inforespace340001

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Nos enquêtes" from "Flying Saucer Review" (Vol. 21, No. 2, 1975) focuses on a significant UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon) case titled "Un quasi-atterrissage au Pays de Herve" (A Quasi-Landing in the Pays de Herve), investigated by Michel Bougard.

Un quasi-atterrissage au Pays de Herve

The article begins by noting that the UMMO affair, while potentially a large-scale hoax according to Claude Poher, still raises questions about the motives behind it, leaving the mystery unresolved and troubling.

The Location

The observed event took place in the commune of Henri-Chapelle, approximately 11 km northeast of Verviers, near a location called "Pancherelle," bordering the E5 highway. Henri-Chapelle is situated on the Herve plateau, with a low population density and primarily agricultural activities. The specific site was a slightly sloping meadow, bordered by a hawthorn hedge and oak trees, near a small country road. The autoroute E5 was to the south, and a dirt path leading to a farm was to the north.

The Event

On the evening of Saturday, June 22, 1974, two witnesses, 18-year-old Jean-Claude Rogister and 16-year-old Lydia Deliège, were returning home on their mopeds after an evening out. The sky was clear and starry. As they passed Henri-Chapelle, they noticed a bright blue light in the distance, about two kilometers away, in the direction of the highway. Initially mistaking it for a police car's flashing lights, they soon realized its unusual brightness. As they approached, the light, which was clearly visible against the dark sky, began to pulsate and illuminate the area. They realized it was not a vehicle light and that it was located in a meadow to their left. The object was hovering silently and rotating on the spot.

Witness Accounts

Version of J.C. Rogister:

Rogister described the object as a round, flat object, about one to two meters above the ground, significantly lower than the nearby highway's light poles. He estimated its diameter to be around 20 meters and its height about 2.50 meters. The object was completely luminous, with a white hue and a blue halo. He noted several flashing blue and yellow lights, some of which might have been visible through openings or rotating hubs. The rotation was rapid, comparable to a police car's flashing light. He also reported a strong wind generated by the object's rotation, which agitated the surrounding foliage. When he and his companion turned off their engines, the object suddenly disappeared, accompanied by a faint whistling sound.

Version of L. Deliège:

Deliège's account was more concise. She described the phenomenon as smaller than a car, a luminous blue globe with a halo, rotating. She noted a rocking motion and a slight up-and-down movement. She perceived the object as approaching and increasing in volume. Unlike Rogister, she did not recall flashing lights but did report an intense sound, like a car's indicator. She confirmed the object's sudden disappearance when their engines were cut.

Comparative Analysis and Investigation

A summary table highlights the differences and similarities between the two witnesses' accounts, noting variations in perceived distance, size, color, lights, movements, sound, and duration. The investigation included a site visit nine months after the event, which revealed a charred tree stump and a 3-meter diameter circular area where grass was absent, possibly due to the phenomenon. The farmer who owned the land reported no unusual animal behavior at the time.

Additional Cases and Information

The issue also briefly mentions other UAP sightings: an object observed by a gardener in Ohain in September 1972, a case from Fazenda Velha, Brazil, involving a luminous sphere, and a sighting by Jimmy Carter in 1969. It touches upon the role of radar networks in detecting UAP, noting that while sophisticated, many systems are primarily designed for meteorological purposes and may not be optimized for identifying UAP. The article also references the UMMO affair and the ongoing mystery surrounding it.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained aerial phenomena, presenting detailed witness testimonies and investigative findings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging the potential for conventional explanations while also considering the possibility of genuinely unknown phenomena. The emphasis is on presenting factual accounts and encouraging further investigation, as seen in the unresolved nature of the UMMO case and the detailed analysis of the Henri-Chapelle incident.

This issue of Inforespace, identified as issue number 80, focuses on UFO phenomena with a strong emphasis on international cases and investigative efforts. The cover headline, "Les grands cas mondiaux" (The great world cases), sets the tone for the content, which includes detailed reports from Chile, Australia, and Brazil, alongside an initiative for a UFO detection network in Belgium.

A Wave of UFOs in Chile

The magazine details a series of UFO sightings in Chile during May 1977. A significant event occurred on April 25th near Pampa Lluscuma, where Corporal Armando Valdès and six soldiers observed an oval object with a violet glow. The object, estimated to be 3 meters in diameter, descended slowly and silently, exhibiting pulsating red lights. Valdès himself briefly disappeared and reappeared with a five-day beard and his watch indicating a later date, reporting a sensation of having fallen into a well.

Further sightings in Chile included an event on May 5th in Codingue, where a disc-shaped object emitting sparks and noise was observed. Similar phenomena were reported between April 25th and 30th. Reports from Punta Arenas around May 14th described formations of luminous sources moving at high speed, performing loops. Between May 18th and 25th, a circular object with variable luminosity was seen over Santiago, and on May 24th-25th, a luminous object in Antofagasta emitted red flashes and moved in zigzags.

The Hallam, Australia Photo Case

This section revisits a UFO photograph case from Hallam, Australia, from March 5, 1967. It describes how John Coyle, a 15-year-old, took six black and white photos of a strange object. The object, described as silver and disc-shaped, circled the witnesses for over two minutes without making a sound. The report notes that these photos, unlike a previous Australian UFO photo, did not gain widespread publicity. Dr. James McDonald, a researcher with the US Navy, became interested in these photos and met with the witnesses, finding them credible.

A Detection Network in Belgium

The magazine announces the establishment of a UFO detection network in Belgium by SOBEPS, following a positive response to a previous call for participation. The initiative aims to scientifically monitor UFO phenomena using electronic and mechanical devices. The article emphasizes the benefits of such a network, including improved observation probability, scientific interest through data collection, and the potential for automated surveillance. Researchers with expertise in electronics, technicians, and scientists are invited to join.

The "Balls" of the Aveyron Case (Part 3)

This section continues the investigation into the "balls" of Aveyron case, noting that the third part presents challenges due to a single witness, which weakens the testimony's validity. The commentator, F. Dupin de la Guérivière, highlights new elements such as the description of a trembling indicator plate, similar to a previous case, and questions why this was not mentioned earlier. The description of the saucer with two domes is noted as atypical. The commentary by J. Chasseigne focuses on the primary role of the son as the main witness and the extraordinary length of the observation period.

South America: A Continent of Predilection for UFOs (Part 6)

This part of the series presents cases from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The first case involves M. Cavalheiro Mendes, a retired police officer, who on October 19, 1959, experienced a sensation of fear and heat, and encountered a human-like bust near his chalet. He observed a UFO and a small figure. The witness was mentally guided and later identified Venus as the possible origin of the visitor. The second case describes a luminous sphere observed by a witness on September 1, 1972, which stopped 3 meters above the ground and disappeared when a police car approached. The witness also reported a similar event the following night.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently highlights the importance of witness testimony, photographic evidence, and scientific investigation in the study of UFO phenomena. There's an underlying theme of the unexplained nature of these events, often pushing the boundaries of rational explanation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting and investigation while acknowledging the challenges and skepticism surrounding the subject. The magazine aims to provide a platform for sharing and analyzing UFO cases from around the world.

Title: Inforespace
Issue: 22
Date: August 1975
Country: France
Language: French

The Pont de la Crevette Case

The issue details a significant UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon) sighting known as the 'Pont de la Crevette' case, which occurred on the evening of October 30, 1959. The primary witness was Colonel Waldemar Carlos Bastide Schneider, a respected professor at the Military College of Pôrto Alegre and a member of the GGIOANI investigation team. He was accompanied by his wife, their child, and a merchant couple, Mr. and Mrs. Beitel.

Around 10:55 PM, near the Pont de Camarão, they observed two luminous objects shaped like rhombuses, stationary in the sky. Upon stopping the car, they estimated the objects to be approximately 2 km away, with the two forms being about 50 meters apart. Using the car's headlights, Colonel Schneider attempted to signal the objects, which responded in kind. The rhombuses flashed intensely several times, and when they dimmed, orange spots, about 20 cm in apparent size, appeared. Initially, the objects' apparent dimensions were estimated at 60 cm and 45 cm, with the colonel suggesting the dimmer lights originated from within the objects.

When the luminosity increased, it became a fluorescent white, yet it did not blind the witnesses. The objects illuminated the treetops of a nearby wood, about 5 meters above them. Colonel Schneider then devised a signaling technique: he walked 10 meters towards the objects with a lit flashlight, counted to ten, and extinguished it. His wife repeated the procedure from inside the car using another flashlight. After these signals, the two objects responded together, illuminating three times in the same sequence and duration as the colonel's signals.

Subsequently, the colonel swept his flashlight horizontally across the horizon. The object on the right mirrored this movement, moving horizontally towards the left object and meeting it. The colonel then directed his beam towards the ground, then pointed it at one of the objects, tracing a circumference, and finally moved the beam vertically. In response to this new signaling, the colonel reported that the objects approached. The right object positioned itself in front of the left one, obscuring it. The movement was silent and uniform.

The objects were observed for about an hour. Other motorists passed by but did not stop, and no written confirmation was obtained from them. However, some occupants of passing vehicles reportedly shouted something like "Ce sont des S.V.!" (They are S.V.!). The objects then moved away, and after a few minutes, separated by 800 meters, the two craft were observed evolving at 200 meters above the lagoon. Suddenly, they disappeared.

The article notes that the most significant aspects of this experience were confirmed by a couple, both around 60 years old, living near the lagoon.

Paranormal Influence on Witnesses

A note, citing Jader U. Pereira from 'Phénomènes Spatiaux', discusses the paranormal influence of occupants on witnesses. This influence can take two forms: telepathy or other similar phenomena, and mental manipulation. In the latter, the witness is 'tele-commanded,' performing actions against their will, which can be accompanied by an alteration in their perception of the environment.

Reader Correspondence

The section "On nous écrit..." (We are written to...) features letters from readers responding to a series of articles titled "L'aventure cosmique de l'humanité" (The cosmic adventure of humanity).

Letter 1: Michel Dufourny (Montluçon, France)

M. Dufourny expressed curiosity about the sources used by M. F. Boitte for a table in Inforespace No. 26 and his article. He pointed out several date errors in the table regarding the Ranger VII, VIII, and IX missions, citing 'Cosmos Encyclopédie, Tome V, p. 156' as his source. He humorously suggested that multiple spacecraft with the same number might have been launched days apart.

Response: The response explained that the table was compiled from press clippings and documentation, and the date discrepancies might arise from different dating conventions (e.g., launch date vs. event date). It questioned the significance of these few-day differences and noted that the series' references were cited in footnotes, with Sagan's works being heavily utilized.

Letter 2: (Unnamed Reader)

This reader also noted imprecise dates, specifically mentioning the Luna IX landing, the first moon landing, and the launch of Apollo XIV.

Response: The response verified the Luna IX impact date as February 3, 1966. For the first moon landing, it stated that the first steps of Armstrong and Aldrin occurred on July 20 or 21, 1969, depending on whether one refers to the LEM's arrival or the astronauts' exit. The launch of Apollo XIV was confirmed as January 31, 1971, with Shepard and Mitchell making their first steps later.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue focuses on detailed case studies of UAP sightings, emphasizing witness credibility and investigative rigor, as exemplified by the Pont de la Crevette case. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, while also engaging with scientific data and reader feedback. The inclusion of reader letters suggests an interactive approach, addressing discrepancies and providing clarifications on space exploration events. The discussion on paranormal influence highlights the psychological and perceptual aspects that can accompany such encounters.