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War Memoirs #3
Monty
'It's all over, Von Arnheim has surrendered and he's very angry. This could mean war...' The third volume of Spike Milligan's laugh-a-line account of life as a gunner in World War Two resumes on the eve of victory in North Africa. Now Britain's looniest war hero must combat some of the direst threats a soldier has ever faced - boredom ('Christ, I just thought of Catford'), a cold ('In this weather?' 'Yed.'), moving camp ('It's a sort of Brighton with camels'), relaxing on the beach ('Life was golden, and we were the assayers'), moving camp again ('We're already somewhere else'), a visit to Carthage ('It's terrible, it's like Catford') and a perilous encounter with the gloriously endowed Mademoiselle Villion ('"Help! massage", I said weakly'). Against the odds, they survive and are sent at last to Italy to be killed...
The 19th Battery forge into Tunis, cocksure and carefree. They climb an aqueduct with no trousers on (the battery, that is; the aqueduct was very well dressed). Five hundred gunners try to dance with two girls and an old French matron…
The 19th Battery forge into Tunis, cocksure and carefree. They climb an aqueduct with no trousers on (the battery, that is; the aqueduct was very well dressed). Five hundred gunners try to dance with two girls and an old French matron…
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
89 people are currently reading
666 people want to read
About the author
Spike Milligan
289 books300 followersTerence Alan Patrick Seán Milligan, known as Spike, was a comedian, writer and musician. He was of Irish descent, but spent most of his childhood in India and lived most of his later life in England, moving to Australia after retirement. He is famous for his work in The Goon Show, children's poetry and a series of comical autobiographical novels about his experiences serving in the British Army in WWII. Spike Milligan suffered from bipolar disorder, which led to depression and frequent breakdowns, but he will be remembered as a comic genius. His tombstone reads 'I told you I was ill' in Gaelic.
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February 18, 2020
How Spike Milligan helped Monty capture North Africa during world war two.
At least that's his side of this dead-pan humorous story
Could this be the beginning of the end? Or the end of the beginning?
“Tunis fallen?! Ups a daisy!”
Had we ordinary layabouts beaten the formidable German Army?
Dear Führer, beaten ve haff been by zer Ordinary Layabouts, signed Formidable German Army.
“We won,” said White, as though it had been a game of football. Gunner Lee parts his hair, the comb clogged with a six months paté of Brylcream and dust. “I bet the victory cost Ladbrokes a fortune, we was 100-1.”
“I hear there’s fighting in Cap Bon.”
“You must have good hearing, that’s 20 miles away.”
We gathered round the Cook House in a gulley adjacent to the now silent guns. Looming behind us is Longstop Hill, a blood drenched salient taken at Bayonet point by the Argylls. In the twilight our ground sheets glistened with rain.
“What’s for the victory feast?” says a cheery voice. Something that went ‘Splush!’ was dropped in his mess tin.
Victory celebrations in North Africa
In the Tunis streets the milling throng are thronging the mills. At a café, two German officers drink coffee. Lt Walker asked what they were doing. In perfect broken English they replied, “Ve are vaiting to be took prisoners old poy.”
We motored slowly through the crowded streets, being kissed several times by pretty girls and once, by a pretty boy.
“No one’s kissed me,” complained Gunner Holt, his face like a dog’s bum with a hat on.
“Never mind — ‘ere comes one now, I’ll stamp on her glasses!”
A fat lady with revolving bosoms shouts “Vive les Americains.”
“She thinks we’re Americans,” says Holt.
“We’ll slip one up her, then blame them,” says Devine.
A group of ‘Ities’ insist they be taken prisoner or they’ll surrender.
“Sorry --—” I explain, “We British Army prisoners.”
"This could mean War!"
In Chater Jack’s tent the telephone rang. “Hello, CO. 19. Battery. AHHHH!” He put his hand over the mouthpiece.
“It’s all over, Von Arnheim has surrendered and he’s very angry.”
“This could mean war,” said Lt Budden, who was really in the middle of Beethoven’s 5th.
Chater Jack called a general parade. “It’s officially over,” he said with a huge satisfied grin.
“At last we’re safe,” said Gunner Forrest, and for the first time in months removed his tin hat, Gunner Woods is puzzled. “I don’t understand, we’re fighting Germany yet we’re in Africa bloody miles from Germany.”
“That’s because the weather’s better ‘ere,” says Fildes, “if you’re killed when sun tanned you don’t look too bad. Mind you,” he said, “up North on the Russian front, the cold preserves the body so good, they post ‘em back to the elatives.”
The first time we recall history - it is as tragedy.
The second time - it is as comedy.
With the help of Spike Milligan we are now able to laugh
Enjoy!
At least that's his side of this dead-pan humorous story
Could this be the beginning of the end? Or the end of the beginning?
“Tunis fallen?! Ups a daisy!”
Had we ordinary layabouts beaten the formidable German Army?
Dear Führer, beaten ve haff been by zer Ordinary Layabouts, signed Formidable German Army.
“We won,” said White, as though it had been a game of football. Gunner Lee parts his hair, the comb clogged with a six months paté of Brylcream and dust. “I bet the victory cost Ladbrokes a fortune, we was 100-1.”
“I hear there’s fighting in Cap Bon.”
“You must have good hearing, that’s 20 miles away.”
We gathered round the Cook House in a gulley adjacent to the now silent guns. Looming behind us is Longstop Hill, a blood drenched salient taken at Bayonet point by the Argylls. In the twilight our ground sheets glistened with rain.
“What’s for the victory feast?” says a cheery voice. Something that went ‘Splush!’ was dropped in his mess tin.
Victory celebrations in North Africa
In the Tunis streets the milling throng are thronging the mills. At a café, two German officers drink coffee. Lt Walker asked what they were doing. In perfect broken English they replied, “Ve are vaiting to be took prisoners old poy.”
We motored slowly through the crowded streets, being kissed several times by pretty girls and once, by a pretty boy.
“No one’s kissed me,” complained Gunner Holt, his face like a dog’s bum with a hat on.
“Never mind — ‘ere comes one now, I’ll stamp on her glasses!”
A fat lady with revolving bosoms shouts “Vive les Americains.”
“She thinks we’re Americans,” says Holt.
“We’ll slip one up her, then blame them,” says Devine.
A group of ‘Ities’ insist they be taken prisoner or they’ll surrender.
“Sorry --—” I explain, “We British Army prisoners.”
"This could mean War!"
In Chater Jack’s tent the telephone rang. “Hello, CO. 19. Battery. AHHHH!” He put his hand over the mouthpiece.
“It’s all over, Von Arnheim has surrendered and he’s very angry.”
“This could mean war,” said Lt Budden, who was really in the middle of Beethoven’s 5th.
Chater Jack called a general parade. “It’s officially over,” he said with a huge satisfied grin.
“At last we’re safe,” said Gunner Forrest, and for the first time in months removed his tin hat, Gunner Woods is puzzled. “I don’t understand, we’re fighting Germany yet we’re in Africa bloody miles from Germany.”
“That’s because the weather’s better ‘ere,” says Fildes, “if you’re killed when sun tanned you don’t look too bad. Mind you,” he said, “up North on the Russian front, the cold preserves the body so good, they post ‘em back to the elatives.”
The first time we recall history - it is as tragedy.
The second time - it is as comedy.
With the help of Spike Milligan we are now able to laugh
Enjoy!
October 22, 2025
Monty, His Part in My Victory is a continuation of Spike Mulligans; first book of his WW II Memoirs, Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall. Printed copies can be hard to find, some quite expensive, but all volumes are available in Kindle copy. The language is generally family friendly but Spike was not an officer and a gentleman and therefore could be at least a little more honest about how soldiers spent their time. Rarely were he and buddies in church.
Book one ended with Mulligan’s artillery regiment arriving in North Africa and ordered to take up fighting position in the front. This part takes the unit through the North African Campaign.
Spikes assignments rarely had him at the guns. More typically he was among those handling communications, laying the wires from the forward observer positions and back to the various parts of his units’ communications network. His respect for and awareness of the special suffering of the rifle units may not have been entirely returned. Some would have considered his a back of the line posting. His may not have been the worst of the war, but artillery units received special targeting by German artillery and the land battle was often within sight.
Much is in each book to suggest hilarity of Mulligan’s war. The humor is almost entirely the kind of high-speed word play that he would later place at the center of his famous radio show, The Goon Squad, but His Part is not primarily a funny book. Almost all the jokes are uttered sotto voci issued from subordinate enlisted toward not always listening senior enlisted or officers. I happen to like this kind of word play
As important to his story is his slowly widening circle of friends who will be a part of his post war life. Fellow musicians and future radio show writers and directors. Among his unit, Spike was more widely traveled and educated. He was therefore one of the leaders in organizing trips into the more scenic areas in North Africa and away from some of the dingier fleshpots. His jazz group was often called upon to tour around the rest areas and provide entertainment for troops finally getting rest from the worst of the War in North Africa.
No where does Spike Mulligan portray himself as a hero. He is proud of his unit and their accomplishments. His is a private soldier’s view of land war, with some gentler soldier humor and some idea of like near the line.
Book one ended with Mulligan’s artillery regiment arriving in North Africa and ordered to take up fighting position in the front. This part takes the unit through the North African Campaign.
Spikes assignments rarely had him at the guns. More typically he was among those handling communications, laying the wires from the forward observer positions and back to the various parts of his units’ communications network. His respect for and awareness of the special suffering of the rifle units may not have been entirely returned. Some would have considered his a back of the line posting. His may not have been the worst of the war, but artillery units received special targeting by German artillery and the land battle was often within sight.
Much is in each book to suggest hilarity of Mulligan’s war. The humor is almost entirely the kind of high-speed word play that he would later place at the center of his famous radio show, The Goon Squad, but His Part is not primarily a funny book. Almost all the jokes are uttered sotto voci issued from subordinate enlisted toward not always listening senior enlisted or officers. I happen to like this kind of word play
As important to his story is his slowly widening circle of friends who will be a part of his post war life. Fellow musicians and future radio show writers and directors. Among his unit, Spike was more widely traveled and educated. He was therefore one of the leaders in organizing trips into the more scenic areas in North Africa and away from some of the dingier fleshpots. His jazz group was often called upon to tour around the rest areas and provide entertainment for troops finally getting rest from the worst of the War in North Africa.
No where does Spike Mulligan portray himself as a hero. He is proud of his unit and their accomplishments. His is a private soldier’s view of land war, with some gentler soldier humor and some idea of like near the line.
Read
June 3, 2008Spike Milligan's humorous writings is one of the great joys on this and pathetic earth. He wrote a multi-volume memoir of his years as a soldier in World War 2, and this is I believe is his second volume. A lot of it is illustrated by second hand photos as well as images by him. It has sort of a collage effect, and Milliagan is one of the great humorist placed on this planet.
For those who are fans of Peter Sellers, Milliagan and him were part of a great British comedy group called 'The Goons.' This was late 50's till the early 60's. Mostly radio performances, but recordings do exist here in London and elsewhere. Check them out. Especially if you are fans of Monty Python.
For those who are fans of Peter Sellers, Milliagan and him were part of a great British comedy group called 'The Goons.' This was late 50's till the early 60's. Mostly radio performances, but recordings do exist here in London and elsewhere. Check them out. Especially if you are fans of Monty Python.
January 24, 2014
Spike Milligan continues his excellent memoirs covering their rest period after the Afrika Korps surrendered to being deployed to Italy. Highly recommended reading.
March 27, 2017
The third instalment in Milligan's war memoirs is just as funny as the first two. It's a very short book, though; I just read this in one sitting! :-D
October 5, 2013
This is the last funny book in Milligan's series of war memoirs. If all you are looking for is bawdy, military humour, then read the first two books and this one and stop here. After this. Milligan does to Italy and the tone of his memoirs changes markedly for the worse.
This book, though, is a good read. As ever, Milligan's punctuation, syntax, spelling and grammar are sometimes a bit hit and miss but he captures the essential spirit of what it was like to be a soldier for the duration brilliantly. The laddish humour, the incompetence, the boredom, the constant moving from one place to another and the sense of wonder at being out of England for the first time are all here.
I first read this book (and the previous two in the series) as a young teenager and constantly laughed out loud. I suppose it helped that my Dad was in the British Army at the time and I was used to being around soldiers just like the men described here. Even so, although I don't laugh aloud as often as I used to (purely because I have re-read these books so often), they still bear re-reading.
This book, though, is a good read. As ever, Milligan's punctuation, syntax, spelling and grammar are sometimes a bit hit and miss but he captures the essential spirit of what it was like to be a soldier for the duration brilliantly. The laddish humour, the incompetence, the boredom, the constant moving from one place to another and the sense of wonder at being out of England for the first time are all here.
I first read this book (and the previous two in the series) as a young teenager and constantly laughed out loud. I suppose it helped that my Dad was in the British Army at the time and I was used to being around soldiers just like the men described here. Even so, although I don't laugh aloud as often as I used to (purely because I have re-read these books so often), they still bear re-reading.
January 7, 2021
Part three of Spike Milligan’s war memoires is a short volume (127 pages) covering the battles for Tunis and the regiment’s preparations for and embarkation to Salerno, Italy. The book contains the usual mix of text, photographs and cartoons, many with very funny captions.
As with all the books in this series, they are a product of their time, with prejudices of the time. Some readers may be offended by some of the language, including the term ‘wogs’ when referring to the local North African people. This is a highly offensive term to our ears (and eyes), of course, but its origin was that it referred to locals employed by the British in some capacity: it was an acronym standing for ‘Working On Government Service’. This became corrupted, of course, and subsequently became a generalised term for people of colour, and hence highly racist and offensive. I hope it won’t spoil the book for you.
In this volume, Lance Bombardier Milligan describes some of the results of the desperate fighting leading to the Allies capturing Tunis and taking the German forces prisoner, as well as his usual mix of anarchic and ridiculous capers got up to by the gunners in Tunisia. I feel sure that their humour got them through some tough times and helped them cope with the stresses of war, although you can tell that their mental health had suffered as a result of their experiences.
Milligan has a good way with words and some of his descriptions are lovely – and some are hilarious.
He also describes their musical achievements. Milligan was a trumpeter and played in a band with some of his colleagues, to the delight (so we are told!) of the troops they entertained. Great stuff.
As with all the books in this series, they are a product of their time, with prejudices of the time. Some readers may be offended by some of the language, including the term ‘wogs’ when referring to the local North African people. This is a highly offensive term to our ears (and eyes), of course, but its origin was that it referred to locals employed by the British in some capacity: it was an acronym standing for ‘Working On Government Service’. This became corrupted, of course, and subsequently became a generalised term for people of colour, and hence highly racist and offensive. I hope it won’t spoil the book for you.
In this volume, Lance Bombardier Milligan describes some of the results of the desperate fighting leading to the Allies capturing Tunis and taking the German forces prisoner, as well as his usual mix of anarchic and ridiculous capers got up to by the gunners in Tunisia. I feel sure that their humour got them through some tough times and helped them cope with the stresses of war, although you can tell that their mental health had suffered as a result of their experiences.
Milligan has a good way with words and some of his descriptions are lovely – and some are hilarious.
He also describes their musical achievements. Milligan was a trumpeter and played in a band with some of his colleagues, to the delight (so we are told!) of the troops they entertained. Great stuff.
Read
August 28, 2008Hillarious - in fact I read in in my early 20s and remember travelling by train laughing so hard - I wasn't embarrassed to laugh out aloud. I even had tears rolling down my face it was that comical.
March 8, 2017
'Monty...' is arguably the most slight of all of Spike Milligan's war autobiographies, both in terms of content and quality. This is not to say it is a bad book, or sub-par contrasted with other works in Milligan's huge corpus. However when compared and contrasted with the other books in the 'seven volume trilogy' it is not up to the same standards as other entries. For example, it doesn't match the inventive comedy of 'Rommel? Gunner Who?', nor does the manner in which it portrays Milligan's war bring home the range of emotions seen in 'Mussolini; My Part In His Downfall'.
Perhaps where Milligan succeeds the most in this book is his ability to return to the same characters and similar tropes to his previous war autobiographies and combine some fresh, engaging material whilst giving the reader the comfort of familiar people and settings. There is also some progression of Milligan's depiction of his development as an entertainer, courtesy of the Battery Band he was a member of. It can also be said that Milligan's description of military life, with its inanity, boredom and sheer hard fucking slog is spot on.
In summary, if you enjoy Spike Milligan's work and/or have an interest in what a soldier's life can be like in times of war, 'Monty: His Part in My Victory' is a much recommended read.
Perhaps where Milligan succeeds the most in this book is his ability to return to the same characters and similar tropes to his previous war autobiographies and combine some fresh, engaging material whilst giving the reader the comfort of familiar people and settings. There is also some progression of Milligan's depiction of his development as an entertainer, courtesy of the Battery Band he was a member of. It can also be said that Milligan's description of military life, with its inanity, boredom and sheer hard fucking slog is spot on.
In summary, if you enjoy Spike Milligan's work and/or have an interest in what a soldier's life can be like in times of war, 'Monty: His Part in My Victory' is a much recommended read.
September 19, 2012
After leaving school at 16, I hadn't a thought for education. All I wanted was a job that allowed me to go out to the pub, play pool and go to the football on Saturday. I had quite a number of these jobs between 16 and 23 when I gave up dead-ending and went to University. Two of the main reasons I went to University were both in one of those jobs. As a caretaker at Huddersfield Polytechnic I realised that the majority of students were not too far ahead of me in terms of intelligence, and I met Joe White who features boldly in this and the previous two of Spike Milligan's war memoirs. Joe (Chalkie) was the funniest, wisest and kindest of the funny wise and kind gang of 60 plus year olds who this 20 year old was honoured to work with. Reading this book gives a unique view of the war for all and brings back a lot a special memories of a great man for me.
November 29, 2023
More laugh out loud moments, in traffic!!
February 3, 2019
Milligan at war......
This, the third book telling the tale of Spike Milligan’s army service in North Africa. His ability to jump from crude ‘squaddie’ humour to the history of Carthage - as one example - shows the breadth of his intelligence. Funny too. As an unrepentant fan of The Goon Show in my mid 50’s I’m reading these books for the third time. as an ex-squaddie I appreciate his and his mates’ criticism of the Army and ‘bosses.’ His work proves beyond any doubt, if if occasionally crude, the rank does not = intelligence or wisdom. A lesson the Army still fails to heed today. More Spike please, next volume and we’re off to Sicily/Italy.......
This, the third book telling the tale of Spike Milligan’s army service in North Africa. His ability to jump from crude ‘squaddie’ humour to the history of Carthage - as one example - shows the breadth of his intelligence. Funny too. As an unrepentant fan of The Goon Show in my mid 50’s I’m reading these books for the third time. as an ex-squaddie I appreciate his and his mates’ criticism of the Army and ‘bosses.’ His work proves beyond any doubt, if if occasionally crude, the rank does not = intelligence or wisdom. A lesson the Army still fails to heed today. More Spike please, next volume and we’re off to Sicily/Italy.......
April 23, 2013
Magnificent. One fourth of one of the truly great war memoirs.
June 23, 2015
another little gem - tad short !
September 6, 2016
A great man, a great book.
January 19, 2023
Not quite as funny as the first 2 , but still brilliant.
February 22, 2025
I mont to read the next one already!! Enjoyable but not as good as the previous two.
January 14, 2020
Третий том дает наконец ответ на вопрос, почему англичане вели войну с Германией в Африке. Потому что там погода лучше, конечно.
January 11, 2023
This 3rd of 7 books continues the hilarity started in “Adolf Hitler: My Part In His Downfall.”
"Monty: His Part in My Victory" is a book by the late Spike Milligan, an English comedian, actor, and writer. The book is an autobiography that details Milligan's experiences as a soldier in World War II, and his time serving in the British army under General Bernard Montgomery, whose nickname was "Monty." It is considered a classic of British military humor.
R.I.P. Spike Milligan - you may be gone, but never forgotten!
"Monty: His Part in My Victory" is a book by the late Spike Milligan, an English comedian, actor, and writer. The book is an autobiography that details Milligan's experiences as a soldier in World War II, and his time serving in the British army under General Bernard Montgomery, whose nickname was "Monty." It is considered a classic of British military humor.
R.I.P. Spike Milligan - you may be gone, but never forgotten!
July 6, 2013
The third part of Spike Milligan's war diaries is more of the same as the previous two volumes. The difference is that, after completing the first two, people have provided him with pictures and other things to put in his book. As a result, there's some great historical records - such as a military letter from 27 June 1943 to Major Chatterjack congratulating the gunners for firing 800 heavy rounds from 4 guns in 24 hours. Another letter from Major Chatterjack confirms that Milligan and his friends were responsible for breaking the record of the number of round fired per gun in 24 hours. This supports the subplot that runs throughout this volume - victory for the allies in Tunis and their redeployment and travel towards Italy.
The main story, of course, is about Milligan and his chums endure the hardships of the war through jazz, tomfoolery, booze and sex (when available). The battles are understated - the music concerts are described in detail. It seems that he deliberately wanted to focus on the happier memories surrounding the time, and who can blame him?
A great book. Funny and interesting throughout.
The main story, of course, is about Milligan and his chums endure the hardships of the war through jazz, tomfoolery, booze and sex (when available). The battles are understated - the music concerts are described in detail. It seems that he deliberately wanted to focus on the happier memories surrounding the time, and who can blame him?
A great book. Funny and interesting throughout.
May 13, 2014
True, a very short book, with lots of wartime photos (some captioned in the way that only a Goon can), facsimiles of orders and watercolours or other artworks from the time.
After a heavy battle in Tunis, Milligan's regiment are having a little downtime. This means that the Battery 'D' boys can play jazz in a number of morale-raising concerts (including a memorable shindig for the Navy), explore Tunis, swim, build unwise accommodation in a wadi and generally relax a bit before their next top secret assignment (a trip to Italy).
The juvenile humour and pranking of the first volume of memoirs are back: a battle has been won, they survived, and the weight of expectation is off for a bit. And, given that the spectre of war is missing (at least for a while), this affords the book more scope for fun. The only downside is the promotion of Major Chater Jack and his posting to another regiment, as he had been as accommodating and supportive of the Jazz antics as any CO could be. If that (and the relative brevity of the book) are the only complaints, then it's a sure sign things are well in Milligan's little world.
After a heavy battle in Tunis, Milligan's regiment are having a little downtime. This means that the Battery 'D' boys can play jazz in a number of morale-raising concerts (including a memorable shindig for the Navy), explore Tunis, swim, build unwise accommodation in a wadi and generally relax a bit before their next top secret assignment (a trip to Italy).
The juvenile humour and pranking of the first volume of memoirs are back: a battle has been won, they survived, and the weight of expectation is off for a bit. And, given that the spectre of war is missing (at least for a while), this affords the book more scope for fun. The only downside is the promotion of Major Chater Jack and his posting to another regiment, as he had been as accommodating and supportive of the Jazz antics as any CO could be. If that (and the relative brevity of the book) are the only complaints, then it's a sure sign things are well in Milligan's little world.
June 3, 2012
* * * 1/2
The humour continues with Spike Milligan's third installment of his war memoirs. This covers the period from May to September 1943, after the fall of Tunis. The battery is not engaged in very heavy fighting, so there are a lot more light-hearted anecdotes: concerts, Edgington's various self-inflicted injuries, and of course the men's attempts to score with the ladies. Much-loved Major Chater Jack is also transferred to another unit, and his replacement is very strict and humourless.
This was an entertaining enough read, but I think my favourite bits were actually the ones involving Spike's father, who was definitely a character. For example, Spike said that his dad's way of stopping Hitler would be to "invite him to a game of poker -- then, at a crucial stage, call him 'Ein Cheat'." (Milligan Sr was a big fan of Westerns.) The banter between Spike and Edgington is also amusing, as are any of Spike's horrendous puns. I enjoyed this and laughed out loud a lot, but Vol. 2 is still my favourite. Looking forward to Vol. 4.
The humour continues with Spike Milligan's third installment of his war memoirs. This covers the period from May to September 1943, after the fall of Tunis. The battery is not engaged in very heavy fighting, so there are a lot more light-hearted anecdotes: concerts, Edgington's various self-inflicted injuries, and of course the men's attempts to score with the ladies. Much-loved Major Chater Jack is also transferred to another unit, and his replacement is very strict and humourless.
This was an entertaining enough read, but I think my favourite bits were actually the ones involving Spike's father, who was definitely a character. For example, Spike said that his dad's way of stopping Hitler would be to "invite him to a game of poker -- then, at a crucial stage, call him 'Ein Cheat'." (Milligan Sr was a big fan of Westerns.) The banter between Spike and Edgington is also amusing, as are any of Spike's horrendous puns. I enjoyed this and laughed out loud a lot, but Vol. 2 is still my favourite. Looking forward to Vol. 4.
February 13, 2012
The third part of Milligan's war memoirs continues along in the same fashion as his first two, brutally honest, hilariously silly (I howled with laughter reading this), and surprisingly insightful. While the writing itself isn't great, it is the way he tells the story which is so funny (he really just writes how he talked). Also, as a random bit of trivia, I noticed in his introduction to this book that he lived in Woy Woy, Australia, at the time of writing this. I happen to live 10 minutes away from Woy Woy, which has a couple of things in town named after him due to his brief time spent living there.
At any rate, a great book, though naturally one that needs to be read in due order within the seven war memoirs he wrote.
At any rate, a great book, though naturally one that needs to be read in due order within the seven war memoirs he wrote.
January 2, 2018
Another hilarious entry in Milligan's war memoirs that mainly covers his time on leave in Africa. The occasional racial slur still sullies the experience somewhat, but overall you get a series of incredibly silly but very funny stories from Milligan's time in the army. Incompetence is always the order of the day which seems very apt considering these men have been thrown together with very little training to defend their country from men with lots of guns. It never fails to impress me that so much humour can be derived from the deadliest conflict in history.
April 4, 2019
This is my third Spike Milligan book and my second of his war diaries, and while I have enjoyed his work so far, I have also found that it’s pretty heavily tainted with the casual racism of the time. If you don’t like racial slurs (who does?) like those words beginning with N and W, or if you have a problem with the casual usage of “the C word”, you’ll probably struggle at times.
Sometimes his humour fell flat too, probably because of the overreliance on the slurs, but bits of it were interesting. I’m glad I read it.
Sometimes his humour fell flat too, probably because of the overreliance on the slurs, but bits of it were interesting. I’m glad I read it.
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September 21, 2012EDITORIAL REVIEW: Britain's looniest war hero completes the third volume of the Milligan memoirs. The nineteenth battery forge into Tunis, cocksure and carefree. They climb on aqueduct with no trousers on (the battery that is; the aqueduct was very well-dressed). Five hundred gunners try to dance with two girls and an old French matron...up there in Valhalla, Monty's laughing fit to burst.
January 18, 2018
Pathos and puns
Milligan 's ability is the incredible balance he strikes between side splitting humour and touching descriptions of the futility of war. He tells the reflective story with the wonder of a young man barely considered into adulthood. Fun with facts make for a great combination.
Milligan 's ability is the incredible balance he strikes between side splitting humour and touching descriptions of the futility of war. He tells the reflective story with the wonder of a young man barely considered into adulthood. Fun with facts make for a great combination.
November 5, 2012
2nd time I have read this which is a humerous, often meaningful, look at Spike Milligans life & those of his comrades during the 2nd world war. Not so funny the second time around but stiil worth a read.
Reminds one of the total waste created by all wars.
Reminds one of the total waste created by all wars.
December 22, 2012
Volume 3. This book ends with Allied victories in north Africa and the departure of Spike to Italy. The humour is still there but the book does not shy away from the reality of the fighting. This makes the book a surprising informative read as well as entertaining.
January 3, 2019
Another fine mess
Once again from the top.
Far too short, must write taller.
Now added worms to get the bl**dy submit button to work.
(Last revue was bounced because i didn't do the *'s in bl**dy)
Once again from the top.
Far too short, must write taller.
Now added worms to get the bl**dy submit button to work.
(Last revue was bounced because i didn't do the *'s in bl**dy)
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