This document was reproduced in the ufological literature long ago.
Group: La Réunion.
Compagny: Saint-Denis.
On March 30, 1976, at 07:30 [a.m.], on instructions of the lieutenant-colonel commanding the squad of Gendarmes of La Réunion, we carry out an investigation, in relation to the observation made by the gendarme Mr. G[ - ], of a phenomenon which could have been caused by an unidentified flying object.
Gendarme M[-] states to have been the witness of the facts on March 27, 1976 between 06:50 [a.m.] and 06:55 [a.m.].
State of the location.
We go on the location accompanied by gendarme M[-]. He parks his vehicle at the place where he had been when he observed the phenomenon. At the time of the occurrence, it was daylight.
The place is located at the crossroads formed by the Lacaussade boulevard and the Sainte-Marie and Molières streets, in the west of the city of Saint-Denis.
The spot of fog, according to the witness' terms, was located a little above the grassy quay level being at the center of the crossroads, on the side of La Rivière. It was at a distance from fifteen to twenty meters of the car which, itself, was in parking on the pavement, on the right-hand side of the aforesaid boulevard, in the western southern direction compared to the latter.
The small cloud of fog took altitude and disappeared at high speed, in direction of the south-south-west.
No other witness of the facts made himself known. According to gendarme M[-], no vehicle, nor pedestrian, went by the place at this time.
A sketch of the features of the location was established.
Photographs of the places were taken and are the topic of the attached folder.
Closed, in Saint-Denis, March 30, 1976.
This day, March 30, 1976, we hear within our brigade the soldier referenced above, who states at 07:45:
Saturday March 27, 1976, between 06:50 and 6:55, I was going to La Redoute, on board my vehicle FIAT 600. I had just left the Général de Gaulle street, in the city of Saint-Denis, and I arrived at the small place formed by the crossing of the Lacaussade boulevard and the Sainte-Marie street. At this precise point, the lighting of my vehicle went out. The road being in gentle slope, I let the car go further by itself, to park on the pavement, near the driving school. During all the time of the driving course with stopped motor, which lasted 10 to 15 seconds, I vainly tried to start the motor again; no luminous lamp was lit on my dashboard. I thought that my battery had disconnected.
When I was stopped, my attention was drawn by a reflection, located on my left. I looked at it and it seemed to me that a was seeing a fog. I believed that I had a stain on my glasses and I removed them to check. They were clean. After putting my glasses back on, I prepared to leave my vehicle, in order to try to fix its failure, when I saw this spot of fog which rose, while taking speed. Obstructed by kepi, and limited in my vision by the roof of the vehicle, I had to pass my head by the window, to follow the evolution of the fog. I saw it at this time disappearing above the buildings, in the direction south-south-west, at high speed.
I sat down normally at the steering wheel, very amazed, to think about this phenomenon, my glance went automatically on my dashboard. It is there that I very clearly saw the luminous lamps turn on again, because the contact had remained connected. I started again the motor, which fucntionned normally again.
This phenomenon displayed in the form of a spot of greyish fog, with a metallic reflection. Initially, this spot was to be at a distance from 15 to 20 meters of the place where my vehicle was stationed, in direction of La Rivière. It had to be 4 to 5 meters in length, by 2 meters in height. I cannot say if it had a thickness nor if it was transparent.
In addition to its color and its reflection, its aspect was similar to the reflections which one sees On the roads by strong heat.
I must say that this appearance did not particularly draw my attention, because at the time, I was worried by the failure of my car instead. It was only few moments afterwards that I analyzed the facts of which I was the witness.
March 30, 1976, 08:30.
