APRO Bulletin - 1953 03 15 - Vol 1 No 5

Magazine Overview

This issue of the APRO-BULLETIN, dated March 15, 1953, is Volume I, Issue V, published by the AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION (APRO) from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The cover headline prominently features "CONWAY S. C. MAN SHOOTS SAUCER," indicating a lead story about a UFO encounter.

The Saucer Bandwagon

The lead article, "The Saucer Bandwagon" by Corel Lorenzen, details the experience of Fred Reagen, whose plane was allegedly damaged by a saucer, causing him to crash. Reagen claimed to have been taken aboard the saucer, examined by creatures, and cured of cancer. The article notes that Reagen later died in a state asylum for the insane, with the cause of death attributed to degeneration of brain tissue due to extreme atomic radiation. The magazine also mentions a newspaper clipping about Reagen's experience and a previous article in "ACTION magazine" from May 1953.

The article then focuses on the incident involving Lloyd C. Booth of Conway, South Carolina, who claimed to have shot at a saucer on January 29th. Booth described the object as odd-shaped, hovering over his barn, emitting a high-pitched hum. He followed it for about twenty minutes, describing it as 24 feet long, 12 feet across, light grayish in color, with internal lights and what appeared to be cockpits. He fired his pistol at it, hearing a metallic sound and a bounce. The object then accelerated rapidly and flew away. Booth, a respected member of his community, served in the anti-aircraft service during WWII and was drilled in aircraft identification. The article notes that the sighting was reported to the press a week after it occurred, leading to widespread coverage.

Editorial and Other Reports

The editorial section, titled "THE EDITORIAL," is written by the National Director, Coral Lorenzen. It humorously notes her upcoming 28th birthday and wishes for a saucer landing in her backyard. It also comments on the prevalence of saucer sightings worldwide and the desire for a "Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Saucer Sighters." The editorial also mentions Lowell Thomas's announcement of an asteroid sighting and the U.S. Air Force's release of details about an eight-inch disc sighting over northern Japan.

Key Incidents and Sightings

This issue is replete with reports of various UFO sightings from different locations:

• South Carolina: Beyond the Conway incident, rumors suggest Des Vergers was involved in hoaxes, but the article questions the possibility of such elaborate deceptions. There are also reports of mysterious cattle deaths in Horry County, with speculation about a possible link to UFOs.
• Europe: Rumors suggest that fliers who have "departed from their lives on earth" are sending notes from various "cirbesos" in Europe, claiming to be participating in a mission.
• Quebec: A rumor mentions charges against "Howton and his cohorts" being dropped.
• General Rumors: The magazine includes a section of "tidbits" forwarded by L. D. Liller, mentioning the supposed deaths of scientists like Dr. Gee, mysterious disappearances, contacts with other dimensions, and the possibility of Newton and associates being released from a "freud trial." It also references Adamski's claims about cities on the moon and the possibility of "spacemen" walking among humans undetected.
• West Virginia: An investigation into a "Green Monster" incident suggests it might have been a secret government project or a planted piece of evidence.
• Canada: Reports include a sighting of a "boot-shaped" craft near Central Station, Montreal, and a "flying disc" that can go 1,500 mph horizontally.
• USA: Numerous sightings are detailed from various states:
• California: A "fiery disc-like object" streaked across the sky near Los Angeles, outspeeding a Marine Corps jet. Another sighting involved a "round bulb" or "ball" observed over San Francisco.
• Illinois: A report mentions a sighting near Glencoe, with a suggestion that youngsters should be prepared for a space-travel age.
• New Jersey: A sighting of a "flying saucer" over the Atlantic City area.
• North Carolina: A Marine pilot chased a glowing object at high speed.
• Wisconsin: A sighting of an object moving west to east, described as a balloon with red, green, and white lights.
• Louisiana: Ten motorists reported seeing a "cigar-shaped" object with "rings around them."
• Washington D.C.: A "red glowing object" was observed.
• Texas: Odd phenomena were seen and heard over Weslaco.

Object Characteristics and Theories

The magazine consistently describes objects with various shapes (cylindrical, boot-shaped, round, cigar-shaped, disc-shaped, bulb, ball), colors (light grayish, amber, blue-white, red, green, white, orange, silver), and sizes (ranging from inches to tens of feet). Behaviors include hovering, drifting, accelerating, fluttering, rocking, spinning, circling, climbing, and descending. Some reports mention high-pitched hums, metallic sounds, and electrical phenomena. The issue contrasts the "interplanetary theorists" with those advocating "various other theories," suggesting a growing divide in the UFO research community.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO-BULLETIN consistently adopts a stance of reporting on UFO phenomena with a degree of skepticism towards official explanations, particularly those from the Air Force. The publication seems to favor the idea of extraterrestrial origins or advanced, unknown technology. There's a recurring theme of government secrecy and the suppression of information. The editors encourage members to share information and express a desire to vindicate the character of "saucer sighters." The magazine also uses a somewhat informal and sometimes humorous tone, particularly in the editorial sections, while still presenting detailed accounts of sightings and alleged incidents. The publication appears to be a platform for disseminating information and fostering discussion within the UFO research community of the 1950s.

This issue of the APRO Bulletin, dated March 15, 1953, is Volume 4, Issue 12. It compiles a series of witness accounts of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) from February and early March 1953, spanning locations in Canada, the United States, and England. The bulletin also touches upon official statements and potential explanations for these sightings, while maintaining a critical stance.

Key Articles and Reports

Canadian Government Interest

An item from Ottam, Canada, dated February 16, 1953, reports on a statement made by Rt. Hon. C. D. Howe, Canada's Minister of Trade and Commerce, in the House of Commons. Howe acknowledged that Canada is "constantly studying new concepts and designs" and is "anxious to examine designs which are available to us from other countries." He assured the House that military security would not be compromised, hinting at ongoing research into advanced aerial technology, possibly related to flying saucers. The report speculates this might refer to work on flying saucer type aircraft at a plant in Malton.

The "Soap Bubble" Theory

From London, England, dated February 20, 1953, a report highlights an unusual theory published in the British medical magazine, The Lancet. The article suggested that flying saucers might be mere "bubbles" formed from washing machine detergents. The theory posits that soap grease forms a layer of foam that is carried into the sky by strong winds, creating the appearance of flying saucers.

Wisconsin Sightings

Several detailed sightings are reported from Wisconsin:

• Black Creek, WI (February 18, 1953): Otto Papke and F.E. Lindgren of Sturgeon Bay reported seeing a "bank of lights" resembling radio beacons near Black Creek. The lights were red, green, and white, blinked constantly in pairs, had a round shape, and hovered without motion. They described the object as unlike any plane or balloon they had ever seen, noting it was in sight for five minutes as they drove past at 60 mph.
• Sturgeon Bay, WI (February 20, 1953): Seven residents of Sturgeon Bay reported a bright light that turned red, then faint green, then white. The object was seen 15 degrees from the horizon and was described as blinking, with two lights at a time, and moving in sharp turns.
• Elkhorn, WI (February 23, 1953): Mr. and Mrs. M.S. Hilton reported seeing a strange moving light that appeared as a bright orange star, then changed to lighter colors, and finally to red. The object moved northward at high speed and disappeared. The Hiltons, initially skeptics, admitted they might have seen the same phenomenon others had reported.
• Sturgeon Bay, WI (February 25, 1953): Patricia Nouville, a 14-year-old freshman, reported seeing an object in a neighbor's field that looked like a fire burning but without flames. She described it as an "egg" standing on end, visible for about an hour. The object "went out" twice during her observation.

California Sighting

• San Francisco, CA (February 25, 1953): Thousands of people observed a shiny, transparent object resembling a "giant soap bubble" hovering over San Francisco for several hours. The object was later inspected by an Air Force plane and identified as a weather balloon.

Arizona Report

• Yuma, Arizona (March 10, 1953): According to a Frank Edwards broadcast, twenty Air Force officers and men reported watching six silvery discs maneuvering in sharp turns at high altitude, demonstrating capabilities beyond known aircraft.

Japanese Sighting

• Northern Japan (March 1952): The Air Force released details of an 8-inch disc sighting over northern Japan. The object was described as controlled, having no visible means of propulsion, being metallic, and guided by an intelligent mind. The report dismissed explanations like balloons, Venus, mirages, or light inversions, implying the observer was credible.

Analysis and Editorial Commentary

The bulletin includes a section reflecting on the "current trend" regarding the "saucer mystery." It notes the Air Force's release of details about the Japanese sighting and suggests this might be a tactic to "test the attitude of the public." The editorial expresses a growing expectation that more sightings made by military personnel will be publicized.

The authors criticize scientists who adhere strictly to "light inversion" theories, calling them "stuck with them." They argue that while light inversion is a plausible theory for general public consumption, it cannot be definitively disproved for specific sightings, especially when radar data is involved. The bulletin points to the "Washington blips" incident and the denials from radar technicians as evidence of "skulduggery."

Conclusion on Explanations

The editorial concludes that the picture remains unclear, but the "only logical explanation" for the phenomena observed is that they are "interplanetary or intersteller craft."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the diversity of UFO sightings, the persistent search for logical explanations (both conventional and unconventional), and a general skepticism towards official government pronouncements on the subject. The APRO Bulletin consistently presents witness testimony and questions official narratives, leaning towards the hypothesis of extraterrestrial or advanced non-terrestrial origins for the observed phenomena. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry and a belief that the evidence points towards advanced technology beyond current human capabilities.