GEPO No 19 - OVNI & Cie - No 19 - 2e trim 1980

Magazine Overview

This document is issue number 19 of the French ufology magazine "O.V.N.I. et compagnie" (UFOs and Company), published by the "Commission d'Enquête sur les O.V.N.I." (UFO Investigation Commission). The cover features a stylized drawing of a head with a visible brain, two flying saucers, and a question mark, symbolizing the mystery surrounding UFOs.

Table of Contents and Editorial Notes

The table of contents for issue #19 is extensive, covering a wide range of topics. It includes a "Bilan GEPO 1979" (GEPO 1979 Review), international and French UFO news, a report on the "Huitième Festival Fantastique d'Avoriaz" (Eighth Fantastic Festival of Avoriaz), and articles titled "Les Pluies Mysterieuses" (Mysterious Rains) and "Réflexions d'un 'Ufobsédé'" (Reflections of a 'Ufobsessed' person). Other sections include "A lire dans la Presse" (To read in the Press), "L'air et ses creations" (Air and its creations), "Une pincée de Pil dans la coincidence" (A pinch of Pil in coincidence), "TV: La Dame de Nazca" (TV: The Lady of Nazca), "Inquiétante île de Paques" (Disturbing Easter Island), "Informations Paris/Ile-de-France" (Paris/Ile-de-France Information), and "Les Coincidences" (Coincidences).

The editorial team emphasizes that they publish all submitted articles without sectarianism, but that the views expressed are those of the authors. They apologize for any errors in previous issues. Reproduction of articles is permitted, except for those marked "RI" (Reserved Information), provided the source and author are mentioned. The bulletin is noted as being edited in Paris and St. Symphorien de Lay, and printed in St. Symphorien de Lay (Loire), with "Mr Delille & A.F. Rocher" listed as editors and responsible parties, with the collaboration of "(ALMOST) all the correspondents."

There is a "de dernière minute" (last minute) announcement regarding the abandonment of the French edition of "International UFO Reporter" by SOBEPS due to a lack of member interest. Additionally, the bulletin announces that the local ufology section "SLUB" in Buis les Baronnies is organizing a UFO exhibition on June 29th, in collaboration with other groups.

GEPO Review 1979

The "Plan Régional" (Regional Plan) section of the GEPO review for 1979 details activities such as cataloging CLOCPI (1974-1978), investigations in Roanne (luminous phenomenon on December 2, 1978) and Saint-Symphorien-de-Lay (September 5, 1978). It also mentions an exhibition in St. Symphorien (July-September) in collaboration with the group "Les Chemins du Passé" (The Paths of the Past). Links were established with CLLDLN (Lyon) for interdepartmental federation creation, and correspondence increased with COCPI, with new hopes for collaboration.

The "Plan National" (National Plan) includes a catalog of "Mondial Pasqualin," opinion surveys from March 15 to May 15, presence at GE03, SPEPsd, and Rael conferences and meetings, and work within the IAGONIA (SPE) project for socio-psychological studies. It also notes observation vigils in August (August 2-11) with a special vigil on August 12 for the Perseids meteor shower. Correspondence increased at all levels, with numerous contacts, especially in the Paris region. The correspondent network spans various regions of France, as well as South Africa and Italy.

The "Bulletin" section reports the publication of three issues during the year, with a name change (OVNI compagnie/GPO informations) and an increase in pages and articles, leading to a slight rise in readership. The GEPO bulletin is sustained by the two responsible parties.

An important note states that the GEPO bulletin will cease publication for six months starting in April 1981. The Canadian organization UFO QUEBEC is reorganizing due to a lack of members for its increasingly important work, and is launching a recruitment drive to move away from being perceived as a secret society. The group VERONICA is reissuing its bulletin "VARO-INFO" and offers a UFO catalog and a Super 8 color film about UFOs. A new ufology group, GEOVNI (Groupement d'étude des Objets volants non identifiés), has been formed in Clermont-Ferrand.

Actualités & Informations (News & Information)

This section provides a collection of news items from various countries:

• England: A new journal, "Fortean Times," focusing on strange phenomena, has been launched. For information, contact GEPO.
• USA: The encyclopedia "OVNI" by Ronald Story, containing over 500 pages of information on ufology worldwide, was released in June 1980 by NAL Editions.
• England: A new UFO magazine, "Helios" (35 pages), is published by Lynne and Tonny Halsall.
• USA: The LUFON symposium is scheduled for June 7-8 at Clear Lake City.
• Colombia: An eight-shaped UFO was sighted, emitting smoke and causing disruptions to electrical and telephone networks.
• France (Alsace): Multiple witnesses observed a UFO in the night. A pharmacy preparer reported being followed by an orange sphere.
• France: An object observed on February 8th was described by an expert from the Floirac Observatory as possibly an interplanetary meteorite that underwent incandescence and fragmentation in the upper atmosphere.
• France: On Easter night, luminous yellow spheres were observed, and later two luminous spheres were seen following a young artisan.
• Italy: A night watchman was reportedly held captive by a UFO for three hours.
• Italy: Thousands of faithful gathered at an church where a statue of Christ was reported to be bleeding.
• Italy: Peasants reported seeing a giant serpent-like object fall from the sky. Police recovered a mysterious reptile.

Further news items detail sightings in France:

• February 8, 1980 (Belmont, Loire): A metallic grey object with a white light was seen moving at high speed, leaving a green trail.
• February 8, 1980 (Chauffailles): A fireball was observed.
• February 8, 1980 (Boen, Loire): A blue-green fireball crossed the sky at high speed.
• February 8, 1980 (Le Puy): A fast-moving object was seen overhead.
• February 8, 1980 (La Ricamarie): Numerous witnesses observed a luminous object.
• April 5, 1980 (Talence, near Bordeaux): A brilliant, star-like object descended from the sky, observed by a woman, her daughter, and three police officers.

An article titled "ENCORE UN BEL OVNI DEYSTIFIE" (Another Beautiful UFO Demystified) discusses photographs taken by a TV technician in the Canary Islands. While initially presented as UFO photos, the GEPAN services suggested they were likely from a military exercise, possibly involving foreign submarines.

Service de Presse (Press Service)

This section lists various ufology bulletins and their contact information:

• VAUCLUSE UFOLOGIE N°16
• UFO INFORMATIONS N°23/26
• LES CHRONIQUES N°12
• VERO INFO Bulletin N°11
• OVNI 43 N°11
• LE PHENOLENE O NI N°9

Le Huitième Festival Fantastique d'Avoriaz

This article reviews films shown at the festival. It lists several films, including "Nightwings," "Mad Max," "Thirst," "Time After Time," "Le Chat et le Canari," "La maladie de Hamburg," "Fog," "Martian Chronicles," "When the Stranger Calls," "Incredible Hulk II," "Silent Cream," "Kiss in Attack of the Phantom," "The Lord of the Rings," and "Dark Star."

Reviews are provided for "The After" (described as a family-friendly film with minimal violence), "Mad Max" (praised for its spectacular stunts and a new Australian director), and "Fog" (hailed as a suspenseful thriller that won the Press Prize). The author notes that they did not have time to see "When the Stranger Calls" but heard good things about it. Films deemed "Sans Intérêt" (Of No Interest) include "Martian Chronicles" and "Kiss in Attack of the Phantom."

Les Pluies Mysterieuses (Mysterious Rains)

This extensive article details numerous historical accounts of unusual precipitation events from the 19th and early 20th centuries. These include:

• January 24, 1887 (Tennessee, USA): Snowflakes as large as saucers.
• 1887 (Montana, USA): Hailstones up to thirty centimeters long and twenty centimeters thick.
• November 11, 1911 (Missouri, USA): Large hailstones that exploded with the force of pistol shots.
• 1803 (Kentucky, USA): Hailstones that melted into large bubbles.
• Tunis: Blocks of ice the size of carafons.
• May 3, 1877 (Texas, USA): Blocks of ice the size of a man's hand fell, killing thousands of sheep.
• December 11, 1854 (Poorhundur, India): Flat ice flakes weighing several pounds.
• June 1, 1882 (Iowa, USA): Ice chunks forty centimeters in circumference fell.
• February 27, 1877 (Peckloch, Germany): Yellow powder fell, described as earthy and tasteless.
• March 14, 1813 (Calabria, Italy): Yellow powder fell, accompanied by loud noises and a shower of stones.
• New Scotland: Large quantities of yellow substance fell, analyzed to contain nitrogen and ammonia, with a strong animal odor.
• November 9, 1819 (Canada), May 14 (Ireland), April 26, 1884 (Ireland): Black rains fell.
• 1903 (Europe): Mud rained down for several days, covering parts of England, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Russia. Australia also experienced a mudfall.
• December 26, 1860 (Siena, Italy): Red rain fell for two hours, followed by a second shower three hours later and a third three days later.
• October 21, 1886 (Charlotte, North Carolina): Rain fell in an area between two trees on a clear, sunny afternoon.

The article also discusses the possibility of "aerial ice banks" and phenomena occurring in the atmosphere. It mentions a yellow powder falling in Germany, which was attributed to pollen but had no visible pollen source. The author questions how these phenomena form and questions the scientific explanations, suggesting that the mystery remains unsolved despite scientific advancements.

Réflexions d'un Ufobsédé (Reflections of a Ufobsessed Person)

This article critically examines the ongoing debate surrounding UFOs and the work of ufologists. The author notes the polarization of opinions, with some defending "Michel Bonnerie" and others calling it a scandal. The article criticizes a "Science & Vie" (April 1980) feature that it claims supports the existence of UFOs and criticizes the GEPAN (French UFO study group) and Michel Bonnerie. The author expresses concern about the heated atmosphere within the French ufology community and argues that scientists and ufologists should avoid "a priorism" and remain open to unconventional explanations.

The author discusses Michel Bonnerie's theory of the unconscious, suggesting that it is too generalized and that Bonnerie is too quick to label witnesses as needing psychiatric evaluation. The article criticizes Bonnerie's lack of respect for his colleagues and his tendency to dismiss information that doesn't fit his theories. It also mentions the work of Barthel and Brucker, who identified some hoaxes from 1954 but are accused of generalizing their findings.

Other Articles and Sections

• October 20, 1839 (Calcutta): A rain of fish.
• August 9, 1892 (Paderborn, Germany): A torrential rain of mollusks.
• December 28, 1857 (Montreal, Canada): A rain of lizards.
• July 21, 1887 (Nancy): A fall of ants.
• January 1890 (Switzerland): A fall of black and yellow larvae.
• Summer 1896 (Baton Rouge, Louisiana): Hundreds of dead birds fell from a clear sky.

The author questions the explanations of atmospheric vortices for these events, noting that they do not explain the limited areas of impact or the specific nature of the falls. The article concludes by stating that despite scientific progress, the mystery of these celestial anomalies remains unsolved.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "O.V.N.I. et compagnie" include the reporting of numerous UFO sightings and unusual aerial phenomena from around the world, historical accounts of strange precipitation events, and discussions about the nature of ufology as a field of study. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various reports and perspectives while also engaging in critical analysis of theories and the ufological community itself. There is a clear emphasis on documenting specific incidents and encouraging reader participation through correspondence and feedback.

Title: OVNI & CIE
Issue: N° 194
Date: April 1980
Country: France
Language: French

This issue of OVNI & CIE delves into the complex world of UFO phenomena, offering a critical perspective on research, historical cases, and the psychological aspects of sightings. It features reviews of articles from other publications, discussions on investigative methodologies, and explores intriguing historical mysteries.

Articles and Features

The Nature of UFO Phenomena

The issue begins with a reflection on the difficulty of establishing definitive characteristics for UFOs, noting that after thirty years, the phenomenon remains elusive and complex. Michel Lonnerie is cited for his view that many UFO observations might be misinterpretations of atmospheric or artificial human phenomena. His book, "Et si les OVNI n'existaient pas?" (Humanoides Associes), is mentioned, along with works by J. Berthel & G. Brucker ("La grande four iartienne") and Lonnerie's "Le Naufrage des extra-terrestres" (Nouvelles editions rationalistes).

UFOs in the Press

Several articles from other publications are highlighted:

• Le Coopérateur de France N°753 (April 5, 1980): A two-page article titled "OVNI, rêve ou réalité?" based on an interview with J.C. Bourret.
• Science & Vie N°751 (April 1980): An article titled "OVNI, la foi qui vient du vide," featuring an "autopsy" of the UFO phenomenon by Lonnerie, Barthel, and Brucker, with the provocative title "G&PAN, donc je suis."
• L'Inconnu N°50 (April): A lengthy article on UFO contacts, titled "Réalité ou imposture," by Henriette Vedrine.
• Le Figaro Magazine (March 22, 1980): An article by Henri Christen titled "la vie sur Terra vient des Comètes."
• Le Figaro Magazine (December 24, 1979): An article by Laurent Broomhead discussing "de l'antimatière aux antimondes."

In Memoriam

The magazine reports the passing of Michel Le Loual from Rennes, a collaborator of GuPO and author of numerous articles on topics such as "l'illusion des vies successives," "la reincarnation," "des vaisseaux spatiaux de l'antiquité à nos jours," "le mystère des Pyramides," and "les Origines de La Vie."

Book Review: Jacques Ademaal

A review of Jacques Ademaal's book (published posthumously in February 1970) is presented. Ademaal, a professor who died in Brussels, dedicated his life to teaching. His book is described as a compilation of diverse information, observations, and analogies, offering considerations on the UFO subject. The review notes that while his convictions might be apparent, the reader is left to judge. The book is 240 pages with 100 illustrations and can be ordered via SOBEPS in Brussels.

Press Service: Periodicals

• LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT N°194 (LDLN): Covers topics like "Ondes et Hommes," a policy of openness in ufology, the case of Lorgues, and an update on Cergy Pontoise.
• SKYWATCH N°35 (MAPIT): Features "Mapit Nowdesk" (ufological news), the Amityville Horror, and inquiries.
• UFOLOGIA N°22 (CFRU): Includes articles on the hospitality of earthlings, American statistics, "little green men," and the concept of Paradise, along with spiritual philosophy.

Detection and Information Networks

• DETECTION: The GEPO group is now part of the GTR LDLN magnetic detection network. Plans are underway to create a regional network with coordination centers on the Loire River, linked to a telephone network.
• INFORESPACE: Described as a superior version of "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT," published bi-monthly. It is noted for its luxurious presentation and interesting articles, though the subscription price is considered high.

Atmospheric Phenomena and UFOs

A section titled "L'AIR ET SES CRÉATIONS" explores atmospheric and terrestrial phenomena. It discusses mirages (inferior, superior, lateral), atmospheric layers, and how light refraction creates these illusions. It also explains the formation of cyclones, hurricanes, and tornadoes as a result of air mass movements. The article touches upon colored precipitation caused by wind carrying pollen, mud, or ash, and briefly mentions animals being carried by wind. It then links these natural phenomena to UFO sightings, suggesting that many UFOs might be atmospheric or natural occurrences, though some remain unexplained.

The Coincidence Factor

Another section, "LES COÏNCIDENCES," examines the role of chance and meaningful coincidences. It posits that while many events can be attributed to chance, there might be underlying patterns or unknown factors at play. The article references the work of Arthur Koestler, Alister Hardy, and Robert Hartie. It questions whether humans are predisposed to coincidences and explores the possibility of psychic phenomena like telepathy and clairvoyance being linked to mathematical probabilities. The text suggests that the UFO phenomenon might be influenced by or even created by the collective unconscious, as proposed by Carl Gustav Jung, and explores the relationship between science fiction and UFO sightings, noting how science fiction narratives might have influenced or mirrored UFO reports.

Easter Island: A Tragic History

"INQUISTANTE ILE DE PAQUES" recounts the history of Easter Island since its European discovery in 1722. It details the island's exploitation, the enslavement of its inhabitants, and the subsequent decline of its population. The article questions how the famous Moai statues were moved, given the island's volcanic terrain, and discusses the possibility of a lost civilization or advanced technology. It mentions the discovery of obsidian quarries and a large impact site, as well as mysterious artifacts like tablets with indecipherable ideograms and wooden figures that bear resemblance to modern scientific concepts.

Nazca Lines

A TV broadcast from April 4th is mentioned, focusing on the "Dame de Nazca" and the mystery of the Nazca lines in Peru. The article describes the vast geoglyphs, including figures and lines, and mentions the ongoing work of Maria Reiche in documenting them. It contrasts rational explanations like astronomical observatories with more speculative theories, such as landing sites for unknown astronauts. The article concludes with a warning that the Nazca monument is in peril.

Ufological Groups and Methodologies

• LE MECONTENTEMENT DU GEPA: Reports on a GEPA meeting in Paris where the director discussed the group's objectives and problems. The article mentions the group's involvement in the Cergy Pontoise case and the Frank Fontaine case.
• LES PROBLEMES DE LA SPEPSE / UNE NOUVELLE METHODOLOGIE: This section discusses issues within the Parisian ufology group SPEPSE, including financial problems affecting their bulletin "UFOLOGIE CONTACT." A new bureau is elected, and a discussion ensues about the effectiveness of their work. A new investigation methodology is proposed, based on a "factitious observation point," but it is met with skepticism regarding its practicality and potential for error. Michel Lonnerie critiques this methodology as ambiguous.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery of UFOs, the challenges of scientific investigation, and the potential influence of psychological factors and cultural narratives (like science fiction) on sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, acknowledging the complexity of the phenomenon while questioning simplistic explanations. There's an emphasis on rigorous investigation and a cautious approach to interpreting evidence, as seen in the critique of new methodologies and the discussion of coincidences. The magazine also highlights the historical and cultural dimensions of unexplained phenomena, as exemplified by the features on Easter Island and the Nazca lines.

This document is a magazine issue with an orange cover featuring faint line drawings. The cover art appears to depict a sunburst motif and a central image that could be interpreted as a face or a helmet. Due to the illegibility of the text and the predominantly visual nature of the scan, detailed information about the magazine's content, articles, or specific themes cannot be extracted.

Cover Story

The cover's primary visual element is a large, stylized sunburst emanating from a central point. Below this, a more detailed, though still faint, drawing suggests a face or a helmeted head, possibly with radiating lines or rays. The overall impression is abstract and symbolic, with no discernible text to provide context.

Articles and Features

No articles or features are discernible from the provided scan. The content appears to be entirely visual, with the text elements being too faint or absent to be read.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Given the lack of legible text, it is impossible to determine any recurring themes or the editorial stance of this magazine issue. The cover art itself is open to interpretation and does not provide clear thematic clues without accompanying text.