The index page for the 1954 French flap section of this website is here.
Reference for this case: 20-Oct-54-Berthem.
Please cite this reference in any correspondence with me regarding this case.
In the local newspaper Nord Littoral, of Calais, it was reported on page 5 for October 22, 1954, that Mr. Michel Duvivier, 28 years old, living in Berthem, returned home around 9 p.m. - the date was not specified - when he was surprised by a ball of fire moving in the sky. Intrigued, he stopped his moped to follow with his eyes this "fast bolide which advanced at a speed exceeding that of the most powerful planes."
In in 1997 book, ufologist Michel Jeantheau indicated that around October 20, 1954, a "ball of fire" was seen in Berthem by Mr. Duvivier.
He said this was reported in the newspaper Nord-Littoral, of Calais, on page 5 for September 1, 1954.
[Ref. nll1:] NEWSPAPER "NORD LITTORAL":
Mr. Michel Duvivier, 28, living in Berthem, returning home around 9 p.m., was surprised by a ball of fire moving in the sky. Rightly intrigued, he stopped his moped to follow with his eyes this dazzling bolide which was advancing at a speed exceeding that of the most powerful planes.
***
In addition an honorable farmer from Louches, Mr. Masson returned home around 9 p.m. with his tractor when he saw a bright light and almost immediately a violent explosion, accompanied this dazzling light.
When he came to see our correspondent in Ardres to explain this mysterious appearance, Mr. Masson still seemed to be in awe.
***
Robert Boulanger, commercial manager in Ardres, coming back from a tour and returning to Ardres around 11:00 p.m., saw a luminous disc which sometimes moved from top to bottom and from bottom to top, changed color and position. This craft had moved in the sky, in various manners. Intrigued, Mr. Boulanger informed our correspondent in Ardres.
[Ref. mju1:] MICHEL JEANTHEAU:
This ufologist indicates that celestial phenomena were noticed around October 20, 1954; a "ball of fire" was seen in Berthem by Mr. Duvivier.
The source is indicated as the Nord-Littoral newspaper, of Calais, on page 5 for October 22, 1954.
Totally insufficient information, probable meteor.
(These keywords are only to help queries and are not implying anything.)
Berthem, Pas-deCalais, ball, fire, luminous, Duvivier
[----] indicates sources that are not yet available to me.
Version: | Created/Changed by: | Date: | Change Description: |
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1.0 | Patrick Gross | August 23, 2019 | First published. |
1.1 | Patrick Gross | May 17, 2020 | Addition [nll1]. In the Summary, addition of the information from [nll1]. |