APRO Bulletin - 1954 01 15 - Vol 2 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: APRO Bulletin
Issue Date: January 15, 1954
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the APRO Bulletin, dated January 15, 1954, is primarily focused on UFO investigations, alleged government secrecy and censorship, and the dissemination of recent sighting reports to its members. The publication aims to provide a platform for UFO enthusiasts to share information and discuss findings.

Key Articles and Reports

A.E. MEN EXAMINE UFO Object Found Near Calif.-Ore. Bourder

This cover story details an incident where U.S. Air Force personnel, including Professor Allen Hynek, were reportedly investigating an unidentified object found near the California-Oregon border. Frank Edwards, a contact for APRO, relayed a message indicating that the object was found five weeks prior and that the Air Force had initiated a policy of tight censorship. Edwards speculated that the reason for this censorship might be the examination of an unidentified object by top U.S. scientists at a west coast airfield.

Attempted Landing Near The Maine Base

Another report describes an incident at The Maine Base in Virginia where troops on duty observed a glowing, saucer-shaped object above the ground. By the time armed troops were dispatched to investigate, the object had disappeared. Authorities reportedly stated the men involved were not available, suggesting they were being questioned by intelligence officers. The article notes that details on this sighting are scarce due to security precautions.

The Bender-IFSB Affair

This multi-page report delves into the closure of the International Flying Saucer Bureau (IFSB) and its director, Albert Bender. The bulletin argues that IFSB's disbandment was not due to a lack of interest but possibly due to a 'higher source' advising Bender to cease printing about saucers. The article speculates that Bender was sworn to secrecy about the 'secret of the saucers' and that the government might have found 'Communistic infiltration' within IFSB. It suggests that Bender's fear of being labeled a traitor, possibly for communist connections, led to the closure. The report also questions the financial backing of IFSB, noting the expense of producing their bulletins and membership materials, suggesting a substantial backer was involved.

Editorial: The Editorial

The editorial discusses the perceived success of the Air Force in censoring saucer news at the wire service level, which accounts for the limited amount of news being published. It notes that many interested parties, including Donald Keyhoe and Frank Edwards, believe there is censorship. The editorial also touches upon the repeated release of an APRO feature on the wire service and the organization's increasing requests for membership and sightings. It acknowledges receiving letters from individuals with unusual beliefs about saucers, such as extraterrestrial or divine origins, and states that APRO attempts to answer all letters.

Recent Sightings

This section provides a compilation of numerous UFO sightings reported from various locations, including Dyckesville, Wisconsin; Ojai, California; College Point, New York; Bolling Green, Ohio; and Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. These reports describe objects of various shapes, sizes, colors, and behaviors, often observed at dusk or during the night. The bulletin notes an increase in sightings, possibly due to increased publicity for APRO, and suggests that censorship at the wire level might explain why fewer sightings are widely available.

Reviews

This section reviews several publications related to UFOs:

• Australian Flying Saucer Bulletin: Mentioned for its publication of a picture of its director and for its editor, E. R. Jarrold, who reportedly had an encounter with a 'higher source'.
• Saucerion: Edited by Gray Barker, this magazine is praised for its balanced approach to the saucer mystery. It includes reviews of 'Saucers' magazine and the Canadian Saucer incident.
• Space Review: Reviewed for its information on the Brush Creek Saucer incident.
• Flying Saucers International: This publication is viewed with skepticism by APRO, which criticizes its tendency to publish anything and its editors' practice of criticizing the government and military.
• PAGEANT Magazine: Featured a review of Adamski's book, 'The Flying Saucers Have Landed', and noted Adamski's media appearances.
• Green Bay Press-Gazette: Published an article on the moon, space travel, and conjecture about space travel.

Madison Jet Crashed Still Mystery!

This report highlights the mysterious crash of two F-89 jets in Wisconsin. Attempts to gather information about the crashes were met with resistance, and individuals investigating were warned to 'lay off', suggesting a possible conspiracy or cover-up.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of the APRO Bulletin are the prevalence of UFO sightings, the alleged efforts by the U.S. government and military to control or suppress information about these phenomena, and the organization's commitment to collecting and sharing this data with its members. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards official explanations and a belief that important information is being withheld from the public. APRO positions itself as a diligent researcher, attempting to piece together the truth from various sources, while maintaining a degree of caution regarding unverified claims. The bulletin also expresses a patriotic sentiment, defending the U.S. military and government against broad accusations of deception, while still acknowledging the possibility of information being withheld for national security reasons.