Desmond Longe

Desmond Evelyn Longe
Birth name Desmond Evelyn Longe
Born (1914-08-08)August 8, 1914
Norfolk, England
Died (1990-02-19)February 19, 1990 (age 75 years)
Allegiance  United Kingdom
 France
Service/branch  British Army
Special 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, England[2]. Longe was educated at Woodbridge School, Suffolk. 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. He served in West Africa, Middle East, Far East and North Western Europe. 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.

Military Cross 1939–1945 Star War Medal Croix de guerre avec palme 1939–1945

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] Longe was appointed as Director of Schiedam Insurance, Netherlands and Director of Scottish Union and National Insurance Co.

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

  1. ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/45439/page/8346/data.pdf
  2. ↑ "Full text of "Whitaker's peerage, baronetage, knightage, and companionage"".
  3. 1 2 Gildea, Robert (30 November 2015). "Fighters in the Shadows: A New History of the French Resistance". Harvard University Press – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ Jenkins, Ray (1 January 2010). "A Pacifist at War: The Silence of Francis Cammaerts". Arrow – via Google Books.
  5. ↑ http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7396639
  6. ↑ Lynch, Tim (30 August 2008). "Silent Skies: Gliders at War 1939-1945". Pen and Sword – via Google Books.
  7. ↑ "BBC - WW2 People's War - John Houseman's Diary - Mission Eucalyptus Category".
  8. ↑ "Musée de la résistance en ligne".
  9. ↑ Heaton, Trevor. "The amazing story of a Norfolk soldier and an operation which it is claimed provided inspiration for James Bond".
  10. ↑ joemasonspage (18 March 2013). "SPIXWORTH".
  11. ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/46524/page/3843
  12. ↑ "Home - Royal Norfolk Show".
  13. ↑ 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)
  14. ↑ 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)
  15. ↑ Lieb, Peter (18 December 2012). "Vercors 1944: Resistance in the French Alps". Osprey Publishing – via Amazon.
  16. ↑ 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)
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