Birth name Desmond Evelyn Longe Years of service 1939–1945 Battles and wars World War II | Service number 156248 Died 19 February 1990 | |
Commands held Commander of Mission Eucalyptus Awards Service/branches | ||
Major Desmond Evelyn Longe, MC, 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.
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Early life and family
Longe was born the son of the Rev. Charles Longe of Spixworth Park, Norfolk. 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.
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.
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. The mission comprised Commander, Major Desmond Longe and his second in command, John Houseman, 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.
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.
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.
Personal life
Longe served as President of Norwich Union Insurance in the 1970s and later Chairman in 1980. Longe was appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1975. In 1980, Longe served as President of the Royal Norfolk Show.
Books
Longe has been mentioned in the following books: