Non-Orbit Sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects, 10 December 1953–2 March 1954
This unevaluated CIA information report aggregates open-source foreign press accounts of unidentified flying objects and unusual aerial phenomena reported between 10 December 1953 and 2 March 1954. Compiled from newspapers in Belgium, France, Algeria, Morocco, Switzerland, and elsewhere, the report catalogs incidents including a ball of fire seen over Brussels by a Sabena pilot on 7 January 1954, a fiery disk over Arras the same morning, a cigar-shaped object over Algeria, a luminous disk over the Constantine area on 12 January 1954, a round luminous object over Algiers on 27 January 1954, and a stationary metallic 'flying saucer' observed by bathers near Montevideo on 1 March 1954. The document also notes that French astronomers attributed an object that exploded over Dieppe to an exceptionally large meteorite. The report is explicitly marked as unevaluated information drawn from indicated newspaper sources.
Description
A CIA Foreign Documents Division information report (No. OO-W-30339) compiling foreign newspaper accounts of unidentified flying object and celestial sightings across Western Europe, North Africa, and South America between December 1953 and March 1954.
Claims
A Sabena pilot saw a white, green-edged ball of fire near Melsbroek on 7 January 1954, later assumed to be the same light seen over Dieppe.
70%French astronomers concluded the object that exploded over Dieppe was an exceptionally large meteorite.
65%A luminous disk was witnessed by a school director, staff, and students over Saint Arnaud in the Constantine area on 12 January 1954.
55%A stationary metallic disk was observed by bathers near Montevideo on 1 March 1954.
50%A luminous disk was witnessed over Saint Arnaud in the Constantine area on 12 January 1954 by a school director and his students.
50%A cigar-shaped smoke-trailing object was observed by thousands of people across parts of Algeria in December 1953.
45%A metallic 'flying saucer' remained stationary for two minutes over Montevideo on 1 March 1954.
45%
Events
Jan 6, 1954
Fiery disk seen at Arras
At approximately 0427 hours a fiery disk with a luminous trail was sighted over Arras, Pas-de-Calais, remaining motionless before flying off over the horizon.
Celestial phenomenon at Gemeaux
Inhabitants of Gemeaux, Cote d'Or, observed a red ball surmounted by a triangle moving without leaving a trail; also reported near Nouvelles-les-Champlitte and Langres.
Dec 9, 1953
Cigar-shaped object over Algeria
A cigar-shaped object flying northeast at high altitude leaving a smoke trail observed by thousands across several parts of Algeria.
Jan 11, 1954
Luminous disk over Constantine area
At 1030 hours a 'flying saucer' crossed the sky over Saint Arnaud, witnessed by a school director and his staff and students; described as a luminous disk moving west to east.
Jan 26, 1954
Unidentified object over Algiers
At 1525 hours a round, luminous yellow-orange object appeared over Algiers moving toward Cap Matifou, grew to several times the size of the sun, then shrank and vanished into the sea.
Feb 28, 1954
Flying saucer over Montevideo
Numerous bathers near Montevideo observed a metallic disk emitting yellowish reflections that remained stationary for two minutes at an altitude of several thousand meters.
Jan 6, 1954
Ball of fire over Brussels
At 0420 hours a Sabena pilot preparing to land at Melsbroek saw a white ball of fire edged with green, moving north-northwesterly and followed by a long trail.
Jan 6, 1954
Ball of fire seen over Brussels
A Sabena pilot preparing to land at Melsbroek saw a white, green-edged ball of fire with a long trail at 0420 hours; later linked to the Dieppe light.
Dieppe object called meteorite
Paris astronomers concluded the object that exploded over Dieppe was an exceptionally large meteorite.
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Extracted text (OCR)
\ CLASSIFICATION
ot CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT NO. OO W-39339
INFORMATION FROM : .
FOREIGN DOCUMENTS OR RADIO BROADCASTS CD NO. -- ee
COUNTRY —- Non-Orbit DATE OF
INFORMATION —-:1953-195
‘SUBJECT _ Military - Unidentified aircraft
HOW DATE DIST. AG Fay 1954
PUBLISHED Newspapers
WHERE
PUBLISHED As indicated NO. OF PAGES 3
DATE
PUBLISHED 10 Dec 1953-2 Mar 1954 .
: SUPPLEMENT TO- a
LANGUAGE = Various REPORT NO.
a,
“
SOURCE As indicated
FON ORBIT. SIGHTINGS OF UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS;
qEpc . “10 DECEMBER 1953-2. MARCH 195% Se
WESTERN . EUROPE
(Te first three items in this section my refer *> ‘retdent cited in
00-W-29903 in the item entitled "Explosion in Sky Bresxs Windows at Dieppe."]
Belgima
ma
BALL OF FIRE SESN OVER BRUSSELS -- Liege, Le Monde du Travail, 10 Jan 5h
On 7 January 1954 at o420 hours, a Sabena pilot preparing to jand at Mels-
broek saw & ball of fire low on the horizon, moving in & north-northwesterly
direction. The ball was white, edged with green, end was followed by a long
trail. The phenomenon illuminated the whole sky and the pilot supposed at the
time that it was & green rocket signal set off by the airport authorities.
Since the latter denied this, it was assumed that he had seen the sam light
which was seen over Dieppe.
France
FIERY DISK SYEN AT ARRAS -- Casablance, Le Petit Marocein, 8 Jan 54
At approximtely 0427 hours on 7 January 1954, a fiery disk, followed by
DO ee ee ag an Aeene. Pacede-Calais Department. ‘An observer
WHERE |
PUBLISHED As indicated NO. OF PAGES 3
DATE
PUBLISHED 10 Dec 1953-2 Mar 1954 a
; SUPPLEMENT TO
LANGUAGE Various REPORT NO.
THIS 1S UNEVALUATEO INFORMATION -
a».
SOURCE As indicated
-- . RON-ORBIT_ SIGHTINGS OF UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS,
Se een "JO DECEMBER 1953-2 MARCH 195%
{Te first three items in this section my refew-to ‘rotdent cited in | - _
00-W-29903 in the item entitled "Explosion in-Sky-Bresks Windows at Dieppe."] :
Belgiwa
BALL OF FIRE SEEN OVER BRUSSELS ---Liege, Le Monde du Travail, 10 Jan 54
On 7 January 1954 at O20 hours, a Sabena pilot preparing to jand at Mels-
broek saw a ball of fire low on-the: horizon, moving in & north-northwesterly —
direction. The ball was white, edged with green, and was followed by a8 long
trail. The phenomenon {llupinated the whole sky and the pilot: supposed at the ~
time that it was a green rocket signal set off by the airport authorities.
Since the latter denied this, it was essumed that he had seen the same Might
which was seen over Dieppe... —
France ~
FIERY DISK SEEN AT ARRAS -- Casablance, Le Petit Marocain, 8 Jan 54
At approximately 0427 hours on 7 January 1954, a fiery disk, followed by
a luminous trail, was sighted in Arras, Pas-de-Calais Department. ‘An observer
stated that thse disk rermined motionless -in the sky for &n instant, after which
it flew away and disappeared over the horizon.
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00-W-30339
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DIEPFE pores SAUCER" CALLED MSTEQRITE -- The Rague, Nieuwe Haagsche Coureat,
9 Jan 5
French (Paris) astronomers are convinced that the object which exploded
over Dieppe recently was an exceptionally large meteorite.
CELESTIAL PHENOMENON AT GEMEAUX -- Basel, National-Zeitung, 11 Jan 54
(AFP) -- For a few seconds, inhabitants of Gemeaux, Cote d'Or Department, — -—---
recently [date and time not given) observed in the sky a red ball surmounted by
& triangle. The phenomenon moved-on-without leaving a trail. The eam obser-
vation was reported by several witnesses from Nouvelles-les-Champlitte and =
Langras ._ a Se
“ REAR BAST/AFRICA ~~
Algeria . ».
CIGAR-SBAPED OBJECT SEEN ---Douala, L'Eveil du Cameroun, 10 Dec 53 .
A cigar-shaped object flying toward-the northeast at a high altitude and-
leaving a trail of smoke behind it was recently observed by thousands of people
in several parts of Algeria. —---- err
ae DISK SIGHTED OVER CONSTANTINE AREA -- Tunis, La Presse de Tunisie,
16 Jan 5h
At 1030 hours on 12 January 1954,-a "flying saucer” crossed the sky over’
Saint Arnaud, in the Constantine area. - The. phenomenon was witnessed by many
persons, including Cunat [fou], director of the Ecole Clemenceau (Clemenceeu
School};iand his staff and students. The weather was very good, and the visi-
bility was excellent. The witnesses described the object as a luminous disk
moving from west to east, leaving long trails similar to ribbons. Its speed. -_ .
did not appear to be great, but it was impossible to determine its altitude.
It dissppeared quickly over the horizon.
UNIDENELFIED OBJECT OVER ALGIERS -- Algiers, Le Journal d'alger, 28 Jan 54
According ‘to statements by severa] persons, & round, luminous, yellow-
orange object appeared in the sky-over Algiers at-1525 hours on 27 January
1954; it was moving in the direction of Cap Matifou. The object grew larger,
until it was two or three times the size of the sun; then it diminished in size
and disappeared on the horizon, sinking, seemingly, into the sea.
a
ween eee ee ere ee ee Oe;
©
(AFP) -- For a few seconds, inhabitants of Gemeaux, Cote d'Or Department,
recently [date and time not given] observed in the sky a red ball surmounted by
a triangle. The phenomenon moved on without leaving a trail. The same obser-
vation was reported by several witnesses from Nouvelles-les-Champlitte and
Langcras. OQ > a
“ NEAR EAST/AFRICA
Algeria . ».
CIGAR-SBAPED OBJECT SEEN -- Douala, L'Eveil du Cameroun, 10 Dec 53
A cigar-shaped object flying toward the northeast at 4 high altitude end
leaving a trail of smoke behind it was recently observed by thousands of people
in several parts of Algeria.
LUMINOUS, ISK SIGHTED OVER CONSTANTINE AREA--- Tunis; La Presse de Tunisie,
16 Jan 5
At 1030 hours on 12 January 1954, a "flying saucer" croesed the sky over’
Saint Arnaud, in the Constantine area. The phenomenon was witnessed by many
persons, including Cunat [fnu], director of the Ecole Clemenceau (Clemenceeu .
School}; and his staff and students. The weather-was very good, and the visi-
bility was excellent. The witnesses described the object as a luminous disk
moving from west to east, leaving long trails similer to ribbons. - Ite speed
did not appear to be great, but it was impossible to determine its altitude.
It disappeared quickly over the horizon. === --- >.
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT OVER ALGIERS == Algiers, Lé Journal d'alger, 28 Jan 54 | -
According to statements by severa]-veréons, & round, luminous, yellows (0
orange object appeared in the sky over Algiers at 1525 hours.on 27 January
1954; it was moving in the direction of Cap Matifou. The object grew larger, — oo
until it was tvo-or three times the size of the sun; then it diminished in size
and disappeared on the horizon, sinking, seemingly,—into-the sea... . a
s
r alata .
" * UL ARCHIVAIRECORD ;
AGENCY ANCHO. |
00-W- 30339
Le Courrier du Maroc, 2 Yar 54
"PLYING SAUCER" OVER MONTEVIDEO ~= Fes,.
On 1 March 1954, numerous bathers at the beaches near Montevideo observed
a "flying saucer,” a sort of metallic disk emitting yellowish reflections. It
. remained stationary for 2 minutes at an altitude of several thousand meter6. -
END -=-—
at the beaches near Montevideo observed
disk emitting yellowieh reflections. It
of several thousand meters.
On 1 March 1954, numerous bathers
a "flying saucer,” a sort of metallic
. remained stationary for @ minutes at-an altitude
-END-
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