Biggles Sweeps the Desert by W. E. Johns was first published in Oct 1942 by Hodder and Stoughton. The title page of the 1st ed. gives the subtitle: “A ‘Biggles’ Squadron Story”. The events in the book take place around 1941 or 1942 in the North African desert.
Something or someone is interfering with the vital British air supply route between West Africa and Egypt. Aircraft have been disappearing with no explanation. Biggles and his squadron are sent to investigate.