In the first episode of our new World War II series Al Murray explains why the wings of a Spitfire never break off, while James Holland remembers the man who was told to smash up Monte Cassino. Plus General Patton,

Merry Christmas from We Have Ways of Making You Talk. Over the next 12 days Al and James are reading extracts from some of their favourite books about the Second World War. Today Al is reading from Catch 22, by

In April 1942 Denis Barnham flew his Spitfire off the deck of an aircraft carrier and headed for Malta, where the air battle over the island was at its most intense. This brilliant account of his time on the island

Were airborne operations actually a complete waste of time and men? Al Murray and James Holland question the merit of dropping paratroopers into battle. Also discussed is the vital contribution of women to the British war effort.