ALSACAT-2015-11-13-WINTZENHEIM-1
On November 16, 2015, a man or a young man came to the Gendarmes to testify about an aerial phenomenon he had seen and cannot explain. The gendarmes noted his statement, the witness explaining that he will also complete the GEIPAN testimony form, which he did.
His observation took place on November 13, 2015, at about 10:20 pm. He was on the passenger side in the car of a sports colleague, who drove him back home from Munster by taking the D417 departmental towards Colmar.
At the intersection of Route Nationale 83, they entered Departmental Road D417, when he saw "a bright white object" coming in their direction.
The two thought at first that it was certainly an airplane, but when they arrived at the second roundabout, that of the Crix Blanche located at the exit of Colmar and at the entrance of Wintzenheim, the object flew over them at a height of fifteen meters, and at that moment, they clearly observed that it had three round lights, white or pale-colored, one at each end of its black triangular mass about 12 to 15 meters from one edge to the other, and two red lights in the center of the object.
None of these lights blinked, nor did they emit light either to the front or to the ground, the light intensity remaining the same.
The car radio was on, but at low volume, and a window of the car was partly open. He heard no noise from the object, felt no heat source, there was no effect on the radio or anything else.
His sportsmate had said "he's crazy that guy flying so low," and they found that quite bizarre.
The object then remained stationary for about 2 seconds, then sped very smoothly towards Ingersheim, noiselessly, with a south / north trajectory, and they lost sight of it.
The observation had lasted about 1 minute.
The witness explains that he served two years in the army as a 20mm gun specialist, and that he acquired the habit of recognizing "certain types of aircraft or helicopters but what I have seens that Friday does not correspond in my opinion to anything conventional."
He explained to the gendarmes that his friend did not want to testify, wishing to remain anonymous.
At GEIPAN, the military radar recrd was consulted, and it turned out that there was a helicopter on a low-altitude hospital mission in the area at that time and date. GEIPAN showed the superposition of the radar tracks on the map, noting that the radar record cannot confirm the hovering at an altitude as low as that observed (15m) since the radar gives an altitude of 200 meters, but the GEIPAN considers it compatible, recalling that the estimation of distance of light spots in the night is very subjective.
The description of a triangle with steady lights, one white at each end and two red ones in the center, is compatible with a helicopter. The green and red navigation lights were not reported by the witness, but they could have been masked by the white landing headlights, turned on for an upcoming landing.
GEIPAN classified this observation as of "A" type, that is to say perfectly identified, in this case as a helicopter.
| Date: | November 13, 2015 |
|---|---|
| Time: | ~10:20 p.m. |
| Duration: | ~1 minute. |
| First known report date: | November 13, 2015 |
| Reporting delay: | 3 days. |
| Department: | Haut-Rhin |
|---|---|
| City: | Wintzenheim |
| Place: | "La Croix Blanche" roundabout at the exit of Colmar to Wintzenheim, UFO in the sky. |
| Latitude: | 48.067 |
| Longitude: | 7.323 |
| Uncertainty radius: | 20 m |
| Number of alleged witnesses: | 2 |
|---|---|
| Number of known witnesses: | 1 |
| Number of named witnesses: | 1 |
| Witness(es) ages: | Young adults or adults. |
| Witness(es) types: | Two male sportsmates. |
| Reporting channel: | ? |
|---|---|
| Type of location: | Driving by car on road, UFO in the sky. |
| Visibility conditions: | Night |
| UFO observed: | Yes |
| UFO arrival observed: | Yes |
| UFO departure observed: | Yes |
| Entities: | No |
| Photographs: | No. |
| Sketch(s) by witness(es): | No. |
| Sketch(es) approved by witness(es): | No. |
| Witness(es) feelings: | Puzzled. |
| Witnesses interpretation: | Unexplained, not a known plane, not a helicopter. |
| Hynek: | NL or CE1 |
|---|---|
| ALSACAT: | Possible helicopter. |
[Ref. gei1:] GROUPE D'ETUDES ET D'INFORMATIONS SUR LES PHENOMENES AEROSPATIAUX NON IDENTIFIES (G.E.I.P.A.N.):
| [D417] FROM MUNSTER (68) TOWARDS COLMAR (68) 11/13/2015 | |
| Observed on: | 11/13/2015 |
| Region: | Alsace |
| Department: | Rhin (Haut) |
| Class: | A |
| Summary: | (D417) FROM MUNSTER (68) TOWARDS COLMAR (68) 11/13/2015. Observation by night of the passage at low altitude of a triangular shape delimited by lights: observation of an helicopter in flight. |
| Description: |
On November 13, 2015, at 10:15 p.m. two people in a car are intrigued by the passage at low altitude of a triangular object whose shape is delimited by three round white lights not flashing. Two red lights are seen in the center of the object. It moves away without noise in the cloudy sky. The witness served in the army and does not recognize any aircraft or helicopters. Only one testimony is collected. GEIPAN requested the military air traffic control (CNOA) air traffic recorded on the area at that time: the CNOA Radar record indicates an identified aircraft, on hospital mission, at low altitude, which corresponds perfectly to the testimony in trajectory, place and time of passage vertically. This is described by superimposing the radar track on the attached map (see Reconstruction). The low-altitude and rugged trajectory (seen by Radar plot and observation) is characteristic of a helicopter. The radar record cannot confirm the hovering at an altitude as low as that observed (15m) but is compatible. It must be remembered that the estimation of distance of luminous dots in the night is very subjective. The observation of a triangle with continuous lights, a white at each vertex and two red in the center is compatible with that of a helicopter. It is surprising that the witness does not see the red and green colors of the permanent navigation lights, nor the flashing white lights, but the helicopter that is going to land probably turned on white headlights masking other lights. Note that an aircraft can use various lights in addition to those prescribed (navigation, anti-collision, burst). The Hellenic Navy AB-2012 ASW video (night Flight) shows a case with three red lights including two fixed and a third which can be seen as fixed and comes from the rotating anti-collision red light, and here also the red and green navigation lights do not appear. Concerning the absence of perceived noise from the object whereas according to the radar it is only at 200m of altitude, the witness indicates to have the window slightly half-open, but the motor of the vehicle remains lit, this which is not an ideal condition. But above all, it is frequent in UAP's observations that the attention paid to a very "striking" visual observation masks the sound perception that accompanies it. Consequently GEIPAN classifies this observation in A as perfectly identified: Helicopter. |
| Report: | None. |
| Details of the testimony | |
| Witness | |
| Date of the observation | 11/13/2015 |
| Document number | |
| Age | Adult (more than 18) |
| Profession | |
| Sex | Male |
| Reaction | |
| Credibility | |
| Conditions | |
| Environment | Urban landscape |
| Weather conditions | Cloudy |
| Hour of the observation | Numbered: 10 p.m. - 00 p.m. |
| Reference frame | Sky or clouds |
| Distance between phenomenon and witness | |
| Start of the observation | Start of the observation by phenomenon |
| End of the observation | End of observation by phenomenon |
| Localization | |
| Angle of the site | Low on the horizon;at the zenith;Low on the ho |
| Direction of observation | South |
| Heading | North |
| Trajectory | Straight line |
| Nature of the observation | Descriptive terms (lights, etc) |
| Characteristic of the observation | |
| Global shape | dot-like, star |
| Color | White (light-colored) |
| Apparent size | |
| Apparent speed | Slow, constant |
| Noise | Silent |
| Effect on the environment | |
| Number | 1 |
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GENDARMERIE NATIONALE
[...]
Unit code 31626
Rep Nr. 02843
Year 2015
Justice file Nr.
Document Nr.
Sheet Nr 1 / 2
Analysis and references
Case
On Monday, November 16, 2015, at 2 p.m. and 15 minutes
I the undersigned Gendarme [...]
Under the control of Adjutant [...]
Given the articles 20, 21-1 and 75 à 78 of the Civilian Penal Procedure Code
Being at the office of our unit in [...] we report the following operations.
That day, we proceed to the investigation cited in reference.
Sex M
Name [...]
Firstname [...]
[...]
The person heard does not agree to receive notices, communications and documents relevant to the proceedings electronically.
We hear the person named above who declares to us:
I am present at your unit to provide my testimony on a strange phenomenon that occurred Friday, November 13, 2015, around 10 hours p.m. 15 between COLMAR and WINTZENHEIM.
That night, I was with a sports colleague in his car. We made the MUNSTER-COLMAR trip, my colleague brought me back to my home.
We took the RD417 road to reach COLMAR. Before arriving at the roundabout between WINTZENHEIM and COLMAR, I noticed a luminous dot approaching in our direction. It lasted at least a minute, I noticed that there were three bright spots at each end. I had the impression to see a triangular shape with two lights of red color in the centers [sic] of the triangle. The lights were not flashing, they were always on.
Arrived at the roundabout of the croix blanche still between WINTZENHEIM and COLMAR, the triangular shape passed above us. It remained static for two or three seconds and it left diagonally towards TURCKHEIM. I want to clarify that the craft was about 15 meters from the ground -----
Question: Could you describe to me the type of object you observed? ----
Answer: It is a traingle [sic] about 12-15 meters with round white lights on the 03 ends. It was a dark mass. There were also two red lights in the center of the triangle.
None of the lights blinked.
The person heard /s/
The Judicial Police Officer /s/
|
Question: Did you hear a noise? ----
Answer: There was no noise, to tell you, the window of our vehicle was partly open and I heard nothing. The craft was silent ----
Question: Were there other persons who noted this phenomenon? ----
Answer: We were alone on the road, I saw no toher vehicle nearby. ----
Question: Couls you give me the identity of your friend who was with you? ----
Answer: His firstname is [...] but I do not know his last name ---
Question: Could you give me the address of [...]? ----
Answer: No, he wants to remain anonymous. ---
Question: Did you make contact with the GEIPAN already? ----
Answer: Yes, anyway I will fill their online questionnaire. This is actually why I am here at your unit. ---
Question: Do you have something to add? ---
Answer: It was really strange, the triangle left without making noise. The craft was very dark, I had never seen such a phenomenon. ---
Having read the identity information and the statement above, I persist and I have nothing to change, add or remove.
in November 16, 2015 at 2 pm. 40 minutes.
The heard person /s/ The Judicial Police Agent /s/
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We will ask you to provide as much information as possible about your observation. The most important thing is to leave nothing out: it is often the details that make it possible to solve the investigations. Do not hesitate to give the maximum of information, even if your memories are incomplete or that certain elements seem unimportant to you. If you are not sure about this or that detail, tell us your doubts, but, again, do not omit anything. We need to be able to visualize everything you've seen, like re-running the movie of your observation.
Use the end of this page to tell the story of your observation and continue on free paper as much as you want:
Your free account of the observation:
It was near 10:20 p.m. this Friday, November 13, 2015 I was driving on the passenger side with a sports friend and we returned from Munster (68) by taking the D417 departmental towards Colmar.
At the intersection of the RN 83 we continued on the D417 when I saw a bright white object coming in our direction.
At the time we told to ourselves it is certainly a plane but arriving at the second roundabout (roundabout of the croix blanche) located at the exit of Colmar and the entrance to Wintzenheim (68) the object has overflown us at about 15 meters in height.
We were able to observe clearly three round white lights 1 at each end of the object, which was triangular in shape, about 12 to 15 m from one edge to the other, and two lights in the center of the object of red colors.
None of these light sources were blinking or emitting light either to the front or to the ground, the luminous intensity remained the same, no apparent noises, no sources of heat were felt.
My colleague tells me he is crazy that guy to fly so low and we thought that thing was weird.
Then the object hovered for about 2 seconds and then sped very smoothly towards Ingersheim without sound without noise with a south / north trajectory and we lost sight of it.
The observation lasted about 1 minute.
For having served 2 years in the army as a 20mm gun specialist I am used to recognize certain types of aircraft or helicopters but what I saw this Friday does not correspond to my sense to anything conventional.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW N 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTERS, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND TO DECREE 78.774 OF THE
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES LAST PAGE
V3-8 / JANUARY 2015
page: 3
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In red the trajectory of the object
IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW N 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTERS, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND TO DECREE 78.774 OF THE
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES LAST PAGE
V3-8 / JANUARY 2015
page: 4
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IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW N 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTERS, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND TO DECREE 78.774 OF THE
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES LAST PAGE
V3-8 / JANUARY 2015
page: 5
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Thanks for giving all the required information.
What were your occupations before your observation?
We were quietly chatting.
Exact address of te spot of observation (street, city...):
D417
68000 Wintzenheim
48.071961, 7.317909
D417
68000 Wintzenheim
48.067710, 7.322801
45 Route de Wintzenheim
68000 Colmar
48.067151, 7.323563
Where were you exactly? (Thank you for indicating if you were in a buildin at what floor, if you looked through a window, and at what speed you were driving if you were in a vehicle.)
We were in a vehicle estimated speed at the roundabout 20km we slowed down specifically to better observe the object.
Date of the observation: 11/13//2015 Precise start hour (in local time): 10:18 p.m./ 10:20 p.m. .......
Duration of the observation or hour of the end (in hours, minutes, seconds): 1mn.............
Did other witness see the same phenomenon that you saw? If yes, how many? 1........
It so, thank you for asking them to contact us at the indicated contact information on the last page of this document.
What relation do you have with these persons (relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbors)?
Sports colleague
The observation was made in a manner: continuous
(bar or delete the unnecessary word)
IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW N 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTERS, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND TO DECREE 78.774 OF THE
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES LAST PAGE
V3-8 / JANUARY 2015
page: 6
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If the observation was made in a discontinuous manner, specify why it was interrupted and made again:
How did this observation end?
The object sped slowly in a very fluid manner to the north.
Did you see the phenomenon directly with your eyes? Yes
(bar or delete the unnecessary word)
Was the phenomenon observed through an instrument (glasses or sunglasses, binoculars, video camera, camera, telescope...)? If so, thanks for specifying the model:
no
Weather conditions (clear sky, clouds, wind, storm, fog, mist, rain, snow, change of the conditions during the observation):
Cloudy weather
Astronomical conditions (remember the position of the Moon, the Sun, the presence or lack of stars or planets, etc.):
Cloudy sky no view of planets stars or the moon
Turned on devices during the observation (headlights, radio, TV, lights...):
Headlights and radio on but at low volume.
Noises during the observation (TV or radio turned on, passage of vehicles, plane engines, thunder...):
Only the radio turned on but really low, but at the altitude the object was we should have heard the engines or turbines but nothing.
We did not cross a vehicle during the occurrence.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW N 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTERS, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND TO DECREE 78.774 OF THE
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES LAST PAGE
V3-8 / JANUARY 2015
page: 7
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In your descriptions, do not hesitate to make comparisons with known objects.
Number of phenomenon (single, multiples or single that splits...):
(Single) Only 1 object of triangular shape carrying 3 light-colored lights (one at each extremity) and two red lights in the center of the object.
Shape:
Triangular
Color:
Black mass with 3 white lights one at each extremity and 2 red lights in the center of object.
Luminosity (by comparing with known celestial bodies such as Vénus and the moon or the lighting of a street lamp, car lights, house lights, etc.):
Very light-colored lights in white larger than a car's headllight but without the luminous beam
2 red lights in the center.
Presence of a trail or halo? If so, of what color?
No trail no halo
Apparent size (express the dimensions of the phenomenon relative to a familiar object and/or in millimeter counted on a ruler held at arm's length):
Noise coming from the phenomenon (whistling sound, humming, explosion, comparison with a known noise...):
No noise
Distance between you and the UAP (the observed phenomenon), estimated roughly (specify whether the object passed in front or behind a landscape element):
About 15 meters in distance without passing in front of a landscape item.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW N 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTERS, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND TO DECREE 78.774 OF THE
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES LAST PAGE
V3-8 / JANUARY 2015
page: 8
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Initial position of the UAP in the sky (start of the observation):
Indicate a cardinal point (North, South...), or an azimuth in degrees relative to the North, or a visual or local geographical landmark (building, village)
Observation 15° to 30° south at the start of the observation.
Indicate a height in degrees relative to the horizon, or to a landscape item (ex: 2 times larger than the church staple)
15 meters high
final position of the UAP in the sky (end of the observation):
Indicate a cardinal point (North, South...), or an azimuth in degrees relative to the North, or a visual or local geographical landmark (building, village)
15° north
Indicate a height in degrees relative to the horizon, or to a landscape item (ex: 2 times larger than the church staple)
15 meters high
Trajectory of the phenomenon (straight line, ascending, descending, with ot without change of direction, curb, etc.):
Straight line to the north with a slight turn.
Portion of the sky covered by the UAP during the observation (ex: a quarter of the sky or from 30° to 40° relative to the horizon, etc.):
Effect(s) on the environment (trace(s) on the ground, effect(s) on living beings ot hardware):
No traces
IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW N 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTERS, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND TO DECREE 78.774 OF THE
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES LAST PAGE
V3-8 / JANUARY 2015
page: 9
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In order for us to reconstruct the "film" of your observation, we need to have as much information as possible. Concretely this implies that we understand everything, from the beginning to the end of your observation, and that we know the direction of movement of the phenomenon as well as its altitude. This step is crucial.
We offer three complementary methods:
How to "dress" a photo or a map with your comments?
If you are used to the use of drawing or image editing software (Photoshop, GIMP, Illustrator, ...), we advise you to use these tools, then send us a file in jpg, png or pdf format .
If you can not access this type of material, print a map of the place and / or a photo, draw over it and attach it to the paper file; or scan or photograph the result and send it to us in jpg, png or pdf format.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW N 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTERS, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND TO DECREE 78.774 OF THE
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES LAST PAGE
V3-8 / JANUARY 2015
page: 10
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Use this page to draw your observation.
You are totally free to elaborate this sketch
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Describe the emotions you felt during and after the observation:
I was fascinated
What did you do after your observation? Have you spoken about it? How did your interlocutors react? Have you done any research to understand what you saw?
I did some research on the net on the geipan website, I called the aerodrome of Colmar.
What interpretation do you give to what you have observed? Have you thought of a known phenomenon? What are the elements that justify your interpretation? If you do not know, did you give up understanding? If so, when and why?
I did not give up understanding I hope one can tell me if the phenomenon is of known origin or unknown in any case at the height where the object was without noise and very majestic.
Before your observation, what interest did you have in strange aerospace phenomena? Did you have a clear opinion on the subject? Which one? What were you basing it on?
I have always liked the UFO phenomenon because many cases remain unexplained to this day.
I think either a very advanced technology is used or there are other explanations.
Did this observation change your view of unidentified aerospace phenomena? If yes, explain what you think now:
No, it did not have any impact on my way of seeing things.
Do you think that science will give an explanation to your observation?
Maybe someday for now I would just like to understand what we have observed.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW N 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTERS, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND TO DECREE 78.774 OF THE
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES LAST PAGE
V3-8 / JANUARY 2015
page: 12
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If you have already testified about this UAP, please tell us to which authority, organization or person by deleting or barring useless entries in the list below, and completing the requested information (several possible contacts):
Do you authorize us to publish this latest information? YES
(it can possibly be used to identify you if your identity appears on this site)
Please indicate in the list below the documents you have attached or filled.
(tick or delete the words that are not applicable)
Completed questionnaire
Sketch of observed phenomenon (number: .. 2 .....)
Map(s) or chart(s) (number: ..... 1 ..)
Photograph (s) of the observation (number: ... 0 ....)
Video (s) of observation (number: .. 0 .....)
Photograph (s) of the environment (number: .. 0 .....)
IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW N 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTERS, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND TO DECREE 78.774 OF THE
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES LAST PAGE
V3-8 / JANUARY 2015
page: 13
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The only detail allowing here to "refute the helicopter" would be the distance of 15 meters given by the witness while the machine flew over them. At 15 meters, a helicopter has a very large angular size, 200 meters, this is no longer the case.
Of course, at 15 meters, any helicopter would be totally noisy, even with the car engine on.
Unfortunately, the angular size is not given by the witness - it is the only question on the GEIPAN form to which he did not give an answer.
The radar track obviously leans heavily for the helicopter. But one never knows, so I would rather see here a "B" case, probably identified, rather than "A" case, totally identified.
Possible helicopter.
* = 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 | May 29, 2018 | Creation, [ge1]. |
| 1.0 | Patrick Gross | May 29, 2018 | First published. |
