While still in the Air Base Group I was assigned to escort the 38th BW soccer team to the play-offs at Kauffburen, Germany. I did not know that we even had a soccer team but they had done well enough in the regional games that we got to go to the play-offs. We took an AF bus and rode all day to Southern Germany, it was bitter cold and we almost froze in the bus. We took turns moving to the front of the of the bus to get nearer the heat. We got there OK and got checked into quarters and they were warm, that is one thing about German construction, there is plenty of insolation and heat.

There was some question whether they would hold the play offs, because of the really frigid conditions but after conferring with all the teams, the powers decided that we should play. Our team did very well and got a trophy to bring home. It was not like a World Cup but the team was really fired up on our return trip to Laon and as escort I basically lost control of the team and they partied all the way home. But we made it and I am sure that many had a hang over the next day.

There was not any spare time to visit around Kauffburen while there, but many years later I went back only to learn that the base had been closed but Nelly and I stayed there for the night an had a really nice time in a quaint town gasthause typical of Bavaria. The next day we went on to the Military hotel at Garmish. Both of us said we should have stayed in Kauffburen… Bob