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Adolf Hitler - My Part in His Downfall

Episode 1

Duration: 15 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 2Latest broadcast: on BBC Radio 2

Another chance to hear Spike Milligan's war memoir 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 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!". Show less

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