APRO Bulletin - 1958 01 00 - January

Magazine Overview

THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN - JANUARY, 1958

This issue of the A.P.R.O. Bulletin, published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, focuses on the potential health hazards associated with UFO sightings, particularly radiation sickness, and reports on international UFO activity. It also delves into the controversial Stokes Case and presents a theoretical article on electrostatic propulsion.

Radiation Sickness After UFO Sighting?

The lead article explores the possibility of radiation sickness resulting from UFO encounters. It details the case of Olden Moore, who reported seeing a landed 'space ship' near Montville Township, Ohio, on November 6, 1957. The following day, a Geiger counter registered 150 microroentgens in the area where the object landed, significantly higher than the normal reading of 15-20 microroentgens. Moore's account, initially met with skepticism, was later corroborated by his wife and investigated by local authorities, army personnel, and scientists. Moore himself was reportedly sworn to secrecy about his subsequent activities.

Another case involves Mrs. Letia Kuhn of Madison, Indiana, who reported a bright, circular object hovering above her garage on November 10, 1957. Two weeks later, she experienced blurring vision and a burning sensation in her eyes, which her doctor attributed to radiation damage or ultraviolet light exposure. Lake County Civil Defense Director Kenneth Locke suggested she undergo testing for radiation. Mrs. Kuhn stated that neighbors had laughed at her when she initially mentioned the sighting, leading her to keep quiet until her illness became apparent. The object she described was bell-shaped, silent, and emitted a bright beam of light. The article notes the lack of follow-up information in the press and the absence of published radiation test results, suggesting a potential cover-up.

USSR Claims Anti-Gravity Discs

Radio Moscow announced on January 2, 1958, that Russia was developing anti-gravity discs. This announcement, forwarded by Jan Herr, caused concern among researchers, including Major Donald E. Keyhoe. The article expresses apprehension that such news might cause public hysteria, but notes that the possibility of Russian moon rockets had already received significant publicity. The bulletin interprets the Russian announcement of 'development' rather than 'experimenting' as a sign that the Soviets have already built and are testing disc-like craft utilizing anti-gravitational principles.

The Stokes Case

L. J. Lorenzen addresses the ongoing controversy surrounding the James Stokes incident. He refutes a wire service report from November 17th that dismissed the Stokes incident as a hoax, calling it 'irresponsible fabrication.' Lorenzen asserts that while Stokes did retract some details under pressure, he genuinely saw something. Lorenzen provides background on Stokes, describing him as a retired Navy CPO, an engineer with a strong work ethic, and not prone to fabrication. The article recounts the sequence of events, including the launch of Sputnik II, the 'glowing eggs' report from Levelland, Texas, and military patrols at White Sands Proving Grounds sighting glowing objects. Stokes's own sighting on November 4th involved his car stalling near Orogrande, New Mexico, after observing a smooth, egg-shaped object. He reported this to Major Everett at Holloman, who gave him permission to speak to the press. The article criticizes the subsequent debunking campaign, which originated from Washington D.C., and highlights that Holloman officials initially found Stokes's report credible due to his background.

Lorenzen argues that the timing of the Stokes sighting, shortly after Sputnik II's launch, was unfortunate for him, as it occurred when efforts were being made to control the narrative around Soviet technological superiority. He criticizes the questions asked during Stokes's questioning as attempts to discredit him. The article notes that the Air Force's Public Information Office at Holloman issued a statement on November 5th, 1957, supporting Stokes's credibility.

Recent Sightings

This section compiles numerous UFO sightings from around the world during November and December 1957, noting a concentration in countries conducting missile and satellite testing.

• Aukland, New Zealand (June 4): A Murray Sale reported an egg-shaped white object moving slowly south.
• Kodiak, Alaska (November 4): John Boucher, a police officer, saw a huge, red ball of fire with a greenish-yellow vapor trail.
• Tokyo, Japan (November 10): Wilfred S. Hardy, an engineer, observed a glowing, cigar-shaped object speeding south, radiating colors like the northern lights.
• Canberra, Australia (November 9): Four astronomers observed a bright, pink object moving across the sky.
• Invercargill, New Zealand (November 13): E. R. Robinson and L. Israelson reported a 'strange' white light hovering.
• Christchurch, New Zealand (November 20): H. Sharman observed a doughnut-shaped object maneuvering around a horseshoe-shaped object.
• Fairbanks, Alaska (December 1): Witnesses reported a 'light-bulb-shaped object' flashing and plunging to earth.
• Tokyo, Japan (December 12): 1/Lt. F. R. Dunn reported an unidentified object flying parallel to his aircraft, leading to an intercept attempt by two F-86-Ds.
• Quebec City, Canada (November 2): Jacques Hebert reported a spherical or rocket-shaped object falling into the St. Lawrence River.
• Toronto, Ontario, Canada (November 6): Six persons observed a yellowish-white light traveling soundlessly across the sky.
• Vancouver, B. C. (November 7): Alex Johnson offered the U.S. government an invention for a craft capable of 9,000 miles a minute.
• Toronto, Ontario, Canada (November 10): Graham Conway observed a bright, circular object that appeared to emit smoke and a falling stream.
• Montreal, Quebec (November 11): Pilot Fred Philpotts spotted a stationary white light.
• Eatonville, Ontario (December 12): A football-shaped object was observed, with radar contact indicating a height of 35,000-40,000 feet.
• Ancona, Italy (August 28): A physician and navy captain observed a cylindrical object spiraling south, changing color to red.
• Prague, Czechoslovakia (October 28): A falling object exploded in the air.
• Cairo, Egypt (November 5): A small object with tiny lenses fell in flames into a schoolyard.
• Coatzacoalcos, Mex. (November 9): A luminous object described as a 'white blanket' hovered over the city.
• The Hague, Netherlands (November 9): A shipping company official observed a 'ball shining like a nickel.'
• Toulouse, France (November 10): Astronomer Jacques Chapuis reported observing a canary-yellow object with peculiar maneuvers.
• Hamburg, Germany (December 1): A red-hot object fell into a field, opening up a deep hole.
• Le Havre, France (December 4): Approximately 100 shipyard workers reported sighting a high-flying object with red and green glow.
• Luebeck, Germany (November 11): An unidentified object exploded in the air, with part of it landing in a suburban garden.
• Yorkshire, England (December 12): A 'baby flying saucer' was found on the moors.
• Barcelona, Venezuela (September 5): An unidentified object traveled across the skies, leaving a white trail.
• Valera, Venezuela (September 5): A pilot reported spotting a luminous object resembling airplane wings.
• San Jose De Gua, Venezuela (September 11): A group observed a disc-shaped red craft crossing the sky at high speed.
• Bachaquero, Venezuela (October 22): Eulogio Castro observed two cylindrical objects flying silently.
• Barcelona, Venezuela (October 30): Numerous persons reported observing a huge, glowing ball-shaped object.
• Ciudad Trujillo, Venezuela (November 3): Two disc-shaped objects hovered above a coffee factory.
• Los Teques, Venezuela (November 26): A glowing, disc-shaped object dimmed, exploded, and fell to the ground.
• Caracas, Venezuela (November 30): Three ovoid objects shot out greenish light.
• Cumana, Venezuela (December 3): A glowing object darted in and out of clouds.
• Cumana, Venezuela (December 4): A glowing spherical object was observed gyrating and leaving a luminous smoke trail.

Analysis

The analysis section suggests that UFOs concentrated on South America before the November 'flap,' shifting their attention to the United States and USSR following the Sputnik II launch. The authors note the frequent sightings in countries with large-scale missile testing ranges (Australia, Russia, USA) during November, after which the discs reportedly returned to South America. They posit that the Sputnik II launch might have been detected by a space station, leading to the observed shift in UFO activity.

USSR Claims

This brief section reiterates that while the announcement of Russian discs is noted, the bulletin does not necessarily conclude that the UFOs sighted in the US were Russian. It suggests that these reports are typical of those made over the past decade and that it will be some time before Russians are ready to fly experimental craft over the US.

Electrostatic Propulsion for Counteracting Inertia

C. F. Krafft proposes a theoretical method for counteracting inertia in spaceships using electrostatic propulsion. This method would involve electrically charging the entire spaceship, so that every atom is acted upon by an external electrostatic field, thereby eliminating the effects of inertia without mechanical force transmission. This differs from conventional propulsion methods where force is applied mechanically and transmitted through the ship's structure.

Armstrong Circle Theatre

This article critiques the Armstrong Circle Theatre production 'UFO-Enigma of the Skies,' finding it disappointing for rehashing old propaganda and noting the 'mike fright' of performers, including Douglas Edwards. Lt. Col. Spencer Wheedon's contribution is described as 'rubber stamp lip service' to the traditional Air Force attitude. The article disputes the claim of a 'sky-hook balloon' on the day of Mantell's death, referencing Keyhoe's earlier statements. It criticizes the Air Force's handling of UFO information, questioning whether they are hiding facts or covering incompetence. Donald Keyhoe's appearance is noted as a 'gallant show' in pointing out flaws in Air Force analyses, though a minor error in referring to Professor Tombaugh as 'Doctor' is mentioned. The article suggests that the show was written and rehearsed, and questions whether Major Keyhoe was censored for attempting to deviate from the script. It also criticizes Donald Menzel's statements, calling him an 'incompetent professional' and suggesting his arguments were driven by a fight for prestige. The article concludes by referencing Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Richard Hornor's announcement that the Air Force is not hiding information, calling it a 'deliberate falsehood.'

Swedish Officer Spots UFO

This piece reports on a UFO sighting by an army captain in Kottedala, Sweden, on November 25th. The object was described as disc-shaped and took a 'spiraling' course. A spokesman for the Swedish defense agency suggested it might be a Russian moon rocket, a suggestion the article dismisses as inane, particularly the idea of predicting its destination. The captain observed the object through field glasses for twenty minutes, describing it as a 'flattened sphere' emitting a flickering glow. The article notes that a poll of technical personnel at Holloman Air Force Base indicated a general feeling that the Armstrong Theater show was slanted against the interplanetary theory.

Geiger Counter Looking for Man with Photos

This article discusses a purported UFO photograph taken near Montville, Ohio, on November 7th, and a 'saucer magazine' that may have contributed to a man's illness from radiation. Jerry Snook's article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer details a letter and two snapshots sent to Civil Defense Director Kenneth Locke by 'Joe Tillman.' Tillman claimed to have a basket of 'radioactive dirt' with active rays. Locke initiated a search for Tillman, who was believed to be a corroborating witness to Olden Moore's sighting. The photographs showed a circular white object against a dark background. Tillman stated he had 17 photographs and was saving them for a reporter from a 'flying saucer magazine.' The article expresses concern that the magazine editor's pursuit of exclusive rights may have endangered Tillman.

Member Hopf's "Recruiting" Campaign

This section highlights John T. Hopf's efforts to recruit new members for APRO in Newport, Rhode Island. An advertisement in the Newport Daily News offered the 'A.P.R.O. Bulletin' which reports 'uncensored information on Unconventional Aerial Objects,' including near-collisions with airliners, interviews with pilots, sonic booms, and scientific articles. The ad emphasized that these facts are not widely reported by regular news services and noted that APRO has prominent scientists among its members, distinguishing it from 'crackpot' clubs. The annual membership fee was $3.50.

Editorial

Mr. Lorenzen and the author traveled to New York for business and to contact CSI ( a UFO research group) members and officers. They met with Isabel Davis, Alex Mebane, and Ted Bloecher of CSI, praising their thorough research, particularly Davis's work on the Hopkinsville 'little men' incident. The editorial emphasizes the importance of direct contact between UFO research groups for cooperation. They also met with local CSI and APRO members and discussed the recent 'flap' and the Stokes case. The author and Lorenzen appeared on Long John Nebel's 'Nightbeat' radio show with Major Wayne Aho, discussing UFOs and the 'contactee' phenomenon. The editorial concludes that CSI is doing a 'top-notch job' and that new evidence is challenging the 'contactees' stranglehold on UFO devotees.

Notice

Member C. W. Fitch is seeking the November 1956 issue of the A.P.R.O. Bulletin, which is out of print. The notice also addresses requests for circulating back issues of the Bulletin (1952-1955) for copying, due to limited comprehensive files. APRO is considering a second printing of a pamphlet containing this information but needs to gauge interest first. The organization faces financial challenges in distributing information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently adopts a stance of critical inquiry into UFO phenomena, often challenging official explanations and perceived government cover-ups. There is a strong emphasis on scientific investigation and the collection of detailed sighting reports. The publication appears to be skeptical of sensationalism and 'crackpot' elements within the UFO community, aiming to present a more serious and credible approach. The editorial stance is one of advocating for open information and research, while also acknowledging the potential dangers and mysteries surrounding UFOs. The issue highlights concerns about health impacts (radiation sickness) and the need for transparency from authorities.