Adolf Hitler - My Part In His Downfall

This was the first of seven volumes of Spike's war memoirs but it is also a comedy classic in its own right. First published in 1971, the book is peppered throughout with Milligan's gags, one-liners and surreal comic invention

Paul Merton's delivery of the gags, characters and Goonish events of the story vividly bring to life the experiences of the 22 year old Spike Milligan from call up through basic training in the early years of the war.

In part one, the young Milligan is called up but, owing to overexertion while trying to impress the girls from Catford Labour Exchange, arrives to join D Battery, 56th Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery in Bexhill on Sea three months late: 'I'll make up for it,' he tells the Battery Sergeant Major, 'I'll fight nights as well!'.

Young Milligan is called up, but arrives late to join his unit.

Spike Milligan's war memoirs, read by lifelong Milligan fan Paul Merton

In part one, the young Milligan is called up but, owing to overexertion while trying to impress the girls from Catford Labour Exchange, arrives to join D Battery, 56th Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery in Bexhill on Sea three months late: I'll make up for it, he tells the Battery Sergeant Major, I'll fight nights as well!.

This was the first of seven volumes of Spike's war memoirs but it is also a comedy classic in its own right. First published in 1971, the book is peppered throughout with Milligan's gags, one-liners and surreal comic invention

Paul Merton's delivery of the gags, characters and Goonish events of the story vividly bring to life the experiences of the 22 year old Spike Milligan from call up through basic training in the early years of the war.

In part two, the battery endures 'those military meals' served by a team of cooks suspected of working for the Ministry of Bacteriological Warfare. At the same time Spike takes his first steps into show business when his newly formed band becomes the hottest jazz combo working in the Bexhill area.

Spike takes his first steps into show business.

Spike Milligan's war memoirs, read by lifelong Milligan fan Paul Merton

In part two, the battery endures those military meals served by a team of cooks suspected of working for the Ministry of Bacteriological Warfare. At the same time Spike takes his first steps into show business when his newly formed band becomes the hottest jazz combo working in the Bexhill area.

This was the first of seven volumes of Spike's war memoirs but it is also a comedy classic in its own right. First published in 1971, the book is peppered throughout with Milligan's gags, one-liners and surreal comic invention

Paul Merton's delivery of the gags, characters and Goonish events of the story vividly bring to life the experiences of the 22 year old Spike Milligan from call up through basic training in the early years of the war.

The third episode recounts the barrack room japes and pranks that went on after lights out and the marvellous army eccentrics Spike met - including Gunner Octavian Neat who would appear naked in the barrack room to ask: 'Does anybody know a good tailor?'.

Spike recounts the barrack room japes and pranks.

Spike Milligan's war memoirs, read by lifelong Milligan fan Paul Merton

The third episode recounts the barrack room japes and pranks that went on after lights out and the marvellous army eccentrics Spike met - including Gunner Octavian Neat who would appear naked in the barrack room to ask: Does anybody know a good tailor?.

This was the first of seven volumes of Spike's war memoirs but it is also a comedy classic in its own right. First published in 1971, the book is peppered throughout with Milligan's gags, one-liners and surreal comic invention

Paul Merton's delivery of the gags, characters and Goonish events of the story vividly bring to life the experiences of the 22 year old Spike Milligan from call up through basic training in the early years of the war.

This fourth episode recounts the chaos that ensues in a training exercise when Gunner Milligan omits the vital word 'practice' from the announcement of an invasion fleet in the Channel.

The battery's hapless involvement in one of Montgomery's training exercises.

Spike Milligan's war memoirs, read by lifelong Milligan fan Paul Merton

This fourth episode recounts the chaos that ensues in a training exercise when Gunner Milligan omits the vital word practice from the announcement of an invasion fleet in the Channel.

This was the first of seven volumes of Spike's war memoirs but it is also a comedy classic in its own right. First published in 1971, the book is peppered throughout with Milligan's gags, one-liners and surreal comic invention

Paul Merton's delivery of the gags, characters and Goonish events of the story vividly bring to life the experiences of the 22 year old Spike Milligan from call up through basic training in the early years of the war.

5/6. Spike is posted to Hailsham, where the Signal section indulges in a 'lie-in' contest.

Spike Milligan's war memoirs, read by lifelong Milligan fan Paul Merton

This was the first of seven volumes of Spike's war memoirs but it is also a comedy classic in its own right. First published in 1971, the book is peppered throughout with Milligan's gags, one-liners and surreal comic invention

Paul Merton's delivery of the gags, characters and Goonish events of the story vividly bring to life the experiences of the 22 year old Spike Milligan from call up through basic training in the early years of the war.

In the final episode, the battery is finally posted overseas. Spike enjoys an intense last minute affair with a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force before the long journey from Liverpool to Algiers, where he is billeted in a prisoner of war camp lying unused because the allies had so far failed to capture any Germans.

Spike has an affair and ends up at an Algerian PoW camp with no prisoners to oversee.

Spike Milligan's war memoirs, read by lifelong Milligan fan Paul Merton