AFU Newsletter - No 08 - 1976

Magazine Overview

This issue of Nyhetsblad, published by Arbetsgruppen för ufologi (AFU), is the 8th issue from October-December 1976. The magazine focuses on UFO research, with a prominent cover story on "Witness Descriptions from Humanoid Cases" based on an analysis by David Webb. The issue is primarily in Swedish and covers a range of topics from bibliographic research and cataloging of UFO reports to more speculative theories about the nature of UFO phenomena.

AFU's Mission and Operations

The introductory pages detail the purpose and activities of AFU. It is an independent association of UFO enthusiasts aiming for methodical research, comparison, and analysis. A key resource is their specialized library, built through donations, which is accessible to members who pay an annual fee of 20 SEK. This fee grants access to book lists, newsletters, and the special library. AFU relies on volunteer work and welcomes donations of material and financial contributions to their book fund. The publication of Kjell Jonsson's bibliography of Swedish UFO literature is anticipated.

Cataloging UFO Reports: A New Trend

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a review of "Landing Catalogs" and the trend of collecting and analyzing UFO reports. The article discusses the work of researchers like Jacques Vallée, whose "Magonia" catalog is a foundational work. The review highlights the importance of systematic data collection, comparison, and statistical analysis. Several catalogs are mentioned, including those by Vallée, Ballester-Olmos, Phillips, Wegner, Uriondo, and Webb, each focusing on different aspects or geographical regions. The analysis reveals surprising similarities in the proportions of different types of UFO events across various catalogs, suggesting a common underlying phenomenon.

• Key findings from these catalogs include:
• Geographical Distribution: Landing sites are inversely proportional to population density.
• Witness Demographics: Witnesses are often rural dwellers with stable jobs and good reputations.
• Timing: Most sightings occur in the evening and night, with a peak around 8 PM and a smaller peak at dawn.
• Witness Activity: Witnesses are often on the move, frequently in cars, which is a marked trend across different studies.

The article also notes the challenges in analyzing witness demographics due to missing or omitted data in reports. It points out that "abduction" cases appear to be increasing, with a significant number occurring in cars and often involving the collection of "samples" from witnesses.

Humanoid Cases and Etheric Theories

The cover story, "Witness Descriptions from Humanoid Cases," draws from David Webb's analysis of 1973 humanoid events. The magazine discusses the physical characteristics of humanoids, often described as around 150 cm tall, with wrinkled skin, slanted eyes, and claw-like hands, exhibiting fluid or robotic movements. The article notes that these descriptions, while sharing some commonalities, also have significant differences, suggesting the complexity of the phenomenon. Humanoid encounters are often reported in groups of three or more, especially in abduction scenarios.

Beyond the more conventional analysis of sightings, the issue explores "etheric" theories of UFOs. Håkan Blomqvist reviews Trevor James Constable's book, "The Cosmic Pulse of Life." This perspective posits that UFOs are not physical spacecraft but rather entities or forces from other dimensions. Constable's work critiques materialistic and mechanistic approaches to UFO research, arguing that understanding "etheric forces" is crucial to explaining the phenomenon. The book discusses "heat-critters" and "ethereal craft," describing them as plasma-like entities that travel in pulsed patterns. The concept of "orgone energy," researched by Wilhelm Reich, is also linked to UFO phenomena, suggesting that EM activity can be stopped by the presence of strong etheric forces, potentially explaining car malfunctions during UFO encounters.

The article emphasizes that the distinction between "etheric life forms" and "craft" is often blurred by ufologists. It suggests that these ethereal entities are in opposition to electromagnetic forces and that a "cosmic struggle" is underway for humanity's future, with "guardians" seeking to help humanity achieve spiritual freedom and "the boys downstairs" aiming to keep people trapped in materialism.

Bibliographic Efforts and Regional UFO Activity

Kjell Jonsson is working on a comprehensive bibliography of Swedish UFO literature, and he appeals for contributions of clippings from the 1940s-1960s to make the bibliography as complete as possible. Contact information for Kjell Jonsson is provided.

• The magazine also includes a section on "Swedish UFOlogy," detailing the activities of various local UFO organizations across Sweden:
• Nyköping: The UFO-Förening was formally established in October 1976, with Carl-Anton Mattsson as chairman. They organize theme nights and plan exhibitions.
• Enköping: The UFO-Förening, in collaboration with Studiefrämjandet, hosted Thorvald Berthelsen, leading to a doubling of their membership to about 40.
• UFO-Sundsvall: Featured in the local newspaper, the organization has its own club room.
• Ingenjör Henry Svensson gave lectures and led study circles in Lidköping and Mariestad.
• Gävle UFO-Förening held an exhibition featuring a metal object from Tierp with an unusual alloy composition.
• Olofströms UFO-Center was founded in late 1975 and has about 30 members. They participate in UFO-Sverige's night observations.
• UFO-Sverige is planning its national meeting in Malmö in March 1977, featuring speakers like Bertil Falk and Martin Johnson.
• Sala amatörförening för tvärvetenskap (SAT) has 17 members and organized a film screening.
• Boris Jungkvist reported a sighting of a formation of 5-6 triangular UFOs by an air force lieutenant.
• Ulf Hörnfeldt gave a talk on UFOs in Jämtland.
• UFO-Mariestad has 15 members and was featured in a local newspaper interview.
• Bärke UFO-Förening has about 25 members and holds regular observation nights.
• Ove E Lewitzki started study circles on "Ancient Science" and "Flying Saucers" and founded UFO-Center Karlskoga.
• Köpings UFO-Förening received a grant for a "Carousel projector" and is involved in educational outreach.

Book News

• The "Book News" section lists recent publications related to UFOs and related topics, including:
• Charles Berlitz: "Dödens triangel" (The Bermuda Triangle)
• Robert Charroux: "Rymdens budbärare" (Messengers of Space)
• Allen H Greenfield: "Saucers and Saucerers"
• John A Keel: "Visitors from Space" (English edition of "The Mothman Prophecies")
• Beti King: "A Psychic's True Story of Life, Death and Flying Saucers"
• George H Leonard: "Somebody Else is on the Moon"
• Billy Graham: "Änglar - Guds hemliga agenter" (Angels - God's Secret Agents), which touches upon UFOs, angels, and demons.

Trevor James Constable's "The Cosmic Pulse of Life" is also noted as a newly acquired book in AFU's library.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the systematic and scientific approach to UFO research, emphasizing the importance of cataloging, statistical analysis, and rigorous investigation. There's a clear effort to distinguish between different types of phenomena, such as sightings, landings, and humanoid encounters. The magazine also embraces more unconventional theories, particularly those involving "etheric energy" and non-materialistic explanations for UFOs, as seen in the review of Constable's work. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging detailed research while also acknowledging the speculative nature of some aspects of ufology. The publication highlights the growing UFO community in Sweden and its efforts to gather and disseminate information.

This issue of UFO-Information, dated October 1976 (issue 3/76), is a Swedish publication focused on UFO phenomena. It features a collection of news items, reviews of articles, and commentary on UFO-related topics.

Tidskrifter (Magazines)

• Spektra: A new spiritually-philosophical magazine set to launch in 1977, founded by Carl-Axel Jonzon, former chairman of UFO-Sweden.
• Skylook has been renamed MUFON UFO Journal and is now published by the MUFON organization.
• International UFO Reporter is a new monthly magazine from the Center for UFO Studies, edited by Professor J. Allen Hynek, with its first issue expected around October 1976. It aims to publish high-quality, investigative reports.

Klipp och Kommentarer (Clippings and Comments)

• FOA's New 'Flying Saucer Man': Sture Wickerts, a meteorologist, has taken on the role of FOA's 'flying saucer man'. He admitted in an interview that he didn't initially seek the position but has since begun an exchange of experiences and reports with UFO-Sweden.
• UFO on Swedish TV: A Swedish TV-2 program, 'Vetenskapens värld' (The World of Science), featured a serious presentation of the UFO issue, including an English UFO film and an interview with Dr. Jacques Vallée. The article expresses hope for follow-up programs and notes Professor Martin Johnson's observation that many interested in UFOs tend to interpret phenomena as extraterrestrial craft, overlooking simpler explanations.
• URD and the Vallentuna Incident: The article discusses accusations that the group URD (based in Stockholm) tried to 'hinder' UFO-Sweden's investigation of a case. URD representative Bjarne Håkansson clarified that their intention was to protect the observer, who wished to remain anonymous and avoid press attention. He also noted that a drawing illustrating the incident in UFO-Information was 'exaggerated'.
• UFOCAT: This is an American data system for UFO reports, briefly presented in the Center for UFO Studies' News Bulletin from September 1976. A codebook for using the system is expected soon from CUFOS.
• UN Should Study UFOs: Grenada's Prime Minister Eric Gairy proposed that the UN establish a special organ to study UFOs and other physical phenomena, stating that the world is ready to accept these phenomena.

UFO-Artiklar i Svensk Press (UFO Articles in Swedish Press)

This section provides a comprehensive list of articles about UFOs published in various Swedish newspapers and magazines:

• 'TV-reporter: Planet jag skulle ha flugit försvann inför mina ögon på radarskärmen!': An article from 'Året Runt' about the Bermuda Triangle, featuring claims of mediums communicating with survivors who were allegedly pulled into triangular 'funnel-like sleeves' and taken 'beyond the Antarctic'.
• 'Sankt Göran och telaten': K. Gösta Rehn responds to criticism from Göran Bengtsson in 'Sydsvenska Dagbladet', accusing Bengtsson of clinging to prejudices and unfairly attacking the 'flying saucer idea'.
• 'Existerar de flygande tefaten?': A continuation of a series by 'Karl' in 'Skövde nyheter', discussing observations in Tönsberg, Norway, in January 1973. The author is identified as Karl Beckman.
• 'Vi skickar iväg ett vykort och honpas på svar om 48.000 år': An interview with exobiologist Carl Sagan in 'Femina', discussing the possibility of communication with extraterrestrial life.
• 'Plötsligt dök det upp ett 30 meter brett föremål framför flygplanet!': An article in 'Saxons Veckotidn.' by Michael Journath, covering famous cases like Mantell, the astronauts, Väddö, Imjärvi, and Karl Mekis.
• 'Synska Synöve: Jag har kontakt med tefatsfolket': An interview in 'Allas Veckotidn.' with Synöve Liljebäck, a psychologist who claims to communicate with 'flying saucer people' through her relatives and members of 'Orions riddare'.
• 'Har du sett nigot telat idag?': A short article from the Christian newspaper 'Dagen' by 'Wex', suggesting that UFO sightings should not be mixed with religious beliefs.
• 'Bermudatriangeln: Mystikgan mot okänd värld eller fantasternas lekplats..?': A review of Charles Berlitz's book 'Dödens triangel' (The Devil's Triangle) in 'Falu-Kuriren' and other newspapers.
• 'Dödens triangel': A review of the Swedish edition of Berlitz's book in 'Eskilstuna-Kuriren'.
• 'Flygande tefat: Observatörerna mest intressanta': An article in 'DN' by Arne Karsberg, referencing a report from the American journal 'Science' that the US Air Force's archives containing 12,618 UFO reports have been transferred to the US National Archives.
• 'Döden slir till inte ett snir av de hundra båtarna och planen': A review of Berlitz's book in 'Gefle Dagblad', noting that while not all boats and planes disappear in the Bermuda Triangle, some have under mysterious circumstances.
• 'Flera hundra svenskar har sett "tehat" och nu kommer bästa årstiden för UFO': An article by Lars Sönnergren about UFO-Sweden and FOA's UFO research, published in numerous newspapers in October 1976.
• 'Försvinner verkligen flygplan och fartug i Bermuda-triangeln?': A review of Berlitz's book in 'Helsingborgs Dagblad', stating that the book sold over ten million copies in the US in 1975-76 but is unlikely to achieve similar success in Sweden.
• 'Fotografier av flygande tefat': An article in 'Aktuell fotografi' featuring UFO photos, with an editorial note mentioning that two of the photos have recently been questioned by UFO researchers, with Danish IGAP publishing a report suggesting Jorma Viitas's photos might be fraudulent.
• 'Var det en rundfarkost som störtade i mossen?': An article in 'Saxons' by Jan Ove Sundberg about a mysterious crater in Målilla, Sweden, suspected to be from a UFO or a meteor. AFU has received extensive information on the case, but the origin of the crater remains undetermined.
• 'Hålet som satte skräck i Småland': An article in 'FIB-Aktuellt' by Per-Eric Gustavsson about the Målilla crater.
• 'Tio astrologer i USA spår kändisars framtid': An article in 'Allers' discussing astrological predictions for November 1976 to April 1977, including a prediction of 'definite contact from UFOs' and warnings about space rockets.
• 'Halva min hjärna styrs av krafter från rymden...': An article in 'Saxons' by Eva Åström about Ted Owens ('PK-mannen'), who claims to have had his brain operated on by extraterrestrials, granting him psychokinetic abilities.
• 'Var det ett atomdrivet rymdskepp som exploderade här för 60 år sedan?': An article by Michael Journath in 'Saxons' about the unexplained Tungus explosion in Siberia in 1908.
• 'Orsakades explosionen av en atomurladdning': An article distributed by AP, written by George A. Krimsky, about the Tungus explosion, published in various Swedish newspapers.
• 'En lukt av abnormt': Göran Bengtsson's article on UFO literature, adapted and published in 'SSCO-OBS'. It will be part of a book on 'apocryphal sciences'.
• 'Ockult efterskörd': Göran Bengtsson continues his critique of 'phenomenon literature' in 'Sydsvenska Dagbladet', referencing the 'Kalix case' and quoting a 'leading Swedish ufologist' who suggests UFO beings are 'dead people's spirits'. He also criticizes Berlitz's book.
• 'Vi har säkra bevis för att det finns ett liv efter döden': An article in 'Nu!' about the Larzon family in Tunaholm experiencing parapsychological phenomena, with Göthe Larzon claiming contact with beings from the 'imbas' solar system.
• 'Alltför ytligt (men inte trikigt) om allt mellan himmel och jord': Tord Hall reviews three books in 'SvD': 'Det outforskade' by Friedrich L. Boschkes, 'UFO-utmaningen' by K. Gösta Rehn, and 'Rymdens svarta hål' by John Taylor. Hall finds Rehn's arguments less convincing than Hynek's more cautious approach.

John Keel i Sverige (John Keel in Sweden)

This section details the visit of American journalist and ufologist John A. Keel to Sweden. Keel, described as the 'new ufology's grand old man', met with AFU members to discuss the psychological aspects of UFO phenomena. His trip was funded by an American book publisher, and his next book is expected to cover 'submarine cases' in the Nordic region. Keel suggested that a portion of UFO activity might be a cover-up and emphasized the importance of thoroughly investigating witnesses of close encounters. He also noted that while some UFO cases involve physical craft and beings, he doesn't speculate on their origin, but humorously stated, "I'd really like to get one."

Canadian ufologist Wido Hoville visited Sweden the week after Keel and reported similar observations and problems in Canada, including a 1966 case in North Wales where about 30 British soldiers observed UFOs with strong electromagnetic effects.

Keel's work, particularly "Operation Trojan Horse," suggests a cover-up, with 'someone' operating globally without our knowledge. He stresses the need for skilled psychologists to help witnesses who may have blocked contact experiences. The article notes that while resistance to these ideas is decreasing in the US, organizations like APRO and NICAP remain stuck in the 1950s, often emotionally bound to the 'ET hypothesis'. Despite criticisms, Keel is presented as a significant figure who has paved new paths in ufology, with his response to claims that his work signals the end of scientific UFO research being, "It's the beginning."

UFO-Fortana - Psykiska Fenomen (UFO-Fortana - Psychic Phenomena)

This is a call for tips and reports concerning phenomena such as humanoid sightings, reports of beings, interesting effects, or psychic phenomena. Readers are encouraged to contact Håkan Blomqvist or Anders Liljegren with any information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, research efforts, and related phenomena reported in both Swedish and international media. There's a focus on reviewing articles from other publications and offering commentary, often critical of sensationalism or simplistic explanations. The editorial stance appears to favor serious investigation and analysis, while acknowledging the more speculative and psychological aspects of the UFO topic, as exemplified by the coverage of John Keel's visit and the discussion of 'new ufology'. The magazine also highlights the activities of Swedish UFO organizations like UFO-Sverige and FOA.