APRG Reporter - Vol 1 No 05 - 05 1957

Magazine Overview

Title: A. P. R. G. REPORTER
Issue Date: May 15, 1957
Publisher: NORTH JERSEY U. F. O. GROUP
Country: U.S.A.
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the A.P.R.G. Reporter, dated May 15, 1957, is a compilation of UFO sightings and related phenomena reported from various locations, alongside discussions on potential explanations and ongoing research.

Key Articles and Reports

Fireball Sends Youth Running

A dramatic account from Tacoma, Washington, dated March 23, 1957, describes a huge, luminous ball of light that swooped to the ground in a pasture, hovered briefly, and then shot into the northern sky. The event terrified 15-year-old Jim Geise, who was milking cows nearby. The object was described as bearing two bright individual lights and traveling silently. Mrs. Roy Atkinson, an A.P.R.G. Correspondent, sourced this report from the Tacoma Times Tribune.

Boy Sees Bright Disc Over City

Another report from Tacoma, Washington, dated March 21, 1957, features 15-year-old John Shemorry, who claims to have seen a bright, baby blue, disc-shaped object with a stubby tail falling over Defiance Park. He described it as too large to be a falling star and glowing, with a bulgy end. This report was also credited to Mrs. Roy Atkinson.

UFO Hovers Near Air Base

This article from Parkland, Washington, dated May 2, 1957, details an encounter by Maurice Fletcher, a local businessman. He witnessed a huge, dazzling, pulsating red light object hovering about 30 feet in the air in a vacant field near his home. The object remained stationary for a time before moving north, passing behind a neighbor's home and then drifting towards McChord Air Force Base. The object's light pulsed, making it appear to expand and contract. After about 20 minutes, it rose to a higher altitude and moved away. The source is the Parkland, Washington, Times Journal.

Flying 'What' Films Studied

An article from Edwards Air Force Base, California, dated May 10, 1957, reports that officers are studying films of a purported unidentified flying object. The object was photographed by two civilian technicians using special equipment. Unofficial sources described the object as circular and glinting in the sun. An Air Force spokesman confirmed the study and stated the photographs would be forwarded to the Continental Air Defense Command. Mr. Carol Honey, A.P.R.G. Director, provided this report, sourced from the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

Mayor's Wife and Flying Discs

An amusing report from Albert, France, dated May 10, 1957, details how the mayor of a village, M. Chatelain, explained away sightings of a flying disc and four 'Martian visitors.' It turned out to be his wife, who had gone out to check on her cows at night with a lantern that had a red pane of glass, accompanied by her four cows.

New Jersey Area Shaken by Mystery 'Vibrations'

This report from April 2, 1957, describes a mysterious roar and earth-shaking vibrations that swept across parts of New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Police could not immediately explain the phenomenon, with possibilities ranging from a jet plane breaking the sound barrier to an earth tremor. Residents in five counties reported the vibrations and noise. Capt. Lucille Almon of McGuire Air Force Base stated that their planes were not responsible.

Did Flying Object 'Faw Down and Go Boom'?

Following up on the New Jersey vibrations, this article from Trenton, New Jersey, dated April 6, 1957, discusses the deepening mystery. Authorities failed to connect the April 2nd event with a jet aircraft. The blast, felt across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, shattered windows and rattled dishes. While some residents suggested an earthquake, authorities dismissed this. The report notes that an earthquake had indeed shaken the same area on March 23rd of that year. The article highlights that no fireworks or munition plants exploded, and no industrial plants reported accidental blasts. It points to the growing belief among UFO enthusiasts that such events are caused by extraterrestrial craft, citing other mysterious sky blasts that have occurred over the past decade.

Georgetown, S.C. Incident

An incident from April 17, 1951, near Georgetown, South Carolina, is recounted. Mrs. E. Harrelson heard a noise like an airplane followed by a terrific crash. Upon investigation, she found an empty farmhouse almost unroofed, with debris scattered widely, despite a clear sky and no sign of a plane. Officers at Shaw Air Force Base labeled the story 'fantastic,' but the damage to the house was evident.

Gravesend, England Incident

Another case mentioned involves Gravesend, England, where two successive sky explosions caused a 12-foot trench to cave in, suffocating a worker. In neighboring towns, similar blasts caused doors to blow open and ceilings to collapse. The article notes a recurring pattern of sharp blasts from the sky not caused by jet planes.

Brilliant Object in the Sky Seen by Gainsville, Florida Students

This report from Gainesville, Florida, dated March 9, 1957, describes students observing a brilliant white object with a burning orange-red glow hurtling through the sky. The object disappeared behind oaks after about 10 seconds. The witness, John Woodward Naughan, noted the similarity to a pilot's account of dodging a mysterious object.

Boy Sees Object in Sky

From Williamsport, Pennsylvania, dated March 15, 1957, this article features 12-year-old Curtis Whipple, who claims to have seen a strange object flying west of the city on eight different occasions at night. He described it as a little red disc, sometimes bright, sometimes dull, flying below the clouds and moving slowly. Three friends corroborated his sightings.

Astronomers Observations

This piece from Parkersburg, West Virginia, dated February 15, 1957, highlights the observations of Mrs. J.C. Rothwell, an amateur astronomer. She has been observing the skies for 20 years and has seen objects that could not be identified as airplanes or astronomical phenomena. She believes these unidentified objects represent "manifestations of intelligence of some kind" and that "space is infinite."

Designs on the Moon

This article discusses a suggestion by Dr. Harold C. Urey, a scientist associated with the University of Chicago, to direct atomic warheads at the moon. The purpose would be to chip off pieces of the moon's exterior, which could then fall to Earth and help scientists study its composition. The author questions if this is the easiest way to determine if the moon is made of green cheese.

Anti-Gravity

This section explores the concept of anti-gravity as a potent energy source that could enable future aircraft to attain the speed of light. It mentions research projects aimed at controlling gravity, potentially leading to weightless airliners and space ships capable of traveling at 170,000 miles per second. The article suggests that tiny particles, termed 'G-particles,' are responsible for gravitation. Engineers are reportedly working on 'G-engines' that would use these particles. The U.S. aircraft industry is cited as a major supporter of this research, providing a guarantee of its early success.

Editors Have Their Say

This section includes an account from The Whitewater, Wisconsin, Register, dated March 21, 1957, where six individuals on a golf course reportedly witnessed seven round objects hovering like birds for about three minutes before speeding west. The event was followed by several jets taking off from the horizon.

The Brazilian UFO Review

Authored by Olavo Fontes, A.P.R.G. Staff Correspondent, this article details a surge in UFO activity over Brazil in November 1954. Newspapers and authorities received numerous reports of sightings, stirring national attention. While there was no widespread panic, skepticism was prevalent among those who had not witnessed the phenomena. The Air Force initiated patrols and urged citizens to report sightings. The article describes specific sightings, including an orange-red, glowing object over Porto Alegre and a large, disc-shaped object with a red ring over Uberaba. It also mentions a luminous, cigar-shaped, red object sighted over Matosinhos. Fontes expresses a personal concern about facing potential danger and the need for an informed public.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings across different regions, the variety of descriptions for these objects, and the ongoing efforts to understand and explain them. The publication appears to be a platform for reporting eyewitness accounts and disseminating information related to aerial phenomena. There is a clear interest in scientific research, particularly concerning anti-gravity, and a willingness to explore unconventional explanations for sightings, including the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the reporting of sightings and the investigation of potential technological advancements, while also acknowledging the skepticism that often surrounds such topics.