The index page for the 1954 French flap section of this website is here.
Reference for this case: 1-oct-54-Ressons.
Please cite this reference in any correspondence with me regarding this case.
In the regional newspaper L'Oise-Matin for November 3, 1954, one reported on page 10:
Very recently, a farmer from Ressons-sur-Matz who came to bring fodder to his oxen parked in a field, was astonished that these, instead of being grouped together as usual, were dispersed. It was then that he saw an unusual "object" in the meadow. The farmer ran to his car to pick up witnesses. When they returned, the craft was no longer in the grass. However, the farmer claims to have seen it rise vertically. In addition, burn marks were then visible on the grass, where the craft had landed.
Ufological sources report from 1969 on, that at the approximate date of October 1, 1954, around 06:15 p.m. in Ressons-sur-Matz, Mr. Vanhamme, 49-year-old farmer, went to see his cattle in the pasture. He had 40 of them, including 10 white oxen.
He said, "I counted eleven, and then I realized that the eleventh was actually a shiny, rectangular craft that was 400 meters away from me. I moved toward it and I then heard a hissing noise similar to that emitted by a steam engine, the craft left the ground and quickly disappeared."
Some sources say that gendarmes have found traces "later" footprints may correspond to a tripod landing, and grass scorched at this location.
[Ref. lon1:] NEWSPAPER "L'OISE-MATIN":
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The flying saucers continue their round. For the first time their presence was reported in India in the region of Calcutta, where one saw above the suburbs "a brilliantly illuminated circular object". Another such object was seen some 320 km away.
In Italy
If we are to believe the words of an Italian peasant woman from Piggi-di-Ambra, near Arezzo, Martians appeared to her while she was going to mass.
The woman, Mrs. Rosa Lotti, 40, who recounted her encounter to the police, clarified that the two beings, measuring about one meter, were dressed in a kind of diving suit and wore a leather helmet that partly concealed their face.
In the Oise
In the Oise, "mysterious" craft continue to appear.
Very recently, a farmer from Ressons-sur-Matz who came to bring fodder to his oxen parked in a field, was astonished that these, instead of being grouped together as usual, were dispersed. It was then that he saw an unusual "object" in the meadow. The farmer ran to his car to pick up witnesses. When they returned, the craft was no longer in the grass. However, the farmer claims to have seen it rise vertically. In addition, burn marks were then visible on the grass, where the craft had landed.
In Compiègne
Monday evening, residents of the top of the rue de la Justice saw a cigar which remained visible, according to witnesses, from 8:55 p.m. to 9:19 p.m.
For his part one of our collaborators saw the same night, around 2 a.m., an object leaving behind a long luminous trail.
[Ref. jve1:] JACQUES VALLEE:
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172) October 1er 1954 06:15 p.m., Ressons-sur-Matz (France). Approximate date:
A farmer saw a white apparatus in a field. Later we found the grass flattened at the location of the phenomenon (Personal)
[Ref. jve2:] JACQUES VALLEE:
The author indicates that on October 1, 1954, a farmer observed a white object in a field close to Ressons-on-Matz in the department of the Oise.
[Ref. ldl1:] "LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT":
The magazine noted that the case "172 of 10/1/54" in Ressons-sur-Matz belongs to the list of cases that were still not investigated.
[Ref. tps1:] TED PHILLIPS:
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Oct. 01, 1954
072 1815
FRANCE: Ressons-sur-matz. A glowing, white object was seen on the ground, depressed grass was found. (Vallee III)
[Ref. gal1:] CHARLES GARREAU ET RAYMOND LAVIER:
On a date which is roughly on October 1, at 06:15 P.M., in France at Ressons sur Matz, a farmer, Mr. Vanhamme, was counting his animals on his field. He expected to find a total of 40, including 10 white oxen. But he noted: "I have a count of 11 of them, then I realized that the eleventh was actually a shiny rectangular apparatus which was at 400 m of me. I am advanced towards it. I then heard a whistle similar to that which a steam engine makes." The machine left the ground quickly and disappeared. Later the grass was found flattened at the place where the phenomenon had been.
[Ref. jve3:] JACQUES VALLEE:
The author indicates that on October 1, 1954, at 6:15 p.m., in Ressons-sur-Matz, the Oise, saw a white craft in a field. Flattened grass was later found at the site of the phenomenon.
[Ref. prn1:] PETER ROGERSON - "INTCAT":
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346 1 October 1954 (appx) 1815 hrs
RESSONS-SUR-MATZ (FRANCE) A farmer saw a white craft in a field. Flattened grass was later found at the site. (M172)
[Ref. fru1:] MICHEL FIGUET AND JEAN-LOUIS RUCHON:
The two authors indicate that at the approximate date of October 1, 1954, at approximately 06:15 p.m. in Ressons-sur-Matz, Mr. Vanhamme, farmer, aged 49, goes to check his cattle in the pasture. He has 40 of them including 10 white oxen.
He said: "I counted eleven of them, then I realized that the eleventh was actually a shining and rectangular craft which was within 400 meters from me. I advanced in its direction; I then heard a whistling sound similar to that of a steam engine. The machine left the ground and quickly disappeared."
The authors say that gendarmes found traces: prints that could have matched a landing tripod, and scorched grass at this this site.
The authors indicate that the sources are case 172 of the Vallée catalogue, and C. Garreau and R. Lavier in "Face aux ET" page 93.
[Ref. gep1:] UFOLOGY GROUP "GEPO":
| 10/01/54 | (18.15) | Resson Matz | 003X | P |
[Ref. fge1:] JEAN-FRANCOIS GILLE:
In a list of landings in France, the case "014" in Ressons-sur-Matz dated 10/01/1954 and considered a "CE2", is noted, with the source: Jacques Vallée.
[Ref. ine1:] "INFORESPACE":
The case of Ressons-sur-Matz is listed with the date "around 10/01/1954", the source "Figuet p.102".
The case is evaluated as "inconclusive" by "lack of sufficient data, unreliability of primary sources, lack of reinvestigation, etc."
[Ref. mft2:] MICHEL FIGUET:
| Nr in the list by J.-C. Fumoux | Nr in the Francat listing | Localization | Date | Class | Credibility | Sources | Number of W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 014 | 102 | Ressons-sur-Matz | 10/01 | CE2 | NI P | 2-p 103 | 1 W |
[Ref. jsr1] JEAN SIDER:
Jean Sider indicates that according to Figuet, on October 1, 1954, at 06:15 p.m., to Ressons-sur-Matz in the Oise, Mr. Vanhamme, 49 year-old at the time, comes to see its herd of Bovidae, and among the animals, he notices a brilliant and rectangular apparatus. The man advances but the object takes off with a whistling sound like that of a steam engine. Prints corresponding to a tripod were noted by the gendarmes and the grass was also scorched at this place.
[Ref. fbn1:] FABRICE BONVIN:
Fabrice Bonvin notes:
Case #013: 01/10/1954, p. 102 (Ressons-sur-Matz)
[Ref. lhh1:] LARRY HATCH - "*U* COMPUTER DATABASE":
4363: 1954/11/05 04:00 2 2:43:00 E 49:33:00 N 3333 WEU FRN OIS 6:6
RESSONS-sur-MATZ,FR:SLNT 4M BELL-SCR FOLOS ROAD >NW twrd TOWN:/LDLN#138
Ref# 30 FIGEUT[sic][sic]&RUCHON: OVNI: Le 1er Dossier Page No. 210 : TOWN &CITY
Larry Hatch recorded the case twice instead of once:
3890: 1954/10/01 18:20 1 2:43:40 E 49:32:20 N 3323 WEU FRN OIS 7:6
RESSONS sur MATZ,FR:FARMER:SCR/FIELD:FLATTENED GRASS FOUND AFTER:/LDLN#102
Ref# 8 VALLEE,Jacques: PASSPORT TO MAGONIA. Case No. 172 : FARMLANDS
[Ref. goe1:] GODELIEVE VAN OVERMEIRE:
Godelieve van Overmeire indicates that at the approximate date of October 1, 1954, in France, in Ressons sur Matz, "a farmer saw towards 18:15 in a field a white apparatus. Later flattened grass was found at the place of the phenomenon."
The source for this version is indicated as Jacques Vallée: "Chronique des apparitions ET" - DENOEL 1972 - COLL. J'AI LU - p. 263",
Godelieve van Overmeire indicates that another version is: "Mr. Vanhamme goes to see his cattle in the pasture, he has 40 of then including 10 white oxen. 'I count 11 of them, he would say then I realized that the eleventh was actually a shining and rectangular craft which was at 400 m from me. I advanced in his direction. I then heard a whistling sound similar to the one a steam engine leaves. The craft left the ground quickly and disappeared."
The source for this version is indicated as M. FIGUET/ J.L. RUCHON: "Ovni, Premier dossier complet..." Alain Lefeuvre pub. 1979, p. 102".
[Ref. amr1:] "INTERNATIONAL CROP CIRCLES DATABASE":
Ressons sur Matz, ---, France
Description
A number of circles recorded by Colin Andrew's CPR database
CCDB Ref.ID
fru1954ab
Year 1954
Date Reported Unknown
Date Created Unknown
Crop Type Unknown
OS Grid Ref. Unknown
Farm Details ---
Contact ---
[Ref. tc1:] "THE CIRCULAR":
The crop circles magazine indicates that there were "various formations" in Ressons sur Matz in France in 1954.
[Ref. fbn1:] FABRICE BONVIN:
Cases seleted at random for the mini-study:
30 cases extracted from the 1954 wave in France
[... Other cases...]
Case #13 10/01/1954, p. 102 (Ressons-sur-Matz)
[... Other cases...]
[Ref. amo1:] "CULTURE CROP" WEBSITE:
| 1954 | 60 | PICARDIE | DEP : OISE | Ressons sur Matz Various formations Extracted from the magazine "The Circular" page 13 |
[Ref. jbu1:] JEROME BEAU:
Jerome Beau indicates that on Friday October 1, 1954, at "18:15: Close to Ressons-on Matz (Oise), 1 farmer sees in a field a white apparatus. Flattened grass will be found at the place of the phenomenon."
The source is indicated as "Vallée, J., case #34, 'Rapport sur l'analyse de 200 observations documentées faites en 1954'".
[Ref. lcn1:] LUC CHASTAN:
Luc Chastan indicates that in the Oise in Ressons sur Matz on October 1, 1954 at 18:15 hours, the "witness comes to see his cattle in the pasture towards 18:15. There were 40 of them including 10 white oxen. 'I counted 11 of them, then I realized that the eleventh was actually a shining and rectangular machine which was at 400 m of me. I advanced in its direction. I then heard a whistling sound similar to that which a steam engine leaves. The machine left from the ground quickly and disappeared.' Later one found grass flattened at the place of the phenomenon."
The sources are indicated as "Ovni, Premier dossier complet... by Figuet M./ Ruchon J.L. ** Alain Lefeuvre pub. 1979"; "Chroniques des apparitions E.T. by Vallée Jacques ** DENOEL 1972 - J'AI Lu coll."; "Mini catalogue chronologique des observations OVNI by Van Overmeire Godelieve ** http://users.skynet.be/sky84985/".
[Ref. uda1:] "UFODNA" WEBSITE:
The website indicates that on 1 October 1954 18:15, in Ressons-sur-Matz, France, a farmer "saw a white craft in a field. Approximate date. A farmer saw a white craft in a field. Flattened grass was later found at the site. An object was observed. Traces found. One object was observed by one male witness on a farm."
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); Rogerson, Peter, World-Wide Catalog of Type 1 Reports; Phillips, Ted R., Ted Phillips investigation files; Phillips, Ted R., Physical Traces Associated with UFO Sightings, CUFOS, Chicago, 1975; Hatch, Larry, *U* computer database, Author, Redwood City, 2002.
[Ref. uda2:] "UFODNA" WEBSITE:
The website indicates that on 5 November 1954 at 04:00, in Ressons-sur-Matz, France, a "4m diameter bell-shaped domed disk, no sound, follows road to the northwest toward town." "A flying disc was observed. One domed disc, about 20 feet across, was observed by one witness in a town for two minutes. No sound was heard."
The sources are indicated as "Poher, Claude, Etudes Statistiques Portant sur 1000 Temoignag, Author, undated"; Vallee, Jacques, Computerized Catalog (N = 3073); Hatch, Larry, *U* computer database, Author, Redwood City, 2002.
[Ref. lpn1:] "LE PARISIEN":
54 YEARS AGO
Ufo invasion
As in many countries and French regions, the year 1954 was rich in observations of UFOs and other strange phenomena in the Oise. It is believed that visitors to the area were particularly pleased with the department, from Crépy-en-Valois to La Chapelle-en-Serval, via Saint Samson La Poterie, Ressons-sur-Matz, Senlis or Formerie, witnesses swore they saw saucers, flying cigars and other mini-extraterrestrials helmed with an orange beam! Press clippings and gendarmerie investigations evoke these episodes, none of which, alas, brought tangible evidence.
[Ref. ooi1:] "OVNI 61" BLOG:
October 1, 1954, at 06:15 p.m., in Ressons-Sur-Matz, a farmer sees in a field, a white apparatus. Later, flattened grass was found at the place of the phenomenon.
[Ref. mre1:] MICHEL RIBARDIERE:
September 20, 2010
1954 is an important year in the history of French ufology.
[General information]
Here some one of the encounters:
[... Other cases... ]
October 1, 1954, at 06:15 p.m., in Ressons-Sur-Matz, a farmer sees in a field, a white apparatus. Later, one found grass flattened at the place of the phenomenon.
[... Other cases... ]
[Ref. ubk1:] "UFODATENBANK":
This German online database managed to record that same case 6 times, with variable indications:
| Case Nr. | New case Nr. | Investigator | Date of observation | Zip | Place of observation | Country of observation | Hour of observation | Classification | Comments | Identification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19541001 | 01.10.1954 | Ressons | France | 18.15 | CE II | |||||
| 19541001 | 01.10.1954 | Ressons Matz | France | 18.15 | CE II | |||||
| 19541001 | 01.10.1954 | Ressons Matz | France | 18.15 | CE II | |||||
| 19541001 | 01.10.1954 | Ressons Matz | France | 18.15 | CE II | |||||
| 19541001 | 01.10.1954 | Ressons Matz | France | CE II | ||||||
| 19541002 | 02.10.1954 | Ressons | France | 18.15 | CE II |
[This database recorded this same case six times instead of one.]
[Ref. prn2:] PETER ROGERSON - "INTCAT":
October 1 1954. (approx. date) 1815hrs.
RESSONS SUR MATZ (OISE : FRANCE)
A farmer, Mr Vanhamme (49) was counting his cattle when he thought he had an extra white ox. On a second look this turned out to be a brilliant rectangular object 400m away. When he approached, it took off with a whistle like a steam engine. Marks like a tripod landing gear and burnt grass were found at the site
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There is an obvious problem with the date: Vallée indicates October 1, 1954 as the approximate date while the newspaper L'Oise-Matin for November 3 indicates that the thing happened "Very recently".
The problem of the source: Jacques Vallée, the earliest source known to me for this case, does not give a source, or indicates: "Personal". This indication was sometimes believed to mean that he "personally investigated" a case but that is absolutely not so; it only means that he had a source in his personal file. Peter Rogerson [prn1] noted a "M172" source that might suggest Aimé Michel's book in 1958, but I did not find any mention of this case in this book - perhaps I did not look hard enough. Clearly Garreau and Lavier had access to a source on their side, their story containing a quote from the witness. I think the case likely comes from a newspaper at the time but nobody thought it would be useful to indicate which one...
The "crop circle": In the 2000s, some researchers convinced that crop circles are made by UFOs (they are made by people, and only since 1978) wanted to make believe that this case included a crop circle. It is ridiculous, obviously, we're talking here about landing gear prints; which is never the case with crop circles. Some speak of flattened grass, but one can very well understand "flattened by the landing gear". And others indicate burned grass, which does not correspond to the crop circles which are figures made by flattening crop. This deception is committed by crop circles proponents to try to discredit the fact that crop circles appeared in the English countryside much later, originally made by Doug Bower and Dave Chorley. (Information here)
The explanation: the data is too thin to allow for a sure explanation. No investigation report by the gendarmes has been published to date. However, it seems to me that this could have been caused by a helicopter. The witness is 400 meters away, so he could not distinguish much. There are traces of landing gear, the noise at the time of the takeoff ("a hissing sound like that of a steam engine"). Scorched grass, found "later", could simply be grass damaged by gasoline spill, which strongly yellows the grass. Note that some sources speak of a "tripod" gear; which would not match a helicopter; so the helicopter is not a sure explanation.
(These keywords are only to help queries and are not implying anything.)
Ressons-sur-Matz, Oise, object, traces, grass, burned, flattened, single, takeoff, noise, steam engine, white, shining, rectangular, distant, cattle
| Version: | Created/Changed by: | Date: | Change Description: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | Patrick Gross | March 25, 2003 | First published. |
| 1.0 | Patrick Gross | February 12, 2009 | Conversion from HTML to XHTML Strict. First formal version. Additions [jve3], [goe1], [amr1], [amo1], [jbu1], [lcn1], [uda1]. |
| 1.1 | Patrick Gross | October 19, 2011 | Addition [oo3]. |
| 1.2 | Patrick Gross | October 19, 2016 | Additions [mre1], [ldl1], [ubk1]. |
| 1.3 | Patrick Gross | March 2, 2017 | Addition [lpn1]. |
| 1.4 | Patrick Gross | December 4, 2018 | Additions [jv4], [fge1], [mft2], [mft1], [lhh1], [fbn1], [ine1], [prn1], [prn2]. Addition of the Summary. Explanation changed, was "Not looked for yet." |
| 1.5 | Patrick Gross | July 21, 2019 | Additions [mft1], [lhh1]. |
| 1.6 | Patrick Gross | May 8, 2021 | Addition [lon1]. In the Explanations, addition of the paragraph "There is an obvious problem with the date..." In the Summary, addition of the information from [lon1]. |
| 1.7 | Patrick Gross | April 16, 2022 | Additions [tps1], [gep1]. |
