LDLN Contact Lecteurs - 1972 002

Magazine Overview

This issue of "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" (Lights in the Night), published in May 1972, is the second issue of its fifth series and is dedicated to "MYSTÉRIEUX OBJETS CÉLESTES" (Mysterious Celestial Objects). It features a cover story on the Ottawa-Contry, Texas sighting and includes sections on investigations, reader contributions, and unusual phenomena.

The Ottawa-Contry Investigation (USA)

The primary focus of this issue is the detailed investigation of a UFO sighting that occurred on November 2, 1971, in Ottawa-Contry, Texas. The report, compiled by Ted Phillips and translated by M. Michel Méry, details the testimony of Ronald Johnson, a 16-year-old boy who was tending sheep when he observed a luminous object.

Ronald described the object as having a dome on top and a rounded base, emitting a brilliant light that illuminated the ground. He estimated its diameter at 2.75 meters and its height at 3 meters. The object hovered about 0.60 meters above the ground without touching it. He noted that his dog remained calm, but the sheep were frightened. The object emitted a humming sound, compared to a washing machine.

After several minutes, the object became brighter and ascended rapidly with a strident noise, like a jet. Ronald experienced temporary blindness and a headache following the event. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, also witnessed a bright light in the sky.

Upon investigating the landing site, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson found a circular area where the ground was dry and had a strange, crystallized texture. Touching the soil caused a temporary numbness in their fingers and legs. Mrs. Johnson took a Polaroid photo of the site.

The investigation was further conducted by Sheriff Ralph Enlow and his deputy Harlen Henlow. Ted Phillips visited the site on December 4, 1971, and again on January 11, 1972. He noted that the circular trace, despite 32 days of rain and snow, remained visible and the soil within it was dry and light-colored, while the surrounding soil was wet and dark.

Phillips' investigation revealed that the object had apparently broken a dead tree and a living tree branch. The soil inside the ring was dry to a depth of at least 30 cm, while the surrounding soil was wet up to 20 cm. The ring itself was about 2.45 meters in diameter with a width of 0.30 to 0.51 meters.

Ted Phillips concluded that based on his interviews and site visit, the event presented evidence that supported the witness's account, and the trace on the ground remained a mystery.

Other Investigations and Sightings

Investigations in France

• Jura (D.30 road between Trenal and Condamine): On March 5, 1971, M. Camus, a radio-electrician, reported observing six to eight blue, fluorescent rectangles on the ground near a dark, metallic dome-like object. He also described encountering three to four-legged 'animal-like' beings and experiencing car malfunctions.
• Lot-et-Garonne (La Chapelle): On November 14, 1971, Angelo Cellot reported observing a luminous object with multiple lights that followed his tractor, hovered above it, and then departed. He also noted the absence of engine noise.

International Cases

• Spain: A couple from Cadiz reported being followed by a bright light for 253 km on the night of December 21-22, 1971. They experienced car malfunctions and saw a 7-meter long object near the road.
• Brazil: Three cases are briefly mentioned: Paolo Gaetano Silveira reported being abducted by three human-shaped objects from his car in Itaperuna on September 22, 1971. Bénito Mirando reported being lifted by a light beam near Cataguazes on September 24, 1971. Aziz Cury junior reported a large, moon-shaped light affecting his car's speed near Anapolis on October 3, 1971.
• Australia (Boggabri): An unusual trace was found after heavy rain, with hardened interiors contrasting with the surrounding mud.
• New Zealand (Waïhoke): An unusual ring-shaped trace was found on a farm.
• Mulhouse, France: A landing ring from a June 25, 1971 incident was still visible in April 1972.

Reader Contributions (De Nos Lecteurs)

The magazine includes numerous brief reports from readers across France detailing sightings of luminous objects, unusual lights, and unexplained phenomena. These include:

• Allier (Cusset): A yellow ball with a conical tail, and a red ball with a green halo.
• Ardennes (Rethel): Three immobile objects in a V-formation.
• Calvados (Honfleur): A red point moving in a right-angle turn.
• Landes (Beylongue): A large white ball moving horizontally.
• Gard (Ales): A golden cloud-like formation with two condensation trails.
• Indre (La Châtre): A large, red, round object, and a turquoise cigar-shaped object.
• Vosges (Epinal): A luminous point moving erratically.
• Cher (Vierzon): A luminous point moving slowly and erratically, and a black smoke-like formation.
• Meurthe-et-Moselle (Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy): A sphere-shaped object and a whistling sound.
• Haute-Loire (Fix-St-Geneys): A red, moon-sized ball with a luminous trail.
• Paris (17°): An oval object with metallic reflections and a black column-like phenomenon.
• Moselle (Rosselange): A star-shaped object observed through binoculars.

Tribune des Jeunes (Youth Tribune)

This section features research on parapsychological phenomena by the GAAM (Groupement Astronomique Amateur du Midi). It details several séances involving telekinesis, psychokinesis, and alleged communications with entities. One report describes a group's experience with unusual phenomena after a séance, including a red light, a fireball, and the death of three Russian cosmonauts being predicted.

L'Étrange (The Strange)

• The Enigma of Moraleda: This article describes an unexplained phenomenon in Belmez de la Moraleda, Spain, where faces appeared spontaneously in cement hearths, baffling residents and investigators.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently highlights unexplained aerial phenomena and related events, emphasizing witness testimony and physical evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, encouraging readers to report their observations and supporting the idea that these events are not easily dismissed. There's a clear intent to document and analyze these occurrences, even when official explanations are lacking or when skepticism is prevalent. The publication seems to align with a community of individuals interested in exploring the unknown aspects of UFOs and related mysteries, often contrasting their findings with conventional scientific or governmental viewpoints.

Title: LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT
Issue Date: 1972
Publisher: Imprilux
Country of Publication: France
Original Language: French

This issue of "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" delves into the perplexing case of the "faces of Belmez" (Belmez de la Morelada, Spain) and associated psychophonic phenomena, presenting a detailed report based on investigations and recordings.

The Faces of Belmez

The article begins by describing the appearance of faces on a wall in a house in Belmez, which started in November 1971. These faces are depicted as having distinct features, with one description noting a feminine physiognomy and the suggestion of miniature faces emerging from hair-like structures. The phenomenon has drawn significant attention, with visitors described as being 'grave' and trying to smile when leaving.

The local priest, Antonio Molina, acknowledges the reality of the faces, even if he doesn't believe in apparitions. A 'futurologist' named Raphael Lafuente is also present in the village, investigating the possibility of a medium.

Investigation by 'Pueblo' Newspaper

Further details emerge from articles published in the Spanish newspaper "Pueblo" starting February 14, 1972. The newspaper's special envoys, A. Casado and Leo, recount their experience of spending a night in the kitchen where the faces appear. They listened to a magnetic tape recording made by the parapsychologist German de Argumosa, who is credited with introducing psychophony to Spain and is described as the only researcher in the country actively studying this phenomenon. After this experience, Leo states he is no longer skeptical.

Belmez de la Morelada is located in the province of Jaen, 35 km east of Jaen, near the Sierra Magina mountain range.

The commission formed by "Pueblo" included an archaeologist, a chemist, a parapsychologist, and the author of the article. They contacted scientific and archaeological organizations before their investigation. The results of analyses are awaited.

Psychophonic Phenomena

The sensational revelation of the issue is the magnetic tape recording made in the kitchen, which captured a series of sounds distinctly different from those usually recorded. These sounds are described as 'psychophonic phenomena,' which are also being studied in Germany and Italy.

Don Argumosa, who worked closely with the "Pueblo" team, used his hypersensitive magnetic tape recorder. The recordings were made in the presence of the local civil guard commander, the mayor, and the couple who own the house. The sounds captured are described as follows:

• Lamentations: Perceived as similar to the anguish of the dying or the ecstasies of love.
• Breathing: A panting, anxious respiration, as if from someone mortally wounded and dragging themselves.
• Cries: A strident cry, like a knife, perceived as feminine.
• Intermittent Cries: Intermittent cries of children.
• Phonemes/Syllables: Two specific phonemes identified as 'Qui, co,' repeated, sometimes accompanied by choked-off cries as if they were the last words of a dying man.
• Whispered Phrases: Phrases that are difficult to identify, but Don Argumosa believes he has deciphered some. These include fragments like "il n'y a pas ou ne pas avoir de femme de..." (there is no or not to have a woman of...) and "non... je ne veux pas" (no... I don't want to).
• Disagreement: A voice described as frankly unpleasant and masculine, saying "pau... vre... quin... co" (poor... thing... quin... co).

Overall, the sounds are characterized by a predominance of female and child voices, constant crying, murmuring, and panting speech, evoking a sense of tragedy and drama. Don Argumosa suggests these might be the voices of beings who lived on Earth and now wander on another plane.

Future of the Recordings

Don Argumosa plans to present the analyzed magnetic tape to German and Swiss scientists involved in psychophonic phenomena studies. It will also be presented at the international parapsychology congress in Italy. The Universities of Fribourg and Saint-Gall in Switzerland are reportedly following the Belmez incidents closely and awaiting research results.

Geological Context

N.D.L.R. (Editor's Note) adds that Belmez is situated on a geological fault line and within a seismic epicentre zone rated VIII on the Spanish seismic and geological map.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" focuses on unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs and paranormal events. This issue strongly emphasizes the investigation of the Belmez faces and the associated psychophonic recordings, presenting it as a significant and credible case. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into these mysteries, with a willingness to explore even the most unusual claims, supported by expert investigation and scientific analysis. The inclusion of geological data suggests an attempt to provide a comprehensive, multi-faceted understanding of the reported events.