The article below was published in the daily newspaper France-Soir, Paris, France, on February 27, 1974.
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(From our special correspondent Charles GARREAU.)
SAINT-DIZIER, Tuesday.
Strange things are happening in the sky of Champagne: a week after the distressing adventure of a Chalon driver followed for twenty kilometers by a UFO. flying at ground level, it was the gendarmes of Chevillon, near Saint-Dizier (Haute-Marne) who witnessed the move of an enormous cigar.
For around fifteen kilometers they followed the craft which moved very slowly since it took it three quarters of an hour to cover this distance.
- It appeared around 8:10 p.m. above Rachecourt-sur-Marne, says Warrant Officer Robin. It was moving slowly from east to west. The outlines were very clear. The base of the craft was lit by a very stable orange light that did not flicker. I estimated its altitude at around 700 meters, based on landmarks that I know well in this sector of the Marne valley.
"We set out to follow it in our vehicle. I sent a gendarme to get the camera. But unfortunately, during development, the photos yielded nothing. The craft was probably too far away and not bright enough.
"In my opinion, believes Warrant Officer Robin, this object was much larger than a Boeing. I know these planes well in which I have already traveled. Given the distance it does not seem exaggerated to estimate the length of the cigar at a hundred meters, perhaps. It followed a roughly straight trajectory, with a few small hooks from time to time. Its altitude did not vary.
On the other hand, after we had interrupted our pursuit in the wilderness, I noticed that its brightness gradually changed to bright red as it approached the horizon line."
Many residents of the region have also observed this strange and silent prowler of the sky.
- On three occasions, three farmers from the Aude, MM. Calmet, father and son, and Mr. Becre, from Montréal-de-l'Aude, saw an ovoid mass, with two headlights at the front and rear, which was moving quickly.
