Rencontres Ufologiques - 2013 10 16 - No 011

Magazine Overview

This issue of 'Les Informations du jour des Rencontres Ufologiques' is a private information note from the Fédération Francophone d'Ufologie (FFU) and MUFON France, dated October 16, 2013. It details recent activities and upcoming events within the French ufological community, with a focus on the OVNI Grenoble group's monthly meetings and MUFON France's new training initiatives.

OVNI Grenoble Meetings

The publication reports on several OVNI Grenoble meetings:

36th OVNI Grenoble (July 4, 2013)

Approximately fifteen people attended this meeting in Saint-Martin-d'Hères. Ufologist Didier Charnay discussed his projects for an 'OVNI table' in his region. Thierry Gay presented a weekend conference held in Biol on June 15-16, 2013, which attracted a significant number of visitors. The author of the report mentioned current ufological topics, including the appointment of Jacques Patenet as head of MUFON-France, the explanation of some Lyon sightings as Thai lanterns, the creation of the 'Les rencontres ufologiques' website, and the formation of a 'Suricate' circle in Isère. The discussion also touched upon the Dyatlov Pass incident of February 1959, noting the mysterious deaths of nine hikers and hypotheses involving an 'irresistible unknown force,' radiation on bodies, and orange spheres seen near the site.

37th OVNI Grenoble (September 5, 2013)

This meeting in Saint-Martin-d'Hères gathered twenty-three people. The discussions covered summer ufological news, including a mini-wave of orange spheres in the Rhône-Alpes region, Stéphane Allix's 'Enquêtes extraordinaires' on M6, other TV programs like 'Alien Theory,' the death of Jesse Marcel Jr., the officialization of Area 51, and new book releases. Denis Alarcon shared a personal observation from the summer, which was later detailed.

38th OVNI Grenoble (October 3, 2013)

Nineteen attendees participated in this monthly meeting. Despite the absence of a scheduled speaker, the regulars gathered to share information and experiences. The meeting included a review of recent media, such as the DVD productions 'UFO' and 'SS Troopers,' both described as low-budget parodies. Book reviews included 'Namibia' episode 4. Magazine reviews covered 'Ufomania,' 'Ciel & espace,' and 'Science et inexpliqué.' The report also mentioned recent ufological events like the 'Ain OVNI' evening in Saint-Étienne on September 6, attended by 35 people, and the RUG meeting in Paris on September 27. The new RUP meeting in Paris featured Egon Kragel and Bob Bellanca. The 'Suricate' event in Bourg-en-Bresse on September 28 was attended by about fifteen people. The author also mentioned assisting Thierry Pinvidic in Mâcon with sorting his ufological archives. A list of future speakers for OVNI Grenoble was provided: Jean-Gabriel Greslé (March 6, 2014), Thierry Gaulin (May 1, 2014), Jean-Luc Rivera (October 2, 2014), and Jacques Patenet (November 6, 2014).

Denis Alarcon's Observation

Denis Alarcon's personal observation, made on August 19, 2013, at 10:30 PM in Tullins, involved about ten strange lights moving silently in the sky on a South-West to North-East trajectory. The formation took about five minutes to cross the horizon. He observed the lights using 25x100 astronomical binoculars on a tripod. Each light had two fixed orange lights and a flashing red light, with a flashing white light slightly behind. He did not observe any green lights or lights on top of the structure, which he could not clearly distinguish. The 'position lights' were not compliant with regulations, and he dismissed the hypothesis of Thai lanterns, as no elements like flames, envelopes, or nacelles were visible.

His friend Eric also reported a similar observation on August 20, 2013, which was filmed by M. Curetti (with his wife and son present) using a smartphone. Eric was unaware of Denis's observation at the time.

Press Review and Media

The press review included mentions of:

• Aliens n° 16 featuring an article by Denis Alarcon on the Col de Vence.
• Sciences et avenir n° 798 with a cover story on a saucer.
• Monde inconnu n° 363, noted for a decline in quality.
• Top secret n° 68 with an article on Socorro and 'volcano UFOs'.
• Science et inexpliqué n° 34 featuring the Petit-Rechain photo.
• Parasciences n° 1.
• Nexus n° 87 with Stephen Bassett on disclosure.
• Nexus n° 88 with an interview of Senator Mike Gravel.
• ZOO HS été 2013 (free) with an article on the BD 'World War X'.
• Ufomania n° 74, celebrating its 20th anniversary.
• LDLN n° 413.
• Le Dauphiné Libéré (Drôme) on September 2, 2013, with an article on the 2008 Montélier crop circle.
• 0.001% by Marc Auburn (Atlantes).
• 'Extraterrestres : l'enquête' by Stéphane Allix.
• 'Le secret des envahisseurs' by Peter Knight.
• 'Mimétisme et crashes d'Ovnis' by D. Becker and Fabrice Kircher.
• 'Big Bang et au-delà' by Aurélien Barrau.
• 'Dark Skies,' a 19-episode DVD series.
• 'Voisins du troisième type,' a comedy film with Ben Stiller.

The full report of Denis Alarcon's observation is available online.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Next OVNI Grenoble Meal: November 7, 2013, at 7:00 PM at Restaurant Atlantic Oak, Saint-Martin-d'Hères.
• Conference by Xavier Passot (GEIPAN): October 26, 2013, at Best Western Hôtel Charlemagne, Lyon.
• Conference by Jean Gabriel Greslé: November 5, 2013, at Espace Casino, Paris La Défense, discussing his new book '1942 - 1954 la genèse d'un secret d'état' concerning US UFO secrecy.

GEIPAN and MUFON France Training

GEIPAN's Role

The issue highlights the role of GEIPAN (Groupe d'Études et d'Informations des Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés), a unique structure within the Centre National d'Études Spatiales. Since 1977, GEIPAN has received over 6500 testimonies of unexplained aerospace phenomena in France. Its mission is to collect, analyze, archive, and make public these testimonies. Xavier Passot, Director of GEIPAN, was scheduled to give a conference on GEIPAN's approach to rare aerial phenomena and investigation methods.

MUFON France Investigator Training

MUFON France has launched an online training program for UFO investigators. The program aims to optimize the quality of investigations and consists of several modules:

1. Initiation to Ufological Investigation: An introductory module to provide an overview of ufological investigation and spark interest.
2. Basic Investigator Training (6 courses): This module provides fundamental training for MUFON investigators, covering methodology, witness interviews, data collection, phenomenon characterization, expertise, and classification.
3. Complementary Investigator Training (7 modules): These modules aim to enhance investigators' knowledge in specialized areas, including French legislation, astronomy, meteorology, witness psychology, and air traffic control.

The training is available online via the Claroline platform and is designed to be completed at the student's own pace. The program is free and aims to produce competent investigators. Interested individuals can contact [email protected] for more information. The MUFON France website is http://www.mufon-france.fr.

Alix Leproust's Resignation

Alix Leproust, who directed MUFON for Haute Normandie, announced his resignation from ufology and his position within MUFON France. The national direction of MUFON France expressed regret and thanked him for his work over the past year.

Thai Lanterns in Mulhouse

A report clarifies that the orange luminous spheres observed in Mulhouse on October 11, 2013, were actually Thai lanterns released during local events, dispelling initial UFO concerns.

Ufological Meetings in Argentina

Café Ufológico de Resistencia (October 10, 2013)

The second meeting of the Café Ufológico Resistencia took place in Argentina, attended by several individuals, including former Argentine Air Force member Miguel Amaya. Discussions covered luminous objects, unusual magnetic fields, contact with other civilizations, cattle mutilations, parapsychology, and theories of evolution. The meeting lasted over three hours.

16th Meeting of the Café Ufológico de Corrientes (October 2, 2013)

This meeting began with a discussion about the 'Pombero' figure, leading to stories about 'duendes' and near-death experiences. The controversial nature of these experiences and their connection to religious intelligence was debated. The discussion also touched upon the concept of 'real' in modern science and referenced an episode of 'The Dead Zone.' The Philadelphia Experiment and an alleged encounter of Pope John XXIII with extraterrestrials were recalled. The conversation concluded with a focus on the relationship between religious belief and power. The group also discussed animal mutilations in Reconquista and the formation of the Centro de Investigación de Fenómenos Areoespaciales desconocidos (CIFAD).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing activities of ufological groups like OVNI Grenoble and MUFON France, the importance of rigorous investigation, and the dissemination of information within the French ufology community. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting serious study and investigation of UFO phenomena, providing a platform for discussions, and encouraging public participation through training and reporting. There is a clear emphasis on the scientific approach to ufology, as exemplified by GEIPAN's methodology and MUFON's training programs.

This issue of *Les Rencontres Ufologiques* (Issue 18, Volume 11) is dated April 20, 2013, and is published by MUFON France. The main cover headline focuses on "The forgotten humanoid" and other encounters from the "singing years," specifically the 1920s, with an article by Albert Rosales, translated by JM.

Editorial Content

The issue begins with a report on a meeting of the "Café Ufológico de Corrientes" in Argentina. Attendees included Franco E. Barraggia Cettour, Sebastián Alberto Dalmasso, Dalila Daiana Ruiz Diaz, and Stella Maris Ruiz Diaz. Omastoot presented a photograph of a UFO taken over Corrientes on January 23rd. Roberto Abel Infante shared his own observation experiences from the late 1970s in Buenos Aires Province. The meeting also involved the gifting of Dr. Roberto Banchs' book, "Guía Biográfica de la Ufología Argentina - Los primeros veinticinco años (1947-1972)." The participants also supported a petition to the President of Argentina for the declassification of official UFO files. The next meeting was scheduled for November 6th.

Following this, the magazine features an article by Albert Rosales, translated from English, titled "'The forgotten humanoid' and other encounters from the singing years, the 1920s." Rosales is described as a renowned American ufologist who has been cataloging cases of humanoid apparitions and observations globally for many years. His catalog is considered unique and extensive.

"The forgotten humanoid" and other encounters from the 1920s

Rosales' article delves into numerous lesser-known UFO and humanoid encounters from the 1920s, a period he notes was turbulent between the World Wars and before the Great Depression. He suspects that many encounters were ignored or poorly documented due to witness reluctance and chaotic memories.

Key Incidents from the 1920s:

• 1920, Bass Strait, Victoria, Australia: An incident involving a military search for a missing schooner, the "Amelia J.," where strange lights were observed. Two aircraft from the Point Cook flying school were involved in the search. The report mentions a "submarine, the Ornithorynchus," being affected. The lost aircraft and schooner were never found.
• 1920, Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine: A mobile Red Army group encountered a dome-shaped object and several tall figures (around 2 meters) near a road. The entities were described as wearing armored suits. The soldiers prepared to fire, but were blinded by a powerful flash of light, losing consciousness. Upon recovery, the object and figures had vanished.
• 1920, Nontron, France: A group of young people observed small, luminous beings in the air emitting "musical sounds" above a small wood. The beings were described as having small legs and the environment around them was filled with luminous balls, creating a "magical aspect."
• September 1920, Bethel, North Carolina, USA: A 14-year-old cotton picker and his family witnessed a "classic" close encounter. A silver object, described as two pie plates stacked, landed in a field. Two small, bald men, appearing older despite their size, emerged and directed stick-like instruments towards the witnesses. One collected soil and a small plant into a bag.
• 1921, Hertfordshire, England: A man driving on a country road discovered a fallen tree and a small entity (18 inches tall) with a round face and a cap sitting on the stump. The entity disappeared before he could confirm the sighting.
• Summer 1921, Marseille, France: A boy described being dragged into a strangely made "tank" by two beings wearing flexible helmets. He was taken inside the machine, cried, and was later released. He recalled square or rectangular windows and a soft couch.
• August 1921, Mount Shasta, California, USA: From Peter Guttilla's book "Le Dossier du Bigfoot," Elberta Payne, ill in bed, saw two large creatures with black hair and big eyes observing her through her window. She immediately recovered from typhoid fever, an event Rosales notes is common in UFO encounter reports.
• February 22, 1922, Hubbell, Nebraska, USA: Hunter William C. Lamb heard a crackling sound and saw a brilliantly lit circular object land. A "magnificent" flying creature, about 8 feet tall, emerged, leaving tracks in the snow. It disappeared after passing near Lamb's tree.
• April 1922, County Donegal, Ireland: During the Irish Civil War, a soldier named Lawrence Bradley reported a "purring" sound from a strange object that ejected flames towards a cave where soldiers were sheltering. The object was described as circular and metallic.
• Summer 1922, Detroit, Michigan, USA: Irma Hinz and a young friend saw a large disk hovering over a field. The object descended, circled a tree, and revealed about 20 "entities" visible at rectangular windows. The entities were bald, with close-set eyes, and stared intently at the couple.
• June 1923, Mont Erie, Illinois, USA: A 10-year-old boy, Le Normand Massie, observed a metallic object with lights on its circumference. Five men, about 4 feet tall with blond hair, were on board. They were heard discussing repairs. The object had a dome with holes resembling molten glass and rested on three feet.
• 1924, Quero, Spain: An incident involving a solitary humanoid about 1.20 meters tall, wearing a green suit, who approached the witness. The humanoid stood on a circular platform that propelled it above the ground and disappeared into a field.
• May 1924, Gem, West Virginia, USA: A farmer reported seeing a crash of a strange "airplane" without wings, exceptionally large, and silent. Investigators, including the sheriff and journalist John Cole, found the wreckage. Men in black suits and others in shiny rubber suits were present, speaking a foreign language. The "foreigners" were described as short (around 5 feet), with Oriental features. Cole found a small metallic object from the wreckage.
• November 1924, Cranagh, Ireland: A young girl saw a small man emerge from behind a cow, touch the cow's muzzle with a stick, and then disappear into the solid ground.
• Summer 1925, Port Burwell, Ontario, Canada: A 5-year-old girl reported being taken aboard a "train-like" craft by small "grey" beings with large eyes and pale skin. She was examined with instruments. Later, she experienced another similar event with "yellow" beings.
• September 20-30, 1925, Fermeneuve, Québec, Canada: An 8-year-old boy saw a dark grey object, resembling two deep saucers, land on four feet in a potato field. A rope ladder descended from an open hatch, and the object rotated and ascended with a humming sound.
• 1926, Ancud, Chile: A bizarre incident where an 18-year-old brother disappeared and reappeared 47 years later, aged and seemingly demented, claiming he had been on "a boat."
• September 1926, Ujazd, Poland: A witness (Zofia) saw three grey disks (about 2 meters in diameter) hovering above a field with three entities standing in front of them. The humanoids were about 120-130 cm tall, wore dark green suits, and disappeared quickly.
• Winter 1926, Combe La Morbier, Jura, France: A lumberjack reported seeing a large, brightly lit "craft" hovering above treetops, with several human-like figures inside.
• 1927, Corbola, Rovigo, Italy: A 12-year-old girl saw a bright, round object descend into the Po river. A small man, visible from the shoulders up, appeared in an opening in the object. The object emitted a whistling sound and was about 2-3 meters in diameter.
• April 1928, Yakima, Washington, USA: Harry Dillon saw a metallic hexagonal object with a dome, described as an olive green color, with rivets and windows. He saw the upper torso of a man in a dark blue uniform inside.
• November 1928, Bolton, England: A boy saw three strange figures in a brightly lit room. The central entity was larger, wearing a black outfit with silver ribs covering its face. They wore inflatable rubber suits with dark boots and transparent globe helmets.
• 1929, Hertford, England: A 5-year-old girl and her 8-year-old brother saw a small biplane-type aircraft land briefly in their orchard, piloted by a perfectly proportioned pilot wearing a leather helmet, who waved at them.
• 1929, Paraguaco, Brazil: A large, white, metallic craft with windows was seen on the ground. Two giant humanoid entities, about 2.50 meters tall, wearing silver clothing, stood beside it.
• Summer 1929, Roccagloriosa, Italy: A girl saw a stationary white light ball descend. A female figure in black, 19th-century-style clothing appeared from an opening. Inside the ball, 2-3 small beings moved. The figure walked without touching the ground and disappeared into a grove. A rose scent was detected at the site.
• June 15, 1929, Fermeneuve, Québec, Canada: Louis Brosseau saw a dark object on the ground with 4-5 "yellowish" small men running around it. The object ascended with a humming sound and had illuminated windows.
• July 5, 1929, Burns, Oregon, USA: Witnesses saw an object flying slowly above the road. Two human-like entities were visible through a window. The object emitted a soft hum before accelerating and disappearing.
• August 1929, Pestovskiy, Russia: An object with occupants visible inside a clear, glass-like dome was reported.
• August 1929, Krini, Greece: Theocharis Moustakas saw a "parachute"-like object on a field with three "little people" conversing in a curious language. They wore white clothing with white hoods and had white skin. Some villagers called them "devils."

Rosales concludes by stating that these "crazy years" had many more encounters and that he hopes to have chosen the most interesting cases. He posits that these entities have been present for decades before the "modern era of encounters" began on June 24, 1947, suggesting these earlier cases were glimpses of what was to come.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are historical UFO sightings, encounters with various types of humanoids (small, tall, grey, and others), alleged abductions, and strange aerial phenomena. The editorial stance is one of diligent archival research, presenting documented cases from the past to understand the broader history of the UFO phenomenon. The magazine emphasizes the importance of these early, often overlooked, reports in the context of modern ufology. The "Rencontres Ufologiques" website is presented as a platform for sharing information and research within the ufology community.