ALSACAT-2-SOPPELEBAS-1
A man, retired radar mechanic from the French air forces, reported to the National Gendarmerie that on Saturday July 20, 2013, in the night around 01:30, he had observed from the window facing south of his bathroom on the first floor of his home in Soppe-le-Bas, for almost a quarter of an hour, an "undetermined" phenomenon.
He indicated that the moon was to the southwest quite low on the horizon, slightly obscured by clouds, that in front of his window the sky was clear, that he could see the stars, that he could not felt no wind, or that the wind was gentle.
He described what he saw as round balls of dark red color with slightly lighter shades around the edges as they approached him. There had been a first group of five balls arranged "in a rectangle or even a rhombus", with one ball at each corner and one in the middle. He estimated the gap between the balls at around 50 meters in width and 100 meters in length.
What intrigued him the most then was that they stopped approaching him and turned 90° to their left on a heading of about 240°. They moved away uphill at an angle of about 10°, and ended up aligned with each other.
About five minutes later, a second group of four balls appeared, spaced about 30 seconds apart. They looked the same, they were in line one behind the other and followed the same axis as the first group.
It had lost visual contact with this second group about 7 to 8 minutes after it appeared on the horizon. He specified that these UFOs had made no noise.
He estimated that with distance the balls appeared with a diameter of 10 to 15 centimeters, he presumes that they were between 600 and 800 meters away at an altitude of about 700 to 1000 meters.
He expressed that it is difficult to estimate their speed, he assumes a maximum of 180 km/h. The two groups of objects seemed to come from the direction of Basel - Altkirch to go back to Belfort - Montbéliard. Their turn was made about 500 to 600 meters from his house, when they were above the A36 motorway at that time. Their 90° course change had surprised him since he felt no wind.
He specifies that for him it was not one or two objects but nine distinct objects of the same nature, and that he had never observed such a phenomenon.
He hadn't thought of taking pictures, but his wife, whom he had called and who was also observing the balls at the time, suggested it to him, and he was then able to take two digital pictures.
He adds that after the sighting, he had "looked on the internet", and that one "could assume that they are 'Chinese lanterns.'"
The gendarmes recorded the photos taken, the sketches by the witness, drew up a map of the places, took photos of the places, items available in my file below.
The GEIPAN published the Gendarmerie documents around 2018, and classified the case as "B", as a probable sighting of Chinese lanterns.
| Date: | July 20, 2013 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 01:30 a.m. |
| Duration: | 15 minutes. |
| First known report date: | August 2, 2013 |
| Reporting delay: | 12 days. |
| Department: | Haut-Rhin |
|---|---|
| City: | Soppe-le-Bas |
| Place: | From bathroom window at home. |
| Latitude: | 47.716 |
| Longitude: | 7.087 |
| Uncertainty radius: | 1 km. |
| Number of alleged witnesses: | 2 |
|---|---|
| Number of known witnesses: | 1 |
| Number of named witnesses: | 0 |
| Witness(es) ages: | Aged. |
| Witness(es) types: | Retired local couple. |
| Reporting channel: | To the Gendarmerie Nationale. |
|---|---|
| Type of location: | From window at home. |
| Visibility conditions: | Night. |
| UFO observed: | Yes. |
| UFO arrival observed: | Yes. |
| UFO departure observed: | Yes. |
| Entities: | No. |
| Photographs: | Yes. |
| Sketch(s) by witness(es): | Yes. |
| Sketch(es) approved by witness(es): | Yes. |
| Witness(es) feelings: | Puzzled. |
| Witnesses interpretation: | Chinese lanterns. |
| Hynek: | NL |
|---|---|
| ALSACAT: | Chinese lanterns. |
[Ref. gei1:] GROUPE D'ETUDES ET D'INFORMATIONS SUR LES PHENOMENES AEROSPATIAUX NON IDENTIFIES (G.E.I.P.A.N.):
| SOPPE-LE-BAS (68) 20.07.2013 | |
| Observed on: | 07/20/2013 |
| Region: | Alsace |
| Department: | Rhin (Haut) |
| Class: | B |
| Summary: | SOPPE-LE-BAS (68) 07/20/2013. Observation of the silent passage of groups of luminous red balls: probable observation of Chinese lanterns. |
| Description: |
On Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 1:30 a.m., a witness is intrigued by the silent passage in the sky of groups of dark red balls. The witness takes photographs. This testimony of red-orange balls moving in single line during the nights of weekend clearly evokes the Chinese lanterns. It is difficult to correlate their displacement, estimated from East to West, with the local wind, very weak and variable on the one hand, and therefore uncertain (wind recorded North from Colmar, South from Basel (see weather this may explain the change of direction. The witness, who was unaware of the existence of this type of object, has documented himself and acknowledged that it could be lanterns. Despite the uncertainty of the local wind, GEIPAN classifies this case "B": probable observation of Chinese lanterns. |
| Report: | None. |
| Details of the testimony | |
| Witness | |
| Date of the observation | 07/20/2013 |
| Document number | |
| Age | Adult (more than 60) |
| Profession | Retired |
| Sex | Male |
| Reaction | Active Curiosity |
| Credibility | |
| Conditions | |
| Environment | Home |
| Weather conditions | Clear Sky |
| Hour ot the observation | Numered : 0 o'clock - 2 o'clock |
| Reference frame | Sky or clouds |
| Distance between phenomenon and witness | Distant (from 200 m to 1 km) |
| Start of the observation | Start of observation by witness |
| End of observation | End of observation by phenomenon |
| Localization | |
| Angle of the site | Numbered; Other |
| Direction of observation | South-East |
| Heading | Geographical landmarks (Name of city, village, numbered, etc.) |
| Trajectory | Straight line;With change of directio |
| Nature of the observation | Others |
| Characteristic of the observation | Multiples |
| Global shape | Round, circular, ball |
| Color | Red |
| Apparent size | Numbered |
| Apparent speed | Numbered |
| Noise | No noise |
| Effect on the environment | Not-specified |
| Number | 3 |
|
Unit code 14988
Report Nbr: 0126
Year: 2013
Judicial file nbr:
Document nbr: 1
Sheet number: 1/1
Analysis and references
Affair
Report of UFO sighting: Mr. [-]
On Sunday, August 18, 2013, at 3 jours15 40 minutes
We the undersigned Gendarme [-]
Under the control of Maréchal des Logis Chef [-]
Given the article(s) L. 3211-3 of the defense code
Being at the office of our unité [-] reportthe following operations:
Today, we proceed with the investigation cited in reference.
On Saturday July 27, 2013, following the report made by Mr [-], we went to his home in order to carry out the observations of the place of the sighting....... Exhibit no. 2
On Friday, August 2, 2013, we heard from Mr: [-] who gave us details of his observation ......... Exhibit 3
--- We attach to these proceedings the documents (Appendixes 1 to 8) cited in Exhibits 2 and 3. ---
Which minutes drawn up and closed at [-], August 18, 2013 at 4:10 p.m.
The Judicial Police Officer
(RECIPIENTS)
(2) - DGGN - SDDOP - Intelligence and Operations Center, overseas intelligence section. - including 1 ex. GEPAN TOULOUSE 31401
(1) - Mr. Prefect in COLMAR 68000
(1) - Archives
Closing date
08/18/2013
Signature(s) [-]
Viewed and forwarded by: [-]
The [-]
|
Unit code 14988
PV number: 0126
Year: 2013
Nmr justice file:
Part number: 2
Nmr sheet: 1/3
Analysis and references
Case
UFO sighting report: M. [-]
Sunday July 28, 2013 at 5:50 p.m.
We, the undersigned Gendarme [-]
Under the control of Adjutant [-]
View article(s) L. 3211-3 of the Defense Code
We at the office of our unit [-] report the following operations:
Today, we proceed with the investigation cited in reference,
Saturday July 27, 2013 at 3 p.m., we go to the home of Mr. [-].
We note the geographical coordinates at this location: [-]
Mr [-] showed us the view from his bathroom window, from where he observed the UFOs on Saturday July 20 at 1:30 am.
We take two photographs (Pictures nr 1 and 2) from this point of view of the two views described by the person concerned as being those of the arrival and departure of the UFOs. The prints of these shots will be presented to him later.
These same photographs will be printed and presented to Mr [-] who will annotate them (Appendices 1 and 2)
During his audition (Exhibit #3), Nr. [-] will also provide us with a sketch he made representing the objects he observed during the approach and dive phase. distance (Appendix 3), as well as a printout of a map of the observation region on which he has drawn the axes of approach and distance of the observed objects (Appendix 4).
Finally, he will give us two photographs in digital format that he took of the objects during his observation. These two photographs presented in the photographic file (Snapshots n+ 3 and 4) are also printed on A4-size paper and attached to the procedure (Appendices 5 and 6).
We specify that the two images on sides 3 and 4 will be kept in their original digital format by our unit for a reasonable period of time necessary for the possibility of an additional investigation into their supply.
Which minutes drawn up and closed [-] on August 18, 2013 at 3:35 p.m.
The Judicial Police Officer
[/s/]
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PV no. 14988/01026/2013
Part no. 2
Sheet no. 2 / 3
Snapshot #1
Snapshot #2
The Judicial Police Officer
[/s/]
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PV no. 14988/01026/2013
Part no. 2
Sheet no. 3 / 3
Snapshot 3
Snapshot 4
The Judicial Police Officer
[/s/]
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Unit code 14988
Report number: 0126
Year: 2013
Nmr justice file:
Part Nmr: 3
Sheet Nmr: 1/3
Analysis and references
Case
Friday, August 2, 2013 at 11:05 a.m.
We, the undersigned Constable [-]
Under the control of the Adjutant [-]
Given article(s) L. 3211-3 of the Defense Code
We at the office of our unit [-] report the following operations:
Today, we are carrying out the investigation cited in reference.
Sex [-]
Name [-]
First name [-]
Family status [-]
Civil status validity [-]
Date of birth Commune of birth and Postal Code [-]
Country [-]
INSEE [-]
Telephone number [-]
Fax number [-]
Occupation Retired
Nationality [-]
We hear the person named above who declares to us:
I present myself today to your unit following the facts that we had already mentioned and which occurred on the night of July 19 to 20, 2013 in SOPPE LE BAS.
Indeed, on Saturday July 20, 2013 around 1 hour 30 minutes, while I was at my home located [-] in SOPPE LE BAS - 68760, I was able to observe from the window of my bathroom on the second floor an indeterminate phenomenon.
Observations:
I have lived at this address since 1970. I live with my wife. I retired from the air force on August 20, 1991. I was an officer in the air force as an electronic mechanic. I worked on radar sets when I was a non-commissioned officer.
Observations:
Question: Can you elaborate on the circumstances of your sighting? (place, date, time, duration, direction)
Answer: I was on the first floor of my house, in the bathroom facing south. It was Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 1:30 am, I had heard the village church bell ringing. My observation lasted almost a quarter of an hour except for the minute when I left to look for my camera.
Question: Can you tell us about the climatic and atmospheric conditions during your observation? (day or night, climate, wind, moon)
Answer: It was night. The moon was completely on the southwest side quite low on the horizon, it was slightly obscured by clouds. Facing my window the sky was clear, you could see the stars. The weather was clear. I didn't feel particularly windy, or possibly an insignificant wind.
The person interviewed
/s/
The Judicial Police Officer
/s/
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Report no. 14988/0102672013
Part no. 3
Sheet no. 2 / 3
Nature of observed object:
Question: Can you detail the nature of the object(s) you observed? (shape, size, color, brightness, shine, shadow, noise, smell, traces...)
Answer: They were round balls of dark red color with slightly lighter shades on the outline as they got closer to me. There was a first group of five balls arranged in a rectangle or even a diamond. There was a ball at each corner and one in the middle. I estimate the gap between the balls at around 50 meters wide and 100 meters long. What intrigued me the most then was that they stopped approaching me and turned 90° to their left on a heading of around 240°. I then saw them moving away slightly uphill at an angle of about 10°, and there the five balls found themselves in single line. About five minutes later, a second group of four balls appeared spaced about 30 seconds apart. They looked the same. These were in line one behind the other and followed the same axis as the first group. I visually lost contact with this second and final group about seven to eight minutes after it appeared on the horizon. I specify that these UFOs made no noise. I didn't think to take pictures, it was my wife who suggested it to me. I was therefore able to take two shots in the distance that I am submitting in digital format.
Question: Do you think it was one or several separate objects?
Answer: For me it was nine separate objects of the same nature.
Question: What known object did you think these objects looked like?
Answer: It was definitely a ball, not a disk. After looking on the internet, one would assume that these are "Chinese lanterns". It is certain that I had never observed such a phenomenon.
Position of observed object:
Question: Can you describe the position of these objects? (horizon, altitude, intervals, distance...)
Answer: With distance they appeared to be 10 to 15 centimeters in diameter. I assume they were between 600 and 800 meters apart at an altitude of about 700 to 1000 meters.
Movements of the observed object:
Question: Can you describe the movements observed? (direction, speed, attitude, movements...)
Answer: It is difficult to estimate the speed of these objects, one could assume a maximum of 180 km/h. These two groups of objects seemed to come from the direction of BASEL / ALTKIRCH to leave towards BELFORT / MONTBELIARD. Their turn was made about 500 to 600 meters from my house, because at that time they overlooked the A36 motorway. Their change of course surprised me because I didn't feel any wind. And their 90° turn seemed odd to me.
Miscellaneous:
Question: Did you know of any local event that took place the night of your sighting? (ball, party...)
Answer: No, nothing at all. There was no noise except for highway traffic. One can easily suggest that many other people could have observed this phenomenon.
Question: To your knowledge, did other witnesses observe this phenomenon?
Answer: Yes my wife because I called her when I started to observe the phenomenon. She was the one who told me to get the camera.
Question: Did you keep records of the observed event? (photographs, sketches...)
Answer: Yes, I'll give you all these items.
Question: Did you observe any other prior, subsequent, or concurrent phenomena?
Answer: Never in my life.
The person interviewed
/s/
The Judicial Police Officer
/s/
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Report no. 14988/01026/2û13
Sheet no. 3 / 3
You are showing me two printed photographs whose views were taken by you and in my presence from my bathroom.
Question: Could you detail your observation on each of these shots?
Answer: Yes, I have annotated each of the shots according to the observation I made.
At your request, I made a sketch representing the phenomenon observed in approach and departure. I give you this sketch. I am also giving you a printed map of the sector on which I have traced the trajectories of these phenomena.
Question:What would you like to add?
Answer: Nothing special. I have never observed an identical phenomenon, neither near nor far. We and my wife stayed awake a little longer but the phenomenon did not happen again.
I have read the civil status information and the declaration above, I persist in it and have nothing to change, add or subtract from it.
August 02, 2013 at 11:45 a.m.
The person interviewed
/s/
The Judicial Police Officer
/s/
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REP. 14988/01026/2û13
APPENDIX 1
Arrival
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REP. 14988/01026/2û13
APPRENDIX 2
Departure
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Report 14988/01026/2û13
APPENDIX 3
approaching
Red balls estimated diameter 10 cm
1st group
from 100 m to 20 m
5 minutes
2nd group
30 seconds
Going away
visual loss after 7 to 8 minutes
30 seconds
5mm
10 to 12°
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Chinese lanterns are one cause of some old tales of UFO sightings: During the "airship" wave of 1896 - 1897 in the USA, during the wave of 1972 in the US Midwest, etc.
Since these miniature hot air paper balloons can be ordered on the Internet at very low cost - they also commonly found in Alsace now in stores - there is no need anymore to take the trouble of manufacturing them yourself.
So since 2005, about everywhere and of course in Alsace, many people who do not yet know about them report them as UFOs or at least as a subject of puzzlement: "It was not planes, not satellites, not helicopters, etc...", commonly appears in the stories. Indeed they aren't.
In principle, any ufologist worthy of the title should be able to recognize a story related for sure or at least possibly to Chinese lanterns, but there are still ufologists who do not want to listen, or quibble, demanding that a guilty lantern is handed to them otherwise they want the story to remain a "UFO report".
Most of the time, I certainly cannot "scientifically prove" or provide "hard evidence" that this or that report is explained by Chinese lanterns; but I see nothing opposes it and nothing would justify to call it spacecraft from another world or who knows what else.
It is sometimes possible to find that there was, precisely at that time, in the vicinity, a release of lanterns, during a party, a wedding party, a birthday party etc. But these releases are now so usual in Alsace at least that they are not necessarily mentioned on festivity calendars.
Since 2005, they constitute the bulk of the "testimonies" of UFOs found on websites devoted to the subject of UFOs and essentially publishing such "web report"; generally the only treatment is the publication, without any information on a possible cause, without any investigation or comment.
In Alsace, such releases are especially popular now since fireworks and firecrackers, long tolerated, are now prohibited for use unless special exemptions; Alsatians therefore largely adopted the lanterns.
As these lanterns are usually released at private or public parties, they are most often seen on Saturday nights, often at wedding dates or official festivities such as the National Day or New Year's Eve, usually between 10 p.m. and midnight. They are then usually released in clusters. But sometimes the purchaser performs a "test flight" a few days before, sometimes with a single lantern.
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Above: a Chinese lantern.
Chinese lanterns.
* = Source is available to me.
? = Source I am told about but could not get so far. Help needed.
| Main author: | Patrick Gross |
|---|---|
| Contributors: | None |
| Reviewers: | None |
| Editor: | Patrick Gross |
| Version: | Create/changed by: | Date: | Description: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | Patrick Gross | March 18, 2023 | Creation, [gei1]. |
| 1.0 | Patrick Gross | March 18, 2023 | First published. |
