AFU Newsletter - No 31 - 1988

Magazine Overview

Title: AFU Newsletter
Issue: 31
Date: January-June 1988
Publisher: Archives for UFO Research (AFU), Sweden
Theme: UFO-Sverige!

This issue of the AFU Newsletter, published by the Archives for UFO Research (AFU), focuses on UFO phenomena within Sweden and critically examines various aspects of UFOlogy. The editorial stance, particularly from Anders Liljegren, emphasizes a need for rigorous, evidence-based research and expresses concern over organizational inefficiencies and misidentifications within the Swedish UFO community.

Editorial: Ufologins' Greenpeace...?

Anders Liljegren opens the issue with a reflection on improving UFO research in Sweden. He sees the establishment of AFU, its archives, and lending library as a crucial step in building a knowledge base, noting that 1988 marks AFU's 15th anniversary. A planned information campaign for universities is mentioned. Liljegren suggests that an organization like 'UFO-Sverige' could be a vital component, but criticizes its current state, citing a lack of skills, poor distribution of work and responsibility, and a tendency to prioritize quantity over quality. He contrasts this with the direct action approach of Greenpeace, suggesting that a small, well-coordinated research group of about 20 people, focused on collecting, analyzing, and publishing current UFO phenomena, would be more effective than a large, internally conflicted organization.

Article: Rocket Launches Tricking Swedish Ufologists

This section, co-authored by Anders Liljegren and Clas Svahn, details how Soviet rocket and satellite launches have been frequently mistaken for UFOs by Swedish ufologists. The article explains that these phenomena are often observed in the early morning hours due to favorable lighting conditions, where the contrast between the earth's shadow and the rising sun illuminates the rocket, exhaust flames, and upper atmospheric clouds. It recounts how UFO-Sverige, under Thorvald Derthelsen, sometimes claimed to have explanations for these lights before the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOA) did.

Several specific cases are presented:

• October 6, 1969: A Soviet rocket launch from Plesetsk, carrying the Meteor 2 weather satellite, was observed across Scandinavia. Initially, it was thought to be a UFO, but engineer Sven Grahn later identified it as the launch rocket. This was one of the first widely reported cases of this type.
• Early 1970s (Tungelsta): Four police officers reported seeing a luminous disc-like object. The investigation by Stig Aggestad and Clas Svahn suggested this was likely a Soviet rocket launch. The police were reportedly ordered by the Defence Staff to remain silent.
• 1972 (near a car): Anders Liljegren reported an incident involving a 'Telemeterskiva' (telemetry disc) near a car. This was also later identified as a Soviet weather satellite launch (Meteor 13).
• 1976 (Swedish-Finnish border): A sighting was identified as a rocket launch from Arkangelsk.
• 1977 (Petrozavodsk): A phenomenon observed over Petrozavodsk was also seen on the Swedish coast.
• 1985 (Tiblisi to Tallinn flight): An Aeroflot plane was reportedly escorted by a UFO, which was later identified as a rocket launch.
• September 7, 1984 (Finland): A 'green cloud' phenomenon observed over Finland was identified as a Soviet rocket launch.

The article emphasizes that these phenomena, often characterized by bright lights, explosions, and changes in direction, are consistent with rocket stages igniting and separating. The authors express frustration that such misidentifications continue to occur within the UFO community.

Article: Police and "UFO-incident"

This section revisits the 1970s police sighting near Tungelsta, Sweden. The incident, involving four police officers, was initially reported in UFO-Sverige Aktuellt. The officers described a powerful, luminous disc-like object. The article notes that the police were ordered to keep quiet by the Defence Staff, suggesting a possible cover-up or prior knowledge by authorities. Clas Svahn contacted one of the officers (referred to as NGO) and later another (BED) to gather more details. BED recalled the event as an intense fireball moving and appearing saucer-like, but higher up. He also mentioned a possible explanation involving a satellite launch. The article cross-references this with a newspaper report about a missing mushroom picker in Tungelsta around the same time, suggesting the police might have been involved in a search rather than a traffic control operation as one officer recalled. The authors conclude that the police sighting was likely the Soviet rocket launch, despite the officers' vivid memories and potential misinterpretations.

Article: The "Green Cloud" and Soviet Traffic Plane Escort

This section discusses two related incidents. The first is the "green cloud" phenomenon observed on September 7, 1984, which was seen from multiple locations in Finland and identified as a Soviet rocket launch. The second is the "UFO escort" incident involving an Aeroflot plane on January 30, 1985. The article cites a report from the Soviet newspaper 'Trud' detailing how the traffic plane encountered an unidentified object that emitted a powerful light beam and flew alongside the plane. The object was described as having a green glow. The article mentions that James Oberg and Sven Brahn identified this as a rocket launch. It also references a report from 'Flying Saucer Review' (FSR) which, according to the authors, often misinterprets rocket experiments as genuine UFOs, driven by a paranoid anti-communist stance.

Article: The Latest Case

This section critiques the magazine 'UFO-Information' for its handling of the "green cloud" incident and other cases. It also discusses a sighting on August 27, 1987, over Shanghai, identified by James Oberg as a Japanese H-1 rocket launch. The article criticizes FSR again for its biased reporting and tendency to interpret all sightings as extraterrestrial.

Book Reviews and News

Book Reviews:

• "Light Years: An Investigation into the Extraterrestrial Experiences of Eduard Meier" by Gary Kinder: The review is highly critical of Kinder's book, suggesting it is financially motivated and lacks critical analysis. It describes Meier's claims of contact with Pleiadians and his photographic evidence, but notes the lack of independent witnesses. The reviewer points out that Wendelle Stevens, a key figure in promoting Meier, is a convicted sex offender. The book is criticized for relying heavily on interviews with US-based individuals and for its simplistic portrayal of the case.
• "Animal Mutilations, the UFO Factor" by Linda M. Howe: Mentioned as a limited edition book about animal mutilations and UFOs.
• "Scavengers from Space: The UFO Hostility Hypothesis" by Jerome Eden: This book is presented as a continuation of the work of Wilhelm Reich and Trevor James Constable, viewing UFOs as hostile.
• "Dimensions: A Casebook of Alien Contact" by Jacques Vallée: Described as a compilation of previously published material, with a foreword by Whitley Strieber.
• "Transformation" by Whitley Strieber: A follow-up to 'Communion', detailing 'visitor experiences'.
• "Night Siege" by J. Allen Hynek, Philip Imbrogno, and Bob Pratt: A book describing UFO observations in the New York area, focusing on a large 'flying wing' object.
• "Phenomenon: From Flying Saucers to UFOs" by Hilary Evans and John Spencer: A collection of articles by various authors, including contributions from Anders Liljegren and Clas Svahn.
• "Abduction" by Jenny Randles: A presentation of English abduction cases.
• "Uninvited Guests: A Documented History of UFO Sightings, Alien Encounters and Coverups" by Richard Hall: A book by a veteran UFO researcher covering abductions and cover-ups.

New Publications from VUFOF:

• "Handledning för UFO-fältforskare" (Guide for UFO Field Researchers) by Johan Kinneryd: A 51-page guide covering UFO interpretation, phenomena, reporting, and governmental secrecy. It is praised for its practical advice and adaptation to Swedish conditions.
• "UFO-händelser i Dalarna" (UFO Incidents in Dalarna) by Johan Kinneryd: A compilation of UFO cases from Dalarna, Sweden.

Article: UFO-Sweden's National Meeting

The article reports on the UFO-Sverige national meeting in Enköping, which had a surprisingly low attendance of only 40-50 people. Christer Nordin was re-elected as chairman. Clas Svahn's presentation on rocket observation and missile research was highlighted as the most interesting part of the conference.

Article: Swedish UFOs Recovered... from the Bermuda Triangle?

This piece discusses a claim that a Swedish salvage team, along with international partners, recovered a UFO from the bottom of the Bermuda Triangle in September 1987. The story, allegedly reported in the National Examiner or Weekly World News, is met with skepticism by the author, who notes the lack of independent witnesses and the typical dismissive attitude of some Swedes towards such claims.

Column: Folk Vett...?

Anders Liljegren questions the use of the term 'folk vett' (common sense/etiquette) in the title of a Swedish magazine with supposedly scientific content. He reflects on the traditional meaning of 'folk vett' as respect for elders and authority figures, contrasting it with the scientific inquiry expected in UFO research. He suggests that the magazine's title implies a pseudo-intellectual approach.

In Memoriam: Coral Lorenzen

The newsletter notes the death of Coral Lorenzen, a prominent figure in American UFO research and founder of APRO, who reportedly passed away at the age of 73.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical analysis of UFO phenomena, particularly the frequent misidentification of man-made objects (like rocket launches) as extraterrestrial craft. There is a strong emphasis on the need for scientific rigor, evidence-based research, and accurate reporting within the UFO community. The newsletter also highlights organizational challenges within Swedish UFO groups, such as UFO-Sverige, pointing to issues of efficiency, transparency, and the quality of research. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards sensationalism and a call for a more grounded, analytical approach to UFO investigation. The critique of the Billy Meier case and the questioning of certain UFO publications underscore this critical perspective.

Title: AFU Newsletter 31
Issue Date: February 27, 1988
Publisher: AFU (Swedish UFO Information Association)
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

Byskefallet: The 'Ghost Plane' Crash of 1941

The lead article, "Spökplanets" krasch - bara en av krigets olösta gåtor" (The 'Ghost Plane's' Crash - Just One of the War's Unsolved Mysteries), investigates the mysterious incident on September 23, 1941, near Byske in northern Västerbotten, Sweden. At least 16,000 foreign aircraft violated Swedish airspace during World War II, with many remaining unidentified. This particular case involved an unidentified aircraft that reportedly attempted to land or crashed on Tåmefjärden. Multiple witnesses, including local women and fishermen, observed the event. Hanna Östlund alerted her family after seeing the craft approach at low altitude, tip over, and land on the water. Her son, Zolo Östlund, then 20 years old, recalled seeing a grey object in the water that was already sinking.

Official reports from the Swedish Defence Staff's air defence division noted an object approximately 15 meters long, grey, with a blunt nose, wings on the front, and a divided tail. Despite extensive searches by the local home guard (hemvärnet) and military, no trace of the aircraft or its occupants was found. The incident was classified as one of 16 'neutrality violations' on that day. Initial suspicions that it might be a German courier plane were dismissed when it was confirmed that a German courier plane had landed in Rovaniemi earlier. The article concludes that the object, which was not Swedish, likely lies at the bottom of Tåmefjärden, remaining one of the many unsolved mysteries of World War II. Enthusiasts from a Västerbotten diving club are reportedly trying to raise funds to search for the crashed plane.

UFO Phenomena in Dalecarlia: A 1987 Sighting

Another report details a recent CEII (Close Encounter of the Second Kind) from Dalecarlia, Sweden, occurring on December 31, 1987. The witness, Mrs. Berg, a former nurse, and her husband were awakened by their dog and cat's unusual behavior. At approximately 3:30 AM, Mrs. Berg saw an iceblue sphere, about 6x8 meters, hovering above treetops about 150 meters away. The object was described as metallic blue with an orange glow underneath, and emitted lightning flashes that seemed to strike the ground. Mrs. Berg experienced paralysis, jaw locking, and a sensation of her brain being absorbed, believing she was going to die. The UFO disappeared after five minutes.

Following the encounter, Mrs. Berg's clothes and the animals smelled of sulphur. The next morning, Mr. Berg discovered a burn streak on his wife's jumper, analyzed by a ufologist who suggested it was caused by static electricity. Mrs. Berg suffered from severe headaches for five days. Separately, a man driving near Bispberg reported seeing a blue light hovering over the area for about 10 minutes. Investigations in the village revealed that many residents had seen similar light phenomena, and Bispberg is noted for its geological interest, including old mines.

The report also mentions the Västerbergslagens UFO-Förening (Västerbergslagen UFO Association) in Dalecarlia, offering English reports on local sightings and witness accounts from the area, described as a 'Swedish Hessdalen area'.

Roman om svensk tefatssekt: A Novel About a Swedish UFO Cult

This section reviews the novel "Uppståndelsen från tefatssekten" (Resurrection from the UFO Cult) by Anders Dahl. The reviewer, Håkan Blomqvist, shares his personal experience of being involved with the Intergalaktiska Federationen (IGF) in Stockholm during 1970-72, a group led by Sten Lindgren and Bjarne Håkansson. The novel, partly autobiographical, details Dahl's own time in the IGF, which he describes as a sect centered around 'space brothers' and UFO contacts. The review highlights the psychological impact of leaving such a group and the difficulty of readjusting to reality.

Dahl's novel fictionalizes the IGF as Trans Galactic Communication (TGC), with pseudonyms for key figures like Sten Lindgren (Stefan Bergstedt) and Bjarne Håkansson (Lars Skog). The narrative follows Fredrik Falkenstedt (Dahl's pseudonym) as he joins TGC, finding meaning in its 'cosmic brotherhood' and 'space people' ideology, which drew heavily from American contactees like George Adamski, Howard Menger, and George Hunt Williamson. The cult's teachings involved concepts like 'negs' (negative space beings), 'inkas' (reincarnated beings), and 'MLB' (mental sound waves).

The review emphasizes the cult's dualistic worldview (positive vs. negative beings), secrecy, and paranoia. Members were encouraged to live an 'ascetic' life, avoiding pop music, sex, and certain colors. The pressure to conform and work for the 'space brothers' plans led to Fredrik's psychological distress and eventual breakdown, culminating in a stay at a psychiatric clinic. The novel explores Fredrik's eventual 'resurrection' and freedom from the cult's influence, achieved by realizing the destructive nature of spreading their teachings prematurely. The reviewer likens TGC to a 'religious science fiction Baader Meinhofliga', viewing participation as a form of teenage rebellion and a flight into a structured, albeit illusory, world.

The review concludes by praising the novel's depiction of the era's counter-culture, protest movements, and interest in occultism, and contrasts Fredrik's escape with his later embrace of rock music like The Rolling Stones, appreciating their raw energy.

Verdict on Adamski?

This section critically examines the claims of George Adamski, a controversial figure in early UFOlogy. Håkan Blomqvist analyzes Adamski's accounts, particularly his alleged contact with a Venusian named Orthon in the California desert on November 20, 1952. Adamski's books, "Flying Saucers Have Landed" (1953) and "Inside the Space Ships" (1955), detailed his encounters and trips with Venusians and Martians, describing them as beautiful, ordinary humans. These claims contributed to the rise of a 'saucer cult' movement in the 1950s, often linked to spiritualist and metaphysical subcultures.

The article presents excerpts from letters Adamski wrote to his pupil, Miss Enea Martinelli, between 1950 and 1952. These letters suggest that Adamski had psychic experiences of visiting other planets before his public 'contact' in 1952, and that his book "Pioneers of Space" (1949) was based on these out-of-body experiences, which he later presented as factual events in "Inside the Space Ships". Comparisons are drawn between "Pioneers of Space" and "Inside the Space Ships", highlighting numerous identical details regarding descriptions of lunar and Martian life, and the appearance and lifespan of space people.

Adamski died in 1965, maintaining his claims. He still has supporters organized in the IGAP program. The article notes the ongoing debate among ufologists about whether Adamski was a fabricator or genuinely reported his experiences.

Abductions, the Klassic Way

This section reviews Philip J. Klass's book, "UFO Abductions, A Dangerous Game." Klass, a prominent UFO debunker, focuses on the weak points in abduction accounts, particularly the role of hypnosis. The review highlights Klass's argument that hypnotists can inadvertently create pseudo-memories by asking leading questions, leading alleged abductees to construct stories that appear reliable but may not be factual.

The article cites Martin T. Orne, director of experimental psychiatry, who warns that subjects under hypnosis might fill in details to please the hypnotist, and that 'free narrative recall' yields more information but less detail. Klass also points to experiments by Alvin Lawson, where non-abductees, when hypnotized, produced abduction stories as vivid as those of known abductees like Barney and Betty Hill.

The reviewer acknowledges Klass's points regarding the Betty Hill case, noting that while Betty Hill is a unique individual, her experiences, including alleged UFO encounters after the initial 1961 abduction, are complex. The review suggests that Klass's analysis of hypnosis is valuable for ufologists but criticizes him for not fully addressing Betty Hill's later 'contacts'.

Klass also criticizes Whitley Strieber, author of "Communion," for presenting himself as a messiah, though the reviewer finds some similarities between Strieber's religious thoughts and Adamski's. The review concludes that while Klass's book may be dull for 'UFO believers,' it is valuable for anyone interested in solving UFO mysteries.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The AFU Newsletter consistently addresses UFO phenomena with a critical yet open-minded approach. This issue highlights the enduring mystery of unexplained aerial events, from historical military aircraft incidents to modern UFO sightings. There's a clear interest in investigating the factual basis of claims, as seen in the detailed analysis of the Byske crash and the critical examination of George Adamski's accounts. The newsletter also tackles the psychological and sociological aspects of UFO belief, particularly concerning cults and the influence of hypnosis on witness testimony. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous investigation and skepticism towards sensational claims, while still acknowledging the possibility of genuine, unexplained phenomena. The review of Philip J. Klass's work exemplifies this, valuing his debunking efforts while also pointing out limitations in his analysis.