Desmond Longe
| Desmond Evelyn Longe | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Desmond Evelyn Longe |
| Born |
August 8, 1914 Norfolk, England |
| Died | February 19, 1990 (age 75 years) |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom France |
| Service/branch |
 British ArmySpecial Operations Executive |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Major |
| Service number | 156248 |
| Unit | Norfolk Regiment |
| Commands held | Commander of Mission Eucalyptus |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Military Cross War Medal 1939-1945 1939-1945 Star High Sheriff of Norfolk Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk |
Major Desmond Evelyn Longe, MC,[1] DL, (born. 8 September 1914 – died. 19 February 1990) was a British Army Major, S.O.E agent and Commander of the Inter-Allied mission, Eucalyptus.
Early life and family
Longe was born the son of the Rev. Charles Longe of Spixworth Park, Norfolk.[2] Longe worked as a bank clerk in Jamaica before spending the majority of his wartime service in West Africa, India and Vassieux-en-Vercors in the department of Drôme in southeastern France.[3][4]
World War II
During the war, Longe served in the British Army as part of the Special Operations Executive. Longe was the commander of the Inter-Allied Mission Eucalyptus. On 19 July 1945, Longe was awarded the Military Cross.[5]
Mission Eucalyptus
On 21 June 1944, members of a ‘Jedburgh’ special operations unit commanded by Major Desmond Longe parachuted into a field in the French commune of Vassieux-en-Vercors in the department of Drôme in southeastern France as part of an inter-allied mission codenamed ‘Eucalyptus’, intended to educate the guerrillas in the use of parachuted weapons training in guerrilla-style combat as well as seeking suitable landing and drop zones for airborne operations in the area.[6] The mission comprised Commander, Major Desmond Longe and his second in command, John Houseman,[7] a former estate agent. Also aiding the mission were three subsequent officers, including 2 radio officers: Franoc-American OSS agent, Andre Pecquet (codename: ‘Paray’) and Frenchman, Phillipe Saillard (codename: ‘Touareg’). The mission moved near Saint-Martin-en-Vercors on 10 July 1944 where it was strengthened furthermore by three French officers, including Adrien Conus.[8]
Inspiration behind James Bond
Mission Eucalyptus served as the inspiration for the greatest spy fictional hero of all time, James Bond, codenamed, secret agent 007.[9]
Honours and Awards
On 19 July 1945, Longe was awarded the Military Cross by King George VI for gallantry during active operations against the enemy.
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| Military Cross | 1939–1945 Star | War Medal |
Personal life
Longe served as President of Norwich Union Insurance in the 1970s and later Chairman in 1980.[10] Longe was appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1975.[11] In 1980, Longe served as President of the Royal Norfolk Show.[12]
Books
Longe has been mentioned in the following books:
- Setting France Ablaze: The SOE in France During WWII (by Peter Jacobs)[13]
- A Pacifist at War: The Silence of Francis Cammaerts (by Ray Jenkins)[14]
- Fighters in the Shadows: A New History of the French Resistance (by Robert Gildea)[3]
- Vercors 1944: Resistance in the French Alps (by Peter Lieb)[15]
- In Search of the Maquis: Rural Resistance in Southern France 1942-1944 (by H. R. Kedward)[16]
References
- ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/45439/page/8346/data.pdf
- ↑ "Full text of "Whitaker's peerage, baronetage, knightage, and companionage"".
- 1 2 Gildea, Robert (30 November 2015). "Fighters in the Shadows: A New History of the French Resistance". Harvard University Press – via Google Books.
- ↑ Jenkins, Ray (1 January 2010). "A Pacifist at War: The Silence of Francis Cammaerts". Arrow – via Google Books.
- ↑ http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7396639
- ↑ Lynch, Tim (30 August 2008). "Silent Skies: Gliders at War 1939-1945". Pen and Sword – via Google Books.
- ↑ "BBC - WW2 People's War - John Houseman's Diary - Mission Eucalyptus Category".
- ↑ "Musée de la résistance en ligne".
- ↑ Heaton, Trevor. "The amazing story of a Norfolk soldier and an operation which it is claimed provided inspiration for James Bond".
- ↑ joemasonspage (18 March 2013). "SPIXWORTH".
- ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/46524/page/3843
- ↑ "Home - Royal Norfolk Show".
- ↑ https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=J_xyCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA199&dq=major+desmond+longe&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjG3ZChzrrOAhUJBcAKHZNQCGcQ6AEIIjAB#v=onepage&q=major%20desmond%20longe&f=false (page 199)
- ↑ https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=aL7d9XKoKlsC&pg=PA159&lpg=PA159&dq=major+desmond+longe&source=bl&ots=gQ198IlHYv&sig=vZ0bXFX6ZSqXqCSWW7gDUjaWkM4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQsZT_xbrOAhVCvhQKHaQID84Q6AEIOTAF#v=onepage&q=major%20desmond%20longe&f=false (page 159)
- ↑ Lieb, Peter (18 December 2012). "Vercors 1944: Resistance in the French Alps". Osprey Publishing – via Amazon.
- ↑ https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mIJdOCh3_gkC&pg=PA178&dq=major+desmond+longe&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjG3ZChzrrOAhUJBcAKHZNQCGcQ6AEINDAE#v=onepage&q=major%20desmond%20longe&f=false (page 178)