French and Americans play soccer match. During the four years of occupation, the French of St.

French and Americans play soccer match. During the four years of occupation, the French of St. Pierre Eglise consistantly refused to participate in sports with the Nazis. The Germans formed a football team and invited the French team to a match. The French refused. The invitation was extended periodically but never accepted. French and German teams played on the same field at the edge of town but always on different days. Though many of the members of the French team were drafted for slave labor in Germany, the team continued the exist as a unit. They were ready for the day when a detachment of the Ninth U.S. Air Force fook up quarters near St. Pierre Eglise. The French challenged the Americans to a game of football, a game which the U.S. airmen knew as soccer. The contest was played off on a Sunday and the Americans lost, 4 to 1. The whole town turned out for the match. Between halves, a collection was taken up for the refugees of Caen, many of whom now live in St. Pierre Eglise. The outcome of the game was celebrated with candy and cigarets produced by the Americans and champagne contributed by the French. The two teams toasted each other, School Principal Xavier Lerour, the referee; France, American and the Allies. Private Warner Dreyfuss of New York City, a member of a Ninth U.S. Air Force detachment, and Businessman Rene Clot of St. Pierre Eglise, captains of the rival soccer teams, shake hands after the game. The French won, 4-1.