APRO Bulletin - 1959 01 00 - January

Magazine Overview

This issue of The A.P.R.O. Bulletin, dated January 1959, marks the beginning of its 8th year of UFO research. Published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) in Alamogordo, New Mexico, it is a bi-monthly publication for members dedicated to solving the mystery of unidentified objects.

Cover Story: A Saucer - Two Men - and "Little Creatures"

The lead story details an extraordinary encounter reported from Halsingborg, Sweden, involving merchant Hans Gustavsson and student Stig Rydberg. The incident occurred on December 20th, 1958, near Domsten. The two men reported seeing a "flying saucer" approximately 5 meters in diameter and 1 meter high, resting on three legs and self-illuminating. They were then attacked by four lead-gray creatures, about 1.3 meters tall, described as lacking extremities and resembling "scones or skittles." These creatures attempted to drag the men towards the craft. The men managed to free themselves, and the craft ascended rapidly. The report includes details of subsequent investigations, including sanity testimonials and hypno-analysis conducted by physicians in Halsingborg, which suggested the men had experienced a "field of force of enormous strength" rather than a hallucination.

1956 UAO Photo Comes to Light

This section discusses a photograph taken in the summer of 1955 by R. M. Azevedo of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The object, hovering to the right of the moon, was observed by Azevedo, his wife, and friends. The photo was taken with a Leica camera on Kodachrome Type A film with a 40-second exposure. The object was seen to move, hesitate, and then speed away towards the mountains. The image shows a faint light path. The slide was later examined by photographic experts, including Ed Keffel and Commander Bacellar, who confirmed its authenticity and ruled out falsification.

FAMILY DISAPPEARS; SAUCER SEEN

This article reports on the disappearance of the Martin family (Mr. and Mrs. Martin and their three daughters) who left their home in Portland, Oregon, on December 7, 1958, to look for Christmas greenery and never returned. The search involved the U.S. Corps of Engineers and Air Force helicopters. The Oregonian newspaper is quoted, suggesting possibilities ranging from the family's car being covered by water to abduction. A county sheriff noted that thousands had searched for them. The article also mentions a belated newspaper reference to a UFO sighting in the area, possibly related to the disappearance.

Editorial: Is There a Lull?

The editorial discusses the perceived lull in UFO sightings reported in newspapers, particularly in the United States. The authors suggest that this lull might be confined to the press, noting that major wire services like AP have had admitted policies regarding UFO reports, and UPI often reports them to embarrass the military or stir up news. The editorial points out that local independent newspapers have also joined in what is perceived as a boycott. However, the bulletin notes significant UFO activity in Ohio, suggesting that the difference might be Ohio's willingness to report such news, citing the Cleveland Plain Dealer as a primary source.

A Fireball Tale

This section recounts a sighting on January 9, 1958, of a glowing object with a trail of fire passing over Colorado Springs. Observers in Albuquerque and Roswell reported seeing a similar object moving from northeast to southwest. Dr. Lincoln La Paz suggested it was a "meteoric fireball." Ten Hughes Aircraft employees at Holloman AFB also witnessed an object "glowing all over including a tail," traveling at high speed and making no sound. They described its body as "milky, translucent." The object appeared east of North and disappeared southwest, at an elevation of about 25-30 degrees. Observers insisted it was not a meteor, with some speculating about a secret moon shot or satellite launch.

Tracks - In the Desert

Reprinted from the Anaheim Bulletin, this article details an incident involving Al Sterling of California. On a summer night in 1956, Sterling and his wife were awakened by a loud "whoosh." The next morning, Sterling discovered large, semi-circular "cleat" marks in the sand around his desert cottage. These marks, over 20 in number, were about three inches deep, with sharp leading edges and small mounds of sand behind them, suggesting a vehicle moving on the ground. The tracks began and ended abruptly, with no indication of their origin. Sterling theorized an airborne vehicle made them. The article notes that military sources could not identify any new weapon or vehicle that would leave such tracks. Sterling expressed that the experience was disturbing and hoped not to find more such tracks.

Object Punctures Barn Roof

This brief report describes an incident on December 30th in Tiller, Oregon, where an object reportedly went through a barn roof, entering on one side and exiting the other. The object left no trace, but the holes were impressive, with an 8" diameter pole broken in its path. Area residents initially reasoned it was a truck tire, but this explanation was deemed insufficient. The article notes that the object's flight path made it unlikely to be a conventional object.

Report from Scandinavia

By K. Gosta Rehn, this report details an account from Ernst W. Akerberg, a criminal investigator from Visby, Sweden. On August 5, 1957, Akerberg observed a saucer-like object approaching from the northeast. He described the craft as approximately 25 meters in diameter, with a silver-gray underside that rotated. It had a cherry-red light and a smaller red light. The craft flew south, then southeast, and was followed by a second, similar craft. A powerful air current was noted after each passage, causing ripples on the water and swaying treetops. The report mentions that Akerberg, initially skeptical, provided details consistent with American UFO observations.

Report from Argentina

By Bernardo N. Passion, this section compiles several UFO sightings from Argentina and nearby regions. Reports include:

• July 9, 1958 (Montevideo, Uruguay): A strange phenomenon was observed, including a queer light and a sensation of "strange sensation" reported by Iberia airplane crew.
• May 28, 1958 (Santa Fe, Argentina): A truck driver named Remo Dall'Armenilla reported seeing a "giant" with protuberances and a flying disc. The "giant" emitted a pink light that caused him to lose consciousness.
• September 16, 1958 (Cordoba, Argentina): Eduardo Nucifero observed an object resembling a falling star with a luminous trail, which dropped among the Sierras Grandes.
• October 18, 1958 (Santiago del Estero, Argentina): A strange sky phenomenon, an intense white light, was observed repeatedly.
• October 19, 1958 (Buenos Aires, Argentina): Residents reported seeing a squadron of discs, described as elliptical and very bright, hovering and rocking.
• September 6, 1958 (Salta, Argentina): Eduardo Sivero and others saw a strong bluish light from an object traveling from northwest to southeast.
• September 16, 1958 (Salta, Argentina): A disc-like object was observed at high altitude.
• September 30, 1958 (Salta, Argentina): A strange luminous object was sighted in the northeast, traveling slowly northward.

From Here and There

This section compiles various brief reports:

• Frankfort, Germany (Nov 7, 1958): Herman Oberth believes supernatural forms are watching Earth.
• Seattle, Washington (Nov 7, 1958): Dr. Melvin Calvin believes advanced living beings exist on other planets.
• Gainsville, Florida (Dec 29, 1958): Dr. William M. Sinton stated that new telescopic observations had established the existence of organic matter on Mars.
• Fort Davis, Texas (Nov 8, 1958): Olen Lenham suggests dark areas on Mars are lava fields.
• La Havre, France (Nov 8, 1958): Five "glowing balloons" were reported exploding over the sea.
• Salt Lake City (Dec 18, 1958): Two large lenticular shaped objects were sighted high above the city.
• Salt Lake City (Dec 27, 1958): Two cigar-shaped objects were sighted near the moon.
• Newark, New Jersey (Dec 23, 1958): A top Washington official reportedly told the Star Ledger that the US had captured flying saucers, a claim later denied by the Air Force.
• Washington, D.C. (Dec 25, 1958): The Air Force denied reports of captured flying saucers.
• Washington (Dec 28, 1958): Radioactive strontium fall-out in New York increased 25% in eight months.
• Toronto, Canada (Oct 28, 1958): A Canadian flying saucer project was underway.
• Moscow, Russia (Nov 12, 1958): Soviet scientist Dr. N. A. Kozyrev reported detecting a volcanic eruption on the moon.
• San Antonio, Texas (Nov 12, 1958): Dr. Gerald P. Kuiper commented on Dr. Kozyrev's moon eruption report.
• Newport Beach, Calif. (Jan 2, 1959): Observers reported a strange unidentified flying object that hovered and broke into four glowing parts.

Armed Forces News

This brief note mentions that space explorers have not discounted the possibility of encountering hostile groups on other planets and that planners for the new space agency are considering how to handle such situations.

NICAP Improvement Obvious

The bulletin notes the "over-all improvement" in NICAP's "UFO Investigator" publication, attributing it partly to the addition of Richard Hall to their staff.

A Saucer... (Continued)

This continuation of the Swedish encounter details the struggle between Rydberg, Gustavsson, and the "lead-gray creatures." Rydberg describes how the creatures seemed to read his thoughts and how he managed to free himself by grabbing a pole. He recounts the craft rising with an "ether and burned sausages" smell and a high-pitched sound. The observers were left dazed and initially decided not to tell anyone, fearing ridicule. However, after their relatives reacted to their appearance, they decided to contact the Defense and the press.

Of Molehills and Mountains

This section discusses an informal discussion or "bull session" on UFOs held in Los Angeles, attended by individuals from fields like Walt Disney's scientific project, USC Medical Dept., UCLA Astronomy Dept., and JPL. Opinions varied, but some agreed that "flying saucers" are real and under intelligent control. Ward Kimball reportedly mentioned Navy fears that UFOs might be linked to disappearances of jet planes and pilots. The article notes that a subsequent newspaper column by Tom Towers, Aviation Editor of the Los Angeles Examiner, may have embellished the facts.

Amateur Astronomer Sights Mysterious Objects

This report, investigated by Richard Johnson, details an observation by Clarence E. Ramsey and his wife and friends in Wilmington, Delaware. Using a 4" reflector telescope, they observed a dark, elongated, elliptical object progress across the lunar disc, followed by another object. They described the objects as tiny against the moon's disc, though their shape was discernible. A check with the local airport revealed no unusual phenomena, but mentioned large numbers of blackbirds taking refuge in swamps.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are diverse UFO sightings from around the world, including close encounters with unusual beings, photographic evidence, unexplained physical traces, and potential government secrecy. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, acknowledging the possibility of UFOs while also expressing concern about media sensationalism and the need for accurate reporting. The bulletin aims to present factual accounts and encourage further investigation, as evidenced by its call for special reports and its critical review of the Swedish investigation into the Gustavsson and Rydberg case.