GEPO No 03 Sup - INFOVNI - No 1 (suppl a Siecle Inconnu - No 3) - janv - fevrier 1977 (GEPI)

Magazine Overview

INFOVNI is a French-language magazine focused on UFOs (Objets Volants Non Identifiés - Unidentified Flying Objects). This issue, dated January-February 1977, is presented as a free supplement and is bimestrial (published every two months). The cover features the magazine's name vertically and a circular emblem with publication details.

Key Articles and Reports

UFO Sighting in Pélussin, Loire (December 24, 1976)

The issue details a sighting by Gilles Romeu, a 25-year-old police inspector from Lyon. While driving near Pélussin in the Loire region, he observed a large, unidentified flying object at an altitude of approximately 100 meters. The object was described as circular, with a red-orange color, and an estimated diameter of six meters. It appeared to be hovering above bushes. A clear smoke was seen emanating from its base. Suddenly, the object ascended vertically and disappeared within seconds. The observation lasted 50 seconds under a clear, starry sky. Romeu, who was a police inspector, affirmed he had not hallucinated. This was reported as the third UFO sighting in the Loire region in 1976.

Strange Phenomena in the French Alps (December 8-9, 1976)

Two separate incidents are reported from the French Alps near the Italian border. On Wednesday, December 8, Sergeant-Chefs Gaborris and Charrins of the mountain section of the 11th BCA were in their vehicle near Col de Larche when they observed a strange phenomenon. They saw a dark, circular object in the sky, luminous in its center, estimated to be about 600 meters away. The object stabilized before disappearing behind the mountains after about a minute. Upon returning to their barracks, they learned that the mountain section's dogs had howled intensely, as if in mortal fear. The following day, Thursday, December 9, at the same location, the same two non-commissioned officers, along with another NCO and a customs officer, observed four dark red objects moving silently in a straight line towards Col de Mirandol, at an altitude between 500 and 1500 meters. One of the objects suddenly detached and moved towards the witnesses, causing them fear. The object, along with the other three, then disappeared at extraordinary speed. Similar to the previous day, the dogs again reacted with panic. The article notes that the newspaper 'Le Progrès' reported this with the headline 'The dogs bark, the UFOs pass,' but INFOVNI asserts its own precise opinions on UFOs, emphasizing journalistic objectivity.

OVNI DICTIONNAIRE: Little Green Men and Flying Saucers

This section introduces a new rubric dedicated to explaining UFO terminology and legends. It begins by discussing the expression 'PETITS HOMMES VERTS' (Little Green Men). The origin of this expression is traced to an encounter in Italy, near Raveo in Friuli. Professor Gapuszi Luigi Johannis, an Italian professor, reported seeing a large, red, lenticular object about 50 meters away. He then saw what he initially thought were children, who turned out to be two small beings (about 90cm tall) dressed in translucent blue suits. These beings had disproportionately large heads, green skin, and large, protuberant eyes. When the professor approached them, he received an electric shock from one of them and collapsed. The beings then approached him, revealing hands with eight opposable digits, described as a 'griffe' (claw) with no joints. The professor recovered, and the beings returned to their disk, which then took off. Several other people in the region reportedly witnessed the object's evolution, and the expression 'Little Green Men' was born from this event. The section also touches upon the expression 'soucoupe volante' (flying saucer), attributing its popularization to pilot Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting. The article includes an image of Jean-Claude Bourret and a book titled 'MYSTERIEUSES SOUCOUPES VOLANTES' (Mysterious Flying Saucers) by LDLN.

The Battle of Hopkinsville (August 21, 1955)

This article recounts the famous Hopkinsville, Kentucky, encounter. On Saturday, August 21, 1955, around 7 PM, the Button family, consisting of eight adults and three children, were at their farm near Kelly and Hopkinsville. Billy Button reported seeing a strange, luminous object in the sky that landed behind the stable. An hour later, the dogs began barking furiously. Elmer and John Button went outside with a weapon and encountered small, phosphorescent creatures about one meter tall, with large heads, metallic clothing, and webbed, clawed hands. They described the creatures as having very long arms. The men shot at the creatures, which reacted as if struck. The creatures then retreated. Later, another creature appeared at a dining room window, wearing a helmet and having slanted eyes. It fled when discovered. Over the next 20 minutes, the family reported seeing more creatures, including one in a tree and another on the roof. The men fired at these creatures, which then fled. The family then barricaded themselves in their home for two hours, describing the event as a 'western scene' with 'extra-terrestrial beings' as the assailants. Eventually, the calm returned, and the family fled in their vehicles to the sheriff's office. The article mentions that the US Army and Police concluded that the family had indeed seen something strange, though its nature remained unknown. The report also noted the family's lack of telephone, TV, or books, possessing only the bare necessities. The article concludes by stating that this strange affair will only be fully understood in the distant future.

Good Addresses: Lumières dans la Nuit

This section highlights a group called 'Lumières dans la Nuit' (Lights in the Night), which is praised for its extensive work in the field of UFOs, particularly through its review and serious studies. The group is described as having numerous activities, including RESUFO (a network of sky photographers), GTR (a technical research group with many detectors), and FIDUFO (a documentation database for UFOs). LDLI also has a network of volunteer investigators. The group is passionate about seeking the truth. Subscription details are provided: 38 French Francs for the magazine, or 50 Francs for a supplement with 20 pages of 'unusual' topics. The magazine receives 'LDLI' and 'vues nouvelles' monthly. For more information, readers are directed to write to EPI I.B.RS. The section also announces that 'Notre groupe fait parti, à partir de ce mois du rósecu d'enquetes de la Revue III et il capdre remplir cette "mission bénévole" de son mieux possible.' (Our group is part, as of this month, of the network of investigations of Revue III and will endeavor to fulfill this 'volunteer mission' to the best of its ability.)

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of INFOVNI are UFO sightings, encounters with alleged extraterrestrial beings, and the investigation of these phenomena. The magazine appears to take a stance that UFOs are a real phenomenon worthy of serious study, as indicated by its detailed reports and the 'OVNI DICTIONNAIRE' section. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of objectivity in reporting, while also acknowledging that the publication has its own precise opinions on unidentified flying objects. The magazine aims to inform and educate its readers about UFOs, providing factual accounts of sightings and exploring the terminology and history associated with the subject.