LDLN - No 225-226

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Lumières dans la Nuit" (Lights in the Night), dated March-April 1983, is the 26th year of publication and issue number 225-226, priced at 15 French Francs. The magazine is published by the "GROUPEMENT INTERNATIONAL DE RECHERCHES". The cover prominently features the title "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" and a striking illustration of two silhouetted figures in a landscape with a UFO in the background. The main cover headline announces "UN CAS TRÈS RAPPROCHÉ DANS LE CANTAL" (A Very Close Case in Cantal), with a reference to page 33.

Article 1: LES RAISONS DU BLOCAGE NE SONT-ELLES QUE SCIENTIFIQUES ? (Are the Reasons for the Blockage Only Scientific?)

Authored by Pierre Guerin, this article argues that the official non-recognition of UFO reality is primarily due to scientific denial. Guerin posits that governments might be compelled to acknowledge UFOs if scientists themselves presented evidence. He suggests that scientists, by nature, resist challenging established paradigms, but this resistance eventually subsides once a phenomenon is integrated into scientific understanding. However, if a phenomenon defies current scientific models, it remains 'cursed' and censored. Guerin proposes two interpretations for the official refusal to acknowledge UFOs: either a 'blockage intellectuel' by scientists, or a deliberate 'mensonge' (lie) by a select group of political and military authorities to prevent public awareness for undisclosed reasons. The latter interpretation implies manipulation. The article highlights cattle mutilations as a phenomenon with material proof, unlike UFO sightings, suggesting it could be a manifestation of ufological activity that is not occulted. The author contrasts this with UFO evidence, which is often hidden by authorities. The article also touches upon the idea that extraterrestrials might be manipulating humans by proxy, using terrestrial authorities to maintain ignorance.

Article 2: COMPTE RENDU ET ANALYSE DES REPONSES AU QUESTIONNAIRE DU 25º ANNIVERSAIRE DE LDLN (Report and Analysis of Responses to the 25th Anniversary Questionnaire of LDLN)

This two-part article by Gilbert Cornu analyzes the results of a questionnaire distributed to readers of "Lumières dans la Nuit" for its 25th anniversary. The first part, published previously, covered demographics like age, sex, and geographical distribution. This second part focuses on socio-professional categories, reactions to the strange and science fiction, religious and political opinions, and the origin and dating of interest in UFOs.

Socio-Professional Categories:

The survey, with 1700 participants, revealed that the majority (56%) are involved in industry and related white-collar jobs (workers, technicians, middle management, office employees). A significant portion (28.52%) are in management or responsibility roles, including executives and educators. The agricultural sector is poorly represented (0.76%). The article emphasizes that intellectuals and professionals are over-represented, contradicting the idea that ufology appeals only to the uneducated. The education sector is also well-represented, with students and teachers showing a strong interest.

Origin and Timing of Interest:

Regarding the origin of their interest in UFOs, the survey found that books and ufological magazines are the most influential sources (35.53% of multiple responses), far surpassing conferences (4.17%) and radio/TV (17.29%). Personal observations also play a role. The timing of interest shows a significant portion (15.40%) dating their interest to before 1954, with a large group (42.18%) interested between 1954 and 1974, and 18.48% interested since 1974. The article notes that the relatively low number of participants interested in the 1954 wave is offset by the influence of media and books that popularized the phenomenon later. The survey also indicates that a substantial number of participants (13.52%) had not read any UFO books, and a higher percentage (24%) were imprecise about the origin of their interest.

Number of UFO Books Read:

Out of 1700 participants, 1470 (84.11%) reported reading UFO books. The most common category is 10 books (15.47%), with a significant group (47.58%) having read between 3 and 15 books. A smaller but dedicated group (20.29%) has read between 20 and 35 books, and a core of highly motivated readers (2.82%) have read over 100 books.

Number of UFO Magazines Read Regularly:

This question revealed that 926 participants (54.47%) exclusively read one magazine, with many specifying "L.D.L.N." This indicates a strong readership for the magazine. However, 19.75% read more than one ufological magazine, showing an openness to other sources. A notable finding is that 25.76% read no magazines at all, a higher figure than for books, which is attributed to the limited distribution of ufological magazines, often only available by subscription.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with scientific inquiry, societal skepticism, and potential government secrecy. The editorial stance, as indicated by the publisher's note, is to seek truth and present discoveries that illuminate humanity's understanding, encouraging passionate research worldwide. The publication aims to be a platform for diverse viewpoints, with published texts representing the authors' views rather than necessarily the magazine's official stance. The emphasis on detailed analysis of reader surveys and case studies suggests a commitment to rigorous investigation within the field of ufology.

This issue of "Lumières dans la nuit" (Lights in the Night), issue number 221 from November 1987, published by LDL, features a prominent article by Jean Sider titled "L'Airship, cet ovni qui annonça la soucoupe volante" (The Airship, that UFO which announced the flying saucer). The magazine also includes a detailed survey of its readers' opinions on various topics, including their interest in the strange and science fiction, as well as their religious and political leanings.

L'Airship, cet ovni qui annonça la soucoupe volante

This extensive article by Jean Sider investigates the wave of "phantom airship" sightings that occurred in the United States in 1897. The author meticulously compiles and analyzes over 1,200 reported cases, selecting 129 precise incidents for detailed examination. The article is structured into several "schemas" or categories of observations:

Schema "Effets secondaires" (Secondary Effects)

This section focuses on the reactions of animals to the airships. Numerous accounts describe horses becoming frightened and unmanageable, dogs barking incessantly, and other signs of distress. The author notes that these animal reactions are particularly interesting as they are less likely to be influenced by imagination or suggestion than human witnesses. Several specific incidents are detailed, including a farmer's horses bolting in fear, a lawman's horse becoming agitated, and a night watchman's dogs reacting violently.

Schema "Fumées, condensations" (Fumes, Condensations)

Cases involving smoke or condensation trails behind the airships are rare. Two instances are presented: one describing a luminous cloud with a trailing smoke-like substance, and another detailing a flamboyant meteor leaving behind a thick white trail that did not dissipate and resembled a white veil.

Schema "réactions humaines violentes" (Violent Human Reactions)

This section highlights instances where people reacted aggressively towards the airships, often by firing at them. The author notes that this behavior is perhaps unsurprising given the historical context of the American West. Examples include a local militia unit firing at an airship and a witness shooting at a "flying dragon" object.

Schema "réaction des population analphabètes" (Reaction of Illiterate Populations)

This part of the article contrasts the reactions of different demographic groups. While most white witnesses showed little fear, some individuals returning from religious meetings were more impressionable, with some ministers attributing the sightings to the Devil. In contrast, the Black population, particularly in the Southern states, was genuinely terrified, with some fleeing their homes and others praying. Several specific accounts from Kentucky, Texas, and Virginia are cited.

Schema "Nuts and Bolts"

This section aims to demonstrate that the airships were tangible objects made of material, not mere illusions. Witnesses described the airships as having distinct physical characteristics, such as being cigar-shaped, made of shiny metal, or having a white aluminum-like appearance. Several specific sightings are detailed, including one from Iowa describing the contours of a vehicle and another from Illinois noting a narrow, white aluminum-colored body.

Schema "Odeur de soufre" (Odor of Sulfur)

This schema addresses reports of a sulfurous smell associated with some sightings. While potentially controversial, the author includes accounts from Illinois and Ohio where witnesses reported a sulfur odor, with one describing it as making breathing difficult.

Schema "photographies" (Photographs)

The article discusses claims of airship photographs being taken. It references an early UFO photograph taken in Mexico in 1883 as a precedent. A specific case from Chicago in April 1897 involving a photograph taken by Walter Mac Cann is detailed, along with conflicting reports about its authenticity, with some experts calling it a hoax and others vouching for it. Other alleged photographs from Michigan and Illinois are also mentioned, though their verification is questioned.

Schema "Atterrissages avec ou sans occupants remarqués" (Landings with or without Noteworthy Occupants)

This section explores reports of airships landing and, in some cases, their occupants interacting with witnesses. The author expresses skepticism towards many of these accounts, suggesting they might be hoaxes or scams, particularly those involving occupants who claim to be from other worlds or offer fantastical explanations. Several specific cases are presented, including one from Illinois where trainmen claimed to have spoken with airship occupants, and another from Iowa where a farmer allegedly met with three individuals who claimed to be from Mars. The article also mentions cases where occupants spoke foreign languages or offered unusual items.

Schema "Réflexions avec le témoin" (Reflections with the Witness)

In the Cantal case, the witness, Mme Barranger, reflects on the unusual silence during the observation, which deeply marked her. She also notes that her wristwatch stopped during the event. She discusses her attempts to rationalize the experience, ruling out conventional explanations like tractors. She also mentions that while she and her husband had observed electrical phenomena near high-tension lines, they were not comparable to the airship sighting.

Enquête Psychologique sur le Témoin

Madame Barranger is described as a 46-year-old farmer, of average height, with a medium build. She is characterized as a curious individual with a history of interest in unusual phenomena, though she had not read extensively about UFOs before her own observation. She is described as rational, balanced, and sober, and her husband corroborates her account. The investigation notes her lower vision requiring glasses for reading and her varied reading habits.

Enquête sur le Terrain

The investigation on the ground in Cantal involved measuring the distance to the point where the object disappeared and examining the physical evidence. The author found broken branches on two trees, a chêne (oak) and a saule (willow), at heights inaccessible to animals. The damage suggested a forceful impact or unusual force rather than a typical natural phenomenon like a storm. The author notes that only these two trees showed damage, despite other trees in the vicinity being unaffected.

Survey Results: Interest in the Strange and Science Fiction

The magazine presents statistical data from a reader survey regarding their interest in the "étrange" (strange) and "science-fiction" (science fiction). The results, presented in Table 2L and Graph 2M, show a significantly higher interest in the "strange" (81.29% favorable) compared to science fiction (56.88% favorable). The number of respondents who were "peu intéressés" (little interested) was also higher for science fiction (41.47%) than for the strange (16.94%). The survey also indicated a low number of "sans réponse" (no response) for both categories, suggesting that participants were comfortable answering these questions.

Survey Results: Religious and Political Opinions

Questions 44 and 45 of the survey addressed readers' religious and political opinions. The results, shown in Table 2P and Graph 2Q, indicate that while the survey aimed to explore potential links between ufological beliefs and these personal convictions, no significant correlation was found. The number of "sans réponse" for these questions was relatively low, suggesting participants were willing to share their views. The political leanings of the participants showed a majority favoring the "left" (plutôt à gauche), with a notable proportion identifying as "écologistes" (ecologists). Religious opinions were more varied, with a significant portion identifying as "pratiquants" (practicing) or "peu, pas pratiquants" (little, not practicing), and a substantial number of "indifférents" (indifferent).

The article compares these results to national statistics, noting similarities in the political distribution and a strong presence of those who hold religious convictions without necessarily being actively practicing. The author concludes that the survey does not support the idea that ufological interest is tied to specific religious or political ideologies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Lumières dans la nuit" maintains its focus on ufology, presenting a blend of historical investigation, contemporary case studies, and reader engagement. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting of sightings and phenomena while also critically examining the evidence and potential explanations. The magazine seems to advocate for a rational yet open-minded approach to the subject, distinguishing between credible accounts and potential hoaxes or misinterpretations. The emphasis on detailed witness testimonies and statistical analysis suggests a commitment to providing a comprehensive and nuanced perspective on UFO phenomena. The recurring theme is the exploration of unexplained aerial phenomena, from historical airship sightings to modern UFO encounters, and the attempt to understand the underlying nature of these events and their impact on witnesses and society.

Title: LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT
Issue Date: June-July 1983
Price: 8 F per issue
Country of Publication: France
Language: French

This issue of "LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT" (Lights in the Night) presents a collection of UFO/UAP reports, analyses, and reader contributions, covering incidents from various locations and time periods. The magazine aims to investigate and shed light on unexplained aerial phenomena.

Cover Story: UN OVNI INCENDIAIRE A LONDRES (ARGENTINE)

The cover story details an incident that occurred on August 14, 1982, at 3:50 AM in Londres, Belen, Argentina. According to police reports and local newspapers, a UFO was responsible for a fire that caused significant damage to vineyards and walnut trees. The strong 'Zonda' wind, blowing at approximately 150 km/h, exacerbated the fire and also caused damage to rooftops and streetlights. The report states that the UFO was observed at an altitude of about 7 meters, illuminating the area with a yellow light, before landing in a farm and then taking off, immediately after which a violent fire broke out. The incident required the intervention of police and volunteer firefighters to control the blaze. Two people were hospitalized with injuries. The article also notes that other fires occurred in the region without a known cause.

Article: ZIGZAGS DANS LE CIEL DU ZAÏRE

This investigative report by Jacques Scornaux details a UFO observation that took place in Luboga, a mountain plantation in Zaïre (present-day Democratic Republic of Congo), between 1956 and 1958. Four European witnesses (M. and Mme Michel Sapieha, M. and Mme Maurice de San) and several African witnesses observed a punctual nocturnal light. The phenomenon was described as moving in a zigzag pattern, changing direction rapidly, and appearing to approach and recede. The witnesses estimated the object's luminosity to be significantly brighter than a star. The color varied among witnesses, with descriptions ranging from very bright yellow to red-orange. The observation lasted about ten to twenty minutes. No sounds or secondary effects were reported. The report includes a drawing by one of the witnesses depicting the trajectory of the phenomenon. The investigator notes the difficulty in pinpointing the exact date due to the lack of distinct seasons in the region. The article emphasizes the unusual trajectory and the witnesses' conviction that it was not an airplane or a star.

Personal Account: EN 1972, je rentrais de vacances en Espagne

This section features a personal account from M. Claude Kiraly, who recounts an experience in the Pyrenees in 1972. While driving through a forest in Spain on August 24 or 25, around 3 AM, he and his wife encountered a small being, approximately 60-70 cm tall, with immense, phosphorescent eyes. The being was observed on the side of the road. The creature stared at them, and then seemed to dissolve into smoke. M. Kiraly emphasizes that neither he nor his wife were intoxicated or fatigued, and that they were not wearing glasses, ruling out optical illusions. He describes the event as bizarre and extraordinary, unlike any animal encounter.

Analysis: BREF RESUME D'UNE ANALYSE CONCERNANT LA DISTRIBUTION TEMPORELLE D'UN ECHANTILLON DE CAS ITALIENS DE "TYPE-I"

This article by Maurizio Verga presents a summary of an analysis of temporal distributions of Italian 'Type-I' UFO cases. The author explains that while temporal analysis might seem less important than other aspects of UFO research, it can provide valuable insights when combined with other data. The study focuses on 360 'Type-I' cases, excluding those with photographic evidence, close encounters of the 'E' and 'F' types, and dubious cases. The analysis covers annual, monthly, daily, and hourly distributions.

• Key findings include:
• Annual Distribution: 75.6% of observations occurred in the 1970s, with a peak in 1978. 1954 also saw a significant wave of 'Type-I' cases.
• Monthly Distribution: The second half of the year shows twice as many observations as the first, with a maximum in December. There are significant differences in monthly frequencies, indicating that 'Type-I' phenomena are not uniformly distributed throughout the year, tending to concentrate in certain months. Autumn is highlighted as the season with the highest number of observations, coinciding with two major Italian UFO waves.
• Daily Distribution: The daily distribution is relatively horizontal, suggesting no significant weekly dependency for the phenomenon. The ratio of nocturnal to diurnal observations remains constant throughout the week.
• Hourly Distribution: The ratio of nocturnal to diurnal observations is approximately 4:1. The phenomenon is predominantly observed at night, with peaks between 9 PM and 1 AM, and another smaller peak between 2 AM and 3 AM. During UFO waves, the nocturnal-to-diurnal ratio varied (1:1 in 1954, 3:1 in 1978). The author suggests that the higher number of night observations might be due to more people being outdoors during warmer months, or it could be a deliberate aspect of the phenomenon's manifestation, possibly to influence or select specific witnesses.

The author concludes that such studies have limited application in UFO research but can provide interesting information when integrated with other research activities, particularly those focusing on the description of the phenomenon and its potential interaction with witnesses.

Reader Contributions (Courrier)

• Precisions a propos du cas de "Ponet": Pierre Robin provides clarification on the location of the 'Ponet' case, previously discussed in LDLN, specifying its position in the Vercors region of France and offering details about how to find it.

• A propos du cas uruguayen (LDLN Septembre-Octobre 82): This contribution discusses a case from Uruguay involving a burn injury from contact with an alien occupant of a UFO. The author, while acknowledging skepticism in the original report, argues for the case's credibility by citing two similar incidents from Peru (1976) and Italy (1978) where witnesses sustained severe burns from alien encounters. The author also mentions other UFO sightings in South America from June 1980, including a high-speed object encountered by an Argentine plane and sightings of round objects in Misiones, Argentina.

• A propos de Photographies: Geneviève Vanquelef strongly protests an analysis that identified photographs from the Canary Islands (March 5, 1979) as a Polaris missile launch. She asserts that these photographs, which she has had for three years, clearly depict UFOs and are among the most remarkable ever published. She criticizes the tendency of organizations like NASA and the CIA to dismiss UFO evidence and questions the analysis that likened the UFOs to missiles, calling it an insult to intelligence.

• Les Tribulations de la Vérité: Béatrice Jolivet expresses frustration with the persistent denial of the UFO phenomenon, stating that some people would refuse to acknowledge a UFO even if it were directly in front of them. She attributes this to willful stubbornness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs/UAPs), witness testimonies, and analytical investigations into these events. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of open inquiry, presenting various cases and analyses while also encouraging critical thinking and discussion among its readers. There is a clear emphasis on detailed reporting, witness credibility, and the scientific investigation of UFO sightings. The editorial stance seems to be one of advocating for serious consideration of the UFO phenomenon, challenging skepticism, and promoting the sharing of information and research findings within the ufological community. The inclusion of reader contributions highlights the interactive nature of the publication and its role in fostering a dialogue among enthusiasts and researchers.