LDLN - No 138

Magazine Overview

Title: Lumières dans la Nuit
Issue: N° 138
Volume: 17° Année
Date: October 1974

This issue of "Lumières dans la Nuit" (Lights in the Night), a French publication dedicated to exploring mysterious celestial objects and related problems, presents a collection of UFO sightings, investigations, and witness testimonies from various parts of the world.

Table of Contents and Key Articles

The cover highlights a striking image of a luminous, possibly alien, object and features several key articles:

• CI-DESSUS: DIAPOSITIVE AGRANDIE PRISE LE 23 MARS 1974 PRES D'ALBIOSC (Var) (p. 22): This refers to an enlarged slide of an object taken near Albiosc, France.
• A L'ÉTRANGER (p. 3 à 8): This section covers international reports.
• ENQUÊTE EFFECTUÉE A MONTRÉAL (Aude) SUR LES ÉVÉNEMENTS DES 17, 21 ET 24 FÉVRIER 1974 (p. 8): An investigation into events that occurred in Montréal, France, on February 17, 21, and 24, 1974.
• SAFARI-PHOTO EN BIGORRE (p. 20): A photo safari report from Bigorre, France.

Editorial and Subscription Information

The editorial team, including founder R. Veillith, expresses their dedication to uncovering the truth and guiding humanity. They acknowledge that published documents do not necessarily imply endorsement of all their terms, emphasizing that each document is presented for its potential to lead towards truth. The magazine also details subscription formulas for "Lumières dans la Nuit" and its supplement "Vues Nouvelles," along with contact information and attention notices for subscribers.

Investigations and Sightings

Foudroyé par une soucoupe volante au Brésil (p. 2)

This article recounts a sensational event that occurred in Aragariguama, Brazil, in 1946. A man named Joao Prestes Filho reportedly died after being struck by the luminosity of a probable flying saucer. His body was partially destroyed, and the bones were requested by the French government for examination. The incident, revealed years later by Dr. Victor E. Wittrock, involved a mysterious light beam that caused rapid decomposition of tissues, leaving bones exposed. The case is presented as a tragic and bewildering event, highlighting the superior knowledge of extraterrestrial beings and their capacity for ruthless action.

Au Canada (p. 3)

An investigation into an OVNI (Unidentified Flying Object) and five humanoids observed on October 6, 1973, in Saint-Matthias, Quebec, Canada. Witnesses, including Mr. and Mrs. N. R., reported two observations: a powerful projector sweeping the ground and later, a yellow, dome-shaped object approximately 25 meters in diameter. From this object emerged five smaller beings, described as 'scouts,' who moved between the main object and another smaller one.

Espagne (p. 4)

Two observations from Gerena, Spain, are detailed: one on May 15, 1973, by Mari Quiros Valderas, who reported a violet light that turned into an intense red circle accompanying her car for 4 km; and another on October 20, 1973, by Antonia Diaz Sanabria, who witnessed an egg-shaped object with white and red-orange illumination.

Des Humanoïdes à Langelmävesi (Finlande) (p. 5)

This is a translated account from a Finnish publication detailing an experience from August 1945. The witness, while in a sauna, observed a bright sphere approaching rapidly. Later, she saw a trunk-like object gliding on the water, followed by a strange, grey animal on its hind legs with sharp teeth. The witness also describes a boat-like object with a large man on board.

Enquête effectuée à Montréal (Aude) (p. 5-6)

This investigation details events from February 17, 21, and 24, 1974, in Montréal, France. Witnesses M. Calmet and his son reported observing a large, luminous object on February 17th. On February 21st, they saw a large, illuminated object gliding slowly. On February 24th, they observed powerful projectors scanning a field, followed by an object that moved horizontally. The phenomena were described as intense and abnormal, with the objects exhibiting intelligent behavior, avoiding obstacles and moving with great speed.

Enquêtes diverses (p. 7)

• Behencourt (Somme), January 8, 1974: Witnesses reported an orange, oval-shaped light object with blinking lights that moved erratically before disappearing.
• Nîmes-AIR Courbessac (30), December 13, 1973: Students reported seeing four luminous yellow points that moved in formation and exhibited unusual behavior.

Pyrenées-Orientales (p. 8)

On October 6, 1973, near Prades, France, observers reported a large, stationary sphere reflecting sunlight, accompanied by two smaller, brighter red objects. Later, five smaller, oval-shaped objects appeared and moved in a fan-like pattern before disappearing.

Enquête à Saint-Pierre-d'Aubézies (32) (p. 9)

On the night of March 24-25, 1974, three young girls and a boy witnessed a very luminous red ball above trees. The object appeared to slow down as it approached and then disappeared over the horizon.

Observations à Maubeuge (p. 9)

On October 18, 1973, two young men reported observing three luminous objects, described as diamonds and cigars, with flashing lights. The objects exhibited unusual behavior, stopping and expanding when the witnesses used a flashlight.

Val de Marne (p. 10)

On March 3, 1973, witnesses reported an object moving rapidly from east to west, described as ellipsoidal with white headlights and red side lights, accompanied by a slight whistling sound.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, including UFO sightings, luminous objects, and potential humanoid encounters. The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of witness testimony, diligent investigation, and the pursuit of truth, even when faced with skepticism or the unknown. The editorial stance, as articulated by R. Veillith, is one of open-minded inquiry, seeking to understand these phenomena without prejudice and acknowledging the limitations of current scientific understanding. The publication also highlights the challenges of UFO research, such as the difficulty in verifying reports and the need for systematic data collection.

This issue of the magazine, titled "SAFARI-PHOTO EN BIGORRE," focuses on a national UFO surveillance event held on the night of March 20-21, 1974. The cover story, written by F. Lagarde, details the organization and results of this large-scale observation effort, which involved numerous participants across France. The magazine also includes sections on ongoing investigations, recent UFO sightings, and a review of relevant books.

Safari-Photo en Bigorre

F. Lagarde describes the "Safari-Photo en Bigorre" event, which was organized to test the hypothesis of a permanent UFO presence in the region and to verify observations through organized vigils. The initiative was largely coordinated by M. Coudreau, with assistance from the author. A key aspect of the experience was the use of regularly declared, long-range radio transmitters, with five fixed and one mobile post. These posts were strategically located based on known observations and triangulated positions. The radios were used to communicate sightings, with the goal of documenting the phenomenon. The event also saw the participation of amateur radio operators who were aware of the vigil, contributing to its widespread impact.

The article details several specific observations made during the night of March 20-21, 1974:

• Around 9:30 PM from Lafitole, an observation of a large red point, very luminous and with violent, flashing light, lasting 5 seconds, was reported (photo not developed).
• Around 10:00 PM from Montségur, five red lights were seen moving.
• Around 12:30 AM from Montfaucon, a red light on the ground was observed, moving back and forth for half an hour. A mobile team was misdirected.
• Around 2:00 AM, a red light was observed on the flank of the Pyrenees.

Additional reports mentioned observations in nearby areas like Miélan and Boulogne-sur-Gesse. In early April, a ball was seen in Trébons with four satellites. The article notes that the organization of this event was a success, both technically and in terms of results, demonstrating the phenomenon's persistent presence in the region.

Barjols Vigil (Var)

Jean Bedet, regional delegate for LDLN, recounts a national surveillance vigil held on the night of March 23-24, 1974, in Barjols, Var. The team, consisting of Jean-François Delseray, Eric Abagnale, and Jean Bedet, set up equipment including a sensitive K1 detector, an E B4 recorder, and a second detector connected to an electronic buzzer. They also deployed an automatic station powered by a battery for 15 days. Their mission was twofold: to monitor the sky and to attempt communication with potential UFOs using a powerful 55W projector.

During the night, the projector was used to send coded signals, hoping for a reaction from any observed objects. While the team did not observe any UFOs directly during their vigil, they later learned from local villagers that an object had been sighted that very night, just behind their location.

Witnesses, including Mme Bedet, M. CM., and Mme CM., reported seeing a reddish object with green traits moving slowly in the sky around 11:00 PM. The object was described as being high in the sky, with clear weather and cool temperatures. The object's movements were observed to be erratic, moving up, down, left, and right before stabilizing for a period. The witnesses estimated its height at 17 degrees and its direction towards Moustier-Sainte-Marie.

Later, Jean Bedet discovered an article in "Le Provençal" about a UFO sighting on April 13th in the Carces-Montfort region. He also received an anonymous envelope containing a paper with a message and a slide (diapositive) of a red mass with green tubes directed downwards. The slide was taken on March 23rd, the same night as the Barjols vigil, in the region of Albiosc, near the D 15 road.

The article includes a map showing the possible location of the object based on witness descriptions and the anonymous slide. The author expresses skepticism due to the anonymous nature of the information but acknowledges the sincerity of the witnesses and the importance of the photographic evidence.

Courrier Résufo

This section provides a summary of the national surveillance night of March 23, 1974, reporting a record participation of 60 departments and 117 written reports, with an estimated thousand participants. Despite the high participation and favorable conditions, the number of observations was not significantly higher than usual.

Specific reports mentioned include:

• Valensole: An object on the ground, described as two luminous rectangles.
• Carignan: An orange, rotating disc that split into a second disc.
• Hautmont: Six objects reported.
• Senac: A report of a punctiform object, with confusion surrounding photos that appear to show moving stars.

The section also discusses the "PHOTOS RESUFO" where three enlarged photos show a series of three clichés that, upon close examination, reveal moving points that are not stars, suggesting they could be UFOs.

An event involving a television film presented as a UFO sighting is debunked as a fabrication. Other recent sightings are listed from various locations in France and Italy, including Aspin-de-Lavedan, Heuchin, Marolles-en-Brie, Hellemmes (where a roof was reportedly melted by a UFO), Solesmes, Ravenne, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigouzac, Moulins, Domaine de Boutaric, Grand-Baisieux, Salles-la-Source, and Pont-en-Royans.

Reflections

The author reflects on the results of the organized surveillance night, noting that while it generated enthusiasm, the number of specific observations did not increase proportionally. The experience is deemed particularly conclusive in the realm of psychology, suggesting that participants were in a heightened state of sensitivity due to the anticipation of the event. The reports from observers are described as honest, with a growing critical spirit that helps distinguish genuine phenomena from misidentifications. The article dismisses theories of collective unconscious or mass hallucinations as explanations for UFOs.

Regarding trajectories, the author concludes that observed objects appear to come from nowhere and disappear without a trace, with no continuous tracking possible between multiple observation points. This leads to a proposal for modifying the surveillance network's functioning.

Conclusions

The conclusions highlight the remarkable fact that rare observations, whether organized or fortuitous, tend to occur in locations already known for frequent phenomena. The author suggests that local surveillance efforts, organized by delegates, could offer more flexibility and speed than a national approach, especially when UFO activity is detected in a specific area.

Nouvelles récentes (Recent News)

This section provides a condensed list of recent UFO sightings and events from May to July 1974:

• May 1974, Graye-et-Charnay (Jura): Strange circular traces and small square imprints were found in a quarry, attributed to a luminous phenomenon.
• June 2, 1974, Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône): A red ball was seen hovering briefly before disappearing with bluish trails.
• June 2, 1974, Fontenay-aux-Roses (Hauts-de-Seine): A brilliant object, appearing as a small sphere through binoculars, was observed.
• June 12, 1974, Cluses (Haute-Savoie): A very bright orange sphere performed a rapid helical ascent before disappearing into clouds, leaving an ionization trail.
• June 19, 1974, Souppes-sur-Loing (Seine-et-Marne): An ovoid object with two fins and a tail was sighted.
• June 27, 1974, Grenoble (Isère): A dozen green-contoured UFOs, each about the size of the moon, were observed, with one even reversing direction.
• Late June 1974, Hellemmes (Nord): A cylindrical object caused a loud noise and a bright light, and the next morning, the house's roof was found to be melted.
• July 8, 1974, Ravenne (Italy): Hundreds of people reported a UFO landing near the highway.
• July 8, 1974, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Vaucluse): A luminous, orange, elongated object was observed, following a car.
• July 22-27, 1974, Gigouzac (Lot): Blueish UFOs were observed by a painter and later by fifteen people, including gendarmes.
• July 29, 1974, Moulins (Allier): Twelve people observed a round, bright object moving in the sky, which ascended rapidly and disappeared.
• August 4, 1974, Domaine de Boutaric (Aude): A fireball changed color and moved north, causing fig trees to lose their foliage.
• August 5, 1974, Grand-Baisieux (Nord): A red or orange, disc-shaped light was observed for two consecutive nights.
• August 11, 1974, Salles-la-Source (Aveyron): An oval, brilliant object moved silently at an estimated altitude of 1,000 meters.
• August 14, 1974, Pont-en-Royans (Isère): Thirteen ovoid objects were seen at various altitudes.

Courrier (Letters to the Editor)

This section features letters from readers expressing their appreciation for the magazine. Patrice Bernard praises the magazine's quality and the collective effort of ufologists. Jacques Vallée commends the magazine's coverage of the recent UFO wave. François Ollivier congratulates the team for their extraordinary work in combating skepticism and the "conspiracy of silence." Ch. Mignon also congratulates the editor on the new presentation and notes the growing scientific interest in the phenomenon.

Nos Livres Sélectionnés (Our Selected Books)

This section lists several books related to UFOs available for purchase through the "LIBRAIRIE DES ARCHERS." Titles include works by Charles Garreau, J. Vallée, Henry Durrant, Jacques Lob, Robert Gigi, and J. Allen Hynek. A new release, "LA NOUVELLE VAGUE DES SOUCOUPES VOLANTES" by Jean-Claude Bourret, featuring interviews and unpublished testimonies, is also highlighted. Additionally, "PLANÈTES ET SATELLITES" by Pierre Guerin is offered.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes organized citizen science and amateur investigation into UFO phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on meticulous data collection, photographic evidence, and the use of technology like detectors and radio communication. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, aiming to uncover the truth behind UFO sightings, while also acknowledging the psychological and sociological aspects of the phenomenon. The publication seems to advocate for a systematic, grassroots approach to research, encouraging widespread participation and the sharing of information. There's a clear belief in the persistence and significance of UFO activity in France, particularly in certain regions, and a dedication to documenting these occurrences with rigor.