, 11th Mar 1933 (as Secret Orders)
  • Biggles in the Camels are Coming, Boys' Friend Library, 1938 (as Chapter 10: The Decoy)
  • Biggles Pioneer Air Fighter, Thames, 1954 and reprints (as Chapter 4: The Decoy)
  • Biggles: The Camels are Coming, Red Fox, 1993 and subsequent reprints and editions
  • The Camels are Coming, Norman Wright, 2010

References[]

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