AFU Newsletter - No 45 - 2003

Magazine Overview

The AFU Newsletter, Issue 45, published in March 2003 by the Archives for UFO Research Foundation (AFU) in Norrköping, Sweden, with ISSN 0283-6378, focuses on a book review and historical UFO-related events.

Book Review: Beyond the horizon – Swedish air reconnaissance against the Soviet Union 1946-1952

This section reviews the book "Bortom horisonten" (Beyond the horizon) by Swedish authors Lennart Andersson and Leif Hellström. The book delves into Sweden's post-war air reconnaissance efforts targeting the Soviet Union between 1946 and 1952. The review highlights that the authors' starting point is the 1946 'ghost rocket' reports, which significantly baffled Swedish defence forces, with authorities documenting nearly a thousand sightings. These ghost rockets are regarded as the first UFO phenomena to appear in Sweden, second only to the 'ghost fliers' of the 1930s.

The review emphasizes the book's approach of placing these sightings within a broader historical context, connecting them to contemporary Swedish air reconnaissance activities against the Soviet Union. The year 1946 marked the transition of power in Sweden from Prime Minister Per Albin Hansson to Tage Erlander. The military's interest in radar systems, particularly borrowing from Great Britain, is discussed, though this was politically sensitive due to Sweden's neutrality.

Despite political sensitivities, information exchange regarding the ghost rockets between Sweden and Great Britain continued. The United States, uncertain of Sweden's alignment in the early 1950s, observed the situation closely. The book also explores the military's fears about Soviet capabilities, including speculation about rocket firing ramps in the Baltic states or Peenemünde, potentially being the source of the ghost rockets. Reconnaissance photos taken by Swedish pilots in 1949 of the island of Ösel (off Esthonia) are mentioned as part of efforts to locate potential rocket bases.

The review notes that fears existed that the Soviet Union had acquired German V1 and V2 technology and was developing advanced rockets. Sweden attempted to trace remote-control signals, and it was revealed that the Soviet Union conducted at least twelve V2 test shots at Kapustin Yar on the Caspian Sea starting October 18, 1947. However, these tests did not align with the locations or times of the Swedish sightings.

While many sightings were attributed to unusual bright meteors, the ghost rocket phenomenon remains significant. The book is described as a detailed account of Swedish reconnaissance flights against Soviet targets, placing the 1946 reports within a crucial security-political framework. The book's publication details are provided: "Bortom horisonten – svensk flygspaning mot Sovjetunionen 1946-1952" by Lennart Andersson & Leif Hellström, published by Freddy Stenboms förlag, Stockholm, 2002, with ISBN 91-7243-015-X.

When RAF Task Force 196 almost came to Sweden

This section summarizes an article by Sven Löv in "Svensk Flyghistorisk Tidskrift" (issue 3/2002) concerning the ghost rockets. Löv's research, based on information from the Public Record Office and contact with a member of Task Force 196, reveals that the Swedish Air Force had strong ties with the Royal Air Force (RAF). In July, two individuals visited Sweden to analyze reported sightings and consult with the Swedish Air Force, though no substantial outcomes were reported from these meetings.

The RAF had established a highly secret unit, Task Force 196, equipped with the latest radar technology, ready to be deployed to Sweden. The official cover story was that the group would demonstrate modern air control radar usage. This initiative coincided with the Swedish Air Force receiving its first Vampire jets, and the radar group was intended to assist in training Vampire crews.

However, in early August, Swedish Prime Minister Per Albin Hansson began to question the deployment of the RAF to Sweden. Negotiations with Britain halted, and no decision was reached. On August 22, the project was officially aborted. This decision reportedly angered the British, with a legation report to London commenting that "...the Swedish Prime Minister has been both stupid and cowardly...".

The British Air Attaché in Stockholm reportedly informed General Nordenskiold, the chief of the Swedish Air Force, about the decision. Nordenskiold is quoted as stating that in similar future situations, the matter should be handled "...without reference to the Political Department at all."

Danish report archive to AFU

On March 18, Clas Svahn and Andreas Ohlsson from AFU and UFO-Sweden, along with Håkan Ekstrand from UFO-Sweden, transferred the complete Danish report archive of SUFOI (Scandinavian UFO Information) to AFU's premises. SUFOI, initially an Adamski-oriented organization founded in 1958, evolved into a more skeptical research group by the mid-1960s. The archive, measuring about 4-5 meters, contains report forms, investigation notes, clippings, and photos. A preliminary sorting has been completed, and discussions are ongoing with the SUFOI board regarding its preservation.

AFU's Library and Cataloguing Projects

AFU has previously managed parts of Danish skeptic-librarian Willy Wegner's UFO newsclipping collection, magazines, photos, and materials from former SUFOI chairman Per Andersen. The AFU library currently holds approximately 175 Danish titles. Willy Wegner's bibliography on Scandinavian UFO literature is available online.

Since January 2003, AFU has been inventorying its entire book library using an Access database developed by Wolfgang Randisek and updated by Barbro Gustavsson. Anders Liljegren is updating the database with details such as different editions, ISBN numbers, and donors. The project has reached letter 'M' and is expected to be searchable online by spring/summer. The cataloguing includes previously uncatalogued items like booklets from religious cults, astronomy, parapsychology, channelling, and science fiction, as well as new titles added in 2002-2003.

The original Condon report

Swedish astronomer Bertil Anders Lindblad, known for his research on meteors and bolides, donated a copy of the original 1968 U.S. government printing of the Condon report to AFU.

New parapsychology library

The Swedish Society for Parapsychological Research (SPF), with 209 members, began moving its library of books and magazines to new facilities in Danderyd, Stockholm, in October 2002. Previously managed by a sub-section of the Stockholm University Library, the new location aims to facilitate easier access for members and the public. Approximately 30 meters of shelves have been moved, with another 30 meters awaiting transfer. A list of recently purchased books is available online.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The AFU Newsletter is published quarterly by AFU, with Anders Liljegren as editor. AFU, founded in 1973, aims to build a comprehensive Swedish-International UFO library and research archive. The publication encourages reproduction of its content provided proper attribution is given. AFU is a non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting serious research and fostering critical, scientific discussion on UFO phenomena. Membership in Sweden involves an annual donation of 150 SEK. International exchanges are welcomed with publishers of similar media. The newsletter is not available via subscription outside Sweden. All submitted materials are catalogued and preserved for future research. Sponsorship of the AFU foundation is also encouraged, with minimum annual donations and the acceptance of donations/depositions of records and materials related to the UFO subject.