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Magazine Overview

This issue of 'Lumières Dans La Nuit' from May 1970, titled 'Historique des Objets Volants Non Identifiés' (History of Unidentified Flying Objects), provides a comprehensive historical account of UFO sightings, primarily focusing on the 1950s. The magazine delves into various documented encounters, pilot testimonies, and photographic evidence, presenting a chronological narrative of unexplained aerial phenomena.

Key Incidents and Sightings

The issue details numerous significant events:

September 1952: Operation 'Grande Vergue' and Coastal Command

During the large-scale NATO exercise 'Grande Vergue' (Main Brace), American photographer Wallace Litwin captured three images of a silver disk above the fleet. Simultaneously, the British Coastal Command reported an incident where pilot John Kilburn was pursued by a white flying object that exhibited unusual maneuvers. The Ministry of Air confirmed the event and initiated an investigation. A Danish destroyer commander also reported a triangular UFO moving at high speed with a blue glow.

September 1952: Hamburg and Ljungbyhed Sightings

On September 29th, a brilliant sphere with a rear flame was observed over Hamburg, Germany, moving at tremendous speed. It was later reported as a blue-green, elongated object in Jaegersborg, Sweden, with a meteorological station estimating its altitude at 1000 meters. The commander of the Ljungbyhed base in Sweden described two silver-gray, inverted plates.

Late September 1952: French Indochina and Southern France

In French Indochina, near Saïgon, French Army special services personnel witnessed an immobile yellow disk that moved upwards and disappeared silently. On October 6, 1952, two Air France pilots flying from London to Nice observed an egg-shaped object over Southern France, described as a non-blinding light leaving a whitish, dotted trail.

October 1952: Multiple European Sightings

Throughout October, reports continued. In Oloron, France, hundreds witnessed a cylindrical object accompanied by about thirty undefined balls, emitting fibrous filaments. In Mont-de-Marsan, radar operators reported an anomalous large, dark shape. On October 17, 1952, near Oloron, Yves Prigent observed a cylindrical object with a white outline, preceded by balls, and emitting filaments.

October 1952: Marignane Landing

A significant event occurred on October 27, 1952, at Marignane airfield, where customs officer Gabriel Gachignard approached a mysterious object that had landed. He described it as rugby-ball shaped, about five meters long, with four square portholes.

October 1952: Long Island Interception

On the night of October 28-29, lieutenants Burt Deane and Ralph Corbett, piloting an F-94, intercepted a white, unconventional object over Hempstead, Long Island, USA. The object evaded their attempts to approach and then ascended rapidly.

November 1952: Florence and South Carolina Sightings

On November 16, 1952, hundreds observed a massive UFO near Florence, Italy, which vanished into space. Shortly after, a formation of brilliant UFOs passed north of Landrum, South Carolina, with one witness, J.-D. McLean, filming the phenomenon.

George Adamski and Early Ufology

The issue also touches upon the work of George Adamski, detailing his alleged encounters and photographs of flying saucers, and his claims of contact with 'Venusians'. It mentions Albert K. Bender, founder of the International Flying Saucer Bureau, and his research into UFOs and the Moon.

Belgian UFO Wave of July 4, 1972

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a detailed report on a wave of UFO sightings in Belgium on July 4, 1972. Numerous witnesses across the Liège region reported seeing formations of three white, luminous points or balls moving in triangle formations, often from east to west, at estimated altitudes of 2000-3000 meters. Specific locations mentioned include Faymonville, Lamonriville, Lambermont, Verviers, Liège, Grâce-Hollogne, Ath, and Ellezelles.

Catalogue of Belgian Observations (October 1970 - January 1970)

The latter part of the magazine includes a catalog of UFO observations in Belgium, dating from late 1970 to early 1972. These entries provide brief descriptions of sightings, including dates, times, locations, and witness accounts, covering a wide range of phenomena from single luminous points to formations and oval-shaped objects.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine adopts a serious and investigative tone, presenting UFO phenomena as a subject worthy of scientific inquiry. It emphasizes the need for continued research and the application of scientific methods to understand these events, rejecting the notion of them being purely supernatural. The editorial stance is one of open-mindedness, encouraging further investigation and data collection, as exemplified by the detailed reporting of sightings and the inclusion of expert opinions. The recurring theme is the historical documentation and analysis of UFO encounters, aiming to provide a comprehensive record for researchers and enthusiasts.

This issue of "Inforespace", Volume 2, Issue 1, dated January-February 1972, is titled "Le dossier photo d'inforespace" and focuses on a significant UFO photograph and a historical UFO wave. The magazine is published in French and originates from Belgium.

The Photo File of Inforespace

Introduction

The issue highlights an exceptional color slide presented in the dossier, considered to be of great importance in the field of UFO phenomena. The article emphasizes that the analyses by highly competent photography experts, whose detailed report is included, aim to convince the reader. While the analysis is ongoing, particularly regarding the nature of the radiations, the preliminary results are presented. The dossier remains open for future additions.

The Document and the Testimony of its Author

The photograph was taken by André Bernier, a retired postman from Brussels, during his vacation on the Costa Brava in Spain in September 1968. While traveling by bus with his wife from Lloret-de-Mar to Tarragona, the bus made a stop along the coast. Bernier, equipped with his camera, moved away from the bus to capture landscapes. His attention was drawn to a horse harnessed to a cart, which was visibly agitated and appeared to be in a state of panic, being restrained by a man. Struck by the picturesque scene, Bernier took a photograph. He initially believed the shot was a failure because, at the moment he triggered the shutter, the horse had already landed on its front legs, as seen in the document (photo 17). Disappointed at not capturing the animal rearing up, and with the scene now calm and less interesting, Bernier returned to the bus.

Upon returning to Belgium, Bernier had his films developed. During the first projection of the slides, he was surprised to see that the photograph did not match his memory. The scene was bathed in a strange yellowish coloration, and unusual luminous spots were visible in the sky. He initially considered it a photographic accident, especially since the rest of the film was normal.

The Discovery of the Photograph

This photograph might not have come to light if, in 1969, J.-G. Dohmen had not been invited to participate in a program on RTB dedicated to UFOs. During his presentation, he mentioned cases where photographic film had been impressed by "something" that the human eye had not observed (referencing document No. 2 from the Photo Dossier of Inforespace No. 1, January-February 1972, page 30). Bernier, listening to the program, immediately thought of his slide and contacted Dohmen to submit it. This led to numerous projection sessions with members of "Groupe D" and several photographers, along with hours of interviews with the witness. Opinions were divided; the majority concluded it was a hoax using a model. However, some, convinced by Bernier's sincerity and the strangeness of the scene (notably the shadows appearing to move in different directions), proposed further investigation.

Expert Analysis

Adversaries of the document questioned Bernier's precise memory of the date and location. However, the article defends him, stating that it's unreasonable to expect such precision. Bernier recalled seeing only small white, cloud-like formations in the sky where the luminous spots appeared, and did not attach particular importance to it, viewing it as a holiday souvenir. The only precision that can be added comes from examining the slides before and after this one, which suggest the scene was filmed "somewhere" between Barcelona and Tarragona.

The SOBEPS group contacted the Spanish group "STENDEK" and its director, M. Casas-Huguet, to have their investigators attempt to locate the site, which would provide additional proof of the document's authenticity. The article thanks M. Bernier for his patience and collaboration, as well as MM. Gaston Delcorps (head of L.A.E.T.) and Bernard Bazzani for their work.

Analysis of the Slide by L.A.E.T.

The photographic equipment used by M. Bernier was a Canon camera, model Canonet Q.L. 17, with an f/1.7 lens and a 45mm focal length. It featured a rangefinder with settings from 0.8 to infinity and shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/500°, with coupled speeds and diaphragm. A skylight (UV) filter was used.

Chronicle of UFOs

UFOs in the 19th Century

#### Part 3: The Wave of 1896-97

After isolated sightings in early 1896, such as the episode of "two little men" approaching witnesses in the Swiss Alps near Arolla, the famous wave of sightings over the United States began in late 1896.

On November 6, 1896, a UFO was sighted over California. By November 18, mysterious craft appeared over Sacramento, San Francisco, and Oakland. On November 22, a flying cigar was reported in the skies of these three cities, as well as Chico and Santa-Rosa. On November 30, a cigar-shaped object flew over San Francisco again. A few days later, on December 6, strange craft were sighted over California and Arizona. This marked the first phase of the wave, seemingly confined to the West Coast of the USA.

The second phase, during which the wave gained momentum, was centered on the Midwest and the Great Lakes region. By March 15, 1897, UFOs had been sighted over Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. On March 26, a "fireball" was observed over Michigan. On March 31, a bright, noisy white UFO rapidly passed over Galesburg, Illinois. On April 8, a craft moved slowly along a railway line, first sighted at Cedar Rapids (9:00 PM) before disappearing an hour later. The next day, April 9, cigar-shaped objects were seen in numerous locations in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. In Chicago, two such craft were observed for nearly six hours. On April 11, residents of Appleton, Wisconsin, saw a mysterious UFO cross their sky. A few days later, a local farmer found a strange letter attached to a metallic rod, which read in part: "...the problem of aerial navigation has been solved... We have been able to reach a speed of 240 km/h and an altitude of 750 m..." The text goes on to discuss technical considerations about the craft's construction and propulsion: steam power.

On April 12, around 2:30 PM, a cigar-shaped craft with a dome landed at Nilwood, north of Carlinville, Illinois. When three witnesses approached, it took off and headed north. A few hours later, around 6:00 PM, a UFO landed at Girard, near Green Ridge, Illinois. One witness saw a man descend, seemingly to repair something. The craft then departed north towards the Great Lakes. That same night, about twenty inhabitants of Battle Creek, Michigan, observed the evolution of a strange, illuminated craft. It was described as having a conical upper part with an attached cylindrical structure. At the rear of the UFO, types of wheels were visible, emitting a humming sound. After emitting sparks and descending to less than 1 km altitude, the lights went out and the UFO became invisible. 40 km east, in Kalamazoo, witnesses saw a luminous object pass overhead. Shortly after, they heard an explosion, and the next morning discovered scattered debris, including a metallic wire spool.

On April 13, new aerial phenomena occurred in the region. During the day, a UFO with blue, red, and green lights was observed over Benton Harbor and Adrian, Michigan. In the evening, a strange craft was visible at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, while about 400 km southeast, a red light moved in all directions over Waukegan, Illinois. On April 14, around 3:00 PM, an object landed south of Gas, Indiana. Six occupants descended and seemed to be taking bearings. Before witnesses could approach, the craft departed rapidly eastward. Later that day, around 4:30 PM, a spherical UFO reportedly landed near Reynolds, Michigan, after hovering for an hour. A strange figure, 3 meters tall, reportedly emerged and even injured one of the many witnesses to the phenomenon. This case is considered doubtful, as a newspaper later reported the same facts with different names and locations, suggesting possible fabrication.

More credible is a report dated April 14, which mentions a strange craft landing on the water near Cleveland, Ohio. A man, a woman, and a child were present when a large colored balloon emerged, and the entire assembly ascended into the sky and disappeared completely. That night, other UFOs were observed over Michigan, Illinois, and Texas. April 15 was even more eventful. In the morning, an unusual craft with four giant wings landed near Linn Grove, Iowa, before heading north. Two occupants were visible, their unusually long hair being particularly striking to the witnesses. In the evening, a UFO flying very low followed a train in the Howard-Artesian region (South Dakota). In the same state, at Olivet, students observed three red lights moving rapidly at high altitude around 11:00 PM. Earlier, around 9:00 PM, a large dark balloon had flown over Shelby, Michigan, while about 600 km away, a UFO with white and red lights followed a train between Perry Springs and Hersman (Missouri). This railway line led to Quincy, Illinois, 150 km from Springfield. The journey was reportedly completed in 30 minutes, according to the occupants of a strange craft landed in a field near Springfield. These words were exchanged with two farmers who came to inquire about this unusual presence. At the time, a speed of 300 km/h was inconceivable for a man-made craft.

On April 16, around 2:45 AM, police officers on patrol in Saginaw, Michigan, observed a cigar-shaped craft moving slowly from southwest to north. The craft, very noisy, displayed yellow and red lights. About ten hours later, in Bay City, located about twenty kilometers north, several inhabitants saw a conical UFO with red lights cross their sky. Later that day (8:30 PM), over 700 km southwest, precisely at Mount Vernon, Illinois, hundreds of people observed for an hour and a half a strange aerial phenomenon resembling "a man swimming in the air with an electric light at the rear...". During that night, other observations took place over Michigan, including Pittsford, Clayton, and Ann Arbor, as well as in Texas (Benton and Granbury). On the night of April 16-17, a bright white UFO was observed for hours by three workers in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The object appeared in the west and disappeared to the north around 3:00 AM.

On April 17, numerous observations were made over Texas: Childress, Texarkana, Bonham, Cleburne, Stephenville, Waxahachie, etc. In the afternoon, in Saline, a dark UFO moved rapidly westward, against the wind. Its appearance was preceded by an explosion. Between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, a UFO from Saginaw (Michigan) was seen moving rapidly north. At approximately the same time, at Manistique, about 300 km further north, a rapid cigar-shaped object headed west. During the night of April 18-19, shortly after midnight, a worker leaving Wakefield to go to Thomaston spotted three lights (red, green, and white) moving like waves above him. The next day, he made the exact same observation, this time accompanied by six other witnesses.

On April 19, a cigar-shaped UFO with colored lights flew over Sisterville (West Virginia) around 9:00 PM. Thirty minutes later, another similar craft was sighted at Longview, Texas. Around 11:30 PM, the same type of craft was observed at Groesbeck and Belton, 200 and 300 km to the south. An hour earlier, around 10:30 PM, further north, at Leroy (Kansas), an engine approximately 100 m long approached to within ten meters of the ground. A transparent cabin was visible beneath the craft, containing six beings who spoke an incomprehensible language. The entire assembly was illuminated and equipped with a spotlight. A cow was reportedly lifted aboard the UFO by a red cable, apparently very strong; the next day, it was found slaughtered in a nearby field...

On April 20, around 6:00 PM, Captain J. Hooton, while hunting in the Homan (Arkansas) region, heard a "steam engine sound" and discovered a bizarre object in a clearing. It was cylindrical with pointed ends, and distinguished by lateral wheels. The witness spoke with the three or four occupants for a few moments before they re-entered their craft, which then took off. The next day, April 21, a UFO flew over Dallas. In the evening, a craft illuminated at the ends was observed at Jackson (Tennessee) and Harrisburg (Arkansas).

On April 22, in the evening, at intervals of a few minutes, two landings occurred in Texas. The first took place at Rockland around 11:30 PM; alerted by his dog, the witness saw a noisy, illuminated craft land not far from him. Here too, there was an encounter with an occupant who expressed peaceful intentions before re-entering the UFO, which then took off. Half an hour later, a UFO landed at Josserand. The witness was also able to speak with occupants who asked for water from his well...! Earlier that evening, a fast UFO had crossed the sky over Hemlock (New York) heading south. On April 23, at Mc Kinney Bayou (Arkansas), a Texan judge was surprised to see a strange object landed on the ground. "It was operated by three men who spoke a foreign language, but judging by their appearance, they could be taken for Japanese," the witness declared. Is it a coincidence that this description resembles those given today of alleged extraterrestrials? On the same day, a UFO was sighted over Michigan, at Burton near Flint. In the evening of April 25, citizens of Merkel (Texas), returning from church, were astonished to see a heavy object dragged on the ground by a cable connected to an aerial craft. A man, "small and dressed in a blue uniform," descended along the cable, cut it, and re-entered the craft, which then moved away towards the northeast. On April 26, at Aquila-Hillsboro (Texas), a strange illuminated craft landed behind a hill. An hour later, it took off at full speed towards the northeast, emitting flashes of light. Very early that morning, other sightings were made in Texas. Around 2:00 AM, a cigar with an illuminated lower structure crossed the sky over Dayton. Two witnesses could distinguish three occupants. At 5:15 AM, a UFO, also cigar-shaped, moved over Baring Cross. Heading south at first, it then veered off and flew north. In the evening (11:00 PM), it was in Michigan, specifically Sidaw, that a cigar was sighted.

The end of the month was much calmer, and it wasn't until June 6 that an interesting report emerged. On that day, two police officers from Hot Springs (Arkansas) observed a craft on the ground and spoke with its occupants. The conversation was remarkably mundane. The rest of the year was also less eventful. Most reports mentioned round UFOs. On July 17, a "balloon" was sighted in Sweden, and on August 13, it was observed in Canada: Vancouver, Winnipeg, Sudbury, Caribou, etc...

In September, observations were more frequent in Russia. On the 17th, the evolutions of a spherical UFO were observed for five minutes over Antsiferona (Siberia). On the 26th, at Ustyung, a fast, phosphorescent "balloon" crossed the sky. The observation lasted less than three minutes. On July 11, 1897, from Spitzberg, Swedish aeronaut S.A. Andree took off in a balloon with the intention of flying over the North Pole. Some saw this as an explanation for the spherical UFOs reported during the following two months, from Norway to Siberia, including Canada. Was this a normal trajectory, even for a balloon?

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

What can be concluded from so many accounts, and what can be deduced within the framework of the UFO phenomenon? The first striking observation is the coherence of testimonies from people who were distant from each other, with little or no contact. A fairly precise image emerges of the craft that flew over these US regions for nearly two months: a large cigar-shaped craft with an underlying structure, a cockpit, and likely a propulsion system. These craft were equipped with lights, often of different colors, and sometimes a wheel system whose role is unclear. The occupants were described as being like us, and their conversations with privileged witnesses were disconcertingly mundane. As presented, this description could only be that of a dirigible, and it is strongly suggested that this is the only official explanation. However, the article points out that no dirigible was capable of the performance recorded during these UFO evolutions. It is also considered absurd to think that at the dawn of the 20th century, important citizens of the overflown cities would not have recognized a dirigible, even if they were still rare at the time. The article concludes by stating that it is impossible to be categorical due to a lack of elements, but it is undeniable that the craft observed in the skies of the USA in 1896 and 1897 possessed characteristics unknown to any terrestrial apparatus of the time, particularly their speed and remarkable mobility. Another important statistical argument is that the structure of the wave phenomenon during March and April 1897 strangely resembles that of current waves. The conclusion is that the mystery remains intact, and with time, it becomes increasingly difficult to find contemporary documents that could shed light on what was actually observed. In any case, the author, Michel Bougard, concludes that it could not have been dirigibles, leaving the mystery open.