GEPO No 12 - GEPO Informations - No 12 - 1978

Magazine Overview

Title: GEPO INFORMATIONS
Issue: N°12
Date: 1978
Publisher: GEPO
Type: Bi-monthly bulletin for members and ufological groups.

Editorial and Introduction

The issue begins with a declaration: "SIECLE INCONNU est mort ! Vive GEPO INFORMATIONS !" This marks a transition, with the editorial team acknowledging that while they may have "lost some feathers," the situation is not as dire as feared. GEPO INFORMATIONS is presented as a new form of bulletin designed to coordinate members and correspondents, and to serve as regional information, specifically for the Loire region and other groups. It is explicitly stated that the bulletin is reserved for ufological groups and GEPO members and is distributed free of charge to avoid further complications. All articles are written by volunteers, and total or partial reproduction is permitted with attribution to the group.

The cover art is credited to the Mairie de St Symphorien de Lay and features the OVNI logo of the international research group "LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT." This logo is also available as a 14.50cm color sticker for 2.50 French Francs from the DLN headquarters.

The bulletin also introduces "UFOLOGIE CONTACT," a bulletin for ufologists in the Paris region and Ile de France, described as small but informative, well-made, and produced with limited resources. Contact information is provided for Raymond Bonnaventure.

Table of Contents (Sommaire du N°12)

The table of contents lists the following articles:

• Editorial
• Did the Mayan Indians receive visits from extra-terrestrial beings? by Dominique Castiglia
• GEPO investigation in St Symphorien de Lay
• Press service
• Regional catalog June-July 1974
• Summary of the GEPO exhibition
• UFOs, from yesterday to today
• Investigation by GPUN Nancy
• Observation of a luminous phenomenon in Vandoeuvre

Additionally, it promotes "L'AUTRE MONDE," a monthly magazine covering the unusual, strange, supernatural, UFOs, parapsychology, myths, Voodoo, and Satanism, available for 8 Francs. It also notes the release of "HYPOTHESES EXTRA TERRESTRES," a special issue of L'AUTRE MONDE, available for 30 Francs. GEPO highly recommends "OVNI, DIMENSION AUTRE" by J. Lob and R. Gigi, published by Dargaud in the "HISTOIRES FANTASTIQUES" collection.

Article: Did the Mayan Indians receive visits from extra-terrestrial beings?

This article, by D. Castiglia, recounts the discovery in 1949 by a Mexican archaeological team led by Alberto Ruz Lhuillier of a staircase descending into the heart of the Palenque pyramid in Mexico. Lhuillier anticipated an extraordinary discovery. It took him three years to clear the staircase of debris, eventually leading him to a small, humid chamber containing the bodies of six sacrificed young Mayas. Beyond this chamber was a tomb sealed by a large slab. On June 12, 1952, Lhuillier entered the crypt and was struck by a massive, horizontally placed stone monument measuring 3.80 meters by 2.20 meters, sculpted on its sides and top. The sarcophagus contained the body of a man, 1.73 meters tall, taller than the average Maya, adorned with ceremonial clothing and a jade mask. The article highlights the famous slab that depicts a man at the controls of a spacecraft, suggesting it is proof of extraterrestrial passage on Earth.

The author describes the figure as wearing a helmet with an inhalator, commanding a flying machine with flames emanating from it and a forward-mounted engine. While acknowledging that this could be interpreted as a spacecraft, the article notes that the same elements (engine, inhalator) are found sculpted on other works unrelated to flying machines. Some interpret the carving as a man sacrificed by the ceiba tree, sacred to the Mayas. The article concludes by posing the question of the man's identity: human or extraterrestrial?

Sources cited include "L'Amerique Precolombienne," "Le livre des maitres du monde," and "L'homme de Palenque."

The issue also briefly mentions "UFOLOGIA," an international review of unidentified flying objects and related phenomena, described as a valuable quarterly publication.

Reviews of Other Publications

This section, titled "SERVICE DE PRESSE," reviews several other ufological publications:

• OVNI 4-3 (GLRU): Praised for its information, inquiries, and press coverage. Contact: Mr. Peyret Gilbert, Montoulon, 43300 Langeac. Subscription: 6 issues for 20 Francs.
• LE PHENOMENE OVNI (CSERU): Described as a luxurious review with good articles and easy reading. A notable quote is "If UFOs didn't exist, they would have to be invented." Contact: CSERU, 16, quai C. Ravet, 73000 Chambery. Subscription: 4 issues for 20 Francs.
• LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT N°175: The review expresses confidence in the seriousness of this group and publication. Contact: LDLN, 43 Le Chambon/Lignon.
• UFO INFORMATIONS (AAMT): Noted for excellent articles despite financial difficulties. Issue N°20 includes dossiers, archives, information, inquiries, and a library. A notable article is "A propos de Et si les OVNI n'existaient pas." Subscription: 4 issues for 20 Francs. Contact: AAMT, 20, rue Berthelot, 26000 Valence.
• LIMITES N°2: Described as a luxurious presentation with good articles. It mentions articles like "Et si les OVNI n'existaient pas" and "PSI et UFO(2)." Subscription: 48 Francs for 5 issues. Contact: SLEPS, BP 70, 1212 Grand Lancy 2, Switzerland.

Regional Catalog: June - July - August 1974

This section details several UFO sightings:

• June 8, 22:19: St Priest en Jarez (Nord de St Etienne) - Luminous red and green points, close together, arranged in a triangle then a line. Observed with binoculars. Detailed apparition and disappearance times and azimuths.
• June 8, 22:39: Same location - Elongated, dark object with a large white and red forward light, and a blinking red light in the middle. Detailed apparition and disappearance times.
• June 23, 22:30: Terrenoire, St Etienne - Orange luminous point, larger than a star, crossed the sky rapidly from East to West.
• June 24, 23:04: St Etienne - White luminous point, abrupt appearance and disappearance.
• July 5 or 12, 22:10: Veauche - Group of luminous points (2 red, 1 white) appeared and disappeared abruptly. At 22:30, the object reappeared and descended vertically.
• July 20, 8:54: Luzernod (North of La Valla en Gier) - Detector call and simultaneous interferences on a radiotelescope. A new call at 9h.
• July 25, 19:30: St Etienne - Elongated object, silver-white, circled the hill of Guizay south of the town, with a 45° elevation.
• July 27, 22h: Panissières - White ball, size of a planet, rapidly flew over hills from East to West.
• July 28: Same location - Three white semi-circular objects observed with binoculars. The witness reported seeing similar black objects on July 28 and July 7, 1971.

The catalog is stated to be "A SUIVRE" (To be continued) and is based on archives from the "Cercle d'étude des mystérieux objets célestes et des phénomènes inexpliqués (C.E.M.C.C.P.I.)." Contact information for CEMCCPI is provided: Mr. Patrick Berlier, 17 rue Massenet, 42270 Saint Etienne.

Investigation Report: Passage of a Mysterious Squadron over Saint Symphorien de Lay

This report details an event on March 21, 1978, around 10:30 PM. Mme Odile Chevenier, a resident of Saint Symphorien de Lay, observed a formation of luminous points moving at high speed from her balcony. She was fascinated by the spectacle, but the formation disappeared quickly. Her husband, Mr. Jean Chevenier, who is a friend of GEPO and a UFO enthusiast, reported the incident. The witness is described as a sympathetic lady, a former schoolteacher, and well-regarded in the village. She is not particularly interested in UFOs but found the phenomenon troubling. The observation lasted less than 30 seconds. Despite the witness's credibility, no further details have emerged to confirm the observation, leaving the mystery unresolved.

LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT is offering "LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT" posters in color for one Franc each.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of GEPO INFORMATIONS revolve around UFO sightings, ancient mysteries (specifically Mayan civilization), and the promotion of other ufological publications. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and information sharing within the ufological community. The free distribution of the bulletin suggests a desire to disseminate information widely among interested parties without commercial motives. There is a clear effort to connect with and support other groups and publications in the field, as evidenced by the reviews and contact information provided. The tone is generally informative and investigative, encouraging readers to consider unusual phenomena and historical enigmas.

This document appears to be a segment from a French ufology magazine or newsletter, likely from the late 1970s, focusing on UFO phenomena. The content includes reports on exhibitions, specific sightings, and information about related research groups and publications.

GEPO Exhibition

The first exhibition by the GEPO (Groupe Privé d'Etude du Phénomène OVNI) took place on Saturday, June 17th, from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM in the hall of the public school in St Symphorien de Lay. The primary theme was the history of UFOs, with two display boards dedicated to this subject. Two other boards focused on extraterrestrials, and three more covered photos, investigations, and statistics. The exhibition featured a collection of French and Belgian ufological magazines and bulletins, as well as some foreign ones. Several back issues of magazines, flyers, stickers, and information sheets about groups (including addresses and objectives) were distributed. Despite a lack of significant advertising, approximately one hundred people visited the exhibition, showing interest in learning more about UFOs and extraterrestrials. The article notes that GEPO would soon open its doors again for a new three-day exhibition, featuring 'LES OMNI, D'HIER A AUJOURD'HUI' and 'MYSTERE SUR LES BERMUDES' (with 3 panels), with free entry.

UFO Sighting in Vandoeuvre

A detailed report is provided on an observation of a luminous phenomenon in the sky over Vandoeuvre, a suburb of Nancy, France. The observation occurred on July 7, 1976, between 11:00 PM and 11:15 PM, and was witnessed by a single person, Alain Pellerin, a member of the GPUN (Groupe Privé Ufologique Nancéien). Pellerin was taking photographs of the night sky when he noticed a luminous orange mass in the sky towards Jarville (east), at an altitude of approximately 4,000 to 5,000 meters. The phenomenon approached him at high speed and flew silently overhead. Pellerin managed to take three photographs before the light disappeared towards Houdemont (South-West). The conclusion of the report states that the sky was relatively clear, with strato-cumulus clouds, and stars and the moon were visible. Photographic enlargements revealed an object with precise contours, unlike an undefined luminous form, and described as having a geometric shape with rounded angles. The report highlights that this was not the first such manifestation above Vandoeuvre and that this case contributes to the dossier concerning a wave of UFO appearances in the Nancy region during the summer of 1976. A map is included showing the location of the observation, the witness, and the path of the object, with reference to roads RN57 and nearby towns like Jarville, Vandoeuvre, and Houdemont. A note indicates that a photograph showing two objects was attached to the investigation.

FACETTES Journal

The document also introduces 'FACETTES', described as a small monthly journal that serves as a 'Bible' for the curious and researchers. It facilitates the exchange of messages and questions among its readers. Subscription details are provided: 80 French Francs for 12 issues, with the mailing address for subscriptions being BP N°15, 95220 Herblay.

Associated Organizations

• Several ufological organizations are mentioned, including:
• GEPO (Groupe Privé d'Etude du Phénomène OVNI), located in St Symphorien de Lay, France, with Mr. Dominique Delille as a contact person.
• GPUN (Groupe Privé Ufologique Nancéien).
• CHRE (Centre National de Recherches sur l'Etrange).
• A delegation from the 'CENTRE D'ETUDES ET DE RECHERCHES INTERPLANETAIRES' in Brussels, Belgium.
• An official investigator from 'GTR LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT' in Le Chambon sur Lignon.
• A correspondent from the 'COMMISSION LUXEMBOURGEOISE D'ETUDES UFOLOGIQUES' in Belvaux, Luxembourg.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are UFO sightings, extraterrestrial life, ufological research, and the dissemination of information through exhibitions and publications. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UFO phenomena, encouraging public interest and participation in the field. The detailed reporting of the Vandoeuvre sighting and the promotion of the GEPO exhibition suggest a commitment to sharing findings and fostering a community of enthusiasts.