Vaucluse Ufologie - No 07 - Janvier-Fevrier 1978

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Vaucluse Ufologie" is the seventh bulletin from the "Groupement de Recherche et d'Etude du Phénomène O.V.N.I." (G.R.E.P.O.), published bi-monthly in 1978. The cover features a map of the Vaucluse region with several UFOs depicted, highlighting the local focus of the publication. The issue includes a list of board members for 1978, subscription details, and contact information for correspondence and the organization's headquarters in Sorgues.

Editorial: The Challenge of Witness Testimony

The editorial section features a quote from Camille Flammarion's 1920 work "La mort et son mystère," which René Faudrin uses to reflect on the current state of ufological research in 1978. Flammarion's observation that extraordinary phenomena are often reported by ordinary people rather than scientists, and that many educated individuals remain silent due to fear of ridicule or professional repercussions, resonates strongly with Faudrin. He laments that fifty-seven years later, little has changed in humanity's willingness to openly discuss and investigate psychic and ufological research. Faudrin calls for increased cooperation, more effective public information, and a commitment to preserving the gains made in the field, emphasizing that the future is being built now.

Historical Cases: The 1950s in Vaucluse

René Faudrin presents "La Rubrique des Années Cinquante," a section dedicated to UFO sightings from the 1950s in the Vaucluse region. He acknowledges the difficulty in compiling information from this period but stresses the importance of documenting these early cases. The issue provides a list of 31 distinct sightings from 1950 to 1959, detailing dates, times, and locations such as Avignon, Orange, Vaison la Romaine, and Apt. Some entries refer to previous issues of the bulletin for more detailed information.

Scientific Speculation: Atoms and Solar Systems

Daniel Mersadier's article, "Qu'en est-il vraiment?" (What is it really?), draws a parallel between the structure of an atom and a solar system. He posits that the nucleus of an atom is analogous to the sun, with electrons orbiting like planets. This comparison leads to a speculative idea that our own solar system could be an atom, and that collections of these solar systems could form molecules, suggesting an infinitely vast and interconnected universe.

Review of Press and Literature

The "Revue de Presse" section summarizes articles from various ufological bulletins and publications, including "Phénomènes Spatiaux," "Du Ciel à la Terre," "Ganymede," "Ufologie Contact," "GNEOVNI," "ADEPS," and "OURANOS." It highlights topics such as alleged photographic hoaxes, detection methods, regional observations, and the potential official recognition of extraterrestrial existence. The "Livres" section reviews several books on UFOs, such as "Les OVNI mythe ou réalité" by Allen Hynek, "Les étrangers de l'espace" by Donald Keyhoe, and "La nouvelle vague des soucoupes volantes" by J. Claude Bourret. It also notes two articles from the American magazine "SELECTION DU READER'S DIGEST" concerning UFOs.

Personal Accounts and Historical Anecdotes

An article by John Baxter and Thomas Atkins briefly mentions a celestial object falling in Siberia in 1908. Ronald Schiller's analysis of three "classic" UFO cases, including the Delphos case, is discussed, with the author suggesting Schiller's arguments might be unconvincing to seasoned ufologists. A personal narrative, "Les Histoires de Mon Grand-Père: C'est Extraordinaire!" recounts a conversation with the author's grandfather who claimed to have seen two moons in the sky, prompting reflection on perception and reality.

Library and Archives

Philippe Crespy provides information about the G.R.E.P.O. library and archives, which are open to members and located in Le Pontet. He details how to arrange visits and the procedures for borrowing materials. The section encourages members and readers to contribute to the archives by sending press articles and photocopies of their discoveries, emphasizing the organization's focus on research within the Vaucluse region.

Conference Report: Monteux UFO Debate

Two newspaper articles, one from "Le Provençal" and another from "Le Dauphiné Libéré," report on a successful UFO debate held at the M.J.C. in Monteux on January 23, 1978. The event, organized with the participation of G.R.E.P.O. representatives, including Vice-President Jean-Pierre Troadec, featured an audio-visual presentation on the history of UFO phenomena worldwide and in France. Despite the evidence presented, including photographic testimonies, the debate concluded that the mystery of UFOs and extraterrestrial beings remains, pending official contact. The articles acknowledge the M.J.C. for hosting an engaging event and thank those who participated.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Vaucluse Ufologie" consistently emphasizes the importance of documenting UFO sightings, particularly within the Vaucluse region, and highlights the challenges faced by researchers in gathering and verifying information. The editorial stance, as articulated by René Faudrin, is one of persistent inquiry and a call for greater openness and collaboration in the field of ufology, drawing parallels between historical skepticism and contemporary attitudes. The publication aims to inform the public and encourage further research, while also exploring broader philosophical questions about the universe and our place within it.

This issue of "Vaucluse Ufologie" (Issue 5, Volume 1), published in January 1978 by G.R.E.P.O., is primarily dedicated to documenting a significant wave of UFO sightings that occurred in the Vaucluse region of France between December 28, 1977, and January 4, 1978. The magazine features detailed eyewitness accounts, investigative efforts by ufology groups, and reports on a significant international ufology congress.

Cover Story: Strange Objects in the Sky of Apt

The cover story, "Ces étranges objets qui nous viennent du Pays d'Apt," highlights numerous testimonies from the Apt region. It questions whether to believe these accounts and emphasizes the importance of recording and compiling such evidence. The article notes the multiplication and consistency of these sightings, suggesting they are not mere illusions. It mentions a specific incident in the Gard region involving two young girls observing a phenomenon, and then focuses on the Apt area where several credible witnesses reported seeing mysterious objects.

Eyewitness Accounts from the Vaucluse

The magazine meticulously lists a series of observations, providing dates, times, locations, and descriptions:

• December 28, 1977, 7:07 AM, Gordes: An retired instituteur reported seeing a round, very luminous sphere, about 50 cm in diameter, ascending a valley at approximately 30 meters altitude.
• December 31, 1977, 7:05 PM, Les Beaumettes: Two motorists, Claude Gautier and Georges Jullian, observed a red-orange sphere leaving a white trail and smoke, descending in a spiral at about 100 meters altitude. That same evening, another motorist and two gendarmes also reported seeing a red light in the sky.
• January 1, 1978, 5:00 PM, Avignon: A shopkeeper on the RN 7 highway saw a strange metallic object, rectangular in shape, motionless in the sky.
• January 3, 1978, 8:00 AM, Orange: A woman observed a strong light above Sainte Eutrope hill for nearly 10 minutes. The light ascended vertically, leaving a luminescent trail.
• January 3, 1978, 5:45 PM, Avignon: Two residents saw a very luminous star-like object moving from North to South-East, then returning and departing at high speed.
• January 3, 1978, 8:05 PM, Bédoin: A couple returning from Bédoin saw bright lights in the sky above Barroux, described as similar to arc welding, which disappeared in the direction of Avignon.
• January 4, 1978, 6:10 PM, Bonnieux: A resident observed two UFOs of a brilliant whitish color above Bonnieux. They remained one below the other before rejoining and disappearing behind the Luberon.

The magazine also notes that the gendarmerie was involved in investigating some of these cases and that the weather conditions (clear skies, strong mistral wind) ruled out atmospheric illusions.

The Geneva Congress: Towards European Ufological Cooperation

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the "Mini-Congrès" held in Geneva from November 11-13, 1977. Organized by the Société Lémanique d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux (SLEPS), the event brought together ufology groups from France and Switzerland. The primary goal was to establish protocols for cooperation and create a unified approach among French-speaking ufology organizations.

The participating groups included representatives from Valence, Beaune, Ruffey les Echirey, Chambéry, Montpellier, Toulon, Nîmes, and Sorgues (GREPO). The congress discussed the possibility of creating a joint review, similar to a publication by SLEPS, but this project was abandoned due to legal restrictions on non-profit associations engaging in commercial activities and the complexities of VAT.

A key outcome of the congress was the proposal and acceptance of the CECRU (Comité Européen des Commissions de Recherche Ufologique), or European Committee of Ufological Commissions. This is not a federation but an organism intended to standardize investigation reports, facilitate the systematic circulation of information, and represent groups with a common sigle. The GREPO proudly announced its participation in the CECRU, emphasizing that it is based on good humor and camaraderie rather than strict statutes.

G.R.E.P.O. Activities and Projects

The issue details the recent activities and future projects of the G.R.E.P.O. (Groupement de Recherche et d'Études des Phénomènes d'Origine Spatiale) group, based in Sorgues.

Bureau Definition: The bureau is described as a catalytic core of active members responsible for legal and administrative matters, as well as research divided into sectors: public information (Jean Pierre Troadec), archives and documentation (Philippe Crespy), investigations (Alain Barnicaud), and photography (Jean François Angeli).

Projects:

1. Detection Network in Vaucluse: A network based on the GF 77 detector is planned, with Robert Franchino and Claude Gautier leading the effort. Detectors are available for those interested.
2. Observation Evenings: Members are encouraged to organize and report their sky observation evenings, providing details on date, time, location, conditions, equipment, and participants. This information will be shared with other groups like LDLN and S.V.E.P.S.
3. G.R.E.P.O. Library: Archives, including articles and reviews from other ufology groups, are available for members to consult during meetings or borrow.
4. Investigations: The group is actively investigating the recent wave of UFO sightings in Vaucluse.
5. Archive Research: Daniel Mersadier will research historical UFO cases in Vaucluse from 1950 to 1965 from the archives of "Le Dauphiné Libéré" and "Le Provençal."

Meetings: The G.R.E.P.O. held two bureau meetings in January 1978 to discuss these projects. They also held a public information meeting on January 21st in Monteux.

Other Activities: The group participated in a New Year's celebration, with Alain Barnicaud crowned king. They also noted that their presence in the region was not widely known, highlighting the need for better public awareness.

"Courrier" Section: A Forum for Readers

A new section called "Courrier" is introduced as a forum for members, subscribers, and correspondents. It aims to facilitate expression for those unable to attend meetings, assist individuals researching contact cases, and allow readers to share critiques and opinions on ufology and specific books or articles. The section also plans to feature a "literary critique" page where readers can share their thoughts on ufological literature.

The first contribution to "Courrier" is an announcement from a correspondent in Lormont (33) seeking old books on flying saucers from the 1950s-1970s, listing authors like Keyhoe, Heard, Scully, and Ruppelt.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings in the Vaucluse region, the importance of meticulous documentation and investigation, and the growing need for cooperation and standardization among ufology groups, both nationally and internationally. The editorial stance is one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging the collection of eyewitness testimony and fostering a sense of community among researchers. There is a clear emphasis on rational investigation while acknowledging the profound impact these phenomena have on witnesses, framing ufology as a "passion for discovery."

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Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

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