Catalogue retro 1979

Magazine Overview

This issue of L'ÉCHO DES MYSTÈRES, dated November 1979, is dedicated to the significant number of UFO (OVNI) sightings reported in France throughout that year, under the headline "1979 : L'ANNÉE DES OVNI". The magazine presents a collection of detailed reports, investigations, and witness testimonies, covering various regions of France.

Key Sightings and Investigations

The issue meticulously documents numerous incidents, often referencing specific case files (Réf. F/...) and investigation codes (IQ:).

October 1979:

• Cornimont (October 20, 1979): Mr. M. observed a light with two regular 'blinkers' that became erratic, changing color from electric blue to violet, moving with sudden changes in direction and speed, and disappearing towards Saulxures-sur-Moselotte/Baudimont. No sound was reported.
• Masevaux (October 20, 1979): Mr. C., a deputy forest chief, witnessed a matte orange ball moving from northwest to south, accompanied by a blue-violet trail. The object made a sharp turn and moved back northwest. This observation lasted only a few seconds. The witness reported that the Gendarmerie noted disturbances in German (RFA) radio-television broadcasts.
• Cornimont (October 26, 1979): Following up on previous cases, investigator G.M. and witness Mr. A.M. searched for clues but found none. Later that evening, Mr. A.M.'s daughter reported seeing a luminous ball, but it had vanished by the time G.M. arrived.

November 1979:

• Region unspecified (Late November 1979): A young couple driving near Houppette saw a reddish luminous dome-shaped object on the ground, partially hidden by trees. The object ascended, increased in volume, and turned incandescent white before they drove away.
• Brillon/Combles-en-Barrois (Late November/Early December 1979): An agriculturalist observed a white disc emitting a truncated beam of light. The object's color shifted to violet, then pink, then red, performing about forty elliptical trajectories before its center turned midnight blue and it abruptly extinguished. The observation lasted about 3 minutes.
• Marnaval (November 7, 1979): Mr. K. observed a large 'star' in a completely overcast sky. The object blinked on and off, then a triangular formation of three reddish stars appeared below it. The formation moved towards Saint-Dizier and disappeared into the clouds.
• Igney (November 11, 1979): Witness R.B. saw a white light, the size and brilliance of a satellite, moving sinusoidally at an altitude comparable to a satellite, approaching him before veering right and disappearing into clouds.
• Fays (November 25, 1979): Mr. R.B. observed an oval, green object, immobile for over 3/4 hour, with a diameter varying between 12 and 25 cm (at arm's length). The local Gendarmerie investigated.
• Fays (November 26 or 27, 1979): Mr. R.B., his nephew, and sister observed a cigar-shaped, greenish object, extremely bright, for about half an hour.
• Fays (November 28, 1979): Mr. R.B. observed a green oval object moving very low, followed by a white sheet-like trail. Later, he saw a yellow-orange 'star' emit a curved flash.
• Epinal (November 29, 1979): Mr. Antoine Fetet saw a star-like luminous object that seemed to emit flashes, remaining immobile for five minutes before moving slowly and disappearing.
• Vimenil (November 29, 1979): Mr. Dencine observed a luminous object surrounded by reddish halos, moving in jerks above the forest.

December 1979:

• Corcieux (December 2, 1979): A reader and his wife observed a strange light oscillating between red and orange, resembling a neon tube, stationary for two to three minutes.
• Saint-Dizier (December 3, 1979): Mr. P. observed a large, electric blue luminous sphere moving rapidly vertically, then horizontally, before disappearing.
• Nogent-en-Bassigny (December 5, 1979): A young girl saw a perfect yellow-lemon sphere surrounded by about 10-12 small, brilliant red balls. A small green ball was above the formation. The phenomenon moved southeast at high speed, silently.
• Fays (near Bruyères) (Multiple evenings in December): An inhabitant observed an oval, green object leaving a white sheet and an indefinable odor. On December 9th, the object was seen landing in a field after performing large circles.
• Lay-Saint-Christophe (December 11, 1979): A driver and her son saw a bright 'star' in a covered sky. Later, they observed an immobile luminous object to their left, described as a large metallic rectangle projecting two light rays, which then moved in a slow vertical arc and disappeared westward.

Additional Sightings (Epinal Region, November 14, 1979):

The issue also details multiple sightings on November 14, 1979, in the Epinal region:

• Epinal (17:35-17:40): Mr. W. observed two oval, whitish luminous forms, like 'cigars', moving north. A third blinking light, identified as an airplane, was also seen.
• Epinal (17:40): Mr. F. Jean-Claude saw two luminous objects that disappeared suddenly after two to three seconds.
• Epinal (approx. 17:00): A 10-year-old boy saw a very bright white ball followed by two planes. An explosion occurred, and the ball disappeared rapidly, leaving a white trail.
• Epinal (17:43 and 17:47): Anne P. saw two luminous orange balls.
• Epinal (17:35-17:50): Two luminous spheres were observed moving similarly but inversely, then joining and disappearing.

Technical Notes:

A magnetic detector at G.M.'s home (500m away) sounded on October 10th at 00:15 twice, but no observation was made. The detector was unfortunately out of service on October 20th. The Centre de Détection et de Contrôle de Contrexeville reported no detected activity and minimal air traffic during one of the Epinal sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the diversity of UFO shapes, colors, and behaviors, the frequent lack of sound, and the occasional presence of electromagnetic interference or physical traces. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious documentation and investigation of these phenomena, presenting witness accounts and investigative findings without overt skepticism, aiming to compile a comprehensive record of the 1979 UFO wave in France. The use of detailed case references and investigator names suggests a commitment to thoroughness.