Today’s Tidbit… From The Bubbly To The Bulge

During WWII, American troops in Europe and the Pacific were periodically pulled out of action and moved behind the lines to rest, rehabilitate, and take on replacements. Besides their military duties, a portion of each unit received leave to visit designated entertainment locations or nearby cities.

Those remaining with the units had time available for various leisure activities, including sports. As a result, it was not uncommon for units to form football and other teams to compete with one another while behind the lines. Such was the situation in December 1944 in Rheims, France, when two units scheduled a competitive football game for Christmas Day. Since Rheims (Reims in French) is the largest city in France’s Champagne region, the game was dubbed the Champagne Bowl.

The cover of the Champagne Bowl program (Courtesy of https://www.instagram.com/haswouter/?hl=en)