APRG Reporter - Vol 1 No 06 - 06 1957

Magazine Overview

Title: A. P. R. G. REPORTER
Issue Date: June 15, 1957
Volume: 1, No. 6
Publisher: Robert J. Gribble
Price: 30¢

This issue of the A.P.R.G. Reporter focuses on the serious investigation of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), aiming to distance the subject from religious conjecture and "wild-eyed statements." The editorial emphasizes the scientific approach of the Aerial Phenomena Research Group (A.P.R.G.) and clarifies that their activities are not based on superstition.

Key Articles and Reports

Editorial: Clarifying the A.P.R.G. Stance The editorial addresses the negative impact of sensationalist claims made at a recent convention, which brought ridicule upon organizations like the A.P.R.G. It asserts that the group is a dedicated scientific organization that does not believe UFOs have religious connotations. Evidence for UFO reality is available, but it does not support religious conclusions.

International UFO Sightings

• England: Air Secretary George Ward reported that only five unidentified flying objects had appeared over England that year, a decrease from previous years.
• Singapore: A British mathematician, Prof. J.C. Cooke, suggested that UFOs are controlled by intelligent beings from outside Earth who might not be hostile and could be here to "save us from ourselves." He advised against denying UFO existence and posited that governments might be suppressing the truth out of fear of panic.
• USA (Tennessee): Prof. Hermann Oberth, a German scientist, opined in a letter that reported UFOs could be spaceships from other planets, though he noted that 90% of reports are explainable as man-made devices, natural phenomena, or hoaxes. However, he stated that in 10% of cases, explanations seem improbable.
• Florida: Thirty science pupils of Roger Early witnessed a UFO on a movie screen. The film, shot by Early's brother-in-law Ray Overstreet in 1953 near Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, reportedly showed an oval-shaped object. Overstreet's close-up shots were allegedly confiscated by the U.S. Navy.
• New York: Dr. Curtis L. Hemenway, director of Dudley Observatory, stated that there is no reason why other civilizations shouldn't exist in the universe, suggesting that some might be more advanced than humans. He attributed many UFO reports to high-altitude Air Force pilot observations.
• United Kingdom: The magazine "Flying Saucer Review" predicted that intelligent creatures might soon emerge from UFOs and advised kindness towards them. The magazine suggested that UFOs come in droves, with peaks of activity every three years, and the next peak was expected the following month. It also noted that UFO occupants have not harmed humans throughout history and suggested that space travelers might be interested in Earth's progress in nuclear science.
• New York: Reports indicated that sunspot activity was causing interference in communications, affecting radio calls and telemetering devices.
• California: A "brilliant ball-like object" was reported near Oxnard Air Force Base.
• Wisconsin: Two reddish-white objects, bright as dim stars, were observed flying over Milwaukee.
• Michigan: An "orange flame" was reported moving at a fast rate near Battle Creek.
• North Carolina: A mysterious orange ball of fire was seen, described as about 36 inches in circumference and traveling at high speed.
• Virginia: A white UFO, described as five times larger than the largest star, was seen traveling at high speed from northeast to southwest.
• Georgia: A "ball of fire" was seen disintegrating into hundreds of brilliantly-lighted parts of various colors.
• South Carolina: A bright green "ball of fire" was observed, appearing low and moving from northeast to southwest.
• Cornwall, England: A postman reported seeing a bell-shaped object floating over a fishing village, described as golden hue on top and dark at the bottom.
• California: A "brilliant, white light, bigger than an airplane," was reported streaking across the valley.
• New Jersey: A greenish-blue object, throwing off sparks, was seen racing across the sky at high speed.
• California: Loud, shaking blasts were reported in Hayward and Los Angeles, causing minor damage and rattling buildings.
• Australia: A brilliant unidentified object streaked across the skies.
• California: Gigantic "skyquakes" shook the Los Angeles area, causing damage and television sets to explode.
• California: Three "skyquakes" were heard in Ventura, with some attributing them to UFOs.
• California: A powerful "skyquake" rocked the downtown area of Riverside.

Scientific Developments and Theories

• Mars Observation: The Air Force's Air Research and Development Command is developing a light amplifier called the "Cat Eye" to see things at night, reduce photographic exposure times, and potentially study the "canals" on Mars.
• Extraterrestrial Life: Dr. Curtis L. Hemenway suggested that other civilizations likely exist in the universe, some potentially more advanced than humans. He stated there are 10 million stars in our galaxy and 10 billion galaxies in the universe.
• Life on Mars: Three U.S. Air Force space-medicine researchers reported that germs from Earth's soil survived under conditions simulating those on Mars, suggesting that life might exist on other planets with different environmental conditions.

UFO Organizations and Publications

• The issue lists several recommended UFO organizations and publications, including:
• National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (Washington, D.C.)
• Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (Alamogordo, New Mexico)
• Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York (New York)
• S.P.A.C.E. (Coral Gables, Florida)
• UFO News Letter (Morristown, New Jersey)
• "Satellite," a monthly publication (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Book Review

• "The Inexplicable Sky" by Arthur Constance: This book is described as presenting little-known facts about meteors, fireballs, mirages, auroras, falling fluids, UFOs, and planets. It aims to provide a new understanding of the sky and its mysteries.

The Brazilian UFO Review (Continued)

• Santo Amaro Landing: A report released by Colonel Adil do Oliveira, Chief of the Air Force's UFO Research Group in Brazil, detailed an incident where a taxi driver, Mr. Maurilio Braga Godoi, claimed to have entered a landed UFO. The craft was described as a large, circular, illuminated machine. Inside, he encountered three small, dark-skinned "persons" who spoke in an alien language. The reporter of this article expresses skepticism about the story, noting coincidences with other published UFO accounts.

Earth Capsize Theory

An editor's note discusses the theory that Earth might capsize, potentially leading to another "Noah's Flood." This theory is linked to the presence of UFOs, with beings allegedly telling George Van Tassel that the Earth will soon capsize. The note mentions evidence of the Arctic warming while Antarctica cools, and theorizes that the weight of Antarctic ice might be causing buckling and tremors, leading to an imminent terrestrial-tilt situation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the scientific investigation of UFOs, eyewitness accounts of sightings across the globe, and the exploration of possibilities regarding extraterrestrial life and technology. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of a rational, scientific approach to understanding UFO phenomena, distinguishing it from sensationalism and religious interpretations. The publication aims to provide factual reporting and encourage further research while acknowledging the mysteries that remain.