Selden Long
Encyclopedia
Major Selden Herbert Long was an English flying ace
during World War I. He was credited with nine confirmed aerial victories. He was also noted for the audacity of his trench strafing missions–an early form of close air support
.
S. S. Long. He served originally in the Durham Light Infantry before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps
in 1914. Before ever scoring an aerial victory, he won the Military Cross (gazetted on 29 October 1915). The citation to the MC tells the tale:
"For conspicuous gallantry on several occasions,
notably the following: —
"On 10 September 1915, he went out to
attack an observation balloon shed with a
100-lb. bomb, but, being heavily fired at by
an anti-aircraft battery, he silenced the guns
with this bomb and returned for another
one, with which he attacked the balloon.
He only narrowly missed it as it was being
deflated beside the shed.
"On 23 September he made two determined
attacks on trains from 500 feet,
breaking the rails in two places. On the
first occasion he returned to the attack three
times, and finally climbed to 1,000 feet in
order to make better use of his bomb sight;
on the second occasion he made most of his
return journey at 1,000 feet in order better
to examine villages, roads, etc.
"On 25 September he attacked a train at
500 feet under heavy rifle fire, and damaged
the line. Late in the afternoon of 25 September
he heard that trains were moving at 25 miles
distance, and, in spite of darkness and bad
weather, he volunteered to attack them.
Heavy rain prevented his reaching them, so
he turned to attack Peronne station, descending to 500 feet and coming under heavy
anti-aircraft gun fire. This fire prevented
his reaching the station, but he climbed to
1,500 feet and attacked a "Rocket"
battery, silencing one of its guns."
s to drive a Fokker Eindekker down out of control. Three months later, on 16 November, flying a DH.2 for 24 Squadron, he captured a Roland C.II at Beaulencourt
. There followed a string of four victories in December; on the 11th, teamed with Eric Pashley, Chester Stairs Duffus and another pilot, he destroyed an Albatros D.I
; on the 20th, he and Kelvin Crawford set an Albatros D.II
aflame; the 26th and 27th saw "out of control" victories.
On 25 January 1917, Captain Long torched an LVG
two-seater from FA(A) 216; its crew, Leutnants Gunter Kallenbach and Ernst Erdmann, leaped to their deaths. Two days later, the two-seater falling before Long's guns belonged to FA(A) 233, and the men killed were Vizefeldwebel Willy Lang and Leutnant Kurt Brandt. Long would score once more, on 6 March 1917. Six days later, Selden Herbert Long was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He had been mentioned in dispatches five times.
s in 46 Squadron. He then moved on to command 111 Squadron in the Middle East. His book of memoirs, In the Blue, came out in 1920. Long left the Royal Air Force with the rank of major.
Selden Herbert Long died on 12 December 1952.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
during World War I. He was credited with nine confirmed aerial victories. He was also noted for the audacity of his trench strafing missions–an early form of close air support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
.
Early service and award of the Military Cross
Long was the son of Major GeneralMajor General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
S. S. Long. He served originally in the Durham Light Infantry before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
in 1914. Before ever scoring an aerial victory, he won the Military Cross (gazetted on 29 October 1915). The citation to the MC tells the tale:
"For conspicuous gallantry on several occasions,
notably the following: —
"On 10 September 1915, he went out to
attack an observation balloon shed with a
100-lb. bomb, but, being heavily fired at by
an anti-aircraft battery, he silenced the guns
with this bomb and returned for another
one, with which he attacked the balloon.
He only narrowly missed it as it was being
deflated beside the shed.
"On 23 September he made two determined
attacks on trains from 500 feet,
breaking the rails in two places. On the
first occasion he returned to the attack three
times, and finally climbed to 1,000 feet in
order to make better use of his bomb sight;
on the second occasion he made most of his
return journey at 1,000 feet in order better
to examine villages, roads, etc.
"On 25 September he attacked a train at
500 feet under heavy rifle fire, and damaged
the line. Late in the afternoon of 25 September
he heard that trains were moving at 25 miles
distance, and, in spite of darkness and bad
weather, he volunteered to attack them.
Heavy rain prevented his reaching them, so
he turned to attack Peronne station, descending to 500 feet and coming under heavy
anti-aircraft gun fire. This fire prevented
his reaching the station, but he climbed to
1,500 feet and attacked a "Rocket"
battery, silencing one of its guns."
Aerial victories
It would be almost another year before Selden Long scored his first aerial win, using one of 29 Squadron's DH.2Airco DH.2
|-DH.2 aces:Distinguished pilots of the DH.2 included Victoria Cross winner Lanoe Hawker , who was the first commander of No 24 Squadron and ace Alan Wilkinson. The commander of No. 32 Squadron, Lionel Rees won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single handedly attacking a formation of 10...
s to drive a Fokker Eindekker down out of control. Three months later, on 16 November, flying a DH.2 for 24 Squadron, he captured a Roland C.II at Beaulencourt
Beaulencourt
Beaulencourt is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A small farming village located 20 miles south of Arras on the N17 road, at the junction with the D11...
. There followed a string of four victories in December; on the 11th, teamed with Eric Pashley, Chester Stairs Duffus and another pilot, he destroyed an Albatros D.I
Albatros D.I
|-See also:...
; on the 20th, he and Kelvin Crawford set an Albatros D.II
Albatros D.II
|-See also:...
aflame; the 26th and 27th saw "out of control" victories.
On 25 January 1917, Captain Long torched an LVG
LVG
Luftverkehrsgesellschaft m.b.H. was a German aircraft manufacturer based in Berlin-Johannisthal, which began constructing aircraft in 1912, building Farman-type aircraft. The company constructed many reconnaissance and light bomber biplanes during World War I.The raid on London in 1916 was...
two-seater from FA(A) 216; its crew, Leutnants Gunter Kallenbach and Ernst Erdmann, leaped to their deaths. Two days later, the two-seater falling before Long's guns belonged to FA(A) 233, and the men killed were Vizefeldwebel Willy Lang and Leutnant Kurt Brandt. Long would score once more, on 6 March 1917. Six days later, Selden Herbert Long was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He had been mentioned in dispatches five times.
Post World War I
After war's end, Long stayed in to fly Sopwith PupSopwith Pup
The Sopwith Pup was a British single seater biplane fighter aircraft built by the Sopwith Aviation Company. It entered service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service in the autumn of 1916. With pleasant flying characteristics and good maneuverability, the aircraft proved very...
s in 46 Squadron. He then moved on to command 111 Squadron in the Middle East. His book of memoirs, In the Blue, came out in 1920. Long left the Royal Air Force with the rank of major.
Selden Herbert Long died on 12 December 1952.
Recommended reading
- In the Blue: On Active Service Series by Selden Herbert Long. John Lane, 1920.
Reference
- Pusher Aces of World War 1" Jon Guttman, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Pub Co, 2009. ISBN 1846034175, 9781846034176.