In Operation Roast which took place from 1- 4 April 1945 the task of this unit was to carry out an opposed landing on the western side of the spit of land between Lake Comacchio and the Adriatic and destroy or capture all enemy troops and material in this area. This task was completed, resulting in the capture of 1,000 Prisoners of War by the Commando Brigade and elimination of the entire enemy force in this area.

The early part of this Op consisted of a most exhausting journey over Lake Comacchio in Stormboats which had to be pushed or paddled most of the way due to engine breakdowns or shallowness of water. All craft had to be pushed approximately 2,000 yds before shore could be reached and everyone almost without exception was physically exhausted before the actual battle began.

This Op was the first one in which this very young officer experienced being under fire, but he displayed neither of the usual reactions of cautiousness or recklessness. Lieut Long commanded the first assault section during the landing and led his section into the attack on the forward enemy positions which were opposing the landing of the rest of the unit.

He was wounded early on in the action and subsequently evacuated, - but not before he had led his section in a charge in the face of point-blank fire from enemy dug-outs which resulted in hand-to-hand fighting and the complete annihilation of the enemy position. The first bound of the advance was made in mist and smoke, and it was only due to Long's fearless personal reconnaissance of the correct lines of approach under continual and intense fire from all directions that the final attack was launched on the correct objective.

Long personally led the final charge on the enemy dug-outs after satisfying himself of their exact dispositions and was the first man to get among the enemy. His courage and fearlessness during the previous reconnaissances and standard of leadership during the final attack were almost entirely responsible for the success of his section's attack. Even after being wounded he directed his men onto attacking individual enemy dug-outs and pillboxes and maintained complete control of his section by passing messages to individual sub-sections as the battle progressed.

At all times his men had complete faith and confidence in his leadership before he was wounded and also in his ability to control the battle after he was wounded. His splendid example of fighting ability, courage and determination both before and after being wounded undoubtedly was the major factor responsible for the success of his sections battle.

After his section's task was completed he crawled back to his troops headquarters and assisted his Troop Leader to launch attacks on other objectives which he had seen when making his previous recces. It was not until all these objectives had been dealt with would he allow himself to be evacuated to the regimental aid post. This officer's devotion to duty, personal courage and standard of leadership were of the highest order to be expected from an officer.