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October 9, 1954, Beauvain, Orne:

Reference for this case: 9-Oct-54-Beauvain.
Please cite this reference in any correspondence with me regarding this case.

Summary:

The national newspaper Paris-Presse and the regional newspaper Le Méridional both for October 12, 1954, reported that Mr. Christian Couette, son of a plumber from Tesse-la-Madeleine, was riding a bicycle in the direction of Ranes, when, near the pond of Landes-Forêt, in the commune of Beauvain, he was "overtaken by a strange luminous craft which, at high speed, razed the treetops. The object, about 4 meters in diameter, had the shape of a fireball domed on the top."

Le Méridional added that the sighting lasted ten seconds.

Pioneer ufologist Aimé Michel reported the case in his 1958 book, giving it the date of October 9, 1954 and the time as "in the evening", without suspecting that it could have been a meteor; Jacques Vallée gave the same date, the time as 7 p.m., perhaps from the newspaper Combat for October 12, 1954; but he did "better" since he included the case in 1969 as being a "quasi-landing" of a UFO in his catalog of UFO landings, the ball of fire becoming a "sphere throwing flames" and its passage above treetops becoming a flight at the height of one tree. He also gave the witness another name, "Christian Carette".

As usually, Jacques Vallée's version will be copied as it stands, errors included, by Peter Rogerson, Michel Figuet and Jean-Louis Ruchon, Godelieve van Overmeire, Jérôme Beau, Donald Johnson, and many more.

Reports:

[Ref. cpd1:] NEWSPAPER "LE COURRIER PICARD":

Scan.

Flying saucers
reported in Germany
in Egypt, Lebanon, Cameroon
and of course in France

Several people have, on the Saint-Laurent-les-Mâcon bridge, seen, above the Saône, a disc which disappeared after a short while. New fact: this disc was not shiny but dark.

A worker, Mr. Magnier, and truckers saw in Montluçon a luminous ball crossing the sky at high speed.

In Tourriers, 17 km from Angoulème, around thirty people saw in the night of 8-9 a "kind of cigar" who remained motionless at about forty meters above national road 10 for about twenty minutes. The craft, which had two fins, then decided to leave at a speed of around 250 to 300 km per h.

Mrs. Lebert, guardian of the Pont-Chapelle castle at La Ferté-Macé (Orne), observed in the middle of the afternoon, a mysterious craft in the sky. This craft, which resembled a rocket, rose silently vertically, leaving behind a slight white trail. It could be observed for several seconds and then disappeared quickly. A woman and children living in the local suburbs have also witnessed the phenomenon.

Also, Mr. Christian Couette, son of a plumber from Tesse-la-Madeleine, was riding a bicycle in the direction of Ranes, when near the Lande-Forêt pond, in the commune of Beauvain, he was overtaken by a strange luminous craft which, at high speed, grazed the treetops. The object, about 4 meters in diameter, had the shape of a fireball domed on the top. It could be observed for ten seconds.

Continued on 6th page, under the title:

THE "SAUCERS"

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THE SAUCERS

(Continued from the first page)

In Egypt

ALEXANDRIA, October 11. -- Egypt in its turn enters the competition of flying saucers. At the start of Saturday night, several hundred residents of Alexandria reported the presence in the sky of a luminous object which seemed to change from red to orange, then to green and gray-blue. Officials of the meteorological service of the aerodrome of Alexandria alerted by telephone the observatory of Helouan, close to Cairo, asking that the phenomenon be photographed. However, it disappeared before the special telescope of the observatory could be prepared.

The observatory's deputy director, Azouz Ismail, told the press that it could be an aurora borealis. A magnetic storm had been observed for forty-eight hours, which would make the explanation likely.

In Lebanon

BEIRUT, October 11. -- The newspaper "L'Orient" reports this morning a statement by Mr. Max Favell, representative in Beirut of a German firm, who claims to have seen, Saturday at 10:15 p.m. (loc.), by the sea, a motionless craft in the sky, which emitted a whitish light.

Mr. Favell clarified that the spacecraft, which was a few meters from the ground, landed for a few seconds and then took off vertically, turning on itself and soon disappearing into the sky. The witness did not notice any trace on the ground at the place of landing of the craft.

Following the publication of this statement, a journalist, Mr. Abdelkarim revealed that he also saw the same day, but around 7 p.m., a kind of red ball moving in the sky and coming from the North. Mr. Abdelkarim, fearing that little credit would be given to his "vision", had not revealed it to anyone.

In Germany

BONN, October 11. -- A "flying saucer" was observed for about two minutes by thirteen members of a gliding school above the Ockstardt airfield, near Frankfurt.

The thirteen pilots and student pilots were watching the progress of a monitor when they saw appearing above the glider in flight, at an altitude of about three thousand meters, a "slightly swollen silver disc" which was moving in the slightest noise. The witnesses, including several former Luftwaffe aviators, are formal to declare that they cannot have been victims of an optical illusion.

In Cameroon

YAOUNDE, October 11. -- Several reliable people claim to have witnessed one of these phenomena called "flying saucer" last night.

These are Colonel Cauvin, director of the hygiene and prophylaxis services of Cameroon; Dr. Menu, chief physician of the Younde hospital; from MM. Dumont, director of security services for Cameroon; Po[?] R, adviser to the Territorial Assembly of Cameroon; Moreau, administrator, deputy mayor of Yaoundé, and their wives.

All these people, gathered at the head doctor of the Hospital's, were preparing to go to the cinema when they were intrigued by the attitude of the dog of the house which, suddenly, began to growl and bristle its hairs, Thinking that strangers were prowling near his home, Dr. Menu went outside and saw a bright object in the sky. He immediately called his guests, all of whom then declared that they had seen, almost vertically above the plateau where the hospital is located, a huge, brightly lit, motionless disc at an altitude of about 600 meters.

This "appearance" lasted fifteen seconds. The craft was very exactly in the shape of a mushroom whose people could not exactly assess the diameter, under which a cylinder very slightly swayed, the length equal to the diameter of the hat and also very bright.

Suddenly, the "saucer" headed east, and its volume seemed to decrease visibly. Then it stopped for a few seconds before quickly gaining altitude and disappearing.

[Ref. jpc1:] NEWSPAPER "LE JOURNAL DU PAS-DE-CALAIS ET DE LA SOMME":

Scan.

SAUCERS, DISCS, CIGARS...

A mustached Martian was walking
in the Vienne

If the round of "flying saucers" continues throughout France, we should not believe that our country is the only one to receive the visit of these craft. Now Cameroon, Lebanon, Germany, Egypt are entering their competition.

Mr. Roger Barrault, laborer in Lavoux (Vienne), riding a bicycle, was suddenly stopped by a double beam of light emanating from a sort of "diver" just 1.50 m high with boots without heels, very bright eyes and a strong mustache.

The diver strolled about a minute on the road, says Barrault, then suddenly disappeared into the nearby forest.

Several people have, on the bridge of Saint-Laurent-les-Mâcon, seen, above the Saône a disc which disappeared after a short while. New think, this disc was not bright but dark.

In Tourrières [sic], 17 km from Angoulême, around thirty people saw a kind of cigar which remained motionless at about forty meters above national road number 10 for about twenty minutes. The craft, which had two fins, then decided to leave at a speed of around 150 to 300 km / hour.

Mrs. Lebert, guardian of the Pont Chapelle castle at La Ferté-Macé (Orne), observed a mysterious craft in the middle of the afternoon in the sky. This craft, which looked like a rocket, rose silently vertically, leaving behind a luminous white trail. It could be observed for several seconds and then disappeared quickly. A woman and children living in the local suburbs have also witnessed the phenomenon.

Mr. Christian Couette, son of a plumber from Tesse-la-Madeleine, was riding a bicycle in the direction of Ranes, when he was overtaken near the pond of Lande-Forêt in the commune of Beauvain by a luminous craft which, at high speed, grazed the treetops. The object, about four meters in diameter, had the shape of a ball of fire domed on the top. It could be observed for ten seconds.

While driving his car, Mr. Jean Bertrand, mechanic in Carcassonne, saw, flying at low altitude, a spherical craft of shiny metal, the upper part of which seemed to be made of plastic. He was able, he says, to easily distinguish two hum-

MORE ON PAGE 8

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The saucers

(Continued from the first page)

an forms in this craft; which disappeared at a high speed in the East direction.

IN CAMEROON

Yaoundé, 11. -- Several trustworthy people claim to have witnessed one of these phenomena known as "flying saucers".

These are Colonel Cauvin, director of hygiene and prophylaxis services in Cameroon, Doctor Menu, chief doctor of the Yaoundé hospital, and Mssrs. Dumont, director of security services in Cameroon, Pouilleux, adviser to the territorial assembly of Cameroon, Moreau, administrator, deputy mayor of Yaoundé, and their wives.

All these people, gathered at the hospital’s chief doctor, were preparing to go to the cinema when they were intrigued by the attitude of the house dog who suddenly began to growl and bristle his hair. Thinking that strangers were prowling around his house, Doctor Menu went out and saw a bright object in the sky. He immediately called his guests who all then declared that they had seen, almost vertically above the plateau where the hospital is located, a huge disc, violently illuminated, motionless at an altitude of about 800 meters.

This "appearance" lasted 15 seconds. The craft was very exactly in the shape of a mushroom, whose diameter could not be precisely estimated by those present - under which a cylinder very slightly swayed whose length was equal to the diameter of the hat and also very bright.

Suddenly, the "saucer" took the direction of the East and its volume seemed to decrease visibly. Then it stopped for a few seconds before quickly gaining altitude and disappearing.

IN LEBANON

Beirut, 11. -- Mr. Max Favell, representative in Beirut of a German firm, claims to have seen at the seaside a motionless craft in the sky which emitted a whitish light.

Mr. Favell clarified that the craft which was a few meters from the ground landed for a few seconds, then took off vertically, spinning on itself, and soon disappeared into the sky. The witness did not notice any trace on the ground at the place of landing of the craft.

Following this statement, a journalist, Mr. Abdelkarim revealed that he had also seen the same day, but around 7 p.m., a kind of red ball moving in the sky and coming from the North. Mr. Abdelkarim, fearing that little credit would be given to his "vision", had not revealed it to anyone.

IN EGYPT

Alexandria, 11. -- Several hundred residents of Alexandria reported the presence in the sky of a luminous object which seemed to move from red to orange, then to green and blue gray. Officials from the meteorological service at the Alexandria airfield alerted the Helouan observatory, near Cairo, by telephone, asking that the phenomenon be photographed. However, it disappeared before the special telescope of the observatory could be readied.

The deputy director of the observatory, Mr. Azouz Ismaïl, told the press that it could be an aurora borealis. A magnetic storm had been observed for 48 hours; which would make the explanation likely.

IN GERMANY

Bonn, 11. -- A "flying saucer" was observed for about two minutes by 13 members of a gliding school above the airfield of Ockstadt, near Frankfurt.

The thirteen pilots and student pilots were watching the evolution of an instructor when they saw appearing above the glider in flight, at about 3.000 meters of atlitude, a "slightly swollen silver disc" which was moving without the slightest noise. The witnesses, including several former Luftwaffe aviators, are formal to declare that they cannot have been the victim of an optical illusion.

[Ref. ler1:] NEWSPAPER "L'EST REPUBLICAIN":

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Mysterious craft increase activity

A flying mushroom above the Yaoundé hospital (Cameroun)

Paris. -- Clear recrudescence of activity of the flying saucers during the last weekend and not only in the sky of France. Mysterious craft, indeed, were seen in Cameroun, Namur, in Lebanon, in Egypt and Germany.

The appearance in Cameroun deserves a particular attention. In Yauondé [the capital], a certain number of people were together at the head doctor of the hospital, Dr. Menu, and were on the point of going to the movies when they were puzzled by the attitude of the dog who suddenly started to grunt and whose hairs stood up.

An enormous and illuminated mushroom

Thinking that strangers were on the prowl near his residence, Dr. Menu went outside and saw, in the sky, a brilliant object. He immediately called his guests who all then stated to have seen, almost at the vertical of the plate where the hospital is located, an enormous violently illuminated disc, motionless at an altitude of approximately 600 meters.

This "appearance" lasted fifteen seconds. The machine had very exactly the shape of a mushroom, i.e. a very illuminated disc, whose people present could not evaluate the diameter exactly, under which a cylinder of a length equal to the diameter of the hat swung very gently, also very illuminated.

Suddenly, the craft took the direction of the East and its volume seemed to decrease at eyesight. Then it was immobilized during a few seconds before taking altitude quickly and disappearing.

The witnesses of this phenomenon are worthy of faith, since, in addition to Dr. Menu, they were colonel Cauvin, head of the services of hygiene and the disease prevention of Cameroun; Misters Dumont, director of the Services of Safety of Cameroun; Poilleux, adviser of the territorial Assembly of Cameroun; Moreau, administrator, assistant mayor of Yaoundé and their wives.

Two silhouettes in a cigar

Close to Namur, the rural mailman made its usual round, when he saw a flying cigar which rose towards the sky at his approach at a vertiginous pace. However, he had the time to clearly distinguish on board two "roughly human" silhouettes.

In Lebanon, it is a German firm's representative in Beirut, Mr. Max Favell, who stated to the newspaper "L'Orient" to have seen Saturday evening, at the seaside, a motionless machine in the sky which emitted a whitish light. The machine landed a few moments, then rose suddenly vertically without leaving traces.

Several hundreds of Alexandria residents followed the maneuvers of a luminous object which changed from the red to the orange and the green to the blue gray. The observatory of Helouan, close to Cairo, was alerted, but before the special telescope could be set up to photograph it, the craft had disappeared.

The sub-manager of the observatory, Mr. Azouz Ismail, stated that it was undoubtedly an aurora borealis, for a magnetic storm was observed since forty-eight hours. An extremely probable scientific explanation.

"Four men in rubber outfits"

A movie projectionist of Munster, Mr. Willi Hoge, declared that, going back home in the suburbs of Munster, Saturday after midday, he saw in a field at about fifty meters of the road, a rather sharp blue gleam. Believing initially that it was a broken plane, he approached a few meters and then saw a machine having the shape of a cigar and immobilized in the air at approximately 1 m 50 from the ground.

Under the craft, surrounded by a bluish gleam, the movie projectionist distinguished four "men" whose size was approximately 1 m. 20. These beings had, according to him, a rather broad chest, a head proportionally too large for their bodies and thin legs. Mr. Hoge specified that they wore a kind of combination whose fabric resembled rubber.

Not daring to approach more, the witness restricted himself to observe the whereabouts of the occupants of the craft. After ten minutes, the crew went up on board using a kind of ladder, and the craft rose quickly almost vertically, taking, after a few seconds of rise, the shape of a brilliant disc.

Mr. Willi Hoge finally claimed to have tried that very evening to cause an investigation, but he added that no police officer had agreed to go to the site to check his statements!

Lastly, close to Frankfurt, thirteen pilot pupils of a sailplane school followed the maneuvers of their teacher when they had their attention drawn by an "extremely reinflated silver disc" which moved without the least noise.

Short meeting with a "diver" man with a moustache

In France, in the long list of the celestial appearances, it is necessary to note in particular the unexpected meeting which Mr Roger Barrault, workman in Lavoux (Vienna) made. Mr. Barrault drove a bicycle, Saturday evening, around 7 p.m., when he was stopped short on the road by a double beam of light emanating from a kind of "diver" hardly 1 m. 50 tall, with boots without heels, very brilliant eyes and a big moustache!

He must however have been a good man, for he walked one minute on the road without making the least evil to the awestruck Mr. Barrault who saw him disappearing in the nearby forest, walking.

New fact also in Mâcon where circulating on the bridge of Saint-Laurent-les-Mâcon who spans the rivers Saône, several people saw a disc, which for once was not brilliant, but dark.

In Tourriers, close to Angouleme, and in la Ferté-Macé (the Orne) it was two cigars who held the attention of the Sunday strollers, while a convex ball of fire shaved the summit of the trees in Beauvain, in the Orne too, under the amazed eyes of Mr. Christian Couette.

[Ref. lml1] NEWSPAPER "LE MERIDIONAL":

Scan.

"SAUCERS"... EVERYWHERE!

PARIS. -- Several people have seen, on the bridge of Saint-Laurent-les-Mâcon, above the Saone, a disc which disappeared after a short moment. New fact: this disc was not shining but dark.

A workman, Mr. Magnier, and truck-drivers, saw a luminous ball which crossed the sky at high speed in Montluçon.

In Tourriers, at 17 km of Angouleme, about thirty people saw in the night of the 8th to the 9th a "kind of cigar" which remained motionless at forty meters above national road N 10 during about twenty minutes. The machine which was equipped with two winglets then decided to leave at a speed of approximately 250 to 300 km-H.

Mrs. Lebert, guardian of the castle of Pont-Chapelle, in La Ferté-Mace (the Orne), observed in the afternoon a mysterious machine in the sky. This machine which resembled a rocket, rose silently vertically leaving a light white trail behind. It could be observed during several seconds then disappeared quickly. A woman and children remaining in the suburbs of the locality were also witnesses of the phenomenon.

Mr. Christian Couette, son of a plumber of Tesse-la-Madeleine, rode a bicycle in direction of Ranes, when, close to the pond to Landes-Forêt, on the commune of Beauvain, was exceeded by a strange luminous machine which, at a high speed, shaved the top of the trees. The machine approximately 4 meters in diameter had the shape of a ball of fire convex on the top. It was to be observed during ten seconds.

"MUSHROOM" IN THE SKY OF CAMEROUN

YAOUNDE. -- Several people worthy of faith state they witnessed one of these phenomena which one calls "flying saucer".

They are colonel Cauvin, director of the service of Hygiene and Disease Prevention of Cameroun, Doctor Menu, head doctor of the Yaoundé hospital, Misters Dumont, director of the services of safety of Cameroun, Poilleux, adviser of the territorial assembly of Cameroun, Moreau, administrator, assistant mayor of Yaoundé and their wives.

All these people, gathered at the head doctor of the hospital, prepared to go to the movies, when they were intrigued by the attitude of the dog of the house who, suddenly started to grunt and roughcasting its hair. Thinking that foreigners prowled near his residence, Dr. Menu went outside and saw in the sky, a brilliant object. He immediately called his guests who all, then, stated to have seen, almost at the vertical of the plate where the hospital is located, an enormous violently illuminated disc, motionless at an altitude of approximately 600 meters.

This "appearance" lasted fifteen seconds. The machine had very exactly the shape of a mushroom i.e. a very illuminated disc, whose people present could not evaluate the diameter exactly under which a cylinder a length equal to the diameter of the hat and also very illuminated swung very slightly.

Suddenly, the "saucer" took the direction of the east and its volume seemed to decrease at eye sight. Then it was immobilized during a few seconds before taking altitude quickly and disappearing.

IN LEBANON

BEIRUT. -- The newspaper "L'Orient" reports a statement by Mr. Max Favell, representative of a German firm in Beirut, who claims to have seen Saturday around 10:15 p.m. (loc.) at the seaside, a motionless machine in the sky which emitted a whitish light.

Mr. Favell specified that the machine which was within a few meters of the ground landed for a few seconds then took off vertically while rotating to soon disappear in the sky. The witness did not notice any trace on the ground at the place of the landing of the machine.

Following the publication of this declaration, a journalist, Mr. Abdelkarim revealed that he had also seen the same day, but towards 7 p.m., a kind of ball of red color moving in the sky and coming from the north. Mr. Abdelkarim fearing that little credit would be granted to his "vision" had not revealed it to anyone.

"DISC" ABOVE MARSEILLES?

One of our readers residing in Saint-Anthony reports he saw, Sunday evening, a brilliant object in the shape of a disc above the sea, between 11 p.m. and midnight.

Suddenly, "the machine" started at very high speed in direction of the South-west.

...a new testimony to be poured into the "unidentified machines" file.

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

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Discs, balls, cigars, rocket

A MARTIAN WITH A MUSTACHE SPENT HIS WEEKEND IN THE VIENNE

Only THREE Martians showed up over the weekend. Very reserved Martians. They abstained from the affectionate demonstrations to which they usually indulge in: caresses or hugs. No doubt they reserve these expressions of sympathy for rural populations: only country people have benefited from it so far.

A manual worker of Lavoux (Vienne), Mr. Roger Barrault, said that riding a bicycle at around 9 a.m. on Saturday, he was suddenly stopped there by a double beam of light directed by him by a "scuba diver" barely 1 m 50 tall with boots without heels very bright eyes and a strong mustache.

- The diver strolled for about a minute on the road, says Barrault, then suddenly disappeared into the nearby forest.

A mechanic from Carcassonne, Mr. Bertrand, saw, also on Saturday evening, on the road, while driving, a spherical craft of shiny metal whose upper part seemed to be made of plastic. He was able, he says, to easily distinguish two human forms in this craft; which disappeared at high speed in the east direction.

Mr. Bertrand could not specify if the two occupants of the craft were mustached like the Martian of the Vienne.

A Lyon resident, Mr. Morguin, claims that he has photographed a saucer over the Rhône.

- It was, he said, a red disc surrounded by white lights.

Several people saw a disc in Mâcon, above the Saône, not brilliant, this time, but dark.

From Montluçon to the Landes marshes...

A worker, Mr. Magnier, and truckers saw a luminous ball at Montluçon crossing the sky at high speed.

In Tourriers, 17 kilometers from Angoulême, around thirty people saw in the night from the 8th to the 9th a "kind of cigar" who remained motionless about forty meters above national road number 10 for about twenty minutes. The craft, which had two fins, then left at a speed of around 250 to 300 km per h.

Mrs. Lebert, guardian of the Pont-Chapelle castle in La Ferté-Macé (Orne), observed a craft in the middle of the afternoon mysterious that looked like a rocket and rose vertically silently, leaving behind a slight white trail.

Also, Mr. Christian Couette, son of a plumber from Tesse-la-Madeleine, was riding a bicycle towards Ranes when, near the Etang de Lande-Forêt, in the commune of Beauvain, he was overtaken by a strange luminous craft which, at high speed, grazed the top of the trees. The object, about 4 m in diameter, had the shape of a domed fireball.

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

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FLYING SPHERES
and "DIVER"

Carcassonne. -- Yesterday evening, around 4 p.m., while driving his car, Mr. Jean Bertrand, a mechanic in this city, saw, flying at low altitude, a spherical machine of shiny metal whose upper part seemed to be made of plastic. He was able, he says, to easily distinguish two human shapes in this apparatus which disappeared at high speed in the east direction.

***

Limoges. -- Last Friday, around 11 p.m., in Uzerches (Corrèze) two young people, Charles and Alphonse Beaujour, who were driving by car on the road to Eyburie, saw, above the castle of Fargeas and in the direction of Espartignac, a huge, extremely bright ball.

The two young men who stopped their vehicle, for a quarter of an hour, looked at this ball which changed from white to red before disappearing in the direction of Lagrulière.

Other people have seen the same phenomenon.

***

Poitiers. -- Mr. Roger Barrault, a laborer in Lavoux (Vienne) declared that, riding a bicycle on Saturday around 7 p.m., he had been suddenly stopped by a double beam of light emanating from a sort of "diver" barely 1.50 m. tall with boots without heels, very luminous eyes and a strong mustache.

The diver strolled about a minute on the road, says Barrault, then suddenly disappeared into the nearby forest.

***

Caen. -- Mr. Christian Couette, son of a plumber from Tesse-la-Madeleine, was riding a bicycle in the direction of Ranes, when near the pond of Lande-Forêt, on the commune of Bauvain, he was overtaken by a strange luminous craft which, at high speed, grazed the treetops. The object, about 4 meters in diameter, had the shape of a fireball domed on top. He was able to observe it for about ten seconds.

[Ref. aml1:] AIME MICHEL:

Aimé Michel reports that on the evening of October 9, 1954, an inhabitant of Tessé-la-Madeleine was riding his bicycle in direction of Rhânes close to the pond of Lande-Forêt, which is on the community of Bauvain, in the department of the Orne.

The cyclist, Mr. Christian Couette, "was flown overhead by a strange luminous machine which, at high speed, flew at the height of the tree tops".

Mr. Couette said that the machine may have measured four meters and resembled "a ball of fire convex on the top." He could observe it during ten seconds.

Michel indicates that the testimony was published in the newspaper "Combat" of October 12, 1954, and in the newspaper "Paris Presse" also on October 12, 1954.

[Ref. gqy1:] GUY QUINCY:

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October 9 [, 1954]

[... other cases...]

?: Beauvain (4 km NE.La Ferté-Macé--Orne): lum. disc with dome grazes tree

[... other cases...]

[Ref. jve5:] JACQUES VALLEE:

278 000.30788 48.60900 09 10 1954 19 00 3 (BEAUVAIN-ORNE) F 0011 4C 260

[Ref. jve1:] JACQUES VALLEE:

218) October 9, 1954, evening, Beauvain (France):

Near the pond of Landeforet, Mr. Christian Carette saw during ten seconds a sphere throwing flames and flying at the height of a tree. Its diameter was 4 m. At the top of the sphere, a protuberance (P. 48, M. 152).

The source is noted separately, in a previous issue (N° 99 bis for May 1969), as: "Paris-Presse 12 Oct. 1954"

The catalog from which this entry comes is preceded by this warning, in a previous issue, by Jacques Vallée:

We do not believe that we have to apologize for the inclusion of testimonies which may justifiably appear incredible or grotesque. We do not claim that there exists in this Catalog a single observation of a physical event of an unknown nature.

We are not publishing a table of experimental results obtained in the laboratory, but only a general guide to facilitate the study of the abundant literature which has accumulated on an astonishing topic.

It would therefore be dishonest and a serious misunderstanding of our design, to treat all the cases of this catalog as if they had the same level of validity, or to affirm that the presence of this or that particular case reinforces or destroys by itself the degree of confidence that one can place in another case. WE CANNOT ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR ERRORS FROM THOSE WHO IGNORE THIS WARNING.

[Ref. jve2:] JACQUES VALLEE:

The author indicates that on October 9, 1954, in the evening, Christian Carette saw during approximately ten seconds, close to Bauvain in the Orne, in the vicinity of the pond of Laneforêt, a sphere of fire which flew at the level of the top of the trees. Its diameter was approximately 4 meters and it had a protrusion at its top.

[Ref. ldl1:] MAGAZINE D'UFOLOGIE "LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT":

The magazine, in a list of 1954 Frenc cases that would need an investigation or a re-investigation, sites:

218 9-10-54 Beauvain

[Ref. ldl1:] UFOLOGY MAGAZINE "LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT":

In a list of cases that the magazine called for investigation or re-investigation, there was:

218 10/9/54 Beauvain

[Ref. jve3:] JACQUES VALLEE:

October 9, 1954, evening, Beauvain (France):

Near the pond of Landeforet, Mr. Christian Carette saw during about ten seconds a sphere throwing flames and flying at the height of a tree. Its diameter was 4 m. At the top of the sphere, a protuberance (Paris-Presse, Oct 12, 1954).

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

Scan.

392 9 October 1954 Evening

BEAUVAIN (FRANCE) Near the Landeforet pool, cyclist Christian Carette saw a fiery sphere, 4m in diameter with a protruberance on top, flying at terrific speed at treetop height. It was seen for 10 secs. (M218; Paris-Presse 12 Oct 54, Combat, 12 Oct 54, Michel II, 152)

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

The two authors indicate that in Beauvin in the Orne near the pond of Landeforêt on October 9, 1954 in the evening, Christian Carette sees during ten second a sphere throwing flames and flying at the height of a tree. Its diameter was 4 meters. A protuberance was at the top of the sphere.

The authors indicate that the sources are the Vallée catalogue case #218; Paris-Presse for 10/12/1954; Aimé Michel in "A Propos des Soucoupes Volantes" page 190.

[Ref. gep1:] UFOLOGY GROUP "GEPO":

10/9/54 -Evening Beauvain (Orne) TF 106VC 4m

[Ref. lgs1:] LOREN GROSS:

Scan.

October 9th. Beauvain, France. (Evening)

A speeding sphere streaked low over the treetops near Beauvian [sic] the evening of the 9th. Cyclist Christian Carette had the thing in view for about ten seconds and said the ball-like object had a fiery appearance and some sort of protuberance coming out its top portion. Its speed was terrific. 93.

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

4031: 1954/10/09 19:00 1 0:18:20 W 48:36:40 N 3333 WEU FRN ORN 6:8

nr BEAUVAIN,ORNE,FR:4 METER FIERY DOMED ORB/TREETOP LEVEL:nr LANDEFORET RSVR

Ref# 67 BOWEN,Charles (ed.) The HUMANOIDS. Page No. 39 : PASTURE

[Ref. goe1:] GODELIEVE VAN OVERMEIRE:

The Belgian ufologist indicates in her catalogue that in 1954, on October 9 in France in Beauvain "In the evening, close to the pond of Landeforêt, Christian Carette saw during ten seconds a sphere throwing flames at the height of a tree. Diameter: 4 m. At the top of the sphere a protrusion."

The sources are indicated as "Paris-Presse, 12 Oct 1954" and "Jacques Vallée: 'Chronique des apparitions ET' - DENOEL 1972 - J'AI LU COLL. - p. 272, 273".

[Ref. djn1:] DONALD JOHNSON:

On this Day

October 9

[...]

1954 - Near the Landeforet pool in Beauvain, France Christopher Carette saw a fiery sphere flying at treetop level for ten seconds. It had a protuberance or dome on top, and was estimated to be about 4 meters in diameter. (Sources: Aime Michel, Flying Saucers and the Straight Line Mystery, p. 152; Jacques Vallee, Passport to Magonia, p. 221).

[...]

[Ref. jbu1:] JEROME BEAU:

Saturday 9 October 1954

[...]

In evening In Beauvain (France), close to the pond of Landefore, Christian Carette sees during 10 s approximately 1 sphere 4 m in diameter throwing flames and flying at the height of a tree. At the top of the sphere, a protrusion.

[...]

The source is indicated as "Paris-Presse, October 12, 1954".

[Ref. lcn1:] LUC CHASTAN:

Luc Chastan indicates in his database that in the Orne in Beauvain on October 9, 1954, at an unknown hour, "In the evening, the witness is on bicycle in direction of Rânes when close to the pond of Lande-Forêt he is overflown by a luminous object which shaves the summit of the trees at high speed The object was a sphere throwing flames. Its diameter was 4 meters. A protrusion was at the top of the sphere. It was observed during ten seconds."

The source is indicated as "M.O.C. by Michel Aimé ** Arthaud 1958".

[Ref. uda1:] "UFODNA" WEBSITE:

The website indicates that on 9 October 1954 at 21:00 in Beauvain, France, "Near the Landeforet pool in Beauvain, France Christopher Carette saw a fiery sphere flying at treetop level for ten seconds. It had a protuberance or dome on top, and was estimated to be about 4 meters in diameter."

The website adds: "Near the Landeforet pool, Christain Carette saw for ten seconds a fiery sphere flying at treetop level. Diameter: four meters. Protuberance on top."

And: "An unidentified object was sighted, but with appearance and behavior that most likely would have a conventional explanation. One fiery ball, about 5 feet across, was observed by one male witness in a pasture for 12 seconds."

The sources are indicated as Michel, Aime, Flying Saucers and the Straight-Line Mystery, S. G. Phillips, New York, 1958; 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. mre1:] MICHEL RIBARDIERE:

September 20, 2010

1954 Return on the wave of demonstrations of unknown machines on the national territory

1954 is an important year in the history of French ufology.

[General information]

Here some one of the encounters:

[... Other cases... ]

Appearances of October 7, 1954

On October 9 Mr. Christian Couette (or Carette) of Tessé-la-Madeleine (Orne) is flown over by a strange luminous machine which, at a high speed, shaved the summit of the trees". The machine according to the statements of the witness, could measure 4 meters in diameter. It resembled "a ball of fire convex on the top", and could be observed during ten seconds.

[... Other cases... ]

[Ref. ovo1:] "OVNI 61" BLOG:

On October 9 Mr Christian Couette (or Carette) of Tessé-la-Madeleine (The Orne) is flown over by a strange luminous machine which, at a high speed, shaved the summit of the trees". The craft, according to the statements of the witness, may measure 4 meters in diameter. It resembled "a ball of fire convex on the top", and could be observed during ten seconds.

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

*Oct. 9, 1954 - Near the Landeforet pool in Beauvain, France Christopher Carette saw a fiery sphere flying at treetop level for ten seconds. It had a protuberance or dome on top, and was estimated to be about 4 meters in diameter. (Sources: Aime Michel, Flying Saucers and the Straight Line Mystery, p. 152; Jacques Vallee, Passport to Magonia: A Century of Landings, p. 221, case # 218).

[Ref. ubk1:] "UFODATENBANK":

This German online database managed to record that same case 6 times, sometimes as CE1, sometimes as NL, with various hour indications:

Case Nr. New case Nr. Investigator Date of observation Zip Place of observation Country of observation Hour of observation Classification Comments Identification
19541009 09.10.1954 Beauvain France Nightfall
19541009 09.10.1954 Beauvain France 07.00 p.m.
19541009 09.10.1954 Beauvain France 07.00 p.m. NL
19541009 09.10.1954 Beauvain France Evening
19541009 09.10.1954 Beauvain France Evening NL
19541009 09.10.1954 Beauvain France Evening CE I

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

October 9 1954. Evening.

BEAUVAIN (ORNE : FRANCE)

Near the Landes-Foret pool, plumber Christian Carette, who was on his bicycle saw a fiery sphere about 4m in diameter, with a protuberance on top, pass overhead at, shaving the treetops at terrific speed, disappearing in 10 seconds.

Evaluation - Meteor

Explanations:

Map.

Insufficient information, possible meteor.

The date is not certain since none of the Press sources I have gave it. It goes the same for the hour.

Keywords:

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

Beauvain, Orne, bicycle, pond, Christian Couette, low, fire, ball, convex, fast, luminous, short, bried, duration, pond, Landes-Forêt

Sources:

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

Document history:

Version: Created/Changed by: Date: Change Description:
0.1 Patrick Gross 26 mars 2003 First published.
1.0 Patrick Gross March 9, 2009 Conversion from HTML to XHTML Strict. First formal version. Additions [goe1], [djn1], [jbu1], [lcn1], [uda1].
1.1 Patrick Gross June 6, 2010 Addition [ler1].
1.2 Patrick Gross June 16, 2010 Addition [lml1].
1.3 Patrick Gross June 28, 2010 Addition [jve5].
1.4 Patrick Gross October 19, 2011 Addition [ovo1].
1.5 Patrick Gross October 8, 2014 Addition [nip1].
1.6 Patrick Gross October 19, 2016 Additions [mre1], [ubk1].
1.7 Patrick Gross December 20, 2016 Addition [lgs1].
1.8 Patrick Gross January 9, 2020 Additions [ppe1], [ldl1], [lhh1], [prn1], [prn2], Summary. Explanations changed, was "Not looked for yet."
1.9 Patrick Gross April 16, 2020 Addition [nll1].
2.0 Patrick Gross June 21, 2020 Addition [cpd1].
2.1 Patrick Gross June 30, 2020 Addition [jpc1].
2.2 Patrick Gross May 5, 2022 Additions [gqy1], [ldl1], [gep1].

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