UFOs in the daily Press:

The story of the 'flying saucers' does not stand up to investigation

Flying saucers? They are seen (or at least believed to be seen) almost everywhere, in France and also in other countries around the globe.

The radio talks about them, and of course, so do the newspapers...

And "L'Ardennais" echoed yesterday an account from a trustworthy person who claimed to have seen a flying saucer in Omont.

Why not?

Clostermann, the French "ace" of the Free French Forces, believes in them!

In our modern century, you might say, nothing is impossible!

Let us refrain from making any comment.

"L'Ardennais" wanted to inquire directly at the source of this information and met Mr. Delvenne, the friendly municipal councilor of Omont, who allegedly saw the "Flying Saucer."

We caught up with him yesterday morning, hunting and munching on a magnificent apple in an orchard.

- Flying saucers? Who told you about flying saucers?

- I made the mistake of joking with two young people from the village who call me "the Martian," and they believed what I told them.

- The rumor quickly spread throughout the village of 100 inhabitants, and friends immediately started questioning me:

For fun, adds Mr. Delvenne, I answered their questions: They had read in a newspaper "The Secret of the Flying Saucers." They knew more about it than I did.

- What did the craft look like? Was it like this... or like that? And the man?

Each time I answered "yes" to please them and especially to amuse myself...

They believed the tale, and I regret it, because I know nothing about "Flying Saucers."

However, Mr. Delvenne is not entirely at ease.

While nibbling on his apple picked from the vast orchard where he was vainly looking for game, Mr. Delvenne further confided to us:

- You spoke to me about a "flying saucer"? On that subject, I say no, but I did see... What? I have no idea.

- Over there at the edge of the woods, probably some campers playing around with a balloon.

I went there, but found nothing. From where I stood, it was about 600 meters away... And it was raining that day!

Mr. Delvenne smiles.

I really wouldn't want people to take me for a fantasist. I saw something, that much is true. But what it was? I don't know.

Above all, don't talk about a flying saucer, because I don't believe in them!

With that, Mr. Delvenne adjusted the strap of his rifle.

I have potatoes to dig up, he said to us as a parting word.

In any case, my buddies played a good prank on me.

***

And that's the story of the "flying saucer" of Omont.

It's amusing, and far from malicious.

Better to laugh about it than cry...

[Photo captions:]

"What? A flying top?..."

"Of course, I talked about it! But the funniest part...

... Is that the whole village believed it!"

"What! This could get me into trouble! But not with the Martians, I hope?"