This is a report of a sighting in 1955 in Saint-Simon, department of the Aisne, in France on January 30, 1955.
Don't get it wrong: the gendarmes took the witnesses statments, but what they saw could have been a meteor.
This document was reproduced in the ufological litterature long ago.
We undersigned H[-] F[-], gendarme in the Saint-Simon squad, department of the Aisne, report the following operations which we carried out in uniform and in accordance with the orders of our chiefs.
On January 30, 1955 at 5 p.m. we, maser sergeant B[-] learned from Mr. G[-], mayor of the community that on January 19, 1955, around 10 p.m. he saw, above the village, a luminous machine, of the flying saucers type, moving north-east-south-west. He adds that his wife as well as her grandson and Mrs. H[-], were witnesses of this apparition. The same day at 6 p.m., by telephoned message #19, we alert our squad commander of the facts. On January 31, 1955 at 10:30, we proceed to an investigation and receive the testimony of Mr. G[-] (fifty-eight years old), mayor of the commune of Saint-Simon, in the Aisne, who states:
On January 19, 1955, at approximately 10:10 p.m., I was returning from an evening at a relative's, road of Artemps, I was accompanied by my wife and my grandson Jean-Pierre C[-], nine years old. Whereas we arrive at the level of the H[-] house, our attention was suddenly drawn to a luminous machine in the sky, coming from the direction of Saint-Quentin and moving towards Cugny. This machine had the shape of a luminous, white disc, of an apparent diameter from 20 to approximately 30 centimeters. A beam of light of orange color started at the back of the disc. This beam had a length of twenty meters and finished in a broad fish tail of approximately two meters. The apparatus moved at a very high speed. I followed it with the eyes during 150 meters, i.e. during 5 seconds approximately. Then it disappeared. I estimate that the machine in question could be at a height of 300 meters. Its move did not go towards the ground but, on the contrary, it rose towards the sky at an angle of rise of 10 degrees approximately. I did not perceive any noise, only the luminosity struck my attention. After the passage, I did not notice any trail or spark. No doubt is possible, this was not a meteor, nor of a shooting star, such as everyone can observe. It was a man-driven or remote-controlled machine since it followed a well defined direction. I insist on the height that I gave to you and who was not overestimated, and on the rise. A few days later, I worked at Mrs. H[-] in Cugny when I spoke about my observation. Mrs. H[-] let me know that at the same day and at the same hour as me, being in her kitchen, and through the window she saw, coming from the direction of Saint-Simon, a machine in the sky. She could not give me a description, having seen only a purple beam. I do not know any other person having been witness of this apparition.
I confirm and sign the above after reading it.
Testimony of Mrs. Marcelle G[-], aged sixty-two, without profession, resident of Saint-Simon in the Aisne.
On January 19, 1955, towards 22h10, I was returning from a relative's, road of Artemps. I was with my husband and my grandson C[-] Jean-Pierre.
We were at the level of the H[-] house, when, all three, we had our attention drawn to a luminous machine of white color, followed of a long beam of orange color. This machine moved in the direction of Saint-Quentin towards Cugny, i.e. north-east-south-west, at a very high speed. This appearance was visible only during five seconds. The disc could have had a diameter of approximately 20 centimeters, the fascinating beam starting at the back of the disc developed over approximately a 20 meters length. It finished in fish tail, of a width of two meters. The machine appeared to be at low altitude, roughly 300 meters and it rose gradually like a apparatus which takes off. I perceived no noise, and so no trail or spark after the passage of this machine. There is no doubt, this was not a natural phenomenon.
I confirm and sign the above after reading it.
Also heard in the presence of his grandfather, Jean-Pierre C[-], nine years old, schoolboy remaining in his parents with Saint-Simon in Aisne.
On January 19, 1955 around 10 p.m., I was returning from an evening when at the level of the H[-] house we had our glance suddenly attracted by a small white disc in the sky, with at the back of which was an orange beam of light. This luminous set came in direction from Saint-Quentin and moved towards Cugny. It moved at very high speed and remained visible only a few seconds. The fascinating orange beam started at the back of the disc and was widening and finishing in fish tail, however, I must say that it was definitely visible. The disc moved flat, like a reversed plate. It continued an upswing as a plane which has just taken off. During the passage of this disc I did not perceive any noise.
I confirm and sign the above after reading it.
Continuing our investigation in Cugny in the Aisne, we hear Mrs. Jeanne H[-], aged forty-three, without profession, resident of Cugny in the Aisne. Mrs. H[-] states:
It is exact that approximately two weeks ago, without being able to specify the day, whereas I was in my kitchen around 10 p.m., I had my attention drawn by a blue-green gleam in the sky. I opened the window but I did not see anything anymore. It seemed to to me that the announced gleam moved from East to West at high speed and a rather high altitude. I cannot be more precise on this matter, this appearance having lasted only a few seconds. I did not perceive any noise at the time of the passage of this gleam, nor have I seen any shower of sparks or flames. I do not know if the gleam that I saw has a relationship with the machine seen by the G[-] family.
I confirm and sign the above after reading it.
Mr. Alfred G[-], electrician and mayor of the commune of Saint-Simon is known as honorable. His declaration appeared sincere to us, in good faith, and free from any whimsical idea. He was not frightened by what it saw. He put on the account of his occupation as craftsman not to have had the time to alert us earlier. Mrs. G[-],like her husband, is of very good reputation. Her good faith is obvious, and so his that of her grandson. Mrs. H[-], farmer, is less affirmative, because she saw the phenomenon from the inside of her house.
