France 1954Home 

Cette page en françaisCliquez!

The 1954 French flap:

The index page for the 1954 French flap section of this website is here.

◀ Previous  All  Next ▶

October 20, 1954, Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, Somme:

Reference for this case: 20-oct-54-Saint-Valery.
Please cite this reference in any correspondence with me regarding this case.

Summary:

The regional newspaper Centre-Matin, of Montluçon, for October 22, 1954, reported various testimonies of October 20, 1954, from various places of France.

It was stated that "last night", "a craft violently lit, and posed in a field to the left of the road of Saint-Valery-en-Caux, let escape luminous discs that were quickly taking height to reach again their starting point."

The newspaper article is not very clear, but it seemed to indicate that there were several witnesses, including a Miss Michelle Vitkosusky, notary clerk, and that the unidentified apparatuses maneuvered for two hours.

It was added to that, "A flying cigar executed the same carousel", and that "two other craft seen not far from the cliff of Mers-les-Bains, seemed to comunicate by signals with the first group, and that the gendarmes who carried out an investigation on the spot, did not find any trace of this mysterious carousel."

Other newspapers reported about it in a briefer manner.

In the 1960s, Jacques Vallée published a summary he said was based on Paris-Presse for October 22, 1954, indicating that on October 20, 1954, at "Saint-Valéry", several unknown objects maneuvered for 2 hours near this village; one of them was very bright and landed in a pasture, and two others were seen near the cliff at Mers, apparently communicating by luminous signals with "another group".

Then in the 1970s, a computer listing by Claude Poher indicated that in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, on October 18, 1954, at 08::40 p.m., there had been three officials witnesses, for one object, and that an official invesitgation had been conducted.

Reports:

[Ref. nnm1:] NEWSPAPER "LE NOUVEAU NORD MARITIME":

Scan.

They know the song

The "flying saucers"
come
see Normandy again

Paris, 21. -- During the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, the flying saucers appeared mainly over Normandy. According to various people, several unidentified craft evolved over two hours. From a violently lit machine, and posed in a field, to the left of the road to Saint-Valery-en-Caux, escaped from the luminous discs which quickly took height, to regain, then, their starting place. A flying cigar performed the same ride. Two other craft seen near the cliff of Mers-les-Bains seemed to communicate by signals with the first group. It should be added that the gendarmes who carried out an investigation on the spot did not find any trace of this mysterious carousel.

A somewhat similar phenomenon was reportedly observed above Vic-Bigorre by a group of ten students who were training on a sports ground. They reportedly saw four discs in formation which seemed to spin on themselves at high speed.

Several testimonies were collected in Alsace. One of the witnesses, Lucien Flesch saw near Issenheim, a spherical machine about 6 meters in diameter which was stationed at one meter from the ground. Frightened, Mr. Flesch walked away and returned to his work place.

A resident of Soultzmatt, Mrs. Fleck, said that yesterday she observed an elongated machine moving at very high speed.

Another testimony comes from the Nièvre, the Lormes-Nevers bus was heading towards this last town when, near Saxi-Bourdon, the driver stopped and exclaimed: "A saucer". All the passengers came out and distinguished, if they were to be believed, a disc shining like aluminum, at 700 or 800 meters of altitude.

The last testimony is that of a postman of the Saint-Pierre la Cour station, who saw in the sky a disc spreading bright orange-colored rays.

Flying saucers
4 C.V. format
in the Oran area

Oran, 21. -- Yesterday morning, around 3 a.m., Mr. Gaston Blanquère residing in Oran, was returning with passengers in his car. Shortly after the village of Jean Mermoz, the attention of the motorists was attracted by a bright gleam coming from the south and rapidly growing. A luminous disc crossed the road above them, descended a few hundred meters further and appeared to make contact with the ground. The craft was the size of a small automobile. It consisted of an upper dome from which a yellow glow came out. The lower part of the disc let out a bluish luminous spray. Kinds of very powerful headlights swept the plain.

Ten minutes later the light dimmed and the craft, gaining height, moved away quickly and silently.

Sig's police superintendent saw these statements confirmed by a fellah from a nearby douar during his investigation.

[Ref. ppe1:] NEWSPAPER "PARIS-PRESSE":

Scan.

The latest flying saucer trend is in the shape of a 4 CV.

The most disturbing thing about the mystery of the flying saucers is that they show themselves to the eyes of people that higher primary education and the gravity of their functions protect from vulgar superstitions and the dreams of old women.

How to doubt the word of Mr. Jean Gambier, sworn police officer in Hesdin (Pas-de-Calais) and Mrs. Michèle Vitkosusky, notary clerk in Normandy! Mr. Jean Gambier going to his service saw, above the forest an elongated apparatus whose upper part was bright red. The center of a bright white and whose lower part left behind a trail of stars. The craft quickly took to the vertical and disappeared at a dizzying pace.

Other observers have seen the saucer of Mrs the notary clerk. It was near Saint-Valery-en-Caux. Several unidentified objects - saucers, dammit! - have maneuvered for two hours. One of them, violently lit, landed in a field. Two others, seen not far from the cliff of Mers-les-Bains, seemed to correspond with the first group. Alas when the gendarmes arrived, to fine them, gosh! The saucers were gone: they must not have been in good legal standing.

The Lormes-Nevers coach driver and his passengers, also saw a saucer. Mr. Lucien Fiesch, from Issenheim in Alsace, also, who seized with fear is still running. And also Mr. Pierre Ackermann, from Guebwiller. And again Miss Fleck, from Soulzmatt (Bas-Rhin). Without forgetting the Pyreneans of Vic-Bigorre, the postman of Saint-Pierre-la-Cour station, Mr. Roumy, Houard and Fressard, at Cheverron [sic]; and the students of the Saint-Cyr Institute, in Clevers.

Flying pumpkin

The most extraordinary case was noted by an Algerian motorist, Mr. Gaston Blanquère who, near the village of Jean-Mermoz saw a saucer in the shape of a 4 CV Renault. It consisted of an upper dome from which a yellow glow came out, let out a bluish luminous spray at its lower part and finally swept the plain of very powerful headlights.

Impossible to confuse this saucer with the humble pumpkin emptied and lit by a candle that the villagers of Momy (Basses-Pyrénées) chased yesterday armed with pitchforks, picks and rifles.

[Ref. nll1:] NEWSPAPER "NORD LITTORAL":

Scan.

THE FLYING SAUCERS
in Normandy and Alsace

Paris, Oct. 21

The flying saucers mainly appeared last night, over Normandy. To believe several people including Mademoiselle Michèle Vitkosuski, notary's clerk, several unidentified vehicles moved for over two hours. From a violently lit machine, and posed in a field, to the left of the road to Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, luminous discs escaped which quickly took height, to then return to their starting spot. A flying cigar performed the same ride. Other machines seen not far from the cliff of Mers-les-Bains seemed to correspond by signals with the first group. It should be added that the gendarmes who carried out an investigation on the spot did not find any trace of this mysterious carousel.

A somewhat similar phenomenon was reportedly observed above Vic Bigorre, by a group of ten students who were training on a sports ground. They reportedly saw four discs in formation which seemed to spin on themselves at high speed.

Several testimonies were collected in Alsace. One of the witnesses, Lucien Fiesch, saw near Issenheim, a spherical craft about six meters in diameter which was hovering one meter above the ground. Frightened, Mr. Fiesch went and returned to his workplace.

In Guebwiller, Mr. Pierre Ackermann said he had seen in the sky, a brilliant disc which moved silently at about four hundred meters of altitude. Two middle school students confirmed this statement.

A resident of Soultzmatt, Miss Fleck, said that she had observed this afternoon, an elongated machine which was moving at great speed speed.

Another testimony comes from the Nièvre. The Lormes-Nevers bus was on its way to the latter town when, near Saxi-Bourbon, the driver stopped and shouted: "A saucer!". All the passengers alighted and distinguished, if they were to be believed, a disc shining like aluminum, at an altitude of seven or eight hundred meters.

The last testimony is that of a postman from Saint-Pierre-la-Cour station, who saw in the sky a disc spreading orange luminous beams.

[Ref. cmn1:] "CENTRE MATIN" NEWSPAPER:

A flying saucer of car size land in Oran

THE FLYING SAUCERS APPEARED LAST NIGHT MAINLY ABOVE NORMANDY. IF WE ARE TO BELIEVE SEVRAL PEOPLE, AMONG THEN MISS MICHELLE VITKOSUSKY, CLERK OF NOTARY, SEVERAL UNIDENTIFIED MACHINES HAVE EVOLVED DURING TWO HOURS. OF A MACHINE VIOLENTLY ENLIGHTENED, AND POSED IN A FIELD, AT THE LEFT OF THE ROAD OF SAINT-VALERY-EN-CAUX, ESCAPED LUMINOUS DISCS WHICH TOOK ALTITUDE QUICKLY, TO THEN REGAIN THEIR INITIAL LOCATION.

A flying cigar carried out the same things. Two other machines seen not far from the cliff of Mers-les-Bains, seemed to communicate by signals with the first group. It should be added that the gendarmes who carried out an investigation on the spot did not find any trace of this mysterious carrousel.

A phenomenon a bit similar is said to have been observed above Vic-Bigorre, by a group of ten students who were training on a sports ground. They are said to have seen four discs in formation which seemed to rotate at high speed.

Several testimonys were gathered in Alsace. One of the witnesses, Lucien Fiesch [Fisch] saw close to Issenheim a spherical machine of approximately 6 meters in diameter which stationed within one meter of the ground. Frightened, Mr. Fiesch [Fisch] went away and regained his workplace.

In Guebwiller, Mr. Pierre Ackerman stated to have seen in the sky a brilliant disc which moved silently at approximately 400 meters of altitude. Two schoolboys confirmed this statement.

A resident [female] of Soultzmatt, stated to have observed a machine of elongated form which moved at very high speed.

Another testimony comes from the Nievre. The Lormes-Nevers bus moved towards this latter city, when, near Saxi-Bourdon, the driver stopped and exclaimed: "a saucer", all the passengers went down and distinguished, if they must be believed, a disc shining like aluminum, at 70 or 80 meters of altitude.

The last testimony is that of a factor of the Saint-Pierre-la-Cour station, who saw a disc in the sky, spreading luminous orange rays.

* * *

Wednesday morning, around 3 hours, Mr. Gaston Blanquère, resident in Oran, was returning with passengers on board his car. A little after the village of Jean-Mermoz, the attention of the motorists was attracted by a sharp gleam coming from the south and which grew bigger quickly.

A luminous disc crossed the road above them, descended a few hundreds meters further and appeared to contact the ground.

The machine had the size of a small car. It was composed of a higher cupola from which came out a yellow gleam. The lower part of the disc let escape a bluish luminous sheaf. Kinds of very powerful headlights swept the plain.

Ten minutes later, the luminosity dimmed and the machine, taking height, moved away quickly and without noise.

The police chief of the Sig, during his investigation, had these statements confirmed by a fellah of a nearby douar.

[Ref. jve5:] JACQUES VALLEE:

379 20 10 1954 ST VALERY -MERS SOM F 121 G

[Ref. jve1:] JACQUES VALLEE:

Scan.

293) October 20, 1954, Saint-Valéry (France):

Several unknown objects maneuvered for 2 hours near this village. One of them was very brilliant and landed in a pasture. Two others were seen near the cliff in Mers, and seemed to be in communication by means of light signals with objects in another group. (P 75)

[Ref. jve3:] JACQUES VALLEE:

October 20, 1954. Saint-Valéry (France):

Several unknown objects maneuvered for 2 hours near this village. One of them was very brilliant and landed in a pasture. Two others were seen near the cliff in Mers, and seemed to be in communication by means of light signals with objects in another group. (Paris-Presse, Oct. 22, 1954).

[Ref. gal1:] CHARLES GARREAU AND RAYMOND LAVIER:

The two authors, journalists and ufologists, quote the summary by Vallée and comment that the information is sparse.

[Ref. prn1:] PETER ROGERSON - "INTCAT":

470 20 October 1954 Early morning

ST VALERY EN CAUX (FRANCE) Several unknown objects maneuvered for 2hrs near this village. One was very brilliant & landed in a pasture. Two others were seen near a cliff in Mere and seemed to be in communication by light signals with objects in another group. Among the witnesses was Michele Vitkosusky. (M293; Paris-Press, 22 Oct 54; Carrouges S, 315)

[Ref. cpr1:] CLAUDE POHER:

In 1968-1969, before the official GEPAN ufology effort started, its future head Dr Claude Poher was a member of the unofficial GEPA ufology group, and gathered a computer coded listing of more than 700 UFO reports on which multiple factors statistical computation could be run. In the file were a number of 1954 French UFO reports, among those this one.

For readability, a decoded interpretation of the data is provided here under the original 80 character encoded string. Decoding was done according to the original indications, the code number and its generic meaning is given. Please not that the generic meaning of each code is a predefined category, not the real specific details of the case. For example, if the main witness' age was 33, the coding would result in a number "3" which corresponds to a category "Adult from 21 to 59 years."

Original code:0635551810195420401JA3000010000010ZZZZ002000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Location:St Valery sur Somme - France
Case number:0635
Source code:55
Nature of the source:Reports from official French sources: Police, Gendarmerie, Army, Pilots
Day:18
Month:10
Year:1954
Hours:20
Minutes:40
Type of Time:1 = local time
Number of witnesses:3 = 3
Main witness named:0 = name is not indicated
Main witness age:0 = no indication
Main witness occupation:0 = no indication
Official investigation:1 = an official investigation was made
Weather:0 = no indication
Duration:0 = no indication
Minimal distance witness - phenomenon:0 = no indication
Method of observation:0 = no indication
Number of "objects" observed simultaneously:01 = 1
Shape of the "object" (terminology of witness(es)):0 = no indication
Dimensions of the phenomenon:ZZZZ = no indication
Color of the observed phenomenon:00 = no indication
Luminosity of the phenomenon:2 = luminous, fluorescent
Lights or projectors on the phenomenon:0 = no indication
Moving speed of the phenomenon:0 = no indication
Acceleration of the phenomenon:0 = no indication
Trajectory of the phenomenon:0 = no indication
Sounds perceived during observation:0 = no indication
Maximum angular height of observation (horizon = 0°):0 = no indication
Nature of the landing place:0 = no indication
Number of contact points with ground:0 = no indication
Traces of landing:0 = no indication
Observation of "occupants"0 = no indication
Height of the occupants observed:00 = no indication
Garment of the occupants:00 = no indication
Garment:0 = no indication
General behavior of "occupants":0 = no indication
Interaction of "occupants" with witness:0 = no indication
Head, hair:0 = no indication
Voice, breathing, chin:0 = no indication
Skin:0 = no indication
Eyes:0 = no indication
Mouth:0 = no indication
Various details:0 = no indication
Thermal effects:0 = no indication
Luminous effects:0 = no indication
Magnetic effect (or electromagnetic):0 = no indication
Odor perceived by witness:0 = no indication
Physiological effects on the witness(es):0 = no indication
Psychological effect on the witness(es):0 = no indication
Effects on animals:0 = no indication
Other effects reported:0 = no indication
Nebulosity:0 = no indication
Oscillations, emission of matter:0 = no indication
Spin, formation flight:0 = no indication
Immediate disappearance:0 = no indication
Halo surrounding the phenomenon:0 = no indication
Interaction witness / phenomenon (complement to the other rubrics):0 = no indication
Drawing or photo:0 = no indication
Structural details observed:0 = no indication

[Ref. fru1:] MICHEL FIGUET ET JEAN-LOUIS RUCHON:

The authors indicate that on October 20, 1954, at an unspecified hour, a two hours observation took place in which several witnesses saw a luminous apparatus landing in a pasture in Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, and two other objects were seen close to a cliff in Mers-les-Bains, which seem in communication by light signals with the apparatuses of another group which maneuvers between Saint-Valéry and Mers-les-Bains.

The authors indicate that the sources are case 293 of the Vallée catalogue, Quincy, and Paris-Presse for October 22, 1954.

[Ref. mft1:] MICHEL FIGUET:

CASE Nr CLASSIFICATION DATE HOUR PLACE ZIP CODE CREDIBILITY SOURCE
242 CEl 10 20 1954 hnp [=hour not speified.] St-Valery-sur-Somme
Mers-les-Bains
80230 Bl
80350
RS [=Sparse information], OVNI : p. 189,
RS [=Sparse information] Quincy and Vallée

[Ref. lgs1:] LOREN GROSS:

October 20th. St. Valery En Caux, France, (early morning)

A number of Frenchmen watched several UFOs in the sky over St. Valery En Caux for two hours. The objects went through various maneuvers but unfortunately this activity was not recorded. One of the objects was said to have given off a brilliant glare as it came down in a pasture.

Two other objects were seen emitting "light signals," at least that was the impression the observers on the ground had. One of the French witnesses, M. Michele Vitkosusky, thought the objects were "communicating with each other." 169.

[Ref. rlt1:] RENAUD LECLET - "LES MYSTERES DE L'EST":

Renaud Leclet lists cases having in his opinion "similarities with the helicopters" by the fact of landing, including this one:

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE UFO LANDINGS AND THE HELICOPTERS:

10/20/54 St Valery-en-Caux (76): a brilliant craft on the ground makes signals with a group of Mers-les-Bains.

[Ref. lhh1:] LARRY HATCH - "*U* COMPUTER DATABASE":

4217: 1954/10/20 00:00 120 1:31:00 E 50:06:00 N 3331 WEU FRN SMM 8:A

St-VALERY-sur-SOMME,FR:2 GRPS/UFOS:1 GRP LANDS/PASTURE:BOTH SIGNAL OTHER/LITES

Ref# 30 FIGEUT[sic]&RUCHON: OVNI: Le 1er Dossier Page No. 189 : PASTURE

[Ref. goe1:] GODELIEVE VAN OVERMEIRE:

The Belgian ufologist indicates in her chronology that in 1954, on October 20 in France in Saint Valéry, "Several unknown objects operated during 2 hours close to this village. One of them was very shining and landed in a pasture. One saw two others of them close to Mers, which seemed in connection with objects of another group by light signals."

The sources are indicated as "Paris-Presse, 22 oct 1954" and "Jacques Vallée: 'Chronique des apparitions ET' - DENOEL 1972 - COLL. J'AI LU - p. 287".

[Ref. djn1:] DONALD JOHNSON:

On this Day

October 20

[...]

1954 - Several unknown objects maneuvered for two hours near the village of St-Valery, France. One of them was very brilliant and landed in a pasture. Two others were seen near a cliff in Mers, France. They appeared to be in communication with UFOs in another group by means of light signals. (Source: Jacques Vallee, Passport to Magonia: A Century of Landings, p. 235).

[...]

[Ref. jbu1:] JEROME BEAU:

Wednesday, October 20, 1954

[...]

Several unknown objects operate during 2 h close to the village of Saint-Valéry (France). One of them is very shiny and lands in a pasture. One sees 2 others of them close to the cliff in Mers, which seem in connection with objects of another group by light signals.

[...]

Jérôme Beau indicates as sources: "Paris-Presse, 22 octobre 1954".

[Ref. uda1:] "UFODNA" WEBSITE:

The website indicates that on 20 October 1954 in St Valery, France, "A green fireball was observed. One green green fireball was observed in a pasture for two hours. Explanation: Planet."

The website adds: "Several unknown objects maneuvered for two hours near the village of St-Valery, France. One of them was very brilliant and landed in a pasture. Two others were seen near a cliff in Mers, France. They appeared to be in communication with UFOs in another group by means of light signals."

The sources are indicated as: Bowen, Charles, The Humanoids: FSR Special Edition No. 1, FSR, London, 1966; Vallee, Jacques, Computerized Catalog (N = 3073); Vallee, Jacques, Challenge to Science: The UFO Enigma, Henry Regnery, Chicago, 1966; Vallee, Jacques, Preliminary Catalog (N = 500), (in JVallee01); Vallee, Jacques, A Century of Landings (N = 923), (in JVallee04), Chicago, 1969; Schoenherr, Luis, Computerized Catalog (N = 3173); Hatch, Larry, *U* computer database, Author, Redwood City, 2002.

[Ref. uda2:] "UFODNA" WEBSITE:

The website indicates that on 20 October 1954 in Saint Valery, France, "Several unknown objects maneuvered for two hours near this village. One of them was very brilliant and landed in a pasture. Two others were seen near the cliff in Mers, and seemed to be in communication by means of light signals with objects in another group."

The source is indicated as: "Vallee Magonia Database".

[Ref. nip1:] "THE NICAP WEBSITE":

*Oct. 20, 1954 - Several unknown objects maneuvered for two hours near the village of St-Valery, Somme, France. One of them was very brilliant and landed in a pasture. Two others were seen near a cliff in Mers, France. They appeared to be in communication with UFOs in another group by means of light signals. (Source: Jacques Vallee, Passport to Magonia: A Century of Landings, p. 235, case 293; Paris Presse, October 22, 1954).

[Ref. ubk1:] "UFO-DATENBANK":

This database recorded this case 6 times:

Case Nr. New case Nr. Investigator Date of observation Zip Place of observation Country of observation Hour of observation Classification Comments Identification
19541018 18.10.1954 St. Valery Somme France 20.40
19541020 20.10.1954 St. Valery Mers France NL
19541020 20.10.1954 St. Valery France
19541020 20.10.1954 St. Valery France
19541020 20.10.1954 St. Valery France CE I
19541020 20.10.1954 St. Valery France

[Ref. prn2:] PETER ROGERSON - "INTCAT":

October 20 1954. Early morning.

ST VALERY SUR SOMME (SOMME : FRANCE)

A number of people including notary public include Michelle Vitkosusky saw several unknown objects manoeuvring for two hours. One of them was very brilliant and landed in a field. Two others were seen near the cliff in Mers, and seemed to be communicating by means of light signals, with objects in another group.

Vallee Case 293 citing Paris Presse 11 October 1954.

Evaluation - Classic bright astronomical objects + autokinesis

Explanations:

Map.

Not looked for yet.

The distance between Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme and Mers-les-Bains is 21 kilometers in straight line. The distance bewteen Saint-Valéry-en-Caux and Mers-les-Bains is 53 kilometers in straight line.

So, whether it was Saint-Valéry-en-Caux or Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, the idea by Renaud Leclet that a helciopter there made signals "to a group of Mers-les-Bains" does not make sense.

However, there may have been no witnesses at Mers-les-Bains, but it was mybe the witnesses in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme who saw lights in the direction of Mers-les-Bains.

The date is not clear, note the incident reported by Claude Poher on the 18th, not the 20th. Note that the place Saint-Valery is given variously as Saint-Valery-en-Caux and Saint-Valery-sur-Somme.

Things are so confusing in the sources I have at the moment that nothing is excluded; it could actually be military maneuvers, for example.

Keywords:

(These keywords are only to help queries and are not implying anything.)

Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, Somme, objects, object, manoeuvers, duration, village, bright, landing, signal, signals, luminous, sea, Michèle Vitkosusksi, night, meadow

Sources:

[----] indicates sources that are not yet available to me.

Document history:

Version: Created/Changed by: Date: Change Description:
0.1 Patrick Gross April 21, 2003 First published.
1.0 Patrick Gross March 24, 2009 Conversion from HTML to XHTML Strict. First formal version. Additions [fru1], [djn1], [jbu1], [uda1], [uda2].
1.1 Patrick Gross June 30, 2010 Addition [jve5].
1.2 Patrick Gross October 25, 2014 Addition [nip1].
1.3 Patrick Gross December 14, 2016 Additions [lgs1], [ubk1].
1.4 Patrick Gross January 8, 2019 Additions [prn1], [lhh1], [prn2].
1.5 Patrick Gross August 25, 2019 Additions [mft1], [rlt1], Summary. Explanations changed, were "Not looked for yet."
1.6 Patrick Gross January 2, 2020 Addition [ppe1].
1.7 Patrick Gross February 28, 2020 Addition [nnm1]. In the Summary, addition of "Other newspapers reported about it in a briefer manner."
1.8 Patrick Gross June 8, 2020 Addition [nll1].

Valid XHTML 1.0 Strict



 Feedback  |  Top  |  Back  |  Forward  |  Map  |  List |  Home
This page was last updated on June 8, 2020.