Vaucluse Ufologie - No 11 - Septembre-Octobre 1978

Magazine Overview

Title: VAUCLUSE UFOLOGIE
Issue: N°14
Date: Bimestriel (Bi-monthly), December 1978
Publisher: GROUPEMENT DE RECHERCHE ET D'ÉTUDE DU PHÉNOMÈNE OVNI (G.R.E.P.O.)

Editorial: "PAR LA PASSION, LA FLAMME, ET L'HABITUDE."

The editorial, written by René Faudrin, reflects on the resignation of Jean Manuel Cervantès, the former Secretary General, in September 1977. Faudrin recounts the history of G.R.E.P.O. and its predecessor publications, noting the abandonment of the project 'INFOR OVNI' by Pierre Monnet and the subsequent formation of a new G.R.E.P.O. led by Cervantès. Faudrin shares excerpts from Cervantès' last letter, where he expresses his evolving perspective on ufology. Cervantès suggests that ufology is more about personal philosophical reflection and understanding life and the universe than about direct research into UFOs. He states that while he doesn't deny the existence of extraterrestrial life, his current focus is on experiencing life and communicating with people, finding the pursuit of whether E.T.s are visiting Earth less primordial at this moment.

The Nature of Ufology

Faudrin continues by discussing the evolution of ufology since the 1947 Kenneth Arnold sighting. He notes how the field has become laden with manufactured mysteries and that while initial research aimed to establish truth, many new researchers find it doesn't provide the answers they seek, leading them to question their involvement. He posits that ufology is now a term that signifies a sector of research, but the core question is whether it's about studying flying saucers or understanding the profound questions about life and the universe that these phenomena provoke in humans. He emphasizes that ufology is an evolution towards greater knowledge of life itself, a more significant pursuit.

Our General Assembly

An announcement for the General Assembly of G.R.E.P.O. to be held on Saturday, December 9th. The assembly will focus on the material needs of the organization, emphasizing the necessity of contributions from members to minimize costs. The secretariat, treasury, and library require new personnel and volunteers.

G.R.E.P.O. Membership

The G.R.E.P.O. is a member of the European Committee of Ufological Research Commissions (C.E.C.R.U.). The bulletin also mentions the Group for the Study of Space Objects (G.E.O.S.), which publishes the review 'Les Extraterrestres' and focuses on UFO phenomena, investigations, public information, and the establishment of working groups.

Report of Observation: The Fortean Phenomenon of Sorgues

This section addresses a letter from M. and Mme Chiarinelli regarding an incident. Jean Pierre Troadec presents an account of a young man, referred to as 'X', who encountered a young woman named 'Sylvania' near the Parc de Sorgues. Sylvania was struggling with a mobylette. X, after flirting with her, had an intimate encounter with her, noting she felt 'cold'. Later, she disappeared along with her mobylette, despite the park having only one exit and the mobylette supposedly having no fuel. Troadec initially expressed skepticism, suggesting X might be fabricating the story or be a mythomaniac. However, after considering further details and a similar case shared by a friend, he admits he might have been too quick to dismiss it, acknowledging the possibility of it being a genuine, albeit strange, event. He notes that the park has multiple exits, contrary to X's statement, and questions whether X actually met Sylvania again.

A similar case is recounted where a driver picked up a hitchhiking young woman who warned them about a dangerous curve. After passing the curve, she had vanished. Later, they learned that a young woman from the region had died in an accident at that very curve, and her apparition was sometimes seen warning drivers.

Troadec concludes that while G.R.E.P.O.'s primary focus isn't on such 'mysteries', this case, presented by Christian L., has an aspect that aligns with ufology, potentially being a 'contactee' case without a visible craft. He cautions against misclassifying phenomena and emphasizes the need for thorough investigation to avoid cluttering UFO records with easily explainable events.

Photographic Analysis: Bédarides Sighting

This section details a photographic observation made by an amateur team from the former GREPO on September 6, 1975, near Bédarides, Vaucluse. Ten witnesses were present. Christian L. set up his camera with a 1000 ASA black and white film at a 45° angle. Around 1 AM, a horizontal flash of light, described as a "luminescent bar, vaporous below the clouds, in a straight horizontal line, at the speed of lightning, but not an actual lightning bolt," traversed the sky from South to North. Christian L. kept the camera running for three minutes to capture the phenomenon. The incident was only recalled when the film was developed, and the negatives were later lost. The report analyzes the positive print, offering several hypotheses:

• Hypotheses on the stop: The object moved along trajectory X, the lens opened before its passage and closed at point S, or the object stopped at S, or dematerialized at S.
• Hypotheses on the trail interruptions: The object passed through cloudy layers, accelerated too rapidly for the film to record, or flickered, causing the trail to be interrupted.
• Hypotheses on the head of the trail: Based on measurements (A=5.5, C=4.5), a hypothetical shape of the object is proposed, suggesting a length of 15.5 units.
• Hypotheses on the trail's enlargement: The trail doubled in thickness at the head. This could be due to the object moving towards the camera or tilting. The report notes that the object might have been evolving within clouds or fog, reducing its luminosity.

The report guarantees the authenticity of the document and the honesty of Christian L., who was a leading figure in the former GREPO. It also notes a similar phenomenon captured on a photograph taken in Japan on October 3, 1971.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the personal and philosophical aspects of ufology, the challenges of conducting rigorous investigations with limited resources, and the detailed analysis of a specific photographic UFO sighting. The editorial stance suggests a mature perspective on ufology, acknowledging its potential for personal growth and understanding the universe, while maintaining a critical approach to unsubstantiated claims and emphasizing the importance of careful, evidence-based research. The publication also highlights its role as a communication platform for members and its affiliation with broader ufological organizations.

This issue of UFO NEWS, presented as documents extracted from the Japanese magazine UFO NEWS and distributed by CBA International, focuses heavily on historical UFO cases and ufological discussions. The cover features two photographs, one from Aomori and one from Sapporo, noted for their resemblance to a 'tower' photograph. The main content is divided into several sections, including a detailed list of UFO cases from the 1950s in the Vaucluse region of France, personal reflections on ufology, and reports on ufological meetings.

UFO Cases from the 1950s in Vaucluse

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to updating and presenting a list of UFO observation cases from the Vaucluse region of France between 1950 and 1959. This updated list, compiled by Jean Pierre Troadec, aims to be more accurate than previous publications and is intended to contribute to a special bulletin by the GREPO. The list includes numerous entries with dates, times, locations, and brief descriptions of the observed phenomena, ranging from landing cases and aerial chases to sightings of luminous balls, cigar-shaped objects, and discs.

Notable cases include:

• Saint Saturnin lès Avignon (1950): An unexplained landing case.
• Orange (July 1951): A contact case involving Pierre Monnet.
• Vaison la Romaine (1953): A blue luminous ball.
• Avignon (1953-1954): Sightings of a brilliant object trailing a queue, a blue-green glowing bolide, and two cigar-shaped objects.
• Monteux (1954): An alleged landing case involving occupants, possibly linked to the Margaillan affair.
• Fontaine de Vaucluse (1954): Ground and aerial observation.
• Carpentras (1954): Cigar-shaped objects and a luminous ball.
• Apt (1954): Cigar-shaped objects and a fireball.
• La Tour d'Aigues (1954): A disc.
• Roussillon (1954): A green craft.
• Le Mont Ventoux (1954): A luminous object followed by an observer.
• Bédarrides (1955): An object seen in the direction of Mont Ventoux.
• Les Yves près de Roussillon (1956-1960): A luminous object.
• Orange (1958): A red luminous ball.
• Avignon Villeneuve lès Avignon (1958): An unspecified sighting.
• Le Thor (1958): An unspecified sighting.

Personal Reflections on Ufology

Georges Murzilli shares his personal journey into ufology, starting from reading science fiction novels. He describes his initial fascination with UFO phenomena and his eventual involvement with the G.R.E.P.O. group. Murzilli contrasts his early idealized image of ufologists with the reality of the people he met, emphasizing the camaraderie and interesting discussions within the group. He highlights the importance of being heard and expressing oneself within the ufological community.

Hypotheses on the UFO Phenomenon

An article titled "QU'EST et QUE REPRESENTE LE PHENOMENE O.V.N.I. ? Hypothèse. (I)" delves into the nature of humanity and the UFO phenomenon. It discusses human characteristics, racial classifications, and the challenges of communication and understanding among people. The article then explores various hypotheses for UFOs, including extraterrestrial origins, parapsychological phenomena, and socio-psychological factors. It suggests that humans possess intelligence, a capacity for thought, and a spiritual element (soul or energy) that can exist independently of the physical body. The author posits that advanced entities, whether terrestrial or extraterrestrial, might possess profound knowledge and abilities, including instantaneous communication and manipulation of matter. The article concludes that the socio-psychological model is likely an effect rather than a cause of the phenomenon.

Report on the CECRU Meeting in Dourdan

The issue includes a detailed report on the 4th European Commission of Research Commissions of Ufology (CECRU) meeting, held in Dourdan, France, on October 14-15. Organized by the Société Parisienne d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux Etranges (S.P.E.P.S.E.), the meeting brought together 17 ufological groups. The report outlines the presentations and discussions, including an introduction by Michel Monnerie, an intervention on the organization of such weekends by Raymond Bonnaventure, and a presentation on the potential of CECRU by David Duquesnoy. The commissions worked on various aspects of UFO research, such as 'DETECTUFO' and 'CONTACTE'. Evening sessions featured presentations on a UFO photograph from the South of France, Thierry Pinvidic's project MAGONIA, and Dominique Caudron's demonstration on how vision can be deceptive in ufology.

Dominique Caudron also presented his UFO simulator, which can recreate various UFO shapes like balls, cigars, and saucers. The report also mentions a cancelled celestial vigil due to bad weather.

The second day of the meeting included presentations from new groups like GNEOVNI and GTRLDLN. Gilles Richard of SPEPSE explained his MARINUFO project, focused on UFO observations at sea. The report concludes by noting the pleasant setting of the VVF in Dourdan and the excellent meals.

Investigations: In Search

A section titled "enquêtes : en quête" by Camille Ferrier presents two recent UFO sighting reports:

• April 27, 1978, Morières-les-Avignon, France: Three witnesses reported a silent phenomenon with four intense red lights moving horizontally, which disappeared slowly to the southeast.
• April 27, 1978, Sérignan, France: Six people, including four adults, observed an object with four lights arranged in a rectangle. It moved to the southeast and disappeared.

Other Notes

The issue also includes a note about the creation of a new ufology group in the Vosges department called the Cercle L.D.L.V. Vosgien, which will participate in the Nord Est Groupes Ufologiques activities. Another new group, the Collectif L.D.L.N. de Psycho-Ufologie, is mentioned for its unique approach to studying UFOs.

A quote from "Camy" is included, reflecting on the 'fabulous vestiges' found in humanity's past.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a serious and investigative approach to ufology, encouraging the collection and sharing of data. There is a clear emphasis on historical case files, particularly from France, and a willingness to explore various hypotheses, including extraterrestrial and psychological explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness and a desire to advance the understanding of the UFO phenomenon through rigorous research and collaboration among ufologists. The inclusion of personal accounts and reports from meetings suggests a community-oriented approach to ufology.

This issue of L'Écho des OVNI, dated April 27, 1978, focuses on UFO phenomena primarily in the Vaucluse region of France. The cover features a map of the area with marked locations and a legend related to UFO sightings, highlighting a specific date of significant activity.

UFO Sightings in Vaucluse and Surroundings

The issue details several UFO sightings that occurred on the evening of April 27, 1978. In the Apt region, around 10:00 PM, a dozen witnesses reported observing an unusual object with four red lights aligned horizontally, which then disappeared to the south. Later, at 10:30 PM, a similar observation of four aligned lights was made in St-Chapte, Gard, with the phenomenon moving towards Bagnols sur Cèze (south-east). Around the same time, a family in Avignon witnessed an object with characteristics similar to previous sightings, moving from north to south-east at low speed and without any audible noise. The report concludes that a mysterious object with four red-orange lights, possibly aligned geometrically, flew over the south of Vaucluse around 10:15 PM. The witnesses were from diverse backgrounds and locations, which the authors suggest rules out collective hallucination. The possibility of military maneuvers is mentioned, though the number of helicopters observed (three) did not fully match the number of lights seen (four), and their flight sector did not entirely correspond to the observation site. The authors express caution and refrain from offering a definitive solution, noting that further elements regarding this day are being analyzed.

Film Review: "L'Invasion des Soucoupes Volantes"

The magazine includes a review of the American film "L'Invasion des Soucoupes Volantes," starring Robert Vaught and Christopher Lee. Described as an entertaining film, it is presented as a romanticized adaptation of real ufological cases, interwoven with an imminent invasion of Earth. The review notes parallels to the Antonio Villa Boas case, the Adamski encounters, and the Betty and Barney Hill abduction. The film's plot involves a peaceful intergalactic confederation being threatened by a faction led by Christopher Lee, who aims to exterminate humanity. The review highlights that 60% of the UFOs depicted in the film resemble the object photographed in Santa Ana, USA, on August 3, 1965, by Rex Helfin. The film is expected to be appreciated by ufologists, though it might go unnoticed by the general public.

Ufology Group Activities and Publications

The issue reports on the activities of the GREPO (Groupement de Recherches et d'Études des Phénomènes Ovni) in Vaucluse. Two recent meetings in Sorgues, held on September 9 and October 28, were productive, with a high participation rate on the latter date. Two main projects emerged: the creation of two special issues of VAUCLUSE-UFOLOGIE, one being a catalog of Vaucluse UFO observations from the last thirty years, and the other a special issue on the Pierre Monnet contact case of 1951. These issues are expected to provide a detailed overview of ufology in the Vaucluse region.

"Lumières Dans La Nuit" (LDLN)

The magazine highlights "Lumières Dans La Nuit" (LDLN), described as more than just a review but an action, founded 20 years prior by Raymond Veillith. LDLN is presented as a well-known and respected monthly magazine in the ufology community, offering high-quality articles, illustrations, photographs, maps, and sketches. It is recommended for anyone wishing to stay informed about French and international ufological news. The article lists various activities within the LDLN group, including investigations (RESUFO), a UFO photographer network (RESUFO), an UFO documentation archive (FIDUFO), and research archives (GTR). LDLN also published a book titled "MYSTERIEUSES SOUCOUPES VOLANTES," with contributions from Aimé Michel and Jacques Vallée, and a presentation by François Lagarde.

Contact Information for Ufology Groups

Detailed contact information is provided for several ufology groups and their respective activities: enquêtes (Fernand Lagarde), RESUFO (Michel Monnerie, P. Guendelot), FIDUFO (J. C. Vauzelle), and GTR (Paul Tougeron). Subscribers are encouraged to include a stamped envelope for replies.

Subscription Information for LDLN

Information is provided for subscribing to the LDLN magazine, which is 36 pages long and includes photos and drawings. The annual subscription costs 53 French Francs for 10 issues (with a combined June-July and August-September issue). Payments should be sent to Monsieur Raymond Veillith.

New Ufology Group Addresses

Updated addresses are given for two ufology groups: F.U.V. (Front Ufologie Nouvelle, formerly G.R.E.U.) in YVRY, and A.L.R.U. (Groupement Langeadois de Recherches Ufologiques) in LE PUY.

Looking Ahead and Notable Quotes

The editorial team expresses hope to see readers again in the next issue, scheduled for January 1979, and wishes them happy holidays. The issue concludes with two notable quotes: one from Rear Admiral Delamar Fahrney, stating, "Intelligent non-identified flying objects are penetrating our atmosphere at very high speed. We must solve this mystery as quickly as possible," and another from Soviet scientist Dr. Mitrovan Zverev, "An unknown thing is visiting this earth."

Book Reviews

"La Mémoire des OVNI" by Jean Bastide

This book is described as a comprehensive review of UFO encounters worldwide, tracing back to ancient observations. The author presents evidence that the phenomenon has been visiting Earth for a long time, suggesting connections between ancient myths and UFOs. The work is praised as an honest effort by a solitary researcher.

"Ils Ont Rencontré des Extraterrestres" by René Pacaut

René Pacaut, a journalist for the newspaper NOSTRA, investigated UFO phenomena for several years. This book compiles many of his articles. While it offers a relatively complete overview for those new to ufology, the title is considered somewhat sensational. The author focuses on classic UFO observations such as landings without humanoids and low-altitude flyovers, with the "Masse" case being a notable exception. The review mentions interesting passages on hoaxes and antigravitation. However, it criticizes the book's incomplete list of UFO research groups, noting several inaccuracies and omissions, and stating that the number of French groups mentioned is significantly lower than the actual number.

"Ces Mystérieux OVNI" by Antonio Ribera

This imposing work by a well-known author provides a panoramic view of ufology on a global scale. It covers the French UFO wave of 1954, the Adamski and Antonio Villas Boas cases, and major mysteries of antiquity. The review acknowledges that Ribera's books have faced criticism, with some judgments perhaps being too hasty. However, it states that the book genuinely explores various facets of ufology, even if it contains some minor errors. It is recommended for those beginning their study of ufology.

Exclusive Report: First Ground UFO Photo?

The magazine presents an "exclusive" photo of a saucer-shaped object taken just above the ground. This photograph was transmitted by the Belgian group BUFCI, publishers of a review of the same name. The object was photographed inside a car on the right front side, moving at 60-90 km/h, with the car's window open. The photo was taken in September 1972, during the first fortnight, around 1:00 PM, between Quillan and Carcassonne. The magazine requests any reader who can provide information about this photograph to share their remarks.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around recent UFO sightings, particularly those in the Vaucluse region, and the analysis of such phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of objective and rational investigation, as evidenced by the critical reviews of books and the detailed listing of research groups. The magazine actively promotes ufological literature and encourages reader participation in research and information sharing. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, seeking to understand the UFO phenomenon through documented evidence and reasoned analysis, while also acknowledging the broader cultural impact of UFOs as seen in film and literature.