Evening star., 1944-10-15

PARIS,-To drive from Margetlle to
Paris, Is / have just done, involved only
q few detoufs northwest Of Lyon to
avoid the last German strongholds
which then separated the armies Of
Northern and Southern France. made
the trip with an American captain, and
the fact that we passed through dozens
Of towns and villages which the Allies
have not yet entered made 1t one Of the
most exciting journeys have ever taken.
Most of the territory west Of Lyon
has been liberated by. the French forces
of the interior-boys in blue dungarees
and wooden shoes, armed with every
thing from tommy guns to captured
German lugers.
For many miles these Maquis fighters
guided us down winding ross-country
lanes. through the German positions,
until we reached our own lines.
We started out from small town near
Lyon, our jeep loaded with petrol and
food supplies. The. weather was cold
and clear, and the wide, empty roads
were in excellent condition. As We
with red, white and blue flags, children
ran out to give us the v sign, ana farm
ers on bicycles waved. SO frantically they
nearly fell of.
Jeep Puzzles Villagers
After few hours, however we noticed
that our reception was cooling. Instead
Of waving, small boys gave frightened
looks and took shelter in the nearest
doorway, and farmers just stood staring.
Suddenly we came to road block.
Several men with FIJI bands on their
sleeves sprang out, motioned us to halt
and advanced toward us with rifles at
the ready. When We explained who we
were their dark looks gave way to as
constituent and then to excitement.
Four of them jumped on the back Of
the car and led us into the center Of the
village, where word quickly spread that
"the Americans had arrived,
Soon half the population was crowd
ing around us, laughing and pushing and
trying to shake our hands.
you are the first Americans We have
seen." said one. Does this mean the
army is coming?"
We told them that the Army was busy
pursuing the enemy into Germany.
Much satisfaction was registered at this,
mixed with violent expletives about the
"Salles Boches."
We soon discovered that cur jedp was
creating far more OF a sensation than
ourselves. We noticed every one regard
ing 1t with fascinated and puzzled looks,
and finally an old man spoke UP. saying
that he did not wish TO be indtDcreet,
but he would like 70 know II It were
some sort of an aviation Yehicle In
which we had landed BY paraeAu1e.
When we shook our heads his dis
appointment was considerable,
Then it must be. special recon-
naissance car" the old man insisted.
We said no, it was just jeep.
Two 10-year-old boys had heard of
this strange creation before. - sors 4.
"A sheep!" they exclaimed excitedly.7
One of them turned and called up to
a house, Come quickly, mamma, apd see
the sheepl" : rraS hst aeatrfo
Then they all wanted to tosch tNanArg
see how the gears worked. and when
the American captain allowed the two
boys to climb into the drivers seat ypurs
triumph, was complete. -.-.s~, -..a
People Are Grateful
This was the beginning Of our tour
through virgin territory. In village
after village our reception was the same
First the startled looks, then every. one
crowding round, laughing and crying
and pressing on us gifts of flowers and
wine. Those who had cameras ran into
their houses to fetch them, and the
handshaking we did and the embarrass-
ing thanks we received for '1iberating
France" would have been suficient for
the whole Of the Allied Armies
Although Vichy was some distance out
Of our way we could not resist visiting it.
Here, too, we discovered that We were
the first outsiders to enter The large
hotels which only . few weeks before
had served as government buildings
were now quiet and deserted. and posters
on the walls with big black letters IN
formed the population that all traitors