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The Great Arena is a short story which was first published in The Modern Boy issue 292, 9th September 1933 under the title Quits!. The story was subsequently collected as the ninth short story of the third Biggles book Biggles of the Camel Squadron, first published in March 1934. In the book, this story is preceded by The Thought Reader and followed by Biggles Finds His Feet.

Synopsis[]

A German ace, von Doering has been racking up a high score in combat kills by picking on inexperienced British squadrons newly arrived on the front. Colonel Raymond plans a trap with 266 Sqn as bait.

Plot[]

(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read)

Characters[]

Aircraft[]

Places[]

Visited[]

  • 266 Squadron, Maranique
  • Marquise
  • St. Omer

Mentioned[]

Editorial Changes[]

Other Research Notes[]

References to the past[]

Incongruities[]

Chronology[]

(see also table at Timeline of the Biggles Stories)

  • The story contains several hints as to its setting:
    • A "big push" has been recently launched.
    • The Fokker D.VII has made its appearance.
    • Air activity had reached its zenith.
  • Drawing on these hints, some researchers place this story around late July to August 1918. This was during the time of the Allied 100-days Offensive. Sources differ as to when this offensive actually started but dates around late July and early August are typical.[1][2]
  • This offensive was the last Allied offensive of the war and also the only one where the Fokker D.VII appeared in.
  • This timing also agrees with the appearance of von Doering, if indeed he is intended to refer to the real person Kurt Bertram von Döring. He commanded Jasta 66 in early August 1918 and this squadron was equipped with the Fokker D.VII.

Publication History[]

  • The Modern Boy, Issue 292, 9th Sep 1933 (as Quits!)
  • Biggles of the Camel Squadron, John Hamilton, 1934 and reprints
  • Biggles Goes to War, Boys' Friend Library, 1938
  • Biggles of the Camel Squadron, Thames, 1954 and reprints
  • Biggles of the Camel Squadron, Dean and Son, 1960s and reprints
  • Biggles of the Fighter Squadron, Red Fox, 1992 and reprints
  • Biggles of the Camel Squadron, Norman Wright, 2011

References[]

  1. Ward Powers. "What Happened to Biggles in WW1?" Biggles Flies Again Vol. 3 No. 1, June 2009.
  2. Trevor Mason. Letter to the editor in "Under the Windstocking," Biggles Flies Again Vol. 3 No. 10, June 2010.
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