1997 08 00 Science et Vie No 959

Magazine Overview

Title: SCIENCE & VIE
Issue: 959
Date: August 1997
Country: France
Language: French
Cover Headline: PARANORMAL: La grande explosion

Article: ROSWELL Cinquante ans de délire

This article, written by Roman Ikonicoff, examines the Roswell incident and the subsequent fifty years of speculation and myth-building surrounding it, culminating in a 1997 US Air Force report that aimed to definitively close the case.

The USAF Report and Debunking the Myth

The article begins by stating that the 'flying saucer' crash in Roswell in 1947 and the alleged government cover-up of alien bodies has been debunked by the US Air Force itself. A press release from the USAF on June 24th, 1997, accompanied by a 231-page report, declared the end of the 'ufology' myth. The report asserts that the craft was a high-altitude balloon and the bodies were mannequins.

The Original Incident and Early Cover-Up

On July 4, 1947, farmer William MacBrazel discovered debris from a mysterious object on his ranch near Roswell. The military base in Roswell dispatched Major Jesse Marcel to collect the debris. On July 8th, the base announced the capture of a 'flying saucer,' but this was quickly retracted, with the military claiming the debris was from a meteorological balloon. The story faded until 1978.

The Revival of the Roswell Myth

In 1978, physicist Stanton Friedman and ufologist William L. Moore revived the Roswell story. They investigated, gathering testimonies and publications that fueled the rumor of alien bodies being hidden by the military. By 1980, numerous publications, including a book by Moore, claimed the existence of deceased extraterrestrials. Photos of these alleged bodies began to circulate, and in 1987, Moore's work gained further traction.

Project Mogul and Misidentification

The 1994 report, 'Roswell: Facts vs. Fiction,' presented to the public following a Congressional request for an official investigation, revealed that in 1947, the US Air Force was conducting secret Project Mogul experiments. These involved high-altitude balloons carrying sensors to detect Soviet nuclear explosions. The debris found by MacBrazel was identified as belonging to one of these balloons. The report stated that the 'bodies' witnesses claimed to have seen never existed.

The Mystery of the Bodies

Despite the 1994 report, skepticism persisted, fueling theories of a government cover-up. The 1997 report specifically addressed the 'bodies' aspect. It explained that alleged sightings were not from 1947 but were likely conflated with later events. The report stated that claims of the USAF hiding 'dark secrets' were unfounded, and that accounts of bodies were often descriptions of non-secret scientific experiments or accidents involving military personnel.

Alternative Explanations for Sightings

The article outlines three main events that contributed to the myth:

1. Mannequins: Between 1954 and 1959, mannequins with parachutes were dropped from high-altitude balloons for anthropomorphic testing.
2. Aircraft Crash: On June 26, 1956, eleven members of the Air Force died in the crash of a military aircraft (a KC-97) near Roswell.
3. Montgolfière Crash: On May 21, 1959, three pilots were injured when a high-altitude balloon crashed. The deformed face of Captain D. Fulgham due to a hematoma may have been mistaken for a 'creature.'

Skepticism from Philip Klass

Philip Klass, an engineer and ufologist known for his skeptical stance, reviewed the report. He noted that while the report provided some clarity, it failed to adequately address letters and documents from high-ranking USAF and CIA officials from the period. Klass stated he found no evidence of UFOs in his own research of these documents, including letters to President Harry Truman.

Klass believes many witnesses lied to gain fame or for other unknown reasons, and some were not even in Roswell in 1947. He dismisses the idea of a government conspiracy to hide extraterrestrial activities, as proposed by Colonel Richard Weaver, author of the 1994 report, stating the government lacks the means for such a conspiracy.

The Evolution of Ufology

The article touches upon the evolution of ufological claims, noting a shift from 'alien bodies' and 'UFO debris' to 'abductions' and 'human-female fertilization by little green men.' This suggests a modernization of the field.

Conclusion

The fable of Roswell serves as a cautionary tale: in the realm of ufology and the paranormal, exceptions often become the rule. Fifty years of denial cannot erase a single false news story that has been repeatedly hammered home. The article implies that the Roswell incident, while a significant part of UFO lore, is ultimately explained by mundane events and military testing, with a significant amount of embellishment and fabrication over the decades.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores paranormal phenomena, UFOs, and scientific frontiers. The editorial stance, as demonstrated by this article, is one of critical inquiry and skepticism towards sensational claims, favoring evidence-based explanations and official reports, while acknowledging the persistent public fascination with mysteries like Roswell. Roswell.Roswell.