Lofty: The short life of Flight Lieutenant Frank Long DFC

Description

Title: Lofty: The short life of Flight Lieutenant Frank Long DFC
Author: Neil Frances and Rick Long
Format: Trade Paperback C Format
Publication date: 26/07/2025
Imprint: NOT ALLOCATED
ISBN: 9780473748630

Lofty is the story of Flight Lieutenant Frank Long DFC; a decorated pilot and wartime hero from Masterton, written by local military historian Neil Frances.

In December 1937, 21 year old Frank Long applied from Masterton for a short service commission with the Royal Air Force, becoming part of Britain’s effort to prepare for a likely war with Nazi Germany.

Accepted by the RAF, Frank commenced flying in Wellington, moving to Wigram RNZAF base in Christchurch for advanced training and learning the rudiments of service life as an officer and gentleman.

Frank Long, in a group of eight young officers, sailed to Britain in early 1939 for indoctrination into the RAF, where he was posted to 102 Squadron in Yorkshire, to fly Whitley bombers.

For the next 18 months Frank took part in the RAF’s early bombing campaign against Germany – a time of trial and many errors as the British Empire fought with its back to the wall against an aggressive and triumphant foe.

Lofty tells Frank Long’s story from boyhood through college life to hectic wartime action, which cut short a promising life and a marriage.

Drawing on family records, letters and photographs, and a wide range of wartime and official records, author and military historian Neil Frances brings a decorated Masterton pilot to life 80 years after his death in action.