Mussolini: His Part In My Downfall (1978)

by Spike Milligan

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: The War -- and Peace -- Memoirs (4)

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A voice is calling across the land, 'Bombardier Milligan'. 'Bombadier Milligan is dead,' I replied in a disguised voice. The voice replied, 'Then he's going to miss his breakfast'. The fourth volume of Spike Milligan's legendary account of his time in the army during World War Two begins as he and his regiment land in sunny Italy in 1943 ('The ship touched the beach very gently, so gently I suspect it's not insured'). After a bout of Sandfly Fever, from which he soon recovers ('I'm ready to be killed again'), our plucky hero is piddled on by a farm dog ('Mussolini's revenge?') before forging his way inland towards the enemy and the sound of guns ('We're getting near civilisation'), where matters suddenly take a dark turn ('I was not really me any more') . . .… (more)

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The fourth volume of Spike Milligan's war memoirs takes a sombre turn with his being injured in an attack and suffering from post-traumatic stress. But before then there is plenty of time for shenanigans, including a raucous account of the D Battery Christmas Show produced and orchestrated by Spike (with assistance from constant chum Harry Edgington). The accounts of the events in this book are supplemented by the regimental diary, Alf Fildes' diary, and some purple prose by Edgington (with editorial notes by Spike). And as always I continue to marvel at Spike's wordplay and Edgington's ability to conjure up a cup of tea under any circumstances. (

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rabbitprincess | Sep 18, 2015 |

So often a second volume in a biography disappoints, and a third would be even more likely to do so. A fourth....But not here!
I have often remarked that the Milligan memoirs are the collision of the world's greatest human catastrophe so far, with its finest comic mind. If you aren't going to openly weep, this is a good way to confront war. But even Milligan couldn't keep it up indefinitely.
Oh, if you hadn't figured it out, the Eighth Army goes to Italy.... It takes its artillery with it. (

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DinadansFriend | May 29, 2014 |

What a fantastically funny, and interesting tale Spike tells: Spike Milligan has surely outdone himself with this book. I found it in my parents attic a couple of years ago, and have read, and re-read it many times. Milligans own 'unique' brand of humour comes pouring through page after page in this wonderfully frank and lucid account of his time in the Royal Artillery in WWII. Tragic and funny- highly reccommended.

iayork | Aug 9, 2009 |

Although this is first rate comedy, there is a poignancy about it, as there should be with any reflections on war. Perhaps comedy is the best medium for writing about the horror of war? (

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John5918 | Sep 26, 2006 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Spike Milligan	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Hobbs, Jack	Editor	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

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Belongs to Series

The War -- and Peace -- Memoirs (4)

Is contained in

Spike Milligan Classic War Memoirs Collection 7 Books Set (Adolf Hitler my part in his Downfall, Rommel Gunner Who?, Monty His Part in my victory, Mussolini his part in my Downfall, Where have all the Bullets Gone?, Goodbye Solider, Peace Work) by Spike Milligan

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Canonical title

Mussolini: His Part In My Downfall

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People/Characters

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Epigraph

Dedication

This book is dedicated to
Erin Pizzey in her lonely fight to stop
brutal physical and physiological violence
on women and children.

First words

Thursday, September 23, 1943. My Diary: Still at war!

Quotations

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

Publisher's editors

Blurbers

Biggs, Ronald (allegedly)

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Mussolini: His Part in My Downfall

▾Book descriptions

A voice is calling across the land, 'Bombardier Milligan'. 'Bombadier Milligan is dead,' I replied in a disguised voice. The voice replied, 'Then he's going to miss his breakfast'. The fourth volume of Spike Milligan's legendary account of his time in the army during World War Two begins as he and his regiment land in sunny Italy in 1943 ('The ship touched the beach very gently, so gently I suspect it's not insured'). After a bout of Sandfly Fever, from which he soon recovers ('I'm ready to be killed again'), our plucky hero is piddled on by a farm dog ('Mussolini's revenge?') before forging his way inland towards the enemy and the sound of guns ('We're getting near civilisation'), where matters suddenly take a dark turn ('I was not really me any more') . . .

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