"Pity we aren't in France," said Peter Fortymore to his school friend Rip. So they ran away from school .. stole two planes ... and flew them across the channel to make war with German Aces over the battlefields of France.

But for young Fortymore it was more than a fighting mission. He knew his brother, shot down behind enemy lines, was still alive. He had to bring him back to safety, and he did, too, with the help of Rip - and Biggles and Algy

A dangerous venture - the snatching of shotdown airmen from the clutches of the watchful Germans...

goodreads summary

“The first terrific thriller of 2023.” —James Patterson * “Spectacular…Taut, gripping.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) * “Reads like Apollo 13 underwater.” —Don Winslow * “Masterful.” —Patricia Cornwell Flight attendant turned New York Times bestselling author T. J. Newman returns with an edge-of-your-seat thriller about a commercial jetliner that crashes into the ocean and sinks to the bottom with passengers trapped inside—and the extraordinary rescue operation to save them. Six minutes after takeoff, Flight 1421 crashes into the Pacific Ocean. During the evacuation, an engine explodes and the plane is flooded. Those still alive are forced to close the doors—but it’s too late. The plane sinks to the bottom with twelve passengers trapped inside.