LDLN - No 293-294

Magazine Overview

Title: LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT
Issue: N° 293-294
Volume: 31e ANNÉE
Date: Novembre-Décembre 1988
Price: 22 F
Publisher: Revue d'Ufologie

This issue of "Lumières dans la Nuit" (Lights in the Night), a ufology review, presents a comprehensive exploration of the UFO phenomenon, its investigation, and the challenges it faces. The cover features three distinct UFO illustrations from Athens (July 1967), Couzeix (August 1987), and Sompt (January 1965), hinting at the diverse cases covered within.

Table of Contents

• The table of contents lists several articles, including:
• "Trois niveaux distincts, un grand fossé et quelques pièges" (Three distinct levels, a great divide and some pitfalls)
• "Atterrissages ibériques" (Iberian Landings)
• "Pologne (5e partie)" (Poland - Part 5)
• "Les disparus sont toujours là !" (The disappeared are still here!)
• "Catalogue d'observations inédites (3e partie)" (Catalog of unpublished observations - Part 3)
• "Contact or not contact"

Editorial and Introduction

The editorial, likely by Director J. Mesnard, addresses the question "What is ufology, exactly?" It explains that ufology is the study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and notes the origin of the term from an English abbreviation. The editorial outlines the difficulties in studying the phenomenon, the lack of definitive proof, and the public's general unfamiliarity or skepticism. It proposes a hierarchical approach to understanding UFOs, suggesting that one should first grasp the existence of the phenomenon before delving into more complex aspects like humanoid encounters or alleged extraterrestrial intelligence.

Three Distinct Levels of Ufology

This section, likely the main article, elaborates on the three levels of ufological study:

First Level: Existence of the Phenomenon

This level involves recognizing that a significant number of people have reported observing material objects of unknown nature and origin for decades. The challenge here is the lack of conclusive evidence, as sightings often involve few witnesses and leave no undeniable traces. The phenomenon appears to maintain a degree of discretion, showing itself to isolated individuals or small groups, thus allowing for constant contestation of its reality.

Second Level: Humanoid Encounters

This level deals with reports of humanoid beings associated with UFO landings. While considered more 'fantastic' than the first level, it is also more explicit. The article notes that while luminous objects can be interpreted in various ways, the appearance of small beings (around 90 cm tall) from a craft leaves less room for doubt, though it can still be met with resistance.

Third Level: Complex and Unbelievable Narratives

This level encompasses more outlandish accounts, such as 'men in black' (MIBs) intimidating witnesses, quasi-human figures, alleged rendezvous between cars and UFOs, phantom cars, hitchhikers disappearing, witnesses being abducted, unexplained time gaps, and cars stopping near UFOs. The article acknowledges that these stories are often difficult to verify and may involve disinformation or the degradation of simpler hypotheses.

The Divide and the Pitfalls

The article discusses the psychological gap between those who understand the seriousness of the UFO phenomenon and the general public, who are often indifferent or dismissive. It highlights that while the first level of ufology is relatively accessible, the second and third levels create a more significant divide. The author suggests that it is important not to dismiss these complex narratives outright, even if they seem improbable, and that a gradual approach to understanding is necessary for newcomers.

Case Studies and Investigations

The magazine presents several detailed case studies:

• Athens, July 1967: A UFO sighting.
• Couzeix (Haute-Vienne), August 27, 1987: Two witnesses on a motorcycle observed a red fireball-like object hovering near the ground, which then moved away. The object was described as elongated, dark, and about 8-9 meters long, with lights on its right side. The investigation by M. Chabannon faced difficulties in obtaining information from the witnesses.
• Sompt, January 22, 1988: A train driver, Gérard Mas, observed a pale green, car-sized object with yellow 'fluorescent' windows hovering above the power lines. The object moved silently and disappeared quickly.
• El Cobre, Algeciras (Cadiz), October 16, 1959: A water distribution manager reported a power outage and observed a luminous, egg-shaped object hovering near the ground, accompanied by two humanoid figures.
• Cervia (Lerida), July 15, 1972: Two farmers reported seeing an object resembling a tractor or a small car, with a red central part and green-blue sides, which disappeared quickly. Subsequent investigations noted similar sightings in the area.
• Valdemoro (Madrid), August 12, 1980: A couple observed a luminous object descend and hover over the road, causing their car's engine to stall and headlights to go out. The object then moved away rapidly.
• Wattrelos/Tourcoing: A 57-year-old woman and her five grandchildren reported seeing a gray, disc-shaped UFO with lights and 'flames' hovering over the Parc de l'Yser. The object reportedly moved erratically before disappearing. Investigations by local police and the CMJR found no radioactivity, but noted unusual leaf and branch damage.

Poland - Part 5

This section, translated by Jean-Marie Bigorne, continues the historical overview of UFO sightings in Poland:

• Pre-1947 Sightings: Descriptions from the 16th and 17th centuries mention strange aerial phenomena, including 'green and red suns,' fiery logs, and luminous objects, some associated with disappearances and reappearances of individuals.
• World War I: A report from the suburbs of Blachownia describes a violet and then blue luminous object emerging from a forest, followed by a round object that emitted a whistling sound and flew at high speed. Children found a strange, gelatinous substance that disappeared over time.
• World War II: Sightings in Czestochowa in July 1944 describe a violent white light, resembling a rocket, ascending in stages. Later, a red, pear-shaped light appeared and then vanished. In August 1944, during the Warsaw uprising, a German bomber was observed with three bright points behind it, which then descended rapidly and reappeared, forming an inverted arrow formation.
• Post-War (1947 onwards): The issue details a meeting in Warsaw on October 28, 1987, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the contemporary UFO era (marked by the Kenneth Arnold sighting). The meeting brought together ufologists, journalists, and scientists. Speakers discussed the underestimation of UFO-related scientific problems, the ineffectiveness of merely accumulating evidence, and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence behind UFOs. Reports on French UFO investigation methods (GEPAN) and a review of Polish UFO observations were presented. Photos of alleged Polish UFOs were also shown, though none were definitively confirmed.

The Disappeared Are Still Here!

This article addresses recent media reports claiming the disappearance of the UFO phenomenon. The author refutes these claims, stating that while UFO activity may have periods of lower intensity, it has not ceased. The article highlights that the phenomenon continues to manifest, citing thirty-five observations from April 1987 to the present, and criticizes those who ignore or deny this reality. It suggests that the phenomenon's reduced visibility might be a deliberate strategy to allow for a gradual public awareness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of empirical investigation, witness testimony, and a serious, evidence-based approach to ufology. It aims to present factual accounts and analyses, distinguishing itself from sensationalized or unsubstantiated claims. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of non-human intelligence and to approach the subject with critical thinking rather than outright dismissal. The publication also seems to advocate for a measured introduction to ufology, suggesting that newcomers should first grasp the basic reality of the phenomenon before exploring more complex and potentially unsettling aspects.

This issue of L'ÉCHO DES OVNI, identified by its issue number 291-292 and dated 1988, is a French publication focusing on UFO phenomena. It presents a collection of UFO sightings from 1988, primarily from France and Spain, alongside in-depth analyses of historical UFO investigations, particularly those conducted by the U.S. Air Force.

UFO Sightings in 1988

The magazine details numerous reports from 1988:

• March 30, 1988: A luminous phenomenon was observed near Granville, France, by an aircraft crew and later by passengers of a Canton-Ouroumtchi flight.
• April 22, 1988: In Huelva, Spain, civil guards on patrol witnessed a luminous object with a halo moving at low altitude, emitting sounds of explosions, and changing direction abruptly.
• April 23, 1988: In Madrid, Spain, numerous witnesses, including AFP journalists, reported a pink cloud with two bright white points, orbited by three other luminous points moving counter-clockwise at high speed.
• April 25, 1988: A young girl in Charleville-Mézières, France, described an ovoid, white, and brilliant shape with multi-colored lights, moving in jerks and ascending rapidly.
• May 1, 1988: In Burlada, Spain, residents observed a luminous object that initially appeared triangular, then oval, before disappearing.
• May 8, 1988: Multiple independent sightings occurred in Tahiti, involving a luminous ball followed by a smaller one and a white trail, observed moving towards Tahiti and other locations.
• May 14, 1988: In Navarre, Spain, members of the group "GRUE" observed a luminous sphere that emitted a white, compact light, blinking alternately and disappearing when light signals were sent.
• August 3, 1988: Two observations near Montpellier, France, reported six luminous balls and six blue fluorescent lights of a lenticular shape moving rapidly.
• August 17, 1988: In La Chapelotte, France, a woman and a young girl witnessed an unusual, bright orange-red globe moving erratically, stopping, starting, and making zig-zag movements.
• Mid-August: In Ambérieu-en-Bugey, France, two lights were seen gliding silently in the sky.
• July 20 to August 31: Numerous UFO observations were reported in the Tessin region of Switzerland, with ufologist Dr. Massimo Cantoni collecting testimonies.

Historical Analysis of UFO Investigations and Cover-ups

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a historical analysis of UFO phenomena, particularly focusing on the U.S. Air Force's involvement and alleged efforts to conceal information.

• Jean Sider's Text: The issue features a text by Jean Sider, which he describes as the first part of a series titled "Contact or not contact?" He emphasizes the importance of understanding the history of UFO phenomena and criticizes the disinformation campaigns by French debunkers.
• U.S. Air Force's Stance: The article details how the U.S. Air Force, from 1947 onwards, adopted a policy of secrecy and denial regarding UFOs. It highlights the role of projects like SIGN and GRUDGE, which are presented as attempts to manage public perception and discredit UFO reports rather than genuinely investigate them.
• The Roswell Incident: The crash of a supposed flying saucer near Roswell in July 1947 is mentioned as a pivotal event that led to increased secrecy and the development of cover-up strategies.
• "Estimation de la Situation" Report: The existence of a secret 1948 report by the U.S. Air Force, which allegedly concluded that UFOs were extraterrestrial vehicles, is discussed. The magazine notes that this report was officially denied by the USAF, but its existence is corroborated by researchers like E.J. Ruppelt, D.E. Keyhoe, and A.E. Hynek.
• "Contact du 1er Type": The article posits that a major event in January 1949, described as a "contact du 1er type" (first type contact), fundamentally altered the U.S. Air Force's approach to UFOs, leading to a shift from investigation to suppression.
• Debunking Efforts: The text criticizes the efforts of certain journalists, like Sidney Shalley, who were allegedly used by the military to produce articles aimed at ridiculing UFO reports and promoting skepticism.
• Scientific Community's Role: The magazine notes the reluctance of many scientists to openly discuss UFOs, often expressing private acceptance of the extraterrestrial hypothesis while publicly dismissing it.

Key Incidents and Cases

Beyond the 1988 sightings, the magazine includes a catalogue of earlier UFO cases:

• Case 31 (Rignac, Lot, August 1964): A metallic object, described as a sphere with two trombone-like tubes, was observed moving silently above a meadow.
• Case 32 (Sompt, January or February 1965): A witness observed an object with an ellipsoidal central body and two vertical extremities, which took off silently.
• Case 33 (Nonville, May or June 1965): A flat disc with two powerful headlights was seen moving silently along a river.
• Case 34 (Between Gérardmer and Troyes, July 14, 1965): A witness reported a large, blurry ellipse of golden-orange light moving across the sky.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent presence of unexplained aerial phenomena, the alleged systematic efforts by governmental authorities to conceal the truth about UFOs, and the ongoing debate between those who support the extraterrestrial hypothesis and those who advocate for more conventional explanations or outright denial. The editorial stance appears to be critical of official secrecy and supportive of open investigation into UFOs, while acknowledging the controversial nature of the subject and the challenges in proving the extraterrestrial origin of these phenomena.

Title: LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT
Issue Date: 3rd Quarter 1988
Publisher: J. MESNARD
Country of Publication: France
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of "Lumières dans la Nuit" (Lights in the Night) focuses on recent book reviews, UFO sightings, and related phenomena.

Trois Livres Récents (Three Recent Books)

Uninvited Guests (Aurora Press) by Richard Hall This book is described as having exceptional quality, both in its rich documentation and the accuracy of its global analysis of the UFO problem. It presents the main lines of the UFO mystery as they appear today, in light of consequences from the Freedom Of Information Act. Aurora Press is located at P.O. Box 573, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504, USA.

Georges, Béatrice et les Soucoupes Volantes (Georges, Béatrice and the Flying Saucers) by Philémon This is a short book (just over 100 pages) that is not an initiation to ufology in the conventional sense. Instead, it delves into communication with the 'Beyond,' with revelations from Georges presented in a 'post mortem' style. Béatrice is described as 'a Brilliant,' a concept explained on page 56. The book also discusses Blue Princes, Sanat Kumara, Shambala, the Avatar of synthesis, and a hybrid that dislikes spinach. The reviewer suggests it will appeal to socio-psychologists and specialists in Human Sciences, calling it a document of interest. The approach to flying saucers presented is not classically ufological. The book is available for 80 F (95 F with postage) from G. Vanquelef, 12, avenue du Vallespir, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer. Discounts are available for bulk orders.

Le Rayonnement (The Radiation) by Michel Jeantheau (La Pensée Universelle) This book presents original and speculative concepts, though the author's scientific background is evident in the precise and rigorous writing style. The 'radiated hypothesis,' based on UFO observations, attempts to explain common peculiarities in testimonies. The book also includes numerous press excerpts from 1954 concerning UFOs, which are considered a valuable secondary quality. The reviewer wishes the book the success it deserves. The publisher's address is 4, rue Charlemagne, 75004 Paris.

Region Parisienne (Paris Region)

LDLN magazine is now available at La Maison du Livre, 75, boulevard Malesherbes, Paris 17, and Librairie Brun, 5, bd Michelet, Noisy-le-Sec. In Essonne, listeners can tune into Christian Macé's ufological radio show every Tuesday night from 11 PM to 1 AM on 91 FM (107.5 MHz).

Reponses a vos Questions (Answers to Your Questions)

Response to question #34 (from J. Giordan): The journalist in question is Martine Castello, an acquaintance of LDLN. The emission followed an article she wrote for Le Figaro-Magazine about the eminent British physicist Stephen Hawkins. For more details, Martine Castello can be reached at Le Figaro-Madame, 12, rue Mail, 75002 Paris, or by phone at 42 21 66 72.

Response to question #32 (from M. Blanchard): An article titled "SOUCOUPE VOLANTE" AU-DESSUS DE BOGOTA (COLOMBIE) was published in L'Aurore on November 10, 1967. It describes a flying saucer that flew over the center of Bogota at an altitude of 100m for ten minutes, and was photographed by the UN photographer in Colombia, Juan Fonseca. The photos were front-page news, and the case is being examined by a commission of experts. The reviewer suggests further research may be needed to fully address M. Blanchard's question.

Petites Annonces (Classified Ads)

• A UFO enthusiast with a BTS in IT, CAP in electronics, and a degree in Paleontology is seeking employment in Côtes du Nord (or Ille-et-Vilaine, or Paris region) in biology, electronics, IT, photography, cinema, construction, or auto mechanics.
• Old issues of LDLN are for sale: numbers 132, 133, 141-167, 190-201, 204. Price is 5 F per issue, or 200 F for the lot, postage included. Contact M. N. Turcy, 20, bd des Acacias, 11000 Carcassonne.
• Old French UFO books (Michel, Guieu, Thomas, Scully, etc.) and books on various mysteries in English are for sale. Contact Mlle Christiane Piens, 13, rue Vervloesem, 1200 Bruxelles.
• Seeking Jacques Vallée's "Chronique des apparitions extra-terrestres" and works by Jean-Yves Pommereul. Contact: 7, rue Cardin, 50240 Saint-James.

Derniere Minute (Breaking News)

An interesting observation of three balls emitting light beams towards the ground occurred in the Gannat and Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule region (Allier) in early October. Two LDLN investigators are looking into this case, which may be detailed in the next issue. Additionally, numerous observations were reported in the Center and North of Argentina on the night of October 3-4. Le Figaro reported on October 5th about a large, bright orange object with a black spot in the center that oscillated with regular movements before abruptly changing direction at high speed. Further details on this affair are being sought.

In contrast, a phenomenon reported in the Yonne region on the night of September 4-5 does not appear to be of interest to the magazine. The hypothesis of a detonating meteor seems sufficient to explain the numerous testimonies.

The issue also references a case of a detonating meteor described in the book "Wegener, le père de la dérive des continents" (Belin). This meteor, found near Treysa (Hesse), fell on April 3, 1916, measuring about 1m long and weighing 63kg, composed mainly of iron, and creating an oblique hole over a meter deep.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO phenomena, book reviews related to ufology and the paranormal, and reader inquiries. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation into unexplained phenomena, while also maintaining a critical perspective, as seen in the dismissal of the Yonne incident as likely a meteor. There is a clear interest in documenting sightings, analyzing them, and providing a platform for discussion and information exchange within the ufological community.