Desmond Longe: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
Smallchief (talk | contribs) →Mission Eucalyptus: deleting unneeded words |
Moving from Category:Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France) to Category:British recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France) using Cat-a-lot |
||
| (15 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|British Army Major}} |
|||
{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} |
||
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}} |
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}} |
||
{{Infobox military person |
{{Infobox military person |
||
| Line 5: | Line 6: | ||
|image= Major_Desmond_Longe,_DL_(Chairman,_Norwich_Union).png |
|image= Major_Desmond_Longe,_DL_(Chairman,_Norwich_Union).png |
||
|caption= |
|caption= |
||
|birth_date={{Birth date|1914|08|08|}} |
|birth_date={{Birth date|df=yes|1914|08|08|}} |
||
|death_date={{Death date|1990|02|19|}} (age 75 years) |
|death_date={{Death date|df=yes|1990|02|19|}} (age 75 years) |
||
|placeofburial_label= |
|placeofburial_label= |
||
|placeofburial= |
|placeofburial= |
||
| Line 12: | Line 13: | ||
|death_place= |
|death_place= |
||
|placeofburial_coordinates= |
|placeofburial_coordinates= |
||
| |
|other_name= Refraction (codename) |
||
|birth_name=Desmond Evelyn Longe |
|birth_name=Desmond Evelyn Longe |
||
|allegiance={{flag|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flag|France}} |
|allegiance={{flag|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flag|France}} |
||
| Line 28: | Line 29: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
[[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]] '''Desmond Evelyn Longe''', [[Military Cross|MC]],<ref>https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/45439/page/8346/data.pdf</ref> [[Deputy Lieutenant|DL]], ( |
[[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]] '''Desmond Evelyn Longe''', [[Military Cross|MC]],<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=45439 |date= 3 August 1971|page=8346|city=London|title=DEPUTY LIEUTENANT COMMISSIONS}} [https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/45439/page/8346/data.pdf]</ref> [[Deputy Lieutenant|DL]], (8 August 1914 – 19 February 1990) was a [[British Army during the Second World War|British Army]] [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]], S.O.E agent and Commander of the [[Special Operations Executive|Inter-Allied]] mission, [[List of Special Operations Executive operations|Eucalyptus]]. |
||
== Early life and family == |
== Early life and family == |
||
Longe was born the son of the Rev. Charles Longe of [[Spixworth Park]], [[Norfolk]], [[England]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/whitakerspeerage00unse_17/whitakerspeerage00unse_17_djvu.txt|title=Full text of "Whitaker's peerage, baronetage, knightage, and companionage" |
Longe was born the son of the Rev. Charles Longe of [[Spixworth Park]], [[Norfolk]], [[England]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/whitakerspeerage00unse_17/whitakerspeerage00unse_17_djvu.txt|title=Full text of "Whitaker's peerage, baronetage, knightage, and companionage"}}</ref> and 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.<ref name="auto">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wGtECwAAQBAJ|title=Fighters in the Shadows: A New History of the French Resistance|first=Robert|last=Gildea|date=30 November 2015|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=9780674915022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aL7d9XKoKlsC|title=A Pacifist at War: The Silence of Francis Cammaerts|first=Ray|last=Jenkins|date=1 January 2010|publisher=Arrow|isbn=9780099525134}}</ref> |
||
== World War II == |
== World War II == |
||
| Line 37: | Line 38: | ||
=== Mission Eucalyptus === |
=== Mission Eucalyptus === |
||
In 1944, Longe was named commander of the Inter-Allied Mission codenamed [[List of Special Operations Executive operations|"Eucalyptus]]." On |
In 1944, Longe was named commander of the Inter-Allied Mission codenamed [[List of Special Operations Executive operations|"Eucalyptus]]." On the night of 28/29 June 1944, Longe and his team parachuted into a field in the French commune of [[Vassieux-en-Vercors]] in the department of [[Drôme]] in southeastern France. Their task was to train the [[Maquis du Vercors|Maquis]] (rural resistance fighters) of the [[Vercors Massif]] in the use of parachuted weapons and in guerrilla-style combat as well as seeking suitable landing and parachute drop zones for airborne operations.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WBzOAwAAQBAJ|title=Silent Skies: Gliders at War 1939-1945|first=Tim|last=Lynch|date=30 August 2008|publisher=Pen and Sword|isbn=9781844157365}}</ref> The mission comprised Commander, Major Desmond Longe and his second in command, John Houseman (codename: 'Reflection'),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/categories/c55673/|title=BBC - WW2 People's War - John Houseman's Diary - Mission Eucalyptus Category}}</ref> a former estate agent. Also aiding the mission were three subsequent officers, including 2 radio officers: Franco-American OSS agent, Andre Pecquet (codename: 'Paray') and Frenchman, Phillipe Saillard (codename: 'Touareg'). Longe located the mission near Saint-Martin-en-Vercors on 10 July 1944 where it was strengthened by three French officers, including Adrien Conus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://museedelaresistanceenligne.org/media7530-Mission-Eucalyptus|title=Musée de la résistance en ligne}}</ref> |
||
| ⚫ | Eucalyptus immediately ran into difficulty. The SOE leader in southeastern France, [[Francis Cammaerts]], was furious that Longe and his team had been sent to Vercors without his knowledge and permission. Moreover, Longe spoke little French and Houseman none, which limited their usefulness. The training of the maquis by Longe and others and air drops of arms and supplies proved |
||
| ⚫ | Eucalyptus immediately ran into difficulty. The SOE leader in southeastern France, [[Francis Cammaerts]], was furious that Longe and his team had been sent to Vercors without his knowledge and permission. Moreover, Longe spoke little French and Houseman none, which limited their usefulness. The training of the maquis by Longe and others and air drops of arms and supplies proved inadequate when the German army launched an all-out attack on the Vercos Massif on 21 July and the maquis were quickly defeated and dispersed. After a few days hiding out in the forests, Longe and Houseman with maquis guides began a trek on foot to [[Switzerland]] and safety, crossing the border on 11 August. After their escape, rumors circulated that Longe and Houseman had fled in the face of the enemy. Longe demanded a court of inquiry which decided that his behavior had been appropriate and justified. However, Cammaerts refused to apologize for having said Longe "ran away."<ref name="Foot">{{cite book |last1=Foot |first1=M. R. D. |title=SOE in France |date=1976 |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |location=London |isbn=0116301929 |pages=Kindle location 9615–9624}}. First published in 1966.</ref><ref name="Jenkins">{{cite book |last1=Jenkins |first1=Ray |title=A Pacifist at War |date=2009 |publisher=Hutchison |location=London |isbn=978-0091925574 |pages=150–165}}</ref> |
||
On 19 July 1945, Longe was awarded the [[Military Cross]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7396639 |title = Catalogue description Recommendation for Award for Longe, Desmond Rank: Major Service No: 156248}}</ref> |
|||
[[File:Major_Desmond_Longe.png|thumb|right|Major Desmond Longe, Commander of Mission Eucalyptus]] |
[[File:Major_Desmond_Longe.png|thumb|right|Major Desmond Longe, Commander of Mission Eucalyptus]] |
||
==Honours and awards== |
==Honours and awards== |
||
On 19 July 1945, Longe was awarded the Military Cross by [[George VI of the United Kingdom|King George VI]] for ''gallantry during active operations against the enemy''. |
On 19 July 1945, Longe was awarded the Military Cross by [[George VI of the United Kingdom|King George VI]] for ''gallantry during active operations against the enemy''.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7396639 |title = Catalogue description Recommendation for Award for Longe, Desmond Rank: Major Service No: 156248}}</ref> |
||
<center> |
<div class="center"> |
||
{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Military Cross ribbon.png|width=93}} |
{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Military Cross ribbon.png|width=93}} |
||
{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=39-45 Star BAR.svg|width=103}} |
{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=39-45 Star BAR.svg|width=103}} |
||
{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=War Medal 1939–1945 (UK) ribbon.png|width=93}} |
{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=War Medal 1939–1945 (UK) ribbon.png|width=93}} |
||
{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with palm (France) - ribbon bar.png|width=106px}} |
{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with palm (France) - ribbon bar.png|width=106px}} |
||
</div> |
|||
{|class="wikitable" |
{|class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |
||
|-align=center |
|||
| [[Military Cross]] |
| [[Military Cross]] |
||
|[[1939–1945 Star]] |
|[[1939–1945 Star]] |
||
| Line 61: | Line 60: | ||
|[[Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France)|Croix de guerre avec palme 1939–1945]] |
|[[Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France)|Croix de guerre avec palme 1939–1945]] |
||
|} |
|} |
||
</center> |
|||
== Personal life == |
== Personal life == |
||
Longe served as President of [[Norwich Union Insurance Limited|Norwich Union Insurance]] in the 1970s and later |
Longe served as President of [[Norwich Union Insurance Limited|Norwich Union Insurance]] in the 1970s and later chairman in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://joemasonspage.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/spixworth-2/|title=SPIXWORTH|last=joemasonspage|date=18 March 2013}}</ref> Longe was appointed [[High Sheriff of Norfolk]] in 1975.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=46524 |date=21 March 1975|page=3843|city=London}}</ref> In 1980, Longe served as President of the [[Royal Norfolk Show]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://royalnorfolkshow.rnaa.org.uk|title=Home - Royal Norfolk Show}}</ref> Longe was appointed as Director of Schiedam Insurance, Netherlands and Director of Scottish Union and National Insurance Co. |
||
== Books == |
== Books == |
||
Longe has been mentioned in the following books: |
Longe has been mentioned in the following books: |
||
* Setting France Ablaze: The SOE in France During WWII (by Peter Jacobs)<ref>https://books.google. |
* Setting France Ablaze: The SOE in France During WWII (by Peter Jacobs)<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J_xyCgAAQBAJ&q=major+desmond+longe+%28page%3D+199&pg=PA199|title = Setting France Ablaze: The SOE in France During WWII|isbn = 9781783463367|last1 = Jacobs|first1 = Peter|date = 30 September 2015}}</ref> |
||
* A Pacifist at War: The Silence of Francis Cammaerts (by Ray Jenkins)<ref>https://books.google. |
* A Pacifist at War: The Silence of Francis Cammaerts (by Ray Jenkins)<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aL7d9XKoKlsC&q=major+desmond+longe&pg=PA159 |page= 159|title= A Pacifist at War: The Silence of Francis Cammaerts|isbn= 9780099525134|last1= Jenkins|first1= Ray|author2= Ray|year= 2010}}</ref> |
||
* Fighters in the Shadows: A New History of the French Resistance (by Robert Gildea)<ref name="auto"/> |
* Fighters in the Shadows: A New History of the French Resistance (by Robert Gildea)<ref name="auto"/> |
||
* Vercors 1944: Resistance in the French Alps (by Peter Lieb)<ref>{{cite book|title=Vercors 1944: Resistance in the French Alps|first=Peter|last=Lieb|date=18 December 2012|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn = 978-1849086981}}</ref> |
* Vercors 1944: Resistance in the French Alps (by Peter Lieb)<ref>{{cite book|title=Vercors 1944: Resistance in the French Alps|first=Peter|last=Lieb|date=18 December 2012|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn = 978-1849086981}}</ref> |
||
* In Search of the Maquis: Rural Resistance in Southern France 1942-1944 (by H. R. Kedward)<ref>https://books.google. |
* In Search of the Maquis: Rural Resistance in Southern France 1942-1944 (by H. R. Kedward)<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mIJdOCh3_gkC&q=major+desmond+longe&pg=PA178 |page= 178|title= In Search of the Maquis : Rural Resistance in Southern France 1942-1944: Rural Resistance in Southern France 1942-1944|isbn= 9780191591785|last1= Kedward|first1= H. R.|date= 11 March 1993}}</ref> |
||
== References == |
== References == |
||
| Line 83: | Line 81: | ||
[[Category:1990 deaths]] |
[[Category:1990 deaths]] |
||
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]] |
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]] |
||
[[Category:British recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France)]] |
|||
Latest revision as of 01:35, 2 November 2024
Desmond Evelyn Longe | |
|---|---|
.png) | |
| Birth name | Desmond Evelyn Longe |
| Other name(s) | Refraction (codename) |
| Born | 8 August 1914 Norfolk, England |
| Died | 19 February 1990 (age 75 years) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom France |
| Service |  British ArmySpecial Operations Executive |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Major |
| Service number | 156248 |
| Unit | Norfolk Regiment |
| Commands | 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, (8 August 1914 – 19 February 1990) was a British Army Major, S.O.E agent and Commander of the Inter-Allied mission, Eucalyptus.
Early life and family
[edit]Longe was born the son of the Rev. Charles Longe of Spixworth Park, Norfolk, England[2] and 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
[edit]During the war, Longe served in the British Army as part of the clandestine Special Operations Executive (SOE). He served in West Africa, Middle East, Far East and North Western Europe. Longe was the commander of the Inter-Allied Mission Eucalyptus.
Mission Eucalyptus
[edit]In 1944, Longe was named commander of the Inter-Allied Mission codenamed "Eucalyptus." On the night of 28/29 June 1944, Longe and his team parachuted into a field in the French commune of Vassieux-en-Vercors in the department of Drôme in southeastern France. Their task was to train the Maquis (rural resistance fighters) of the Vercors Massif in the use of parachuted weapons and in guerrilla-style combat as well as seeking suitable landing and parachute drop zones for airborne operations.[5] The mission comprised Commander, Major Desmond Longe and his second in command, John Houseman (codename: 'Reflection'),[6] a former estate agent. Also aiding the mission were three subsequent officers, including 2 radio officers: Franco-American OSS agent, Andre Pecquet (codename: 'Paray') and Frenchman, Phillipe Saillard (codename: 'Touareg'). Longe located the mission near Saint-Martin-en-Vercors on 10 July 1944 where it was strengthened by three French officers, including Adrien Conus.[7]
Eucalyptus immediately ran into difficulty. The SOE leader in southeastern France, Francis Cammaerts, was furious that Longe and his team had been sent to Vercors without his knowledge and permission. Moreover, Longe spoke little French and Houseman none, which limited their usefulness. The training of the maquis by Longe and others and air drops of arms and supplies proved inadequate when the German army launched an all-out attack on the Vercos Massif on 21 July and the maquis were quickly defeated and dispersed. After a few days hiding out in the forests, Longe and Houseman with maquis guides began a trek on foot to Switzerland and safety, crossing the border on 11 August. After their escape, rumors circulated that Longe and Houseman had fled in the face of the enemy. Longe demanded a court of inquiry which decided that his behavior had been appropriate and justified. However, Cammaerts refused to apologize for having said Longe "ran away."[8][9]
Honours and awards
[edit]On 19 July 1945, Longe was awarded the Military Cross by King George VI for gallantry during active operations against the enemy.[10]
_ribbon.png){kind=small}
_-_ribbon_bar.png){kind=small}
| Military Cross | 1939–1945 Star | War Medal | Croix de guerre avec palme 1939–1945 |
Personal life
[edit]Longe served as President of Norwich Union Insurance in the 1970s and later chairman in 1980.[11] Longe was appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1975.[12] In 1980, Longe served as President of the Royal Norfolk Show.[13] Longe was appointed as Director of Schiedam Insurance, Netherlands and Director of Scottish Union and National Insurance Co.
Books
[edit]Longe has been mentioned in the following books:
- Setting France Ablaze: The SOE in France During WWII (by Peter Jacobs)[14]
- A Pacifist at War: The Silence of Francis Cammaerts (by Ray Jenkins)[15]
- 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)[16]
- In Search of the Maquis: Rural Resistance in Southern France 1942-1944 (by H. R. Kedward)[17]
References
[edit]- ^ "DEPUTY LIEUTENANT COMMISSIONS". The London Gazette. No. 45439. 3 August 1971. p. 8346. [1]
- ^ "Full text of "Whitaker's peerage, baronetage, knightage, and companionage"".
- ^ a b Gildea, Robert (30 November 2015). Fighters in the Shadows: A New History of the French Resistance. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674915022.
- ^ Jenkins, Ray (1 January 2010). A Pacifist at War: The Silence of Francis Cammaerts. Arrow. ISBN 9780099525134.
- ^ Lynch, Tim (30 August 2008). Silent Skies: Gliders at War 1939-1945. Pen and Sword. ISBN 9781844157365.
- ^ "BBC - WW2 People's War - John Houseman's Diary - Mission Eucalyptus Category".
- ^ "Musée de la résistance en ligne".
- ^ Foot, M. R. D. (1976). SOE in France. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. pp. Kindle location 9615–9624. ISBN 0116301929.. First published in 1966.
- ^ Jenkins, Ray (2009). A Pacifist at War. London: Hutchison. pp. 150–165. ISBN 978-0091925574.
- ^ "Catalogue description Recommendation for Award for Longe, Desmond Rank: Major Service No: 156248".
- ^ joemasonspage (18 March 2013). "SPIXWORTH".
- ^ "No. 46524". The London Gazette. 21 March 1975. p. 3843.
- ^ "Home - Royal Norfolk Show".
- ^ Jacobs, Peter (30 September 2015). Setting France Ablaze: The SOE in France During WWII. ISBN 9781783463367.
- ^ Jenkins, Ray; Ray (2010). A Pacifist at War: The Silence of Francis Cammaerts. p. 159. ISBN 9780099525134.
- ^ Lieb, Peter (18 December 2012). Vercors 1944: Resistance in the French Alps. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1849086981.
- ^ Kedward, H. R. (11 March 1993). In Search of the Maquis : Rural Resistance in Southern France 1942-1944: Rural Resistance in Southern France 1942-1944. p. 178. ISBN 9780191591785.