LDLN - No 211-212

Magazine Overview

This issue of LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT, dated January-February 1982, is the 25th year of publication, issue number 211-212. The cover headline announces "MYSTERIEUX OBJETS CELESTES ET PROBLEMES CONNEXES" (Mysterious Celestial Objects and Related Problems). The magazine is published by the "GROUPEMENT INTERNATIONAL DE RECHERCHES" founded by R. Veillith.

Editorial and New Dispositions

The editorial section, "DE NOUVELLES DISPOSITIONS POUR NOTRE REVUE" (New Dispositions for Our Magazine), explains that due to increased printing and postal costs, as well as the imposition of VAT, the magazine will become bimonthly, with 48-page double issues, instead of 10 issues per year. This decision aims to limit subscription price increases and keep the magazine accessible to readers facing economic difficulties. The editorial board emphasizes their commitment to maintaining an open-minded approach, focusing on constructive ideas and respectful debate.

Articles and Content

"Pour une politique de la 'porte ouverte' en ufologie des 'phénomènes solaires'... au 'phénomène ovni'" (Part 4) by Gilbert Cornu

This article, the fourth part of a series, discusses the historical context of ufology by comparing it to the phenomenon of spiritism in the 19th century. Cornu argues that history is crucial for understanding present events and that a failure to learn from the past leads to flawed interpretations. He highlights the parallel timelines of the emergence of spiritism (1847) and ufology (1947), both originating in America and spreading to Europe. The article examines the initial public reactions, the role of media, and the challenges faced by researchers in both fields. It notes the tendency for both phenomena to generate passionate debate, skepticism from authorities, and the eventual fragmentation into various groups and interpretations. Cornu also touches upon the 'solar phenomena' and their connection to religious apparitions, suggesting a broader scope for ufological research.

Retrospective: 1950 Sightings by F. Lagarde

This section provides a chronological compilation of flying saucer (SV) and mysterious celestial object (MOC) sightings from 1950. Lagarde notes the limited media coverage and lack of organized research in France during this period, contrasting it with the growing awareness in the USA since 1947. The retrospective details numerous sightings across the globe, including France, Italy, Mexico, Bolivia, Turkey, Morocco, Colombia, Israel, and the Arctic. Descriptions include various shapes (disks, spheres, cylinders), colors, behaviors (hovering, rapid movement, disappearing), and associated phenomena like smoke trails and luminous halos. The article emphasizes the geographical diversity and universality of these observations, as well as the varied contexts in which they were reported (by civilians, pilots, astronomers).

Le point sur les mutilations d'animaux (3rd part) by Jean Sider

This concluding part of the series on animal mutilations discusses the aftermath of the FBI's Kenneth Rommel report, which suggested human perpetrators. Sider criticizes the report and the media's reaction, highlighting the skepticism of many researchers and the partiality of some publications. He contrasts the official findings with the work of independent investigators and journalists who maintain the anomalous nature of the mutilations. The article also touches upon the possibility of hoaxes and the challenges of distinguishing genuine cases from fabricated ones. Sider references the work of David Rorvik and Tom Adams, director of 'Project Stigma', and discusses the potential for misidentification with military aircraft like the 'Cobra' helicopter. The segment also mentions the documentary 'A Strange Harvest' by Linda Moulton Howe and the potential for cinematic portrayals of animal mutilations.

Other Mentions

The issue also includes sections on subscriptions, reader feedback ('avis'), and a list of recent news ('Nouvelles récentes'). The 'sommaire' (table of contents) lists various articles, including 'Courrier' (letters to the editor), specific case reports from different locations in France (Charente-maritime, Landes, Ariège), and a report on the Italian wave of 1978. The magazine also mentions the 'Réseau de surveillance OVNI' (UFO Surveillance Network).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the historical investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the persistent mystery of animal mutilations, and a comparative approach to understanding these phenomena by drawing parallels with historical events like spiritism. The editorial stance, as articulated in the 'ligne de conduite' (line of conduct) section, is one of open-mindedness, encouraging the exploration of diverse viewpoints and constructive debate without personal attacks. The magazine aims to provide a platform for researchers and enthusiasts to share information and insights, fostering a deeper understanding of the unexplained. There's a clear emphasis on rigorous investigation and a critical approach to sensationalism, while acknowledging the reality of the phenomena being studied.

This issue of "Courrier" magazine, dated October 1981, focuses heavily on the phenomenon of animal mutilations and its potential connection to UFO activity. The publication, identified by its ISSN 0755-0717 and priced at 12 French Francs, presents a detailed investigation into this controversial topic, drawing on reports from various associations, including A.P.R.O. (Association for Aerial Phenomena Research Organization).

Le revirement du groupe A.P.R.O.

The lead article details a significant shift in the stance of the American organization A.P.R.O. Initially skeptical in 1975 about any link between animal mutilations and UFOs, A.P.R.O., particularly through the insights of Coral and Jim Lorenzen, began to acknowledge a connection. This change was prompted by more substantial data, including a report from three scientists concerning strange events in a rural Colorado community involving UFO sightings and cattle mutilations. Another key piece of evidence was a report from New Mexico detailing UFO activity near a town with a high incidence of mutilations, including a 'phantom helicopter' and a circular craft emitting a light beam over a herd of cattle. A report from Dr. Léo Sprinkle also contributed, describing a 1976 incident where a farmer witnessed a disc-shaped craft descend near his herd, after which one of his cows disappeared. Furthermore, an abduction case in Texas, investigated by the Lorenzens, involved a witness under hypnosis who claimed to have seen a cow being mutilated inside a UFO. The analysis of a product found on mutilated bovines, which proved fluorescent under UV light, also added to the growing body of evidence. Coral Lorenzen is quoted as stating that these elements form a remarkable body of evidence suggesting UFOs are interested in animal mutilations, possibly for examination or sustenance, thus establishing a link between their presence and this mystery.

L'affaire Burgess

This section details the work of Mr. Burgess, a retired scientist and A.P.R.O. member, who investigated animal mutilations. He observed a pattern: 90% of the mutilated cattle were Hereford or Charolais breeds, aged 4-5 years, or calves under one year old. He noted specific marks, like those from a lifting cable, and that the hair was often ripped off in vertical bands. Burgess deduced that the cattle were likely marked beforehand to facilitate nocturnal mutilations. The article also mentions a fluorescent product found on the animals, which lost its luminescence after two weeks, and that the marked animals died. Jim Lorenzen reportedly suffered from an incurable illness with leukemia-like symptoms after analyzing a powdery substance found on a mutilated cow in Colorado. This substance, composed of microscopic spheres, remained unidentified. Lorenzen also cited Dr. Schoenfeld's findings on a granular product seen falling from a supposed UFO near Taos, New Mexico, identifying it as containing Europium, Lanthanum, and Yttrium – rare earth metals potentially from nuclear fission.

Jim Lorenzen concludes that the physical nature of UFO involvement in animal mutilations supports a physical, rather than extradimensional, explanation. He dismisses the idea of secret human societies being responsible, as it would be more economical for them to operate on their own ranches. He argues that the technology deployed for such operations is disproportionate to the goals of such hypothetical groups.

LES FAUX HÉLICOPTÈRES

This part of the magazine discusses the phenomenon of 'false helicopters' that have been observed in conjunction with animal mutilations. While acknowledging that genuine helicopters can be mistaken for UFOs, the article focuses on anomalous craft. Tom Adams is cited for his research cataloging 200 cases related to mutilations and these unusual aerial vehicles. These 'false helicopters' are often unmarked, fly at abnormal altitudes, and depart quickly when observed. Some reports describe them as aggressive, harassing witnesses or even firing projectiles. They are frequently sighted near mutilation sites, either before or after the incidents. While not definitively linked to the mutilations, their association with UFO phenomena is noted. The article also mentions instances of 'harassment' by individuals in helicopters, possibly for thrill-seeking.

Several specific cases are recounted: in Madison County, Montana, black helicopters and white vans were reported near mutilation sites. In Bozeman, Montana, a hunter saw individuals with Asian features emerge from a helicopter. In Las Animas County, Colorado, a family observed four yellow and black helicopters. The article notes that the military stated their helicopters operate under strict regulations regarding altitude. An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) into unidentified aerial vehicles in New Mexico yielded no public results.

Tom Adams proposes five possibilities for the 'false helicopters': they are camouflaged UFOs, they are part of a government operation involved in mutilations, they are used for surveillance to identify mutilators, they are used to create a 'terrestrial mutilator' narrative, or they are 'para-governmental' entities operating clandestinely for scientific experimentation.

Discussion and Analysis

The magazine includes a section where a reader questions the interpretation of UFO involvement, suggesting a spiritual or message-based motive. The author refutes this, emphasizing the material and scientific aspects of the investigation. The article then delves into the nature of UFOs, describing them as material vehicles with technology surpassing ours, whose activity seems linked to humanity's development of nuclear energy and space exploration. The author posits the existence of an 'extra-terrestrial' or 'extra-human' intelligence operating in our skies, driven by natural laws of genetic expansion and exploitation.

Further sections discuss specific sightings: Mme Judith Doherty's alleged abduction experience, involving a laboratory inside a UFO and a mutilated bovine. The magazine also presents a detailed account of a sighting by Mme Barrathe in Bourgneuf, Charente-Maritime, France, involving a luminous, orange-red object. Another section details observations in the Landes region of France, including a sighting by M. Larroque of a red, ovular object, and other reports from Tilh and Pomarez involving luminous spheres and colored lights. The article concludes by examining the possibility of two distinct objects being observed simultaneously in different locations, and the challenges in interpreting witness descriptions due to the unusual nature of the phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are animal mutilations, UFO sightings, and the investigation into their potential connection. The magazine adopts a rational, scientific approach, seeking empirical evidence and analyzing witness testimonies critically. It emphasizes the material and technological aspects of UFOs, dismissing purely spiritual or supernatural explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to form their own opinions based on the presented evidence, while maintaining a degree of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims. The publication highlights the need for rigorous investigation and cautions against sensationalism or unfounded speculation in the field of ufology.

This issue of "La vague italienne de 1978" (The Italian Wave of 1978), subtitled "Phénomènes du 1er type (3) (Deuxième Partie)" (First Type Phenomena (3) (Second Part)), continues the detailed documentation of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings and related phenomena in Italy during 1978. The content is presented in French, with translations attributed to Maurice Verga and M. Le Gourrierec. The magazine focuses on witness testimonies, physical evidence, and investigative details.

Detailed Case Reports from 1978

The issue presents a chronological listing of numerous incidents:

• November 24, 1978 (12:00): Gallio (Vicenza), Italy. Mr. Angela d'Ambros, a retiree, reported seeing two small, thin, bald humanoids with large eyes and long fingers, described as greenish, hovering 20 cm above the ground. They wore dark suits. When one entity touched the witness's pruning saw, he experienced a strong electric shock. The entity attempted to steal the saw, but the witness resisted.
• November 28, 1978: Sanremo (Imperia), Italy. Sergio Castori (23) and Giorgio Speranzani (21), university students, observed white smoke rising from the sea about 200 meters away while fishing. Approaching the area, they saw a small whirlpool from which a brilliant object rapidly ascended.
• November 29, 1978 (13:00): San Sabina (Brindisi), Italy. Pino Tanoli (24) and his brother Camillo witnessed a strange light approaching their car, growing to 3-4 times the size of the full moon. For 4-5 minutes, the object hovered over their car. The witnesses, terrified, exited the vehicle and observed a grey metallic, ellipsoidal object (almost cylindrical) with a small luminous green dome on top. The object's color shifted between yellow and pink. It then ascended rapidly towards the sea.
• November 29, 1978 (Night): Off the coast of Imperia, Italy. Fishermen reported seeing a light moving at low altitude over the sea, emitting strong luminosity without making any noise.
• November 30, 1978 (6:00): Off the coast of Ventimiglia (Imperia), Italy. Crews of several fishing boats observed 6 to 9 very bright white lights emerging from the sea.
• November 30, 1978 (19:45): Nago (Trento), Italy. A motorist observed a luminous pyramid-shaped object situated on old railway tracks. No further details were provided.
• December 1, 1978 (4:30): 4 miles off Capo Mele (Imperia), Italy. Fishermen, including Mr. Nicola Olivieri and Mr. Calogero Portora, reported seeing three bright, elongated white objects emerge from the sea. Five minutes later, three more objects appeared, and this phenomenon was observed again 10 minutes later. Other fishing boat crews in the area also witnessed strange lights.
• December 1, 1978 (1:35): Giulianova (Teramo), Italy. Two individuals in a car saw a luminous object, approximately 1.5 meters long, flying slowly above the shore at a distance of 200 meters, moving from north to south. It resembled a dark, inverted dish with a luminous red underside. The object descended parabolically, and the red light disappeared in places before the object vanished from sight after more than 5 minutes.
• December 6, 1978 (Dawn): Avezzano (L'Aquila), Italy. Approximately ten people, including Mr. Vincenzo Catalano, saw lights arranged in a triangle in the sky. A triangular object was observed on or near the ground. Later in the same area, other witnesses saw two bright objects at an altitude of 70-100 meters, with strange objects on the ground below them. Deep tracks and burn marks were discovered at the landing sites.
• December 6, 1978 (23:45): Torriglia (Genova), Italy. Mr. Fortunato Zanfretta, a night watchman, reported seeing four white lights moving horizontally in front of a villa. His car's electrical systems (radio, headlights, interior lights) failed. He was pushed to the ground by a creature approximately 3 meters tall, described as having horizontal grey tubes, a large head with triangular yellow eyes, and a strange "horrible eye" on its forehead. The creature disappeared. Zanfretta then saw a large, triangular white object flying at high speed. He later fainted for 50 minutes. In the meadow where he awoke, a dark mark resembling a horseshoe (3 cm deep, 15 cm long, 2.5 m diameter) was found. Another horseshoe-shaped trace was found in a nearby meadow. In the villa's vegetable garden, disturbed earth was found near where the entity was seen, with traces of radioactivity detected. Two women from a nearby village reported seeing a bright object heading towards the villa, and another woman reported seeing a strange flying object over the area. Zanfretta underwent hypnosis and recalled being taken aboard a bright object and subjected to tests, including wearing a helmet, and experiencing blinding light and unbearable heat.

Page 40-41: The article continues with more detailed investigations and observations from the Italian wave.

• December 8, 1978 (1:30): Portergrandi (Venezia), Italy. Two young people, Franco Bergamo and Luisa Geminian, observed strange orange lights. They stopped their vehicle about 40 meters away and saw a disk-shaped object, 7-8 meters in diameter, hovering 3 meters above the road. The object had four red-orange lights arranged regularly on its visible face and a dome on top with another light. Four white light beams emanated from the lower part, with one orange light among them. Three beams illuminated the road, and one pointed towards a thicket. The witnesses were frightened. The object then transformed into a red sphere with blurred contours before returning to its original shape. This metamorphosis was observed again later, 2 km away.

Investigation and Observation Methods

The magazine also includes sections on how to conduct UFO observations and investigations:

• "Réseau de surveillance OVNI" (UFO Surveillance Network): This section, initiated by G. Beneteau, aims to relaunch the former RESUFO network under a new name. It provides advice for observation vigils, suggesting favorable hours (18:00-24:00 and 6:00-8:00, but also 0:00-6:00), and ideal sites (isolated areas away from light pollution, with a wide, clear horizon). It also suggests looking for recurring sites, geological faults, proximity to megaliths, and legendary sites.
• "Veillées Fixes" (Fixed Vigils): For those conducting photographic vigils, advice includes knowing one's equipment, practicing night photography, scouting the site, and using a 30-minute exposure with a slide film set to infinity. In case of an alert, it advises staying calm and taking multiple shots with varying settings. For dimly lit UFOs, long exposures with a tripod are recommended.
• "Les Marches Nocturnes" (Night Walks): This section suggests night walks as a way to combat monotony and potential somnolence during vigils, especially in rural areas. It advises choosing routes of about ten kilometers, preferably in regions with varied terrain (open fields and dark woods), and avoiding well-trodden paths. It also recommends not talking near farms to avoid alerting guard dogs.
• "Données Techniques" (Technical Data): Equipment recommendations for observation include binoculars, a telescope, cameras (instant and time-lapse), flashlights, a compass, a map, magnetic and acoustic detectors, and a tape recorder. For group observations, forming two teams with optical or radio contact is suggested.
• "Photos d'OVNI" (UFO Photos): Guidelines are provided for submitting UFO photographs, requesting details such as location, time, date, altitude, azimuth, object characteristics, camera settings, and film type. The magazine assures that photos will be examined by specialists and returned.

Review of "Inexpliqué" Magazine

• "LA NOUVELLE REVUE : 'INEXPLIQUE'" by Gilles Smiena reviews the "Inexpliqué" (Unexplained) magazine published by Atlas Editions. The review covers the first 12 fascicules (issues) of what is planned as a ten-volume collection. The reviewer praises the magazine's presentation, paper quality, legible text, and vibrant colors, noting its broad appeal and accessibility. The review highlights the wide variety of topics covered, including ufology, humanoids, parapsychology, enigmatic animals, history, astronomy, and medicine. While acknowledging the magazine's strengths in popularizing complex subjects, the reviewer points out a significant weakness: the lack of precise references and citations for many articles, making it difficult for readers to conduct further research. Examples cited include the lack of titles for a book and film related to Bridey Murphy, and the insufficient detail provided on certain historical or paranormal cases.

Recent News (Press Condensed)

This section provides brief summaries of recent UFO sightings reported in various French and international publications:

• September 6, 1981: Oust (Hautes-Pyrénées), France. M. Gérard Plaux and M. Georges PRAT observed a luminous object moving at high speed from North to South at low altitude. The case is being examined by the gendarmerie in Lourdes.
• September 28, 1981: Maubeuge (Nord), France. An MCA worker saw a fire-colored luminous ball above a company building. It emitted a piercing whistle, then ascended rapidly and disappeared. Other workers also witnessed the phenomenon.
• October 22, 1981: Saint-Pierre (Réunion Island). M. Gabriel Grondin, a surveyor, and his assistant observed a luminous object, described as a neon-like shape with a sphere underneath, at a 70° angle. They experienced unusual heat and felt paralyzed.
• Late October 1981: Fréjus (Var), France. Mr. and Mrs. R.L. observed a round, silent object, 10-12 meters in diameter, luminous on top and dark underneath, hovering 400 meters high. The observation lasted one minute before they fled.
• November 1, 1981: Near Saint-Fiacre (Seine-et-Marne), France. A police officer, his nephew, and niece saw a hemispherical, phosphorescent object, 7 meters long and 3 meters high, with a spotlight illuminating the ground, about 100 meters away and 30-40 meters altitude.
• November 6, 1981: Feignies (Nord), France. A witness observed an unidentified object for nearly an hour, sometimes at 1 meter from the ground. It was sometimes luminous and sometimes metallic, moving silently. The gendarmerie and LDLN group opened an investigation.
• November 9, 1981: Couderque-Branche (Nord), France. Students and teachers observed a bizarre object evolving silently at low altitude. It was described as the size of a rugby ball, with a cylindrical base and a grey anthracite roof, emitting a bright glow from an opening. The observation lasted about 5 minutes.
• November 22, 1981: Guipavas (Finistère), France. At the airport, two firefighters and a pilot observed a luminous mass moving above the road. The object emitted sparks before disappearing. Six joggers also reported seeing a red football-shaped object that seemed to follow a car before immobilizing and disappearing with sparks.
• November 23, 1981: Mar del Plata (Argentina). An object, neither round nor oval, was observed moving silently at high speed. It had strange, red, incandescent wings. Testimonies from various points in Argentina also reported UFO sightings, including by commercial airline pilots.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed documentation of UFO sightings, the investigation of physical evidence and electromagnetic effects, and the provision of practical advice for amateur UFO researchers. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, encouraging detailed reporting and investigation while acknowledging the complexity and sometimes unconventional nature of the subject. The review of "Inexpliqué" suggests an openness to various unexplained phenomena beyond just UFOs, but also a critical eye towards the rigor of reporting and the need for verifiable sources. The magazine aims to provide a platform for sharing information and fostering a community of researchers interested in these phenomena.