What do you think?
Rate this book
Biggles #44
Biggles and the Black Raider
Central Africa is being plagued by attacks by an African man called Cetezulu and known as 'The Black Elephant'. Air Commodore Raymond sends Biggles and Co. to use their aeroplanes in the hunt to find him.
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 1953
1 person is currently reading
62 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 26, 2018
Biggles hunts some bandits in Africa
25 December 2014
Hmm, it seems like I am the first person to actually make some comments on this book, but then again I always like to leave a few comments on books that I have read, even if they are pretty a part of an extended (and sometimes open ended) series (not that I actually read many series any more, but Biggles is cool so that is why I grabbed some from my Dad's collection).
This adventure takes Biggles and his companions to the deepest, darkest, and remotest parts of Africa to attempt to locate a bandit known as the 'Black Elephant' who has been raiding settlements and caravans over an area that makes most parts of Europe (but not Australia) look minute. The problem is that the terrain is so rugged, and the bandits move so fast, that using traditional methods simply are not working, which is why Biggles and his gang of flyboys are approached to try and put a stop to them. However, once again, even though they have planes, the terrain is so rugged, and the bandits move so fast (as well as being quite familiar with the area) that simply flying planes over the area would simply end up being a waste of time and fuel.
However, once again, Biggles, with his Holmesian deductive reasoning, comes to save the day. Through the use of logic (and his experience as an adventurer who has travelled to some of the remotest parts of the world) he manages to work out how these bandits operate, and when Ginger accidentally stumbles upon the secret road that they use to cross the vast continent, the Black Elephant's plans to create an immense African empire end up coming to nothing.
There are a couple of interesting things that I picked up from the book. First of all Johns seems to go to great length to emphasis that this book is not portraying native Africans as being savage and barbaric people. Biggles states that if he takes the job, he does not want the wrong message going out to the media, and he also wants it to be known that he is after the Black Elephant because he is a criminal, not because he is a native African. .
The other thing that I thought of as I read this book was how is it that Western Europe managed to solve their warlike problems of the past whereas the Africans still seem to be slaughtering each other (and Rwanda is an example of that). I guess the answer to that is two fold:
1) The African nations (that is the tribal groupings of Africans rather than the countries, because the countries do not represent the tribal groupings as the European countries do, but rather are the result of European colonisation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries) never developed technology in the way that the Europeans did, so there was never really an arms race. Much of the time the Africans were able to live independently of other nations – there was never the space problems that Europe had – and it was only when one tribe began to move into the hunting grounds of neighbouring tribes that wars occurred. Thus without the problems of space that the Europeans had, the need for an arms race never occurred.
2) European colonisation effectively carved up the African continent for their own purposes, and when the colonies began to be dismantled, the maps were not drawn along tribal lines, but rather handed over to the inhabitants which resulted in the more powerful nations ruling over the less powerful ones. The rise of the dictators, the the failures of democracy, were never able to advance the African continent towards modern governmental institutions. It is also suggested that the Western nations acted to keep friendly dictators in power to prevent such advancements. Consider China, where the Europeans were kicked out shortly after World War II – they have now risen to become a super power that can rival the United Sates. By supporting corrupt dictatorships, and using the continent to fight proxy wars against their enemies, much of the African continent has remained in poverty and very much underdeveloped.
25 December 2014
Hmm, it seems like I am the first person to actually make some comments on this book, but then again I always like to leave a few comments on books that I have read, even if they are pretty a part of an extended (and sometimes open ended) series (not that I actually read many series any more, but Biggles is cool so that is why I grabbed some from my Dad's collection).
This adventure takes Biggles and his companions to the deepest, darkest, and remotest parts of Africa to attempt to locate a bandit known as the 'Black Elephant' who has been raiding settlements and caravans over an area that makes most parts of Europe (but not Australia) look minute. The problem is that the terrain is so rugged, and the bandits move so fast, that using traditional methods simply are not working, which is why Biggles and his gang of flyboys are approached to try and put a stop to them. However, once again, even though they have planes, the terrain is so rugged, and the bandits move so fast (as well as being quite familiar with the area) that simply flying planes over the area would simply end up being a waste of time and fuel.
However, once again, Biggles, with his Holmesian deductive reasoning, comes to save the day. Through the use of logic (and his experience as an adventurer who has travelled to some of the remotest parts of the world) he manages to work out how these bandits operate, and when Ginger accidentally stumbles upon the secret road that they use to cross the vast continent, the Black Elephant's plans to create an immense African empire end up coming to nothing.
There are a couple of interesting things that I picked up from the book. First of all Johns seems to go to great length to emphasis that this book is not portraying native Africans as being savage and barbaric people. Biggles states that if he takes the job, he does not want the wrong message going out to the media, and he also wants it to be known that he is after the Black Elephant because he is a criminal, not because he is a native African. .
The other thing that I thought of as I read this book was how is it that Western Europe managed to solve their warlike problems of the past whereas the Africans still seem to be slaughtering each other (and Rwanda is an example of that). I guess the answer to that is two fold:
1) The African nations (that is the tribal groupings of Africans rather than the countries, because the countries do not represent the tribal groupings as the European countries do, but rather are the result of European colonisation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries) never developed technology in the way that the Europeans did, so there was never really an arms race. Much of the time the Africans were able to live independently of other nations – there was never the space problems that Europe had – and it was only when one tribe began to move into the hunting grounds of neighbouring tribes that wars occurred. Thus without the problems of space that the Europeans had, the need for an arms race never occurred.
2) European colonisation effectively carved up the African continent for their own purposes, and when the colonies began to be dismantled, the maps were not drawn along tribal lines, but rather handed over to the inhabitants which resulted in the more powerful nations ruling over the less powerful ones. The rise of the dictators, the the failures of democracy, were never able to advance the African continent towards modern governmental institutions. It is also suggested that the Western nations acted to keep friendly dictators in power to prevent such advancements. Consider China, where the Europeans were kicked out shortly after World War II – they have now risen to become a super power that can rival the United Sates. By supporting corrupt dictatorships, and using the continent to fight proxy wars against their enemies, much of the African continent has remained in poverty and very much underdeveloped.
February 20, 2024
By Jove! A jolly fine nostalgia trip, lots of derring do, adventure and stiff upper lips.
March 24, 2024
De cover geeft een scene weer uit het boek: twee negers, waarvan 1 in traditionele masaï-kledij en de andere die met een geweer op een vliegtuig schiet. En in dat vliegtuig zit dan natuurlijk 1 van onze vrienden, Biggles, Bertie, Ginger of Algy.
Johns laat zijn helden gevaarlijke avonturen beleven tijdens de oorlog of erna bij het vangen van criminelen. Dat soort werk is natuurlijk niet zonder gevaar, zelfs als men in een vliegtuig zit. In de Biggles boeken komt dan natuurlijk ook veel aktie al dan niet gepaard gaand met geweld voor. Er vallen dan ook wel eens doden.
Maar in dit boek gaat de schrijver wel heel ver. Van bij het begin maakt Biggles duidelijk dat hij de veedief en moordenaar waar ze achteraan zitten liefst wil doodschieten en hij helemaal niet van plan is om die voor het gerecht te brengen.
Dit boek past dan ook prachtig in de reeks Biggles-verhalen maar springt er toch uit wegens de grote gewelddadigheid. En dat op een manier die in deze woke-tijden niet meer zou kunnen maar destijds wel realistisch was: een zwarte die een blanke vermoordt hoeft geen genade te verwachten.
Johns laat zijn helden gevaarlijke avonturen beleven tijdens de oorlog of erna bij het vangen van criminelen. Dat soort werk is natuurlijk niet zonder gevaar, zelfs als men in een vliegtuig zit. In de Biggles boeken komt dan natuurlijk ook veel aktie al dan niet gepaard gaand met geweld voor. Er vallen dan ook wel eens doden.
Maar in dit boek gaat de schrijver wel heel ver. Van bij het begin maakt Biggles duidelijk dat hij de veedief en moordenaar waar ze achteraan zitten liefst wil doodschieten en hij helemaal niet van plan is om die voor het gerecht te brengen.
Dit boek past dan ook prachtig in de reeks Biggles-verhalen maar springt er toch uit wegens de grote gewelddadigheid. En dat op een manier die in deze woke-tijden niet meer zou kunnen maar destijds wel realistisch was: een zwarte die een blanke vermoordt hoeft geen genade te verwachten.
August 17, 2020
Sometimes you want something very quick and simple to read and Biggles books are just that. Biggles and the Black raider is about Biggles with friends chasing a rebel/rogue/bandit in Africa. All the normal ingredients are there.
The book is written in the 1950s and a book written today would probably have given the native population more depth, but I expect nothing less from W.E. Johns. In his Biggles books, there are the nasty criminals or enemies and there are the good guys. And any bystanders might as well be paper silhouttes for all the depth they have.
All in all, this is what you expect, nothing more, and maybe even less. I'll give it a 3 star grade seen in context.
The book is written in the 1950s and a book written today would probably have given the native population more depth, but I expect nothing less from W.E. Johns. In his Biggles books, there are the nasty criminals or enemies and there are the good guys. And any bystanders might as well be paper silhouttes for all the depth they have.
All in all, this is what you expect, nothing more, and maybe even less. I'll give it a 3 star grade seen in context.
March 24, 2019
Another excellent book from Johns which does in a way focus more on Ginger than Biggles even though the whole crew are present. Still, an excellent read.
September 19, 2021
Another problem that no one can solve, until Biggles turns up. Biggles always looks at problems from different angles, which makes him so successful. Brilliant book.
January 5, 2025
Biggles manages to get east and west confused while describing the area around Lake Tanganyika. Ginger annoys a gorilla.
July 16, 2025
Wow that picture on the cover of Ginger facing off against an enraged gorilla is sick!!!
Other than that... pretty boring book. 2 stars.
Other than that... pretty boring book. 2 stars.
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.”
February 9, 2016
Though I have heard of Biggles, the RAF captain who along with his crew is a bit of a fixer, I have never read the books. Well, I may have read one when I was a young teenager, but I cannot recall it at all.
So Biggles and the Black Raider was an odd choice, being the 44th book in the series (out of an astounding 98). I picked it up at a charity shop and decided to read it as a refresher between heavier stuff.
This was a fun read. Biggles books, at least this one, appear to sit between teenage lit such as The Hardy Boys and the spy thrillers by Ian Fleming. The writing is economical and flows freely, though the author has this habit to pre-empt events by mentioning them first. For example, character so and so decided to sit in this spot, thinking it safe. Little did they know that they were very wrong...
There is a lot of that, which I felt sapped much of the tension. But it is a book for young adults, so the main characters are never in any real danger of dying. Yet it also handles things more maturely than many other teen lit books.
One thing has to be mentioned: racism. Now, I did expect a book that was very racially ignorant. To be true, it does feel a little tainted by today's standards. There is an underlying current of the 'noble African savage' and at times distinctions are made between White Europeans and the rest of society. In this adventure Biggles is joined by Mishu, a Masai warrior out to avenge the death of his employer, which the book keeps referring to as his 'master'. Such references will stand out to the modern reader.
But much like Fleming's Live And Let Die, this reflects the period of the book's writing. It's not racist, just ignorant, and the novel tries to cast its environment and non-white characters in as positive a light as possible - maybe even liberal and non-racial when compared to attitudes of the time. Accusing Biggles and The Black Raider of racism would be a bit anachronistic.
Fortunately there is not a lot of that. Overall this is a fun adventure that enjoys using Africa as its stage.
So Biggles and the Black Raider was an odd choice, being the 44th book in the series (out of an astounding 98). I picked it up at a charity shop and decided to read it as a refresher between heavier stuff.
This was a fun read. Biggles books, at least this one, appear to sit between teenage lit such as The Hardy Boys and the spy thrillers by Ian Fleming. The writing is economical and flows freely, though the author has this habit to pre-empt events by mentioning them first. For example, character so and so decided to sit in this spot, thinking it safe. Little did they know that they were very wrong...
There is a lot of that, which I felt sapped much of the tension. But it is a book for young adults, so the main characters are never in any real danger of dying. Yet it also handles things more maturely than many other teen lit books.
One thing has to be mentioned: racism. Now, I did expect a book that was very racially ignorant. To be true, it does feel a little tainted by today's standards. There is an underlying current of the 'noble African savage' and at times distinctions are made between White Europeans and the rest of society. In this adventure Biggles is joined by Mishu, a Masai warrior out to avenge the death of his employer, which the book keeps referring to as his 'master'. Such references will stand out to the modern reader.
But much like Fleming's Live And Let Die, this reflects the period of the book's writing. It's not racist, just ignorant, and the novel tries to cast its environment and non-white characters in as positive a light as possible - maybe even liberal and non-racial when compared to attitudes of the time. Accusing Biggles and The Black Raider of racism would be a bit anachronistic.
Fortunately there is not a lot of that. Overall this is a fun adventure that enjoys using Africa as its stage.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews