Recherches Ufologiques - No 03 -1977

Magazine Overview

This document is issue number 3 of 'Groupement Nordiste d'Etudes Recherches Ufologiques', a bulletin published by the Groupement Nordiste d'Etudes (GNEOVNI). The cover, dated '4ème Trimestre 1977', features the main headline 'RECHERCHES UFOLOGIQUES' and a stylized map of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, along with an illustration of a flying object and a globe. The price is listed as 3 F.

Organization and Mission

The GNEOVNI, founded in 1965 and operating under the French law on non-profit associations, aims to inform the public about unusual phenomena in Northern France, encouraging their rational study. It holds the delegation for 'CUFOS-France' for the Nord and Pas de Calais departments. The organization also organizes quarterly information meetings at the Centre Social de Mons-en-Baroeul.

Content Highlights

The bulletin's table of contents includes a communiqué from Jean-Louis Brochard, National Delegate for CUFOS-France, discussing the establishment of the French section of the Center for UFO Studies and the importance of private research. It also lists a 'Catalogue des observations régionales' compiled by J. Leborgne, detailing numerous sightings. Other sections include 'En fouinant dans les archives' by D. Caudron, 'Observations régionales récentes' by J.P. Roussel and J.M. Bigorne, and 'Les enquêtes du GNEOVNI' by J.P. D'Hondt.

Regional Observations Catalog

A significant portion of the bulletin is dedicated to a catalog of regional UFO observations, presented with an 'AVERTISSEMENT' stating that it does not claim to be exhaustive. The observations are classified according to Jacques Vallée's system, which categorizes phenomena into five types: Type I (grounded or near-ground objects), Type II (cylindrical formations), Type III (immobile atmospheric objects), Type IV (anomalous objects in translation), and Type V (anomalous luminous phenomena).

The catalog includes specific entries with dates, locations, and descriptions:

• 6/1/1919 - LILLE - Type V: A slow-moving, star-like object that became immobile and changed color before disappearing.
• 20/7/1945 - HOUDAIN - Type II: A cigar-shaped object with powerful flames, described as metallic and grey, moving at high speed.
• 2/1/1950 - BOULOGNE - Type IV: A luminous orange object, initially basin-shaped, accompanied by a detached 'tarp' that took on the object's shape, leading to two objects moving at high speed.
• 1950 - RECQUIGNIES - Type I: A luminous orange sphere rolling on the ground, then rising rapidly and disappearing.
• Avant Avril 1951 - PHALEMPIN - Type III: A very white, crown-shaped object observed during the day.
• 16/6/1952 - HAUMONT - Type III: A metallic, crown-shaped object with dark balls, observed to move and stop.
• Juin 1952 - CALAIS - Type IV: A red globe observed moving rapidly with a luminous trail.
• 8/7/1952 - LESQUIN - Type IV: An S.V. observed leaving a double luminous trail.
• Février 1953 - BIACHE-SAINT-VAATS - Type I: A pale blue light evolving into an oval ball surrounded by stars, accompanied by a humming sound and electrical interference.
• 1953 - FEIGNIES - Type III et I: An abnormal 'moon' and later, ballonnets of orange color.
• 7/1/1954 - ORCHIES - Type III: A disc-shaped object that appeared to explode.
• Aout ou Sept. 1954 - VILLERS-GUISLAIN - Type IV: A large, red-orange object with a matching trail, described as elliptical.
• 10/9/1954 - QUAROUBLE - Type I: A dark mass emitting a luminous beam, with traces found on railway sleepers.
• 10/9/1954 - VICQ - Type IV: A red glow observed in the sky.
• 10/9/1954 - ONNAING - Type IV: A red glow observed in the sky.
• 10/9/1954 - VALENCIENNES-LA-BRIQUETTE - Type I: An object appeared, causing car headlights to extinguish and the engine to stall.

Archival and Historical Accounts

The section 'EN FOUINANT DANS LES ARCHIVES...' delves into historical accounts of unusual phenomena, including:

• A report from ancient China about the sun remaining in the sky for ten days during the reign of Yao.
• An account of a divine sign appearing to Caesar before he crossed the Rubicon.
• A natural phenomenon in Armenia in 58 AD involving a dark cloud and lightning.
• A description of fiery phenomena affecting the city of the Ubiens in Germania in 58 AD.
• A story about St. Hilarion encountering demonic chariots.
• A tale of a devil appearing in various forms in Vaux.
• An account of a 'phantom army' in Angoumois and 'frightening signs' at sea near Genoa.
• A description of a dragon with seven heads appearing on the island of Alte in 1508.
• A 'phantasmagoria' in Poitou in 1620 involving tall, flaming figures and unusual birds.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently focuses on the collection and rational analysis of UFO and anomalous phenomena reports, particularly from the Nord and Pas de Calais regions of France. It emphasizes the importance of private research in the field of ufology, as highlighted by Jean-Louis Brochard's communiqué. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation, aiming to provide a credible platform for reporting and studying these events, distinct from mere sensationalism. The inclusion of historical accounts suggests a broader interest in unexplained phenomena across different eras and cultures.

Title: OBSERVATIONS REGIONALES
Issue: 1
Volume: 1
Date: 1977
Publisher: GNEOVNI
Country: France
Language: French

This issue of 'Observations Regionales' compiles various unusual phenomena, ranging from historical celestial events and earthquakes to modern UFO sightings and poltergeist activity. The publication focuses on documented accounts, often citing local newspapers and historical records.

Meteore ou Ovni en Picardie

The issue opens with a historical account from October 5, 1634, in Picardie, France. During a clear night, a large light was observed emerging from the moon's disk. This light, described as a fiery torch, was seen to descend and break into numerous pieces over the city of Amiens. The source of this information is attributed to a manuscript by P. Dupré, a monk from the Abbey of St. Jean d'Amiens, and was found in local publications and historical archives.

Coincidence Seisme-Phantasmo Celeste au XVII Siecle

This section details a remarkable event that occurred on September 18, 1692, in Linselles, France. According to a notary's record, an earthquake was felt around 2:30 PM. Following this, a dramatic celestial phenomenon was witnessed. The sky reportedly opened twice, revealing two armies engaged in battle, with an infinite number of dead bodies. Simultaneously, the town hall in Lille and several city walls cracked, and houses in Lille experienced movement. Similar phenomena were reported in Courtrai, Cambrai, and Mons, leading people to believe it was the end of the world. The report also notes that the earthquake was felt in various other locations, including Cappelbrouck, Condé sur Escaut, Houplin les Seclin, Beaucamps, Arras, Anvers, and Brussels, causing damage and structural issues.

Further details from the Roubaix registry (GG 12) describe the earthquake on September 18, 1692, around 2:30 PM, which caused many to fear their houses would collapse. At the same time, two large armies were in the vicinity: the French army, led by the Duke of Luxembourg, was pillaging Jervick, and the allied army, commanded by the Duke of Bavaria and the King of England, was near Deynse. The article concludes that while the earthquake affected Northern Europe, the celestial vision was only reported in Linselles during this period of military activity.

Dos Signes Dans Le Ciel

This section presents two historical accounts of celestial signs. The first, from 1579, mentions a comet with its tail pointing towards the north, visible for six to seven weeks during winter. The following year, 1580, a significant earthquake occurred, causing objects to shake and bells to ring spontaneously. The second account, from January 5-6, 1709, describes a severe winter, referred to as 'the great winter' or 'the end of the world,' during which terrible signs and phenomena were observed in the sky.

Another event, dated January 8, 1706, describes large, fiery meteors appearing in the sky over Amiens and surrounding villages from evening until dawn. These 'igneous meteors' illuminated the dark night, leading some to believe the fires were within the city itself, prompting bell ringing to alert the populace.

Woltergeist a Lille au Siecle Dernier

This article details a series of bizarre phenomena that occurred in a house on Rue du Prieuré in Lille, starting on June 14, 1865. The events included projectiles being thrown, objects moving on their own, and furniture rearranging itself. Specifically, a pair of boots moved as if worn by an invisible dancer, a calendar spun in the air, and shoes jumped. The master of the house witnessed a chandelier fall and a seashell roll. A maid reported being physically assaulted by unseen forces. Strange drawings were found on beds and stairs, and coins repeatedly appeared and disappeared. Knives were found embedded in the floor and ceiling, and keys vanished. These events, which lasted for weeks, attracted public curiosity and skepticism from journalists.

Observations Regionales

This section focuses on UFO sightings in the Nord department of France, specifically in Hem.

Dossier Ovni (May 25, 1977)

On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, May 24-25, 1977, Hélène Leblanc, her mother, and sister observed mysterious aerial phenomena. Hélène described an oblong, orange-glowing object that moved in a spiral and then horizontally. The object remained immobile for a period before moving away. During its close proximity to the house, traffic on the nearby highway ceased, and neighborhood dogs remained silent, which was unusual. The witnesses' credibility and the detailed nature of their account lend weight to the observation.

Second Manifestation (July 15, 1977)

A report from 'La Croix du Nord' on July 23, 1977, describes a UFO nearly colliding with a firework rocket on July 14th in Hem. A Lillois man and his passenger observed a bizarre luminous movement in the sky around 2 AM on July 15th. They described it as a discontinuous line of dots, with the first three segments being brighter and the end shaped like a hook. This sighting was reported to ufologists.

Third Manifestation (September 5, 1977)

Another UFO sighting occurred in Hem on Monday, September 5, 1977. An investigation was conducted by Jean-Pierre Roussel, ex-president of GNEOVNI. The observation took place around 9:45 PM. Two sets of witnesses, the Beharel couple and the Declercq couple, independently observed a bright, white, non-scintillating point in the sky. Mr. Beharel initially saw it as a brief, brilliant flash, but then observed a luminous point that remained immobile for about 20-30 seconds. Using binoculars, he observed the object move horizontally to the right, its luminosity decreasing. The object moved towards a tower and disappeared after covering an angular distance of 2°30 in 5-6 seconds. The Declercq couple corroborated the observation, noting the object's immobility and subsequent horizontal movement. The synthesis of both testimonies allowed for triangulation and calculation of the object's parameters, noting that its movement was contrary to the wind. The object was described as a bright point with an oblong extension and intermittently blinking lights.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are historical and contemporary unexplained phenomena, including meteors, celestial apparitions, earthquakes, poltergeist activity, and UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious documentation and investigation of these events, relying on witness testimonies, archival records, and newspaper reports. The publication aims to present factual accounts and encourage further investigation by ufologists and researchers.

This issue of "Les Enquêtes du GNEOVNI" focuses on regional UFO investigations, primarily featuring detailed accounts and newspaper reports from 1954 and 1977. The publication aims to present factual accounts of observed phenomena and the subsequent investigations.

Case 1: Eppe-Sauvage Sighting (August 28, 1977)

The issue begins with a report from Eppe-Sauvage, Nord, on August 28, 1977. Around 6:00 AM, four witnesses – Michel Brunaux (30), his son Pascal Brunaux (11), Alfred Pouleur (68), and JP Blanchet (20) – observed an unusual object while driving towards the Val Joly lake. The object was described as a dark orange sphere with a phosphorescent periphery, appearing immobile above the trees. After about ten minutes, it began to move slowly, then accelerated and disappeared towards the North-West in seconds. The phenomenon was completely silent. The report notes that conventional aircraft activity at the nearby Lesquin airport did not coincide with the observation.

A table presents calculated characteristics of the object based on triangulation: a distance of 8 km to Hem, a height of 935m, a diameter of 35m, a minimum speed of 260 km/h, and a maximum speed of 930 km/h. With a potential error margin of 30', these figures are revised to 16 km distance, 2000m height, 67m diameter, 500 km/h minimum speed, and 1900 km/h maximum speed.

Case 2: Chereng 'Flying Saucer' Incident (October 3, 1954)

This section delves into a well-documented case from Chereng, near Lille, on Sunday, October 3, 1954. The event, reported in "Nord Matin" and "Nord Eclair," involved dozens of witnesses during a local festival. Around 7:20 PM, an object described as a cigar landed at the Marque footbridge, preceded by a shower of sparks. The landing was silent, and the object disappeared before witnesses could approach. Initially, many dismissed it as part of the festival, but subsequent investigations confirmed the accounts.

Mr. Fiolet, the local school director, provided a detailed account. He and other witnesses observed a reddish, oblong object, described as a crescent moon shape with a brighter central part, hovering about 500 meters away. The central part then extinguished, creating the illusion of two cigar shapes. The object then moved horizontally, pivoted, and disappeared.

Further investigation involved interviewing Fiolet's students. Jean-Claude Delmotte, an 11-year-old student, reported seeing a similar object on Thursday, September 30, 1954, around 4:30 PM. He described a dark sphere, about 3 meters in diameter, which landed in a field near the woods. The sphere then ascended, taking on a drop shape, and disappeared. Crucially, Delmotte and his companions found several palm-shaped footprints in the soil where the object had been. These prints were documented and drawn, showing a distinct pattern. Gendarmes from Forest-sur-Marque investigated, but heavy rain had unfortunately obscured most traces, leaving only what appeared to be horse hoof prints.

Another report from "La Voix du Nord" on October 6, 1954, corroborates the Chereng sightings, mentioning both the cigar-shaped object landing and the palm-shaped footprints. The article highlights the consistency of witness testimonies, despite initial skepticism.

Case 3: Haumont Sighting (September 10, 1977)

A brief mention is made of an article in "Nord Matin" on September 10, 1977, reporting a UFO sighting in Haumont. A couple and their two children reportedly saw an object for ten minutes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed investigation of UFO sightings, the collection of witness testimonies, and the analysis of physical evidence, such as the palm-shaped footprints. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, presenting documented cases and investigations without immediate dismissal, while also acknowledging the challenges of verification (e.g., weather conditions affecting evidence). The publication emphasizes the importance of witness credibility and cross-referencing reports from different sources, including local newspapers and official investigations.

This document is a page from the publication of GNEOVNI, a French ufology organization. The primary content focuses on clarifying details about an event involving observed footprints and expresses gratitude for support in publishing the issue. The publication date is associated with an event on October 4, 1954, and later recollections from 1965.

Details of the Footprint Observation

The text clarifies that the footprints, contrary to earlier newspaper reports, were indeed observed by Mr. FIOLET and some of his students during an examination of a terrain on the morning of Monday, October 4, 1954. These later clarifications were gathered in 1965 from one of the protagonists of the affair, Mr. Jean-Luc BESANGER. BESANGER, who was a student of Mr. FIOLET at the time, visited the landing site with his classmates. He personally confirmed the presence of the famous "webbed feet" traces, and he himself created a sketch of them, which is referenced as being reproduced on the preceding page.

Acknowledgements

The "REMERCIEMENTS" (Acknowledgements) section notes that despite some "youthful" imperfections, the quality of the current issue has been improved. It states that this was not achieved without encountering multiple problems, including financial ones. The publication attributes its ability to overcome these difficulties to the "sympathetic intervention" of Mr. Jean-Claude BOURRET. The text highlights that BOURRET's friendship and willingness to honor GNEOVNI with his support were crucial. The authors were already aware of BOURRET's significant contribution to ufology in France and are now even more conscious of the effective help he provides to private groups. He is thanked very warmly for this assistance.

Publication Information

The document indicates it was printed by the secretariat of GNEOVNI. The address provided is Route de Béthune 62136 Lestrem. The Director of Publication is listed as D'Hondt J.P., with the same address.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The publication appears to focus on detailed investigations of UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) events, emphasizing factual reporting and clarification of details, even if gathered retrospectively. There is a clear commitment to ufology as a field of study and a recognition of the importance of community support and collaboration among private ufology groups. The editorial stance is one of earnest investigation and gratitude towards those who contribute to the field and the organization's efforts.