1956 09 15 - Saucerian Bulletin - Vol 1 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: THE SAUCERIAN BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. 1, No. 3
Date: September 15, 1956
Publisher: Saucerian Publication
Country: USA
Language: English

Aime Michel Predicts 'Big Flap' for October 1956

The lead article, "A FLOOD OF UFO'S BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN THIS FALL?" by Aime Michel, author of "THE TRUTH ABOUT FLYING SAUCERS," presents a prediction of widespread saucer sightings in October 1956. Michel, a renowned French saucerbook author, argues that the phenomenon is cyclical and increasing in intensity. He bases his prediction on an analysis of the "Big European Flap" of 1954, which he contrasts with the earlier "Big Flap" in America in June 1952.

The 'Big Flap' of 1952 and 1954

Michel highlights Major Edward J. Ruppelt's account of the "Big Flap" in America in June 1952, where 615 reports from the previous four years were surpassed by 717 reports in just a few weeks. However, Michel disputes Ruppelt's conclusion that the frequency and geographical distribution of sightings could not be resolved. Michel points to the period between August 1 and November 15, 1954, when records in American skies were not only broken but "disintegrated" in Western Europe.

The 'Big European Flap'

Michel details the events of the fall of 1954, noting that before mid-summer, few believed in Flying Saucers in Europe. He recounts how, based on observations by Canadian engineer Wilbert Smith and his own statistics, he predicted a return of saucers after mid-summer. A sensationalized PARIS-MATCH headline, "AIME MICHEL: FLYING SAUCER RAIN FOR AUGUST," initially fell flat due to French skepticism.

Sightings and Landings in Europe, 1954

Michel provides numerous examples of sightings and landings in Europe during 1954:

• July 24, 1954: Citizens of Talence, near Bordeaux, reported two lenticular machines with a metallic aspect crossing the sky at high speed, though newspapers buried the story.
• August 13, 1954: An extraordinary machine flew over Dole.
• August 18, 1954: A report from Montlucon.
• August 22, 1954: An official communique from Switzerland about a sighting on the 7th.
• August 22-23, 1954: A virtual merry-go-round of a large mother saucer surrounded by smaller saucers was observed over Vernon, a town with a ballistics study center.
• August 26, 1954: Parisians observed a similar phenomenon.
• Late August: Sightings occurred in Lyon, Angers, and the entire Paris area, as well as in Munich, Innsbruck, Landshut, Amiens, from the Pyrenees to Berlin, and from Brittany to Trieste.
• September 12, 1954: Reports of "landings" began to increase, with UFOs leaving peculiar holes in the ground, cut plant roots, and in one case, an intense magnetic residue.
• September 15 - October 25, 1954 (Zenith around October 12): Saucers became the number one subject in the media, with papers dedicating half a page daily. Despite this, public reaction was largely one of "psychosis" and skepticism, with Professor Heuyer denouncing "sauceritis" as a form of schizophrenia.
• October 16, 1954: A luminous object was tracked for eight minutes over 300 miles from Salin-Les-Bains to Brittany. Similar sightings in Milan and Turin suggest a distance of over 600 miles.
• October 16, 1954 (around 9:25 PM): Objects were observed over Damparis, Dijon, Hurecourt, Metz, and Plappeville, described as elongated forms.
• October 16, 1954 (around 9:35 PM): The object was reported over Orly airport in Paris, and simultaneously from Chelle, Nanterre, and Noisy-le-Grand. Witnesses below called it a disk, while those to the side described a cigar-shaped object.
• October 16, 1954: A witness near St. Malo saw two objects flying at fantastic speeds, joined by a third at right angles, before disappearing.
• October 16, 1954 (nightfall): Witnesses in Varese and Mirafiori, Italy, saw a luminous object heading into France, which remained at Mirafiori for an hour.
• October 16, 1954 (9:30-9:45 AM): Fifty inhabitants of Belesa, Pyrenees, observed a gigantic luminous object performing maneuvers with varying luminosity.
• October 16, 1954: Ground observations included a metallic, circular machine landing at Rovigo, Italy, leaving a seven-yard crater and charred poplars. Another landing was observed at Livry-sur-Seine, France.

Skepticism and Official Explanations

Michel criticizes the French Air Force Inquiry Commission's conclusion that the October 16 object was a "slow meteor," noting they ignored the change of direction and dismissed witnesses' accounts as "Optical Illusion" or faulty watches. He also recounts his own experience lecturing in Lille, where despite significant advertising, the auditorium was nearly empty, highlighting the pervasive skepticism.

Deductions and Future Predictions

Michel deduces that the UFO phenomenon is cyclical, with a period of approximately 26 months, and its intensity increases at each zenith. He suggests the next "Olympic Games" could occur in October 1956. He tentatively guesses the next maximum might occur in Eastern Europe or the Middle East, possibly over Communist or Arab nations. He concludes by stating his goal was to open up a new avenue of research and acknowledges the possibility that the phenomenon might disappear without explanation.

Other Content

• Editorial Note: The editors acknowledge the length of Michel's article and express interest in his predictions.
• Bender Case: A brief mention of Bender's statement about being visited by someone from another world, and the trouble caused by his published address.
• Book Reviews/Recommendations: Several books are advertised and recommended, including "The UFO and the Bible" by M. K. Jessup, "There is Life on Mars" by Earl Nelson, and various titles by Donald E. Keyhoe, H. T. Wilkins, and others. A chart by KEZIAH is also promoted.
• H. P. Wilkins: News of H. P. Wilkins' controversial findings about the Moon and skies.
• Moseley: A mention of Moseley's "SAUCER NEWS" and his publication activities.
• Frank Reid: An article by a 79-year-old university professor.
• Michael Savage Photo: A photo taken by a 15-year-old of a fuzzy object in the sky.
• Correction: The BULLETIN admits that photos in the previous issue were fakes, tricked up by TRIODE.
• Buck Nelson: An account of Buck Nelson's alleged saucer encounters and subsequent questioning by men in dark suits.
• George Van Tassell: A rumor about a wealthy woman donating money for his work.
• Subscription and Book Orders: Information on how to order books and subscribe to THE SAUCERIAN BULLETIN.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the cyclical nature of UFO phenomena, the prediction of future sightings, the contrast between official explanations and witness accounts, and the pervasive skepticism from the public and media. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs, with a willingness to publish detailed analyses and predictions, while also acknowledging and correcting errors (like the fake photos).