APRO Bulletin - 1955 08 00 - August (underlinings)

Magazine Overview

This issue of the APRO Bulletin, dated August 1955, features a prominent cover story titled "MAN ENTERS GROUNDED DISC." The publication appears to be a newsletter or magazine focused on UFO phenomena and related topics.

Man Enters Grounded Disc

The lead article recounts a sequel to events from the previous fall, detailing an encounter that occurred on May 7, 1955, as reported by the Caracas, Venezuela newspaper "El Universal." The story was forwarded to APRO by their Caracas informant, Horacio Gonzales, along with a photograph.

The Incident:

Dr. B, an engineer, was driving on a highway about 75 miles from his hotel in an isolated region of Argentina called Bahia Blanca when he spotted a metallic, disc-shaped object resting on the ground off the highway. He stopped to investigate. Approaching the object, he found an opening or door. Inside, he saw what appeared to be an empty interior with a red light pulsating in the dome at one-second intervals. He entered and discovered a curved divan with three seats. Two seats were occupied by small beings, estimated to be about four feet tall, covered from head to foot in brown overalls, with only an opening for the face. Their faces appeared charred or burnt, with holes where eyes should be. A third creature was sprawled in a seat. A screen with rays playing on it was in front of them, and above it was a rotating globe of transparent material.

Dr. B felt an impulse to touch one of the creatures, finding it stiff and rigid. An inner voice warned him to leave, identifying the occupants as 'strange life.' He rushed to his car and sped away, not stopping until he reached his hotel.

Return to the Site:

Dr. B related his story to intimate friends. Armed with a camera, they decided to return to the site the next day. Upon reaching the spot where the disc had rested, they found only a heap of ashes. Dr. B took two pictures of the ash heap, and all three men touched it, their hands turning a purplish color.

Further Observations and Details:

On page two, the narrative continues with additional observations made by Dr. B and his companions. Looking upwards, they saw three objects: one cigar-shaped at a high altitude, and two smaller discoid objects. One disc was hovering about 600 meters above them, estimated to be about 10 meters in diameter. Dr. B took five or six pictures, with two showing the objects with some clarity.

The group felt observed, and the two discs shot up, merged with the cigar-shaped object, and then, after traveling horizontally, turned blood red, made a 90-degree turn, and disappeared rapidly.

Dr. B's Condition and Background:

Dr. B told Mr. Gonzales that the object's interior felt resilient like rubber and had holes or vents in the floor. For weeks afterward, he suffered from a fever and blisters, with doctors unable to diagnose his illness. He had been wearing green-tinted sunglasses, and the outline of the glasses left red marks around his eyes. A Geiger counter found no radioactivity. Greenish spots on his skin disappeared with Listerine.

Mr. Gonzales vouched for Dr. B's social standing and character, noting that he is an aeronautical engineer with a Doctor's degree, about 40 years old, of Italian nationality, speaking Spanish and English, and a former war pilot. The incident occurred in 1950 in Argentina. Dr. B moved to Venezuela in 1953 and did not speak of the experience until after the events in and around Caracas in the fall of 1954.

Verification and Future Publication:

Dr. B contacted a reporter from "El Universal," stipulating his name be kept confidential. The APRO Bulletin examined the negative and prints and deemed them genuine if any UFO pictures are to be considered so. They are awaiting further details about the disc's interior for future publication.

Efforts are being made to reproduce sketches of the interior and exterior of the disc, along with a picture of the disc hovering, for members.

Editorial Stance on Dr. B's Story:

On page six, the APRO Bulletin editors offer their evaluation. They state that with the scanty details and photograph, they find no basis for disbelief, considering it a remarkable experience. They suggest that further details might strengthen the story and potentially support the claims made in Frank Scully's book, "Behind the Flying Saucers," asserting that Dr. B's story reaffirms their stand that Scully had a good foundation of basic information.

Satellite Sundries

This section discusses the US government's plans to build and launch an artificial satellite approximately 300 miles above Earth. Doctor Hermann Oberth, described as the "grandpappy of rocket scientists," has been hired by the US government, likely to be in charge of the project. The article notes potential friction among Oberth's former German colleagues who are in charge of various test ranges, suggesting it would be inadvisable to place him where they could come into contact. A significant battle is also raging over whether the satellite project will be an offspring of the Air Force or the Army, with the Army having pioneered rocket propulsion and the Air Force being a later entrant.

Sightings

This section details numerous UFO sightings from May and August 1955:

• New York City, New York (May 15, 1955): Warren Siegmond photographed a UFO from his roof. Miss Jeannine Bouiller spotted the object, and Siegmond captured it as it wheeled, its metallic glitter fading before it became a blur and vanished. An Air Force officer commented, "Whatever it was, it was moving." The pictures are compared to a 1947 saucer photo over Phoenix, Arizona.
• Carson, Nebraska (May 7, 1955): Three musicians returning from a dance reported a "great big fireball" resembling a firecracker, about half a mile away, which disappeared into the hills after 30 seconds.
• Rockford, Illinois (Date not specified, assumed May): Member Stephen Seach relayed a report of two boys seeing a white object ascending vertically. The report involved communication with the GCC and the Chicago Filter Center.
• Jonesport, Maine (May 9, 1955): A flaming object was seen and is still unidentified. The Air Force stated they have not determined if it was a guided missile or meteorite. Observers called it a "flaming object" that "exploded."
• Friend, Nebraska (March 29): Mr. and Mrs. Walter Rosplicka observed a red light resembling a quarter moon on fire, which performed maneuvers and disappeared.
• Old Sighting (60 years ago): A 70-year-old woman wrote to the Director describing a sighting from her childhood. She and her cousin witnessed strange objects in the sky that looked like crystal or polished metal balls strung in a zig-zag line, hanging and swinging like a pendulum over her parents' farm for 20 minutes.
• Montrose, California (May 19, 1955): Three silvery disc-shaped objects were seen cruising high over the area at sunset by the Sheriff, deputies, and Pasadena police. Authorities at Norton Air Force Base stated they would not investigate. The objects were described as disc-shaped, bunched together, climbing over each other, or hanging motionless.
• San Gabriel Valley (May 24): Several "sonic booms" were felt. While some papers blamed illegal blasting, Mrs. Sanders noted the blasts were faint, contrasting with her friend's description of houses shaking.
• Loup City to Ord, Nebraska (May 5, 1955): Don Wiberg, a 17-year-old student, reported a 10-mile drive where he was pursued and preceded by a cigar-shaped glow, described as dense in the center with a tenuous aura.
• Ord, Nebraska (Date not specified, likely related to Wiberg incident): Don and Editor Bill Lee attempted to see the apparition again without luck. Three days later, cattle on a nearby farm were stampeded.
• Fresno, California (August 3, 1955): Two reports: Warren Langor, a weather observer, saw a round, silver object moving at a regular speed, appearing about one-fourth to one-third the size of a weather balloon. An International News Service Photographer also reported a speeding light.
• Ainsworth, Nebraska (August 9, 1955): The Nel Masters, Carl Smith, and Lawrence Clappor families observed a bright object, the size of the full moon or larger, hanging in the sky for approximately two hours. Spark-like objects or rockets were seen shooting northward from it.
• Lima, Peru (May 29, 1955): Eight people, including a pilot and meteorologist, observed a squadron of five UFOs maneuvering above the Pisco Airport for two hours at an estimated height of 3,200 meters. The objects were described as rumboid with brilliant borders and rectangular marks in the rear centers, emitting a brilliant white light. A Peruvian Air Force pilot could not identify them.
• La Guaira, Venezuela (June 2, 1955): A strange giant fireball was seen descending.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting of UFO sightings and encounters, with a particular focus on physical evidence and witness testimony. The APRO Bulletin appears to take a serious stance on the subject, lending credence to credible witnesses like "Dr. B" and validating the importance of photographic evidence. The editorial stance is one of open investigation and a belief that many UFO reports have a "good foundation of basic information," challenging those who attempt to discredit such phenomena. The publication also touches upon broader implications, such as government involvement in space technology and the potential for extraterrestrial contact.

This issue of the APRO bulletin, dated August 1955, focuses on a collection of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings and related phenomena reported from various locations around the world. The publication appears to be a newsletter or magazine dedicated to documenting and analyzing such events.

Key Articles and Reports

Petare, Venezuela (June 10)

A news report spread 'like wildfire' about a UFO sighting in Petare. Gonzalo Laguna Reyes, a sewing machine merchant, heard a loud noise and saw a squadron of flying saucers landing on a hill, leaving a trail of smoke and accompanied by a luminous ray of light. Reyes described the objects as 'flattened balls' and noted signs of movement from the occupants. He and his family went to investigate but the saucers took off towards Carlotta Airport. Mrs. Carmen de Rodrigues corroborated the account, hearing the sound and seeing the luminous ray, and stated there were at least five objects flying as fast as jet planes.

Punto Fijo, Venezuela (August 6, 1955)

Three gentlemen reported seeing a luminous object flying at 'fantastic speed' over Puerto Cumarebo. Mr. Clement Rodriguez, Rafael Martinez, and Francisco Cruz Lemos described it as bright as a searchlight and visible through clouds. The object crossed the sky from North to South, returned to its origin, and disappeared into space.

Woodstock, Ontario, Canada (July 13)

Harold Prestage reported seeing eight 'flying saucers' between 8 and 9 p.m. on July 12. His housekeeper also witnessed the event. Prestage described the objects as oval and chrome-colored, with clean-cut edges, shaped like dinner plates, and visible for 15 minutes.

London, England (May 26)

The crew of a Portugese air lines Skymaster reported seeing a 'long, cigar-shaped object without wings traveling at terrific speed' as they approached London on May 25, having departed from Lisbon. Radio Officer Jaoa Almeida, with nine years of flying experience, stated he had 'never seen anything like it'. He described it as long, slim, revolving, and flashing under the aircraft's nose, appearing to be made of aluminum and about 100 yards away. Flight Engineer Jose Silva also saw the object, describing it as a 'silver cigar' with no smoke trail. The aircraft was flying at between 5,000 and 6,000 feet. A British Air Ministry spokesman confirmed the report would be investigated.

France (July 5, 1955)

An AP Wire Service report described a 'French Version of a Flying Saucer Machine', looking like two saucers joined with an air bubble. It was characterized as typical newspaper filler.

England (July 5, 1955)

Southern England experienced a mysterious explosion that shook an area 40 miles in diameter. Theories of 'meteoric explosion' and 'jet plane breaking sound barrier' were suggested, but Scotland Yard declared it a 'mystery'. A jet pilot reportedly claimed his oxygen tube got tangled, causing the plane to swerve and break the sound barrier. The bulletin dismisses this as 'one of the limpost explanations'.

Columbus, Cincinnati, Ohio (August 3, 1955)

A 'glowing round object' was seen over these cities, with minimal mention in the press or radio.

Xenia, Ohio (August 13, 1955)

A schoolteacher observed a 'bright red sphere' about the size of a tennis ball with a tail. The tail resembled a jet's vapor trail but was a lighter shade. It appeared to be 10-15 feet long and traveled rapidly to the southeast, disappearing behind trees. The sighting lasted only a few seconds.

Wright-Patterson AFB (March 30, 1955)

A 'triangle-shaped object of silver color' hovered over the Air Base for approximately 15 minutes early one morning. It was reported on the 8 a.m. newscast but not mentioned again in newspapers. The object was observed by a friend of APRO member Miriam Yeakley of Xenia, and others on a bus passing the base.

Cairo, Illinois (August 11, 1955)

A lady reported seeing a 'triangular-shaped object' at about 9:30 p.m. The front was dark, the middle bluish green, and the rear very bright. It was seen low on the horizon, heading north and slightly west. There was no sound or trail, and the light was described as 'brighter than the sun'. The object appeared to be about 10 times as long as the width of a TV antenna crossbar. The sighting lasted an estimated 15 to 20 seconds, leading the observer to conclude it could not be a meteor.

TV Features and Public Reaction

Television was noted for featuring a good number of shows with saucers as the focal point, specifically mentioning "Night of Terror in New Mexico" and "Sunday Matinee" on August 2.

Civil Defense and the "World Interplanetary Association"

The phrases "Futility of Fear" and "Fear of the Unknown" were used in a Civil Defense film. A warning from the "World Interplanetary Association" suggested the Geneva conference was to decide how to handle 'interplanetary visitors'. The bulletin questions if this was a 'feeler to measure public reaction' and notes it was one of the few saucer articles carried by news wires.

Dr. Charles Mancy and Scientific Approach

Dr. Charles Mancy, head of the Physics department at Defiance College, Ohio, is highlighted for his article in the Toledo Blade. The bulletin praises his 'true scientific attitude' of an open mind to let facts appraise conclusions. Dr. Mancy is identified as an APRO member.

Biggs FB and 'Hostile Aircraft'

Regarding the La Pax of U. of N. M. Meteoritics department, who is still chasing fireballs, Air Force spokesmen at Biggs FB in El Paso stated that the 'matter is by no means closed'. The bulletin speculates about the military's concern regarding 'hostile aircraft' in the New Mexico-West Texas area, which can be seen but not tracked by mechanical means.

APRO Director's Inactivity and Argentine Saucer

The APRO Director was inactive since the April bulletin but is now back to normal. She hopes to attach 'oxalid reproductions' of the Argentine saucer from Dr. B.'s experience and submitted sketches. Glossy prints will be available to members at cost if enough requests are received. APRO has been given permission for reproduction in the United States.

APRO Bulletin Publication Details

The APRO Bulletin is the official copyrighted publication of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO), located at 519 New York, Alamogordo, New Mexico. It is issued every other month to members only. APRO is a non-profit group dedicated to solving the mystery of unidentified flying objects. Inquiries about membership can be made to the provided address.

Stuart, Nebraska (April 7, 1955)

Residents of Stuart and neighboring communities experienced 'unexplainable static' on home radio sets, described in the press as 'terrific static'. The bulletin questions if there might be a connection to UFO reports.

Denver, Colorado (August 7)

The Air Force announced that plastic strips falling in the Sacramento area were from giant weather balloons released at Denver. The bulletin notes that this news was not widely disseminated before the announcement.

Ottawa, Canada (May 18, 1955)

Wilbur B. Smith, director of the Broadcast and Measurement Section, expressed his belief that the department was premature in closing down its 'saucer detecting station' operations. He stated that positive results were obtained on the instruments the day before operations were closed. The bulletin speculates that the Canadian government may have established another station discreetly due to Smith's public statements.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO bulletin consistently reports on UFO sightings from around the world, presenting them as credible phenomena requiring investigation. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, critical of official explanations that dismiss sightings, and supportive of scientific approaches. There's a recurring theme of government secrecy or lack of transparency regarding UFOs, contrasted with the efforts of civilian organizations like APRO. The publication aims to document these events thoroughly and encourages a scientific, open-minded approach to understanding them.