5 6mi South Reims France radar-visual unidentified-object report — March 1960

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING: Radar operator observed a stationary object which appeared on the scope and remained there for about 20 seconds. The object disappeared suddenly. Air Force program for investigating unidentified flying objects (UFOs). IT WAS BRIGHT WHITE IN COLOR AND PROCEEDED IN SILENCE FROM EAST TO WEST AND THEN MOVED DIRECTLY OVERHEAD AND TO THE RIGHT. OBSERVED FOR A PERIOD OF 1-2 MINUTES. (2) SPEED METHODS OF ATTACHMENT OF PICK-UP TO TETHER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. (3) AFTER LANDING IT APPEARED BURNT IN SPOTS ON THE SURFACE. "5 MILES S. 9:30 P.M., 7 March 1960, several French Air Force officers observed a brilliant light in the sky near the village of Cernay, about 5 miles S. of Reims, France. The light was observed for about 45 seconds, then disappeared behind a hill. They reported the incident to the French Air Force and Air Technical Intelligence Center." The image contains a photograph or document, but no human faces are visible. Transcribing the text from the document: CASE 1711-78 OBJECT TO SIGHTING AT 7:15 PM, MARCH 22, 1960 DATA SECURED INDICATING THAT PILOT OF A C-47 TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT FLYING 12,000 FEET ALTITUDE APPROXIMATELY 6.5 MILES SOUTH OF REIMS, FRANCE OBSERVED A STRANGE OBJECT IN THE AIR WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS BEING APPROXIMATELY 2 HOUR OUT OF SCAN OF THE RADAR EQUIPMENT ABOARD HIS AIRCRAFT. PILOT AND CREW STILL UNABLE TO EXPLAIN SATISFACTORILY THE NATURE OF THE OBJECT OBSERVED. APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A-TAN-GIBLE OBJECT OF SOME SORT WHICH DID NOT MANEUVER BUT EMITTED A TANGIBLE ORANGE GLOW FROM A SINGLE POINT. E. of Reims, France Date: 23 March 1962 WT: Witness (anonym.) observed bright light Description: Luminous object, flashing light, round in shape, approx 15-20 ft tall & 3-4 ft in middle and two ends 0.5 ft in diameter Direction of Motion: Stationary (?) Satellites: (AFSIN-49S, Phone 69239) Nil Astronomical Phenomena (Meteor, Comet, Planet, etc.): Nil Radar Analysis (AFINH-13): None Natural Phenomena (Ball Lightning, etc.): - Aircraft, Balloons, Airships, etc.: Nil Other: - Evaluation of Source Reliability: Fairly reliable Analysis and Conclusions: Probably sub-visible meteor, falling through lower atmosphere. Supporting case details: Reported special objects or artifacts: Radar system; Still camera; Binoculars or telescope Physical traces or material: Radar data or reported radar return associated with 5 6mi South Reims France radar-visual unidentified-object report — March 1960 Electromagnetic or instrument effects: Radar or sensor detection Institutional response / aftermath: Government or official action