ufo - UFOs at close sight: ALSACAT, UFOs in Alsace, France - Case of the Schlucht pass, on June 10, 1987

In the bulletin La Ligne Bleue Survolée?, of the ufology group Cercle Vosgien Lumières Dans La Nuit, #19, of 1988, the report of an investigation into a sighting on June 10, 1987 at the Schlucht pass was published.

That very same day, at 8 p.m., Mr. S. D. contacted the investigator, Claude Fleurance, by telephone. He told him that on June 10, 1987, between 9:15 and 9:25 a.m., he and his family were driving to Munster, to attend the "Casino Parade" program of the RTL radio station.

Arrived at the Col de la Schlucht, at the level of the Hôtel des Roches, they saw in the sky, eastward, an unusual oval luminous shape that Mr. S. D. immediately qualified as a UFO.

They stopped almost immediately to observe better. Only Messrs. D. father and son got out of the car.

Mr. S. D. who always carries with him "his ufologist equipment", was able to identify an angle from north of 100 to 105 degrees using his compass, and the measurement of the height with the "pistol", reveals a zero angle, almost 0 degrees.

The phenomenon was motionless, the witnesses wera able to observe it with binoculars.

To the naked eye, it looked like an "oval ball" or flattened disc with no clear outlines, but Mr. S. D. noticed that in binoculars, it looked vaguely like a hat. He took several pictures.

After a short while, the oval shape seemed to shrink, and then a smaller ball, also luminous, appeared under the first one and began to "dance on the spot".

After a short while, the phenomenon disappeared from view, remaining visible for a while through the binoculars.

Mr. S. D. indicated that there was a fairly strong wind, a cloudy sky showing some parts of the sky, the sun was visible, but not in the same direction as the phenomenon.

Mr. S. D. noted on his arrival in Munster that several balloon releases had been made at 9:50 a.m., 10:10 a.m. and 10:25 a.m. He does not know whether there had been other releases before.

He had also noted the passage of a military convoy as well as the fact that his father had a migraine attack, about an hour after the sighting, something that happens to him very rarely.

Mr. S. D. specified that he had noted these details by reflex, without necessarily seeing a connection with the observed phenomenon.

On July 11, 1987, Claude Fleurance met Mr. S. D. and his father at the sighting site, they confirmed the report. Mr. S. D. entrusted Claude Fleurqnce with a file he has written on this case, with his drawings and notes.

Thereafter, Claude Fleurance and other investigators would seek to verify the presence of balloons and hot air balloons with the Porrentruy Balloonist Club, which confirmed that at the time of the observation, there was no release of their hot air balloon.

On September 24, 1987, the film of Mr. S. D.'s photos was developed, and "nothing was visible" to the eye. On October 8, 1987, enlargements were made but they were "disappointing".

In December 1987, the Enntzheim weather station responded to the weather balloon hypothesis: it did not seem plausible to them. A telephone contact with the Munster gendarmerie to enquire whether a fallen sounding balloon had been found in the region at the time of the events receives a negative response on this matter.

Data:

Temporal data:

Geographical data:

Witnesses data:

Ufology data:

Classifications:

Sources:

Date:	June 10, 1987
Time:	09:20 a.m.
Duration:	?
First known report date:	June 10, 1987
Reporting delay:	Hours.

Department:	Haut-Rhin
City:	Stosswihr
Place:	The Schlucht pass, on the road, near the Relais des Roches.
Latitude:	48.063
Longitude:	7.024
Rayon d'incertitude:	100 m.

Number of alleged witnesses:	2
Number of known witnesses:	2
Number of named witnesses:	0
Witness(es) ages:	Adults.
Witness(es) types:	Man and his father.

Reporting channel:	Phone call to local ufologist, on site investigation.
Type of location:	Mountain pass road.
Visibility conditions:	Overcast day with some clearings.
UFO observed:	Yes.
UFO arrival observed:	No.
UFO departure observed:	Yes.
Entities:	No.
Photographs:	Yes.
Sketch(s) by witness(es):	Yes.
Sketch(es) approved by witness(es):	Yes.
Witness(es) feelings:	?
Witnesses interpretation:	UFO, possible lenticular cloud.

Hynek:	DD
ALSACAT:	Probable misinterpretation.

INVESTIGATION

F/98/68-8706-10(01)

* investigation timeline -

8 p.m. 1st Wednesday, June 10, 1987, Claude FLEURANCE, receives a telephone call from Mr. S. D.

The latter informed him of an observation that took place the same day at the Col de la Schlucht; while he was with his parents and younger sister.

- On Friday, June 12, 1987, Claude FLEURANCE called the Trois Fours weather station. Claude FLEURANCE's correspondent advises him to contact the ENTZHEIM air base.

Mail sent the same day to the ENTZHEIM base.

- Tuesday, June 16, new phone call from Mr. S. D. who clarifies his testimony as to the apparent size of the phenomenon.

- On Wednesday, June 17, receipt of the reply letter from the ENTZHEIM base, which in principle eliminates the "sounding balloon" hypothesis.

The same day, Claude FLEURANCE calls Mr. S. D. to inform him of the response from the weather station.

- Thursday, June 25, telephone call from Gilles MUNSCH, to whom Claude FLEURANCE sends the latest news.

Gilles MUNSCH declares that he will contact Eric ANTOINE, (L.D.L.N. Delegation for Alsace).

Friday, June 26. letter from Mr. S. D. about his research on the balloon hypothesis.

Claude FLEURANCE calls the same day, Mr S. D. As he is absent, the investigator has an interview with the mother of witness nr 1, herself having partially visualized the phenomenon.

- On Monday, June 29, phone call from Hervé PIERRON (CVLDLN) about the sighting in question and an evening sky watch at TROIS FOURS.

- On Thursday, July 2, 1987, Claude FLEURANCE called back his correspondent from the TKOIS FOURS post, in order to obtain additional information on the evolutions of the balloonists.

The same day, telephone call from Mr. S. D. for confirmation of his conclusions already sent by mail on June 25.

Proposal of an appointment for an investigation at the scene of the sighting.

- Monday, July 6, phone call from J. M. FERRY following the phone call given by Eric ANTOINE, who could not reach G. MUNSCH; nor Claude FLEURANCE. He transmits the negative results of his investigations to the gendarmerie and the balloonists of the Alsace region, a letter must follow, addressed to G. MUNSCH.

- On Friday, July 10, telephone call from Mr. S. D. to confirm the appointment of 7/11/87.

- Saturday July 11, investigation of the sighting site.

Present: Mr. S. D. and his father, as well as Claude FLEURANCE.

Confirmation by the two witnesses of the story.

Mr. S. D. entrusts Claude FLEURANCE, of a file he made on this case, with his drawings and notes.

The sky watch party is taking place as planned at the TROIS FOURS.

- Monday, July 13, telephone call from Claude FLEURANCE to Gilles MUNSCH for an interview on the letter from Eric ANTOINE concerning the balloonists. Mail addressed to Mr. S. D. for a copy of Eric ANTOINE's letter.

- Thursday, July 16, telephone call to the number given for the "Doubs", by Eric ANTOINE, (contact details of Mr. V.) at. about the balloonists, allowing to have information on balloon and mongolfières.

Mail sent to the manager, Mr. V.

- On Monday, July 20, telephone call from Mr. V. giving additional information on the PORRENTRUY Balloonist Club. This club confirms that at the time of the sighting, there was no release of their balloon.

- Wednesday, July 22, letter from Mr. S. D. in response to Claude FLEURANCE's question regarding the date of establishment of his file.

- Saturday, August 1, telephone call from Mr. S. D. in the absence of Claude FLEURANCE.

- Sunday, August 9, phone call from. Mr. S. D. indicating that the film on which he took the phenomenon will soon be developed.

- Sunday, August 13, letter sent to Mr. S. D. to remind him of the sending of the film.

- Tuesday, September 1, phone call from Mr. S. D. to inform Claude FLEURANCE that the film is ready to be sent.

- Monday, September 14, phone call from Mr. S. D. to confirm that the film was posted the same day.

- Tuesday, September 15, reception of Mr. S. D.'s photo film

- Saturday, September 19, deposit of the film at Monsieur MARE photographer in GERARDMER.

- Thursday, September 24, recovery of the film. At first glance nothing is visible.

- 1st Friday, September 25, phone call to Gilles MUNSCH for information about the prints.

- Saturday, September 26, phone call to Mr. S. D. for information. He agrees that the CERCLE VOSGIEN L.D.L.N. keep the negative for as long as it needs.

- Saturday, October 3, visit to Mr MARE photographer, to discuss the best possible use of the negative and the shots.

- Thursday, October 8, result of enlargements at Monsieur MAIE, disappointing results.

- Saturday, October 10, phone call from Mr. S. D. asking for news about his film.

The same day, meeting of the CERCLE VOSGIEN L.D.L.N. in THAON LES VOSGES and information provided to members of the Association.

- Monday, October 12, another visit to Mr. MARE's store to order photo reproductions.

- Saturday, October 17, sending a copy of each photo to Mr. S. D.

- Saturday, November 7, telephone call from Mr. S. D. who wishes to know wethre the study of the pictures and the investigation allow to draw the conclusion: UFO or not UFO?

- Monday, November 9, letter to Mr. S. D. for sending photos and the list of phone calls between him and Claude FLEURANCE.

- On Monday, November 23, 1987, letter to the ENTHZEIM weather base to request the examination of photos and additional information on the sounding balloons.

- Friday, December 4, 1987, response from the ENTHZEIM weather station: the weather balloon hypothesis hardly seems plausible.

The same day, telephone call to Erie ANTOINE to find out whether during his telephone contact with the MUNSTER gendarmerie, he had asked if a sounding balloon had been found in the region at the time of the events.

Negative answer, action to be taken.

- Monday, December 7, telephone call to the MUNSTER Gendarmerie (recorded).

- Sunday, January 10, 1988, telephone call from Gilles MUNSCH, who states that he is able to do research on the possibilities of reflection from the sun.

- Wednesday, January 20, 1988, telephone call from Mr. S. D. to confirm the return by mail of the witness files of the CNEGU questionnaire.

- Saturday, January 23, 1988, meeting of the CERCLE VOSGIEN LDLN in THAON LES VOSGES.

Given to Hervé PIERRON, for possible field research, a copy of the MICHELIN 87 map, mentioning the direction of the observed phenomenon.

Remarks: the projection line passes close to the FESSENHEIM nuclear power plant.

- Monday, January 25, deposit with Mr. MARE of the slide of Mr. B.H. for printing on paper. (retrieved January 30, 1988).

- Thursday, February 11, letter from Mr. S. D. for the return of the CNEGU questionnaire witness sheets.

- Monday, February 15, acknowledgment of receipt to Mr. S. D.

- As of August 26, 1988, some information must still be requested by the investigator.

.../...

* 1st Story -

Telephone call from Mr. S. D. on Wednesday, June 10, 1987 at 8 p.m.

"This day, Wednesday, June 10, 1987, between 9:15 and 9:25 a.m. Mr. S. D. and his family were driving to MUNSTER, to attend the RTL program "CASINO PARADE".

Arrived at the Col de la Schlucht, at the level of the Hôtel des Roches (?), they see in the sky, towards the east, an unusual oval luminous shape which the father immediately qualifies as "U.F.O.".

They stop almost immediately to get a better look. Only Messrs. D. father and son get out of the car.

Mr. S. D. who always carries with him "his ufologist equipment", can measure an angle from north of 100 to 105 degrees using his compass, and measure the height with a "pistol", reveals a zero angle, practically 0 degrees.

The phenomenon is motionless, the witnesses can observe it with binoculars.

While to the naked eye, it has the shape of an "oval ball" or a flattened disc without clear contours, Mr. S. D. notices that with binoculars, it has the vague shape of a hat...

Mr. D. father takes several photos.

After a few moments, the oval shape seems to shrink. It is then that a smaller ball, also luminous, appears under the first one and begins to "dance on the spot."

After a few moments, the phenomenon disappears from sight, remaining still visible for a moment, with binoculars.

The disappearance is done on the spot (retreat?), the small ball disappearing first.

.../...

The weather conditions indicated by Mr. S. D. are as follows:

Fairly strong wind - cloudy sky showing some clearings - the sun was visible, but not in the same direction as the phenomenon.

.../...

Mr. S. D. noted on his arrival in MUNSTER that several balloon releases had been made at 9:50 a.m., 10:10 a.m. and 10:25 a.m.

He does not know whether there had been others earlier.

He also noted the passage of a military convoy and the fact that his father had a migraine attack, about an hour after the sighting, something that happens very rarely to him.

Mr. S. D. specifies that he noted these details by reflex, without making any connection with the observed phenomenon.

He hypothesizes a lenticular cloud.

.../...

Discussion:

The witnesses were almost at the top of the pass near the "Relais des Roches" which is on the roadside. The viewing direction "100 to 105" is shown by the yellow line at 103°.

The investigation report tells that the diretion of observation passes at the Fessenheim nuclear plant. This is then a direction of 113°:

The landscape on this road, looking in the direction of observation, looks like this, overall:

The report says there was nothing to see in the photos, even when enlarged. This seems crucial to me because it suggests something small, and/or very dim. The witness himself wonders whether it was a lenticular cloud; it may have been a lenticular cloud with a smaller one below, over the Black Forest in Germany, in the direction of sighting. That the smallest phenomenon that "danced on the spot" remains astonishing.

(It couldn't have been the Moon, absent from the sky, nor Venus, much too high and hardly visible by day.)

However, I have the impression that both the witness and the investigators were thinking of something less distant; they think about balloon launches, try find out whether a weather balloon had fallen in the area, etc.

The problem is the lack of published data - it may have been in the witness's notes. In particular, the duration of the observation, the angular sizes of two phenomena are missing.

This prompts me to leave the case as an unidentified of little strangeness and insufficient information.

Evaluation:

Sources references: