Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-19

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The transition Of Metz. the Lor'
raine stronghold, from a German to a
French town, is graphically described
by a Philadelphia aviator, Lieutenant
Charles Wallace Drew, who was In
hospital in Metz when the armistice
was signed.
Lieutenant Drew. whose home Is at
246 West Seymour street, German
town, received the distinguished serV-
Ice cross from General Pershing for
an "act of extraordinary heroism' as
the official citation puts it.
August 22 the officer, defying the
anti.aircraft batteries d the enemy,
flew beyond the German lines and was
engaged with four enemy planes Wnen
he was forced to descend. he was
wounded in the desperate battle with
the four boches, but not seriously.
Even as the foe marched from Metz,
the officer declared. American fags
began fluttering from the homes OF
the liberated. people along with tne
tricolor of beloved France.
Lieutenant Drew. Walter J. Wake
field, Of Indiana, and two other officers
were named by the Mayor OF Metz as
n reception committee to receive tne
thanks of the inhabitants for the de.
livery of Metz. The little group OF
Americans, who had been prisoners
there, symbolized to the residents the
republic beyond the seas when haa
helped win freedom for Alsace-Lor'
raine. 80 ,eu-
tenant Drew, plans to appoint com
mittee of citizens to visit this country
as an act of thanksgiving.
LIeutenant's Story
Lieutenant Drew's account OF the
change of Metz from German to
French town follows:
waiter ]. Wakefield, of Indiana, ana
I got the news of the armistice through
newspapers which were smuggled in by
an Alsatlan guard, who was an Ai'ieu
sympathizer," said the lieutenant.
"The German doctors, nurses and
guards were all right but they were
strict. We felt a change in the rigid
ness of the discipline Saturday. ON
Monday. November II. the Bayarians on
guard at the hospital threw down their
arms. They were replaced by old men,
MANY of whom carried red flags. These
self-styled soldiers of the republic &d
not salute tho officers. They fraternized
with the prisoners and liberated several
OF them.
"The Germans who had discarded
their weapons put on Red Cross bands
and talked feartully Of the red nag
demonstrations In the streets. The
doctors put on civilian clothes. They
and the nurses stayed until some French
doctors arrived. .-@
Tricolor Flown
I'm the meantime none OF the guards
prevented us walking about Metz. There
was strange atmosphere. Crowds
gathered and told Of their French
sympathies, boldly wearing the tricolor.
"As the German regiments marched
out of the city the soldiers mingled with
the crowds, assuring the civilians they
had no 'il-feellng toward them and
saluting many of the municipal officials.
THE. shopkeepers Immediately got
busy and tore down German signs. re-
placing them with French. Their sup
plies were meager. but good, particularly
the clothes
"A thousand Alsatianss who deserted
from the German army donned civilian
clothes and sought jobs running trans
and clerklng In stores.
After Monday the streets were bright
ly lighted every night. There were
many French and a few American flags
displayed. The streets were crowded
with happy men, women and children,
but there were no wild demonstrations.
Many Invitations
I'VE received numerous invitations to
dinners and teas. We accepted one from
the Mayor, who heartily entertained
Wakefield, two officers and myself, in
honor of the city's liberation. His wife
had made French, British and American
flags with her own hands. These We're
placed over the door. The Mayor then
appointed the four of us as a sort of
reception committed and we stood un-
der the flags shaking hands with
great number of citizens who called to