The 1954 French flap:

A wave of strange "objects" is sweeping France

Dark-lovers Martians lovers play pass walls

But all those who have seen "saucers" are not dreamers

A plague of "flying saucers" and other mysterious craft is sweeping Europe, and the number of recorded testimony shows that France appears to be particularly targeted. There is no day, since weeks, where many of these events are reported from the Vendée, the Moselle and the Quiévrain to the Bidassoa.

In the Limousin, in particular, where a farmer was embraced on September 10, by a stranger; although he was peaceful, terror took hold, especially in the area of Roches (Creuse), where children no longer dare to go to school alone and where shepherdesses no longer want to keep their flocks since a dark shadow was reported hiding in the brushes. There is concern that the friendly Martian re-embarked leaving on the earth one of his companions.

In Diges (Yonne), two women saw each in her turn, a cigar land in a meadow and its pilot was leaning, perhaps on its engine. The "being" was of normal size, dressed in khaki and wearing a cap, but they were so scared that by the same reflex, they fled and locked themselves in.

Malenkov and Eisenhower shaking hands around a "saucer"

A pseudo-writer, on the contrary, delighted that these fantastic creatures come to join his philosophical ramblings, assimilates the "anti-saucerists" to troublemakers and warmongers. He writes without smiling: "These cigars and saucers could well make all of us agree. Perhaps this is why some people do not want to hear about it. Think about it! Eisenhower and Malenkov shaking hands around a saucer! What an idea!"

What to think of this new fever? Should we follow in their disdainful disapproval those who believe without verification, it is all hallucinations - sometimes collective - or should we believe with the others these are real craft originating from the human genius or more romantically coming from another world?

No doubt it is better to examine things more closely. The case now takes a too serious turn for trafficking in nonsense or admit all the news. It is time to grasp the problem and reason healthily on the sum of elements accumulated since more than seven years.

The first victim...

For it is on June 24, 1947, that the first "saucers" were reported in the manner described thousands of times since.

It was an American businessman, Kenneth Arnold, who saw that day "nine luminous discs flying in formation at high altitude" when he had taken off from Chehalis (Washington) on a personal plane. He could see that these "craft" were "flat like frying pans or saucers" before their disappearance and, if the case made little noise, the term "flying saucers" (soucoupe volante) was already launched.

It took six months before a new apparition was reported again in America, but this one was to end in tragedy, beginning to worry the public opinion. On January 7, 1948, the police in Fort Knox (Kentucky) warns the military at the Godman Airfield that "a huge fiery object, surrounded by a reddish glow" was flying in their direction. Three reservists fighter pilots were in flight, precisely at that time, on "Mustangs" propeller planes, and the tower alerted the control. Captain Mantell, leader of the squadron, immediately saw the "object" and putting gas on dove after it although his two comrades and himself had left for a flight at low altitude and were deprived of oxygen masks. The two crew members did not exceed 4,000 meters. Only Mantell went up to almost 7,000 meters before telling on the radio, breathless:

- It's frightening...

These words were the last and no one ever knew what they meant. The plane broke up in flight and the body of the unfortunate pilot was found horribly disjointed. The first reaction of Mantell's friends was naturally to think that he had been "downed" by the mysterious craft. His exclamation seemed to indicate that what he saw was awful and that monsters had fired at him.

This is the first victim - the first "martyr" - who tragically marked the true arrival of the "saucers" on earth.

An investigation commission was appointed, but its work was long and hard at a time when the high-speed compressibility phenomena were still unclear. When it put out its report on the accident, it finally explained that the pilot had climbed too high, probably in the pursuit of an atmospheric phenomenon. Deprived of oxygen, he had probably exclaimed that he was losing consciousness. The aircraft, abandoned to itself, had probably dislocated by diving at nearly the speed of the "wall of sound".

But psychosis was already on his way. What can the fairly conservative assumptions of technicians do against the taste of wonderful and the supernatural?

...and the first "hoax"

It is in any case strange to see that the appearances of "flying saucers" multiplied at once in America where 1,192 cases were reported, in waves, from 1947 to 1952. And it is no less surprising to see that, little by little parallel waves manifested themselves in France three to five weeks behind those recorded in the U.S.A.

Of course, the "pro-saucerists" interpret this pattern to their advantage: - We are part of the same humanity that the Americans and the "saucers" have no reason to despise us when visiting Earth. Their pilots wherever they come from can be as much interested in France and in the United States and if we see less it is because our territory is seventeen times smaller than that of the U.S.A.

It is certainly flattering to our national pride. But more Cartesian than sentimental "anti-saucerists", are concerned with this regular shift:

Just long enough to newspapers to inform you of the virus, they reply. After the Mantell crash anyway America was so gripped by the fear of the saucers deadly saucers that it accepted all the fables.

The most sensational story was published by one Franck Scully of Denver, who told in a weekkly magazine, then in a book, how a circular machine, that came from another planet, crashed in the United States, described the autopsy by a famous practitioner of sixteen little creatures found on board and stated that metal debris from the machine, heated to 10,000 degrees, had not melted. The finally palpable "saucer" and these little men in blue linen clothes made such a noise that an investigation commission - again - joined in. Frank Scully, interrogated, had to admit the "hoax". His piece of metal melted at 637 degrees and the case ended with two convictions for fraud.

But once again, the explanation came too late. The book beautifully sold and the author won a lot of dollars.

1953 has not been a hot year for "saucers".

In France, the first known "saucer" was reported in Antibes, in August 1949, but the following came in waves, parallel, we repeat, to those in the US. There is a fever in 1950, two in 1951 and one particularly important in 1952. That year, there were eleven appearances in May, six in June, six in July, two in August and two in September, eight finally in October.

This is precisely the time when America also see many "flying objects" and made us know its anxiety. We will see how calm then returned across the Atlantic. Here, 1953 was also quiet. The saucers disappeared from our skies until last August where a new wave started discreetly in Norway with the meeting of a helicopter by two young people who were picking blueberries.

This time Europe had exclusivity. The wave grows slowly, recalling the Loch Ness [Monster] who in the past returned in the heart of summer to fill the gaps in the news. But the Scottish snake was a prisoner of the lake while the "saucers" do not recognize borders nor countries nor the dreams and the real facts are now mingled with the disorder.

Awake hallucinations

We must reject from the first five recent stories - the most sensational alas! - just too unreliable.

In Vernon, the young witness has a strong imagination well known in the region.

In Quarouble, near Valenciennes, the gatekeeper who saw "little people" was a victim, one year ago, of a head injury and is subject, since then, to nervous disorders. Prints appear on the wood of the railway track, but may give rise to infinite interpretations.

Near Amiens, four pranksters had to admit they had wanted to make fun of their friends. In Bugeat (Corrèze), Mr. Mazaud has probably been embraced by someone but the air police firstly believes in a light aircraft that came in this deserted place at dusk, for a rendez-vous with a smuggler.

In Craintilleux finally, near St-Etienne, the giant, Hitler lookalike, double-faced (one grimacing at the front and the other, jovial, at the back) climbed in his saucer without opening the door, in the manner of wall-crossing ghosts, really seems too childishly wonderful. Witnesses, actors and writers have probably the romantic spirit that suits this kind of occurrence. And the Martian they thought they saw will at least have the advantage of providing them something for a play or a novel.

Medicine knows about these awaken hallucinations which can be experienced by completely normal people. Who did not see in the dark shadows move where there was nothing? It should be noted in this connection that virtually all reported landings of "saucers" took place at night and no one has yet seen Martians having a shape significantly different from ours in daylight.

Should we conclude that all recorded reports are the work of unbridled imaginations?

Certainly not.

Kenneth Arnold and Mantell were not dreamers. Most French witnesses aren' either.

At Craintilleux, near St.-Etienne, the huge twin of Hitler, with a double face (grimacing in front and jovial at the back), getting into his saucer without opening the door, like a phantom, really seems too childish. The witnesses, comedians and authors, probably have the romantic spirit that goes with this kind of apparition. And their Martian has at least furnished them with material for a sketch or novel.

...

Should we conclude that all the sightings come from deranged imagination? Certainly not. Kenneth Arnold and Mantell were not "dreamers". Nor are most of the French witnesses. (end of article.)

Published on Oct 5, 1954 Article #2 by Gabriel Here.

September 15th., 1954: night time (exact hour unknown). Feurs (Loire).

Witnesses: several.

Refs: La Dépêche, 18.9., 1954; La Dépêche, 19.9.1954.

LIST OF THE FRENCH CASES WITH EFFECTS ON VEHICLE

vs. 4 5/29/88 - Additions = 2

DATE	HOUR	DEPT	PLACE
15/16 .09.1954	night	42	Feurs

18.3 : F.Diolez search all information on cases of oobservations with alleged effect on vehicle. Whether on the engine or any other element of the vehicle. In order to avoid unnecessary transmission, a preliminary list is given in the appendix. Thank you to consider only French cases.

3778: 1954/09/15 23:00 2 4:14:00 E 45:45:00 N 3331 WEU FRN LOI 8:9

FEURS,FR:CAR QUITS:SCR ^:HITLER-FIG/RUNS BY SVRL OBS:DOG EXCITED:/r197p12

Ref# 30 FIGEUT[sic]&RUCHON: OVNI: Le 1er Dossier Page No. 79 : TOWN &CITY

67.
Location. Feurs, St Etienne, France
Date: September 15 1954
Time: night

Driving through a secondary road the witness vehicle breaks down. Soon a bright undescribed object lands very close to the car. A small being briefly is seen near the car, which runs away from the witnesses as they attempt to approach and communicate with him. The craft soon takes off. No other information.

HC addendum
Source: Figuet & J L Ruchon, Complete Ovni Dossier
Type: C

*Sep. 15, 1954 - Driving on a secondary road at around 11:00 p.m. in Feurs, St. Etienne, Loire department, France the witness's car engine quit. Soon a bright saucer-shaped object descended and landed very close to the car. A small being, described as wearing a Hitler-like uniform, ran by the car and was seen by several observers. It ran away from the group of witnesses when they attempted to approach and communicate with him. The craft soon took off. A dog was supposedly excited during the encounter. (Source: Larry Hatch, U computer database, case # 3582; Michel Figeut & Jean-Louis Ruchon, OVNI: Le Premier Dossier Complet des Rencontres Rapprochees en France, p. 79).

Location: Feurs, St Etienne, France

Date: September 15 1954

Time: night

Driving through a secondary road the witness vehicle breaks down. Soon a bright undescribed object lands very close to the car. A small being briefly is seen near the car, which runs away from the witnesses as they attempt to approach and communicate with him. The craft soon takes off. No other information.

Source: Figuet & J L Ruchon, Complete Ovni Dossier

ORIGINAL QUESTION:

Hello,

I would like to know wether there are one or more newspaper articles, other than the two mentioned opposite, relating to a hoax concerning the observation of a "Martian" in the fall of 1954 in Craintilleux in the Loire, near Saint Etienne.

The two dailies are L'Est Républicain of October 05, 1954 on page 1 ("A wave of "strange strange objects" is sweeping over France") and Le Midi Libre of October 21, 1954 on pages 1 and 3 ("The most sensational testimonials are questionable").

The text in each newspaper is short. Here it is: "At Craintilleux, finally, near Saint-Etienne, the giant, double-faced Hitler, double-faced (one grimacing in front and the other, jovial behind) climbing into his saucer without opening a door, looking way of wall-passing ghosts, really seems too childishly marvellous. The witnesses, actors and authors, no doubt have the romantic spirit that suits this kind of apparition. And the Martian they thought they saw will at least have the advantage of providing them with a subject for a sketch or a novel".

I actually have very little information about this case. Thank you for your research as any additional information is greatly appreciated.

RESPONSE FROM THE DESK

Department: Regional Documentation

Clock logo 18/11/2014 at 10:44 a.m.

Answer from Documentation Lyon and Rhône-Alpes

We consulted Le Progrès (Lyon edition) between September 1 and October 10, 1954. The local editions of the Loire that we keep at the municipal library of Lyon are linked with all the local editions of Le Progrès (in 1954, a month represents 4 to 5 large bound volumes) which makes browsing over a long period impossible. It seems, however, that articles related to UFO sightings were published in page 3 of the newspaper, which at the time was common to the different editions. Over this period we found numerous mentions of UFO sightings in the region but none located in Craintilleux: an article from September 2 cites sightings in Saint-Bonnet and Saint-Laurent de Mure, another from September 28 refers a testimony in Valence the previous Sunday, in Feyzin on the 15th, in Savigny on the 16th, in Perrache on the 18th. In the days that followed, articles still reported "cigars" or mysterious manifestations in Ain, Savoie, Jura, the Lyon region, in Haute-Loire, Saône et Loire as well as in France and abroad.

An article of September 25-26 indicates that the "problem" of flying saucers emerged in France following the United States during the summer of 1954. Either Le Progrès did not relay the fact of which you speak, which would seem surprising given the number of articles published on the topic during this period, either it took place before September, or the article was only published in local editions of the Loire.

To consult the local press of the Loire published in 1954, we advise you to contact the Municipal Library of Saint-Etienne or the Departmental Archive of the Loire, which certainly have more exploitable collections than ours.

When the aliens land in the Loire

They crossed the Loire sky within a few seconds but still feed the conversations. Figment of the imagination, astronomical hazard proven events or presence of curious visitors, the mysteries remain.

The UFO phenomenon is not new. Any time, any place, writings telling puzzling observations were kept. For proof, NASA published in 2014 a report on UFO reports by the Romans, headlined unidentified flying objects in classical antiquity.

And the Loire is no exception to the rule. On October 11, 1954, in Saint-Genest-Malifaux, a delivery driver said he saw in the sky a huge multicolored glow, moving away at high speed and moving through the cloud. Another witness, that of a young motorcyclist in Roanne on December 14, 1979: he reported seeing six oval objects, very bright; which moved quickly in the sky, training threes.

Hoax in Feurs

If these two cases are unexplained, many UFO observations, in the department, were quickly resolved. The witnesses were undoubtedly in good faith, but what they took to an unidentified flying object was something else. This was the case in Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert on July 25th 2009. Towards 7 p.m., several people watched the passage of a white object moving silently in the valley, with a regular speed and height. The object suddenly gained altitude, sped and disappeared immediately into the sky. Strange, indeed. Yet this UFO was probably a weather balloon.

Other observations find their explanation through astronomy, like that of 13 August 1998 in Saint-Chamond. One family said they saw a very bright stationary object which emitted red lights, green and yellow. The next day, an enlightened astronomer explained that it was actually the star Antares, which by its low position on the horizon, was prone to chromatic and luminous distortions.

Finally, some observations can result from a simple hoax like that of September 15, 1954, in Feurs. A group of four Saint-Etienne residents, immobilized by a breakdown on a country road, saw an object shaped like an egg, with a red shell, that landed near the place where they were. They saw coming down from the "spacecraft" a little creature with the appearance of Hitler who fled when he saw them?! It was of course a joke having the great wave of French UFO in 1954 as frame.

Both troubling to Montbrison

In Montbrison, one finds traces of two troubling observations. The first of April 26, 1970: five witnesses observed for at least ten seconds a white ovoid object whose path was complex and regular. The second took place a few months later, on 9 September 1970, a witness observed a spot moving among the stars. A second person scanned the same object with binoculars and certified that it was not a plane...

Finally, more recently, a UFO was filmed in Riorges at the end of July 2013 and the video was posted on the YouTube website on August 5, 2013. This video gives everyone the opportunity to make his own opinion... always keeping in mind that a UFO remains an unidentified flying object that is not necessarily synonymous with aliens?!

Source. "The new mysteries of the Loire" Philippe Marconnet, De Boreas publisher in 2011.

Ségolène Perret

September 15 1954. 2300hrs.

FEURS (LOIRE : FRANCE)

A group people were driving on a side road near a place called Forez when a strange object landed a few metres away from them, as their car stalled. A small creature, wearing a Nazi style uniform, ran by the car. It fled when witnesess tried to approach it. The object then took off. A dog was agaitated [sic].

Figuet and Ruchon 1979 p79 citing La Depeche 18 + 19 September 1954.

Gross citing La Charollais Dimanche 19 September 1954. p1

Evaluation - Gross shows that the article in La Charolais Dimanche was a joke saying that a being like Adolf Hitler had emerged from something like a red boiled egg. It isn't altogether clear whether the whole thing was a joke, or this was just a joke about a story in a rival newspaper