APRO Bulletin - 1955 01 15 - Vol 3 No 4

Magazine Overview

This special issue of The APRO Bulletin, dated January 15, 1955, is dedicated to Joe Rolas and Horacio Gonzales, members from Caracas, Venezuela, for their reporting on unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and their occupants. The issue primarily focuses on significant sightings from South America in 1954.

Worldwide Increase in UFO Reports

The magazine notes a global increase in UFO sightings, asserting that these phenomena are appearing despite the U.S. Air Force's efforts to attribute them to logical sources. An incident in Apple Valley, California, involved an oblong object hovering for over 24 hours, which the Air Force allegedly tried to dismiss. Professor Hermann Oberth is quoted reiterating his belief that flying discs are interplanetary vehicles, with occupants possibly fearful of humans. A grey-coloured disc was also reported hovering near a mica mine in Manbhum, Bihar, India, observed by approximately 800 people before ascending rapidly.

In Venezuela: Hairy Dwarves!

This section details a peculiar incident in San Carlos, Venezuela, on December 16, 1954, the same night President Eisenhower stated flying saucers were imaginary. A young man, Jesus Paz, was reportedly attacked by a small, hairy, man-like creature after stopping his car. His friends found him unconscious and witnessed a dwarf-like being running towards a hovering, flat, shiny craft. Paz suffered shock and deep scratches. Another report from Carora, Venezuela, describes Lorenzo Flores and Jesus Gomez encountering four small, hairy creatures, about 3 feet tall, emerging from a hovering object resembling two wash bowls. The creatures attempted to drag Jesus Gomez, but Flores used his shotgun butt to fend them off, breaking the gun. The boys reported the creatures were extremely strong and covered in hair. Authorities investigated and found signs of a struggle and where the craft had rested.

Teacher Fires at Pursuing Disc!

An unnamed teacher and director from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, reported being pursued by a glowing, disc-shaped object while driving. Initially mistaking it for the moon, he later realized the object was moving towards him and was huge. In panic, he fired twelve times at the object. He met other men, including a lawyer and a sheriff, and they returned to the spot, witnessing the disc disappear to the south.

"Little Men" Foil in Kidnap Attempt!!

Jose Parra, an 18-year-old jockey from Valencia, Venezuela, recounted an incident on December 19 where he encountered six hairy little men engaged in moving boulders near a cement factory. The men were loading the boulders onto a disc-shaped craft hovering nearby. When Parra tried to flee, one of the men pointed a device at him that emitted a violet light, immobilizing him. The creatures then boarded their craft and departed. Later that night, a brightly lit disc was seen hovering near the Barbula Sanitorium in Valencia.

Doctor Sees Little Men; Disc-

A physician in Caracas, Venezuela, reported witnessing little men running into the brush, followed by a luminous disc-shaped object that rapidly ascended. The doctor, previously a skeptic, is no longer laughing about the phenomenon.

Engineer Snaps Photo of Covey of Flying Saucers

In Barcelona, Venezuela, an engineer employed by a petroleum company submitted snapshots to the Prefect of the district showing a flight of 5 flying saucers flying in perfect formation. The objects were described as resembling 'turtles' with lights at the front and rear.

Odds and Ends (Continued)

This section provides brief mentions of various sightings and related topics. It includes a report of radio operator Carlos Alvarez intercepting messages from another source than Earth. In the Abruzzian Mountains, Italy, inhabitants reported seeing six glowing disc-like objects, and footprints of a shoe-less creature were found. Residents of Caracas observed a strange phenomenon involving a mountain called the "Chair of Caracas," which emitted bright beams of light. The Carnegie Institute of Washington announced a W-shaped mark found on Mars, believed to be a cloud formation. The magazine speculates on the possibility of a nuclear explosion on Mars. It also suggests that the U.S. Air Force might be withholding information about saucers to prevent panic or to maintain control of the narrative, possibly due to Earth's increasing instability from radiation and atmospheric wobble.

Are the Saucers U.S. Weapons?

This article questions whether flying saucers are U.S. weapons. It acknowledges that research and development teams at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are experimenting with circular airfoil aircraft. However, it posits that Russia, England, Canada, and Australia are also conducting similar research. The author argues that if saucers were fully developed U.S. technology, they would not still be working on projects like the NIKE missile, and that human reaction times are insufficient for high-speed air travel, necessitating reliable electronic control systems, which are still a drawback. The article challenges anyone to provide evidence that saucers belong to a world government, suggesting such information would be highly classified.

Saucers Based in Brazil!?

A Lima, Peru, daily paper announced that an earth-base for flying saucers might be located in the Maranon River zone in Brazil, with North American investigators reportedly searching the area. The article recounts a close-range sighting of a saucer by a B-29 Flying Fortress crew.

Commentary by Jon Lorenzen

Lorenzen offers comments and a hypothesis on recent South American reports, particularly those involving contacts with "animal occupants" of saucer-like vehicles. He notes that most reports come from groups, the witnesses exhibit genuine distress, and no hoaxes have been admitted after investigation. He describes the occupants as hairy dwarves, about 3 feet tall, with glowing eyes and claws, but no discernible noses or mouths. He addresses the objection that such beings couldn't achieve space technology, attributing it to human vanity and suggesting these might be servants or slaves. He also discusses their physical prowess, such as leaping capabilities, and the effectiveness of their weaponry, noting that a ray-gun caused unconsciousness but not immobilization. He proposes that the creatures might come from a planet with stronger gravity, explaining their strength. He also suggests their skin might be an external skeleton. The commentary concludes by noting that these encounters resemble human explorers collecting specimens and that kidnapping attempts seem half-hearted, possibly due to hysteria or the creatures' need to escape.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently positions itself as a proponent of UFO research and a critic of official explanations and potential government secrecy. The magazine champions the work of writers like Donald Keyhoe, praising his restraint and dedication to facts. It expresses a belief in the authenticity of many UFO reports, particularly those involving direct encounters with occupants. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards official denials and a conviction that the public deserves to be informed about phenomena that could impact humanity's understanding of its place in the universe. The magazine also highlights the importance of international cooperation in UFO research, as evidenced by its coverage of sightings in India, Germany, Italy, and various South American countries.

Title: APRO Bulletin
Issue Date: January 15, 1955
Type: Magazine Issue

Commentary

The "Commentary" section of this APRO Bulletin issue, dated January 15, 1955, begins by expressing skepticism about the theory that all recent UFO sightings are piloted by small, humanoid beings. The author notes that these 'little guys' seem new to the 'game' and are difficult to associate with the larger, more sophisticated craft observed over the years, such as the 'disappearing type' that cruised over Washington, D.C., and other phenomena like maneuvering lights and green fireballs.

The commentary then provides further details on the "Petare incident." Gustavo Gonzales reportedly encountered dwarves who were wearing only a "sort of loincloth" (likened to diapers). The author speculates that such a skimpy garment on a 'hard, hairy body' was not for warmth or protection, but rather for "reasons of modesty." This characteristic is then humorously compared to humble humans, with a reference to "scriptural sources" attributing human modesty to original sin. The commentary poses a rhetorical question: "Do the hairy ones have an original sin of their own? Or did their ancestors drop by in days gone by and snatch a snack from that self-same tree?"

Member Communications and Organizational Updates

The bulletin expresses gratitude to members for "many get well cards and letters of encouragement" received after the November issue. It is noted that Mrs. Lorenzen is improving in health. The text explains that after an attempt to transfer Bulletin work to Los Angeles failed, Mrs. Lorenzen faced the choice of giving up the work or struggling along. She chose the latter, and the hope is expressed that the new Bulletin format meets with member approval.

Letters have accumulated on the Director's desk since the move to Alamogordo, New Mexico. The Director hopes to answer them all eventually and assures members that no one will feel neglected, as "each letter and each clipping is fully appreciated."

About the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO)

The APRO Bulletin is identified as the official, copyrighted publication of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, located at 519 New York, Alamogordo, New Mexico. The Bulletin is published every other month and is available only to members in good standing.

APRO is described as a non-profit group dedicated to finding a solution to the mystery of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), which have been increasingly observed in the skies since 1946. The organization cordially invites individuals who are sincerely interested in the enigma and advocate a "level-headed and scientific course of investigation" to join its ranks.

Membership dues are $3.00 per year, payable semi-annually or annually to the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization at the specified address.

Reprint Policy

Permission to reprint material contained in the APRO Bulletin may be obtained by written request. The Organization and its Director reserve the right to refuse this service to anyone whom they do not believe will use the information to the best advantage and in the best interests of the Organization and its members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing mystery of UFOs, the nature of potential occupants (humanoid vs. other), and the organizational aspects of UFO research. The editorial stance is one of cautious inquiry, emphasizing a scientific and level-headed approach to the subject, while also acknowledging the human element of modesty and the importance of member support and communication. The organization positions itself as a dedicated entity for the investigation of UFOs since 1946.