Veronica - No 11 - 1979

Magazine Overview

This issue of Véro.Info, published by VERONICA, is a bulletin dedicated to UFO (OVNI) investigations and reports. The cover features the title "Véro.Info" and "BULLETIN" prominently, along with the "VERONICA" emblem which includes "GROUPEMENT D'ENQUETES SUR LES OVNI" and details of their address in Nimes. The issue number is N° 11, and the price is 7.50.

Editorial and Organizational Information

The second page provides details about VERONICA, identifying it as an association for the verification and study of UFO reports for Nimes and its surroundings, registered under the law of 1901. It also mentions the "Comité Européen de Coordination de la Recherche Ufologique." The publication states that published documents are under the responsibility of their authors and do not necessarily reflect VERONICA's stance. Copyright for articles, photos, and drawings is protected by the 1957 law.

VERONICA encourages readers to subscribe to the review "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" and to read books by Jean Claude BOURRET, an honorary member. The bureau members are listed, including President A. MARTINEZ, Vice President G. JARRETIE, Treasurer G. SOULIER, and others, with their phone numbers. Honorary members include Jean Claude BOURRET (journalist at T.F.1) and Jean LECLAIRE (journalist at Dauphiné Libéré).

The bulletin is free for members, and exchange of reviews is sought with other UFO groups. Subscription details are provided: 15 French francs per year for a minimum of one issue and a maximum of three, or 25 francs for a supporting subscription. The periodicity is one issue per semester. Payment should be made to VERONICA, 1, rue Vauban, C.C.P. 1994 08 U Montpellier. The publication date is indicated as 1994 for the payment details, but the content refers to older events.

The Director of Publication is Jean VILLEVIEILLE, the Editor-in-Chief is André MARTINEZ, and the Editorial Committee includes Mayline MAIMI, Gérard JARRETIE, and A. MARTINEZ.

Editorial by A. Martinez

The editorial reflects on the six years of VERONICA's existence, noting periods of "highs" (successful events, structuring the organization) and "lows" (lack of new reports, member apathy). The editor acknowledges that some members may be losing interest but stresses the importance of perseverance and continued effort to maintain the group's momentum. He mentions that even if local activity seems low, there are likely ongoing investigations. The editorial also alludes to a close encounter case in Nimes in July 1979, stating that the bureau and administration have decided against immediate public disclosure to maintain credibility. The editorial concludes by encouraging members to stay motivated and confident in VERONICA's work, hinting that many dossiers are in preparation for future issues.

News Clippings and Reports

Prodigies of Fatima Renewed in Umbria

A report from Rome dated February 8th, describes a phenomenon in Citta di Castello, Umbria, where 24 cloistered nuns reportedly witnessed the sun transform into a rapidly rotating, iridescent disk on December 13th. This event is compared to the 1917 Fatima apparitions and a similar solar phenomenon observed by Pope Pius XII in 1952.

Flying Saucers Become "U.F.O." in England

An article from London, February 8th, states that the British administration has banned the term "Flying Saucer" and replaced it with "U.F.O." (Unidentified Flying Object). Studies indicate that while Flying Saucers are UFOs, not all UFOs are Flying Saucers. It's noted that 95% of reported Flying Saucers were later identified as weather balloons or optical illusions, with the remaining 5% being provisional UFOs.

Important Announcement

This first issue of VERO-INFO is offered free to give readers a sense of the new presentation and renewed spirit of VERONICA. Readers are asked to indicate if they wish to subscribe for 15 francs per year (minimum 1, maximum 3 issues). They are also reminded to return the VERO-UFO catalogue (sold for 26 francs, postage included) if they received it, or to request it if they haven't. Maintaining group membership is encouraged, with active member fees at 60 francs/year and non-active (financial) member fees at 100 francs/year.

Case Reports

Disneyland Sighting (September 1971 or 1972)

Witnesses Mr. QUERA Henri and Mr. and Mrs. P. GILBERT observed an object over Disneyland while waiting for fireworks. They described bright hublights, a possible rotation, and a silent, fast-moving object at an estimated altitude of 500m. The shape was indistinguishable.

Marseille Highway Sighting (March 15, 1977)

Mr. R.F. observed a luminous, elongated, light blue object resembling a gas burner flame on the North Marseille highway. The object, estimated at 5mm in length, lasted for 4-5 seconds before disappearing in a spiral. The investigation notes the proximity to a military firing range, leaving the origin uncertain.

Marseille Sighting (April 18, 1977)

Mr. ROBIN PIERRE reported seeing a violent red glow in the sky over Marseille while watching television.

Vauvert (Gard) Sighting (April 15, 1978)

Mr. Bruno MARTINEZ observed five lights arranged horizontally outside his home, which transformed from red to yellow to bright pink. The object descended rapidly, bounced like a ricochet, and disappeared behind a hospital. The witness experienced unusual heat and sweating afterward. The object's size was estimated as a 1/2 franc coin held at arm's length.

Isle sur Sorgues Sighting (April 1964)

Mr. DUBOURGUET reported seeing large, mat yellow hublights on the road between Salon de Provence and Isle sur Sorgues. The object, described as a "flying saucer" about 20-30 meters in diameter, moved slowly and silently at an altitude of about 100 meters. It had a red prominence underneath and a white-violet ring around it. The object's metallic grey color was visible when illuminated by the moon.

Le Pin (Gard) Sighting (February 1975)

Mr. Joseph PALISSE, his wife, and their three sons observed two orange-yellow lights near Le Pin that merged into a single, large orange sphere (15-20m in diameter). The object hovered stationary, emitting a powerful yellow beam that scanned the landscape. The family felt uneasy and drove away. The phenomenon lasted about 7-8 minutes. The investigation included retracing the route and interviewing family members.

Jacques Bley: "The Man Adopted by Extra-Terrestrials?"

This section presents a counter-investigation into the story of Jacques Bley (also known as Jacques BORDAS), who managed a hotel in Casteils, a small Pyrenean village, after fleeing Spain. The investigation, conducted by J. BAZERIES, G. VANQUELEF, and J.P ATZERIAS, sought to verify Bley's claims. Mr. NOU, the mayor of Casteils at the time, provided Bley's civil status record and shared his recollections. Bley, born in Barcelona in 1911, arrived in Casteils in 1940. He was considered eccentric and suspected of smuggling due to his proximity to the Spanish border. He was also a painter. The investigation notes that Mr. NOU did not recall meeting anyone accompanying Bley and suggests Bley might have invented the story. Bley's hotel business failed due to a "scandal" (affaire de moeurs), leading him to move to Andorra, where his furniture business also failed. He is believed to have returned to Barcelona. The article questions the source of a supposed "sachet" of gold dust. The investigation also probes why Mr. RIBERA published an article without proper inquiry in Casteils. The authors express their gratitude to Mr. NOU, journalists Francis BRUNO and Maurice VINCENT, and officials from the Pyrénées-Orientales prefecture.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, investigations, and the challenges of ufological research. VERONICA emphasizes its commitment to objective investigation, seeking truth without bias, and maintaining credibility by carefully vetting information before public release. The editorial highlights the importance of member engagement and perseverance in the face of potential apathy. The magazine also touches upon historical UFO events and the administrative classification of UFO phenomena. The overall stance is one of dedicated, albeit sometimes difficult, pursuit of understanding unexplained aerial phenomena.

This issue of "Temoignages de Monsieur Lanes" focuses on a collection of witness accounts detailing various unexplained aerial phenomena and potential UFO sightings. The magazine presents detailed testimonies, often accompanied by investigative notes and diagrams, aiming to document and analyze these events.

Monsieur Lanes' Observations

The issue prominently features the experiences of Monsieur Lanes, who reported three distinct aerial phenomena on separate occasions: in October 1959, December 1967 (transitioning into January 1968), and October 1978.

October 1959 Observation

In October 1959, while driving with his brother near the Garons airbase, Monsieur Lanes observed a large green luminous object appearing suddenly from the east. The object, described as a "great green glow," illuminated the surroundings like daylight and moved horizontally at a high speed before disappearing. Lanes dismissed the possibility of a meteorite due to its trajectory and the localized illumination. He also ruled out military aircraft maneuvers, suggesting the area was not suitable for such activities.

December 1967 Observation

On the night of December 31, 1967, or January 1, 1968, near Garons, Lanes witnessed a large orange object, compared to a "football," exhibiting erratic movements. It rapidly changed direction, grew larger, descended, and ascended, appearing to "play" in the sky. He initially thought it might be a helicopter or plane but dismissed this due to its disorganized and rapid movements. The object eventually moved towards Avignon or Arles before disappearing.

October 1978 Observation

In October 1978, while in his garden, Lanes saw a large, scintillating star-like object that changed color. He then noticed a smaller, scintillating light emerge from the horizon near Saintes Maries de la Mer and join the larger object. The smaller light circled the larger one before merging with it. After a few seconds, the combined object reappeared, detached, and moved towards the sea. Lanes speculated it might have been a military light launched by cable, as he had seen a similar phenomenon before.

Other Witness Testimonies

The magazine also includes several other accounts:

Mme Bouniol's Experience (June 1967)

Mme Bouniol of Blauzac reported an incident around 11 PM in June 1967. While talking on the phone, her dog began to growl, and she saw a strange white-yellow luminous ball, the size of a football, near the dog. The ball silently approached the dog, then moved towards Mme Bouniol, paralyzing her. She described the phenomenon as moving through the room and then disappearing abruptly. The shock caused her to collapse, and she was unconscious for some time. Her dog died three days later. Ten years later, her husband also reported seeing a red-orange luminous ball-shaped UFO near their home.

Mr. Follenfant and Dr. Bécuse's Observation (June 1966)

In June 1966, Mr. Follenfant, an engineer, and Dr. Bécuse were driving near Montaren when they observed a dazzling, warm-red light, larger than the moon, that was stationary in the sky. They stopped to observe it for about 15 minutes. The phenomenon then moved rapidly westward and ascended. Dr. Bécuse reportedly confided his observation to the gendarmerie, and no negative effects were noted.

Nîmes Students' Sighting (January 1979)

Six students from CES Condorcet in Nîmes observed a grey metallic discoidal object on January 23, 1979. The object moved horizontally across the sky for about thirty seconds, resembling "two plates stuck together." It appeared to roll on itself, fall, right itself, and fall again. The object's dimensions were estimated to be significant, suggesting a craft about twenty-five meters in diameter observed from a kilometer away.

Anonymous Doctor's Sighting (January 1976)

A doctor, identified as Monsieur X..., reported an observation on January 13, 1976, near M.... He saw a white luminous object above a hill, initially mistaking it for a new lamppost. As he drove through a wooded area, he noticed a "helmet-shaped" object following him at about 80 meters altitude. The object adapted its speed to his car's. He turned off his headlights, and the object continued to follow at a slow pace. Fearing an extraterrestrial origin, he sped up and drove to his home. The object continued to follow, changing shape and trajectory, before disappearing. He reported the incident to his commanding officer.

Mr. Culte and Mme Bertena's Experience (August 1960)

Claude Culte and his mother, Mme Bertena, reported an incident near Nice in August 1960. Claude was collecting frogs when he felt a presence and saw a round black plate above him. The plate turned violet and emitted a fluorescent light. Simultaneously, his body hair (eyelashes, eyebrows, hair) caught fire, causing him to panic and flee home. His mother saw the violet and orange object moving away at high speed. The frogs in his vivarium were found dead and desiccated the next day. Claude described the sensation as a "crackling and burning."

Cayrier Family Sighting (July-August 1976)

The Cayrier family, while on their terrace late at night in Bezu, observed several luminous balls, described as the color of surrounding stars. These objects descended and disappeared after a few seconds. Only Mme Cayrier clearly saw the phenomenon, and its origin (ground or sky) could not be determined.

Mme Desbats' Observation (February 1977)

Mme Desbats and her son observed three identical drawings forming in the sky near St Quentin la Poterie. These drawings, described as semi-circles with a bright silver point, appeared successively and then reappeared further away. The phenomenon occupied about 20 degrees of the sky and lasted for several seconds.

Historical Sightings (1954)

The issue also includes brief mentions of older sightings:

• January 1954 (Dieppe area): Semaphore stations reported a phenomenon, with witnesses in Mailleraye and Serqueux seeing a light from Dieppe. A fishing boat arrived in Dieppe covered in small fragments, possibly from a meteorite.
• April 1, 1954 (Orchies): A railway employee saw a "fire disk" moving horizontally at high speed, leaving a luminous trail.
• April 1, 1954 & April 28, 1954 (Bavaria): A "Flying Object" was reported over the Landstuhl airbase. A green and white ball crossed the sky over Karachi at terrifying speed.
• May 14, 1954 (Stockholm): Witnesses saw a "brilliant ball trailing a tail like a comet," followed by a "glider-like" object emitting a blinding light.

Investigator Notes and Analysis

Investigators like Mr. Jarretie G. and Mr. Charles Gouiran of Groupe Veronica, along with Mr. Provencal and Pierre Belmare, documented these cases. They often noted the witnesses' credibility, the lack of conventional explanations (e.g., aircraft, meteorological phenomena), and the absence of negative consequences in many instances. The reports emphasize the silent nature of the objects and their unusual flight characteristics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the consistent reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena, the detailed nature of witness testimonies, and the investigative efforts to document and understand these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO sightings, presenting the evidence and witness accounts without immediate dismissal, and encouraging further research and reporting from the public. The emphasis is on credible witnesses and detailed descriptions of the observed phenomena.

Title: LES SOIREES DE VEILLES ET LEUR UTILITE

Date: November 1979 (inferred from content)

Publisher: N/A

Country: France

Language: French

Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of 'Les Soirées de Veilles et Leur Utilité' (Sky Watch Evenings and Their Usefulness) focuses on UFO (OVNI) sightings and the activities of the VERONICA organization. It details several witness accounts and investigative efforts, highlighting the challenges and occasional successes in gathering information on unexplained aerial phenomena.

Sky Watch Evenings and Their Utility

The lead article discusses the 'sky watch evenings' organized by VERONICA, involving stations like DIAMANT and VERONICA itself, spread across the department and sometimes beyond. The author, A. Martinez, notes that despite diligent efforts, not much of significant interest was recorded during these evenings. Typically, only a red or yellow point of light was observed, appearing fixed and then mobile, but disappearing without further positive identification. Martinez expresses a sense of frustration with the lack of substantial findings but maintains hope for future discoveries.

However, the article highlights a significant event that occurred on the night of November 17, 1979. While on duty, Martinez's group made radio contact with an automobilist driving on the highway near Orange, heading towards Belgium. The automobilist, upon learning they were monitoring for UFOs, expressed excitement, revealing that he and his wife had recently witnessed an extraordinary phenomenon, possibly related to the 'caravanette diverted' affair in Valencia, Spain. The witness recounted his experience in Spanish, which was recorded by Henri Asencio using a tape recorder. The detailed account, given with emotion, convinced the investigators that they were dealing with a genuine witness. The conversation lasted until 2:30 AM. The witness provided his radio call sign and postal address in Spain.

Subsequently, Martinez learned from Ch. Gouiran that J.C. Bourret, a journalist, was planning an investigation into a UFO case. Martinez offered Bourret the magnetic tape of the witness's testimony, which Bourret accepted with enthusiasm. An article by J.C. Bourret later appeared in a special issue of 'Le Figaro' on December 8, 1979, mentioning VERONICA and featuring a photographic report of a UFO seen over the Canary Islands.

The article concludes with a moral: even with limited results from sky watch evenings, one should not despair, as valuable information or a close-range UFO observation may be obtained in the future.

Witness Testimony: Maraspel, July 13, 1978

This section details a sighting that occurred on July 13, 1978, at 1:30 AM in Maraspel, a commune in Saint-Laurent-d'Aigouse (Gard). The witness, who wished to remain anonymous, was in his isolated house amidst vineyards. While getting a glass of water, he noticed an object in the clear, starry sky to the southwest. The object was described as round, like a large moon, red in color, and intensely luminous. Initially, he thought it was the moon, despite it being low on the horizon and having already set. After returning to the window, he noticed the object had disappeared. The observation lasted only 10 seconds. The meteorological conditions were good: no wind, a temperature of 15°C, and no clouds. The witness stated that confusion with the moon was impossible as it had set over an hour prior.

Report from Dijon Pilots

An article from the Dijon newspaper 'Le Bien Public' reports curious observations made by pilots from the Dijon air base, flying Mirage 3 aircraft. These pilots remained anonymous, but their testimonies were authorized by the tactical air forces command. A particularly detailed account comes from a captain and instructor who, on Saturday, December 8, 1979, at 9:45 AM, observed a strange object from his home in the suburbs of Dijon. The object was approximately 250 meters away, about 7 meters long, and hovered vertically without noise or light. One side had a metallic sheen, while the other was dark blue. Its general shape was described as a flattened, narrow triangle. The captain's wife also witnessed the object, confirming its appearance and noting it hovered for at least two minutes before disappearing at very high speed, maintaining an unstable balance.

Further investigation by the air gendarmerie revealed that two gendarmes in Dijon had also recently seen a strange craft above the city, with a dark blue side, similar to the one described by the pilot. Additionally, two other Mirage 3 pilots, flying at high altitude during a night mission the previous week, reported seeing a large rectangle with a central axis featuring alternating luminous points. They referred to it as a 'flying sugar cube' but could not provide further explanation.

Witness Testimony: Clermont l'Herault, November 26, 1979

This report, investigated by A. Martinez, concerns a sighting by Mme Ruiz and her 10-year-old daughter on November 26, 1979, at 7:55 PM in Clermont l'Herault. Martinez, who is related to Mme Ruiz, vouches for her credibility, stating she was highly agitated after the event. Mme Ruiz described an unbearable luminous object, the size of the moon, accompanied by a whistling sound as it moved at high speed. She reported seeing the object disappear among the stars, avoiding them with an erratic trajectory, and noted bizarre, parallel, and rounded white trails in the sky. She initially thought these trails might be from a jet aircraft, but later questioned this possibility.

Her daughter also witnessed the event and was frightened. The object was described as a large, golden-white ball, emitting an almost blinding light. It passed directly overhead, causing them to cry out and run for cover. The object disappeared behind a hill, leaving a white trail like a furrow. Upon returning inside, Mme Ruiz noticed her digital alarm clock was flashing, indicating an incorrect time, which had never happened before, even during power outages. She also noted that the object, when viewed later from a distance, appeared as small as a tennis ball moving at high speed towards the stars.

A diagram illustrates the trajectory of the object, showing it passing over the house and garden, with the moon obscured by a neighbor's roof.

Witness Testimony: Perpignan, February 16, 1978

This report details a declaration made by Mr. Roland Raynal on February 26, 1978, concerning a sighting on February 16, 1978, at 6:40 AM. Raynal, a delivery driver who travels the Perpignan-Bourg Madame route daily, hesitated to report the incident due to fear of ridicule. He observed a brilliant orange sphere hovering stationary above a valley, aligned with the horizon. After about a minute, the object moved at high speed towards the northeast, between Saut and Pontpedrouse, ascending and avoiding the mountains without noise. It disappeared in seconds, leaving a luminous trail resembling that of fireworks, not jet aircraft. Raynal noted that as the sphere passed overhead, he observed a second object, about thirty meters to its right, of an oval shape and dark matte color. This second object did not change its appearance during the observation. The sky was clear and starry, with no clouds. Raynal confirmed that his vehicle's diesel engine continued to run at idle and that there was no drop in electrical voltage. He felt he was in a perfectly normal state during the sighting.

The gendarmerie contacted local mayors to encourage other potential witnesses to come forward, but none did. Investigations into electrical supply anomalies and the local environment (fauna and flora) yielded no results. Mr. Raynal is described as a balanced individual.

VERONICA Organization Information

The final pages provide information about the VERONICA group, identifying it as a non-profit association under the 1901 law. Its objectives are:

• To collect information.
• To popularize knowledge of the UFO phenomenon.
• To research and improve UFO investigation techniques and equipment.

VERONICA also serves as the regional delegation for the Gard department, under the title "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" (Lights in the Night).

Additionally, the magazine includes schedules for VERONICA's general meetings and sky watch evenings, listing dates for monthly meetings and Saturday night sky surveillance sessions throughout 1979. The responsible person for the sky watch evenings is identified as Mr. Robert Lascols.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, witness testimonies, and the investigative efforts of organizations like VERONICA. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, acknowledging the difficulties in obtaining concrete evidence but maintaining a persistent hope for future discoveries. The publication aims to document sightings, share investigative findings, and promote knowledge about UAPs, while also providing practical information about the organization's activities and schedules.