Captain Yossarian, stationed in Italy during the Second World War, is a peace-loving, battle-weary American flier who simply wants to serve the required number of missions. But this turns out to be a losing battle against the military establishment that appies convoluted reasoning (Catch-22) to keep him in the air. First, his commander raises the number of missions. Second, if Yossarian claims that he is unfit to fly because of mental illness, then his own acknowledgement of his problems proves he is rational and capable of flying further missions.
The men at the air base engage in selling, trading and plundering. Lt. Minderbinder becomes the ultimate trader in black market goods and organizes a chain of local brothels, including stealing the pilot's parachutes in order to trade them for their silk content. General Dreedle, always accompanied by his moronic son-in-law spends most of his time with his voluptuous mistress. Squadron leader Cathcart keeps upping the number of missions to be flown, supported by his weasel-like aide Col. Korn and the confused officer Major is advanced in rank because his last name is Major.