APRO Bulletin - 1960 07 00 - July

Magazine Overview

This issue of The A.P.R.O. Bulletin, dated July 1960, is published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) and focuses heavily on the 'Orthotenic Survey in Brazil' which occurred in May 1960. The publication details a significant wave of unidentified aerial object (UAO) sightings across Northeast Brazil, characterized by a specific geometric pattern of alignments.

UAO Hovers Over Slag Dump

This article reports a sighting on July 1, 1960, near Leefe, Wyoming, USA. Several observers witnessed a bright, silver-colored object resembling two dinner plates face-to-face, hovering over a slag dump. They estimated its diameter to be about 185 feet and its thickness at the center to be 14 feet, with five transparent bubbles projecting from the bottom. The object descended to about 50 feet above the waste dumps before ascending and departing at tremendous speed. No sound was heard other than the idling diesel engine of a tractor. The report notes that the witnesses were interviewed by 'government officials'.

General Mild Flap In Progress

This section provides an overview of UAO activity since January 1960, noting a shift in focus from New Zealand-Australia to Brazil in May. It highlights that the May 13th period saw the largest number of sightings in Brazil within a short timeframe. Sightings were also being made in the United States, though with less publicity. The bulletin states that it will present the 'cream of the crop' of these sightings to demonstrate the types and physical characteristics of observed objects.

Brazil-Again

Authored by Olavo T. Fontes, M.D., this article details the 'Orthotenic Survey' in Brazil, which began on May 13, 1960. It references a previous mass visitation in 1954 and a second in late 1957, which appeared to be a systematic reconnaissance of Brazilian defenses and infrastructure. The 1957 flap included disturbing incidents suggesting hostile UAOs, but activity returned to a 'normal' frequency afterward. The report notes that the May 13th event was a third mass visitation since 1954 and that the 'orthoteny' pattern, described as straight lines, was again observed.

The article quotes General L. M. Chassin on the intelligence guiding these objects. It explains that the May 13th events were centered in the most backward part of Brazil, involving small farmers and sugarcane cultures. The sightings occurred across at least six Brazilian states, with the State of Ceara being a chief target. The report emphasizes that the pattern of sightings, forming fifty-one straight lines meeting and crossing into several multiradial apexes, could not be attributed to chance.

Quixada, 6:30 p.m.

Raquel de Quero, a writer, reported seeing a glowing orange object with a luminous and misty halo, circular in shape and several times the size of the full moon, moving horizontally toward the east. The object changed speed and intensity, sometimes appearing strong and elongated, other times fading. It moved for ten minutes before abruptly changing course to the north and disappearing. Over twenty people witnessed this event. Workers arriving the next day reported similar sightings.

Red Globe Over Los Angeles

On July 31, 1960, a grapefruit-sized object with a green tail was observed by residents and police in Los Angeles and surrounding areas between midnight and 3 a.m.

Orthotenic (Continued)

This section continues the detailed report of the May 13th sightings in Brazil. It describes various objects, including a giant cigar-shaped object over Botucatu, a luminous rocket-shaped UAO over Vila Ezio, and two disc-shaped objects over Paracuru. A glowing spherical object was seen over Gargalheira-Acari, which moved away at high speed. The report notes that these events heralded more important occurrences.

The article details sightings in Redencao, where a large, oval nebula with a bright circumference was observed, and in Crateus, where a round-shaped object emitting a greenish glow moved at high speed. Another sighting in Crateus described a luminous red object like a huge star moving north at high speed. In Quixeramobim, a strange circular cloud with a luminous focus moved at high speed. In Iguatu, a luminous smear revealed an object with a bright blue light. The report suggests that many of these objects were part of a larger alignment, possibly traveling toward Quixeramobim or Redencao.

Reports from Jucas and Carius mention round-shaped UAOs emitting greenish light. Campos Sales reported a 'Great Cloud Cigar', and Cajazeiras described a large, cigar-shaped object with opaque, smoky tips and a bright light at the center. Another sighting in Cajazeiras involved a globe-shaped object of huge size, moving horizontally and then stopping in mid-air before disappearing.

New Zealand Flap

This section briefly lists several sightings from New Zealand in April, May, and June 1960, including a 'Glowing Pole', a 'Spinning Green Ball', and various globes, discs, and cigar-shaped objects reported in different locations.

IGY Series Gains Wide Attention

This article, by Coral Lorenzen, discusses the investigation into a UAO sighting and photograph from Trindade Island, Brazil, on January 16, 1958. It highlights the attention the case received after APRO's May issue and the subsequent 'inattention' from the USAF. Donald Keyhoe of NICAP congratulated APRO and mentioned that the AF labels the case a hoax, despite Brazilian evidence. A letter from Major Lawrence J. Tacker of the Air Force Information Service stated that the Trindade Isle sighting was determined to be a hoax by the U.S. Navy and Air Force. However, Coral Lorenzen asserts that the IGY negatives were never examined by the USAF or Navy, and that O Cruzerio magazine was the sole owner of the photographs and negatives.

Coral Lorenzen details her correspondence with the Secretary of the Air Force and the Secretary of the Navy, expressing frustration over the lack of response and the USAF's 'archaic approach' to the UFO problem, which she believes discourages witnesses. She also mentions her letter to Senator Lyndon B. Johnson regarding the Trindade case and the USAF's alleged misinformation.

Editorial

Coral E. Lorenzen apologizes for the tardiness of the bulletin due to the organization's move to Tucson and other operational issues. She requests members to send in their dues renewals promptly to ease the workload. She also urges members to investigate reports personally, citing the increasing tendency of 'officialdom' to ridicule witnesses.

Letters

Excerpts from letters from APRO members are included. James D. Wardle praises the bulletin's conservative approach and refusal to hand over evidence without proper assurances. Earl L. Douglass congratulates the staff on their work and believes the observed phenomena are intelligently controlled interplanetary vehicles. Charles A. Maney, a Professor of Physics, commends the bulletin's handling of Major Lawrence J. Tacker and praises Dr. Olavo T. Fontes' contributions.

Red Object Returns To St. Louis

This report describes a red object observed by dozens of people in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 19 and 20, 1960. It was described as dull red, glowing, and moving slowly. Weather officials and the American Meteor Society could not identify it as a standard weather balloon, planet, meteor, or satellite. Witnesses reported seeing only one object without blinking lights, contrary to AF spokesmen's suggestions of 'lights on high-flying bombers'.

Little Men in Mozambique

A report from the Portuguese News Agency 'Lusitania' describes an explosion of a saucer near Baira, Mozambique. Residents saw a round orange object emitting a glow, which landed, and four little men emerged before the craft exploded. The object reportedly made a loud whistling noise.

S. Rhodesia Woman Sees UFO

Mrs. H. Denia of Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, reported observing an object at an estimated height of 100 ft. that looked 'like a plate and with a bright flashing light'. Workers at her home stated the object is seen about three times a year and always stops in the same approximate place. Mrs. Denia was formerly a UAO skeptic.

Pie-Shaped Object In Tennessee

On July 22, 1960, near Memphis and Martin, Tennessee, a pie-shaped object was observed. Described as resembling a pie with a well-rounded top and a small rudder-like attachment, it was seen hovering about 150 feet above the ground. This sighting occurred in an area where mysterious black circles had appeared on grass.

"Spaceman" In Miami

An article from the Miami Herald on July 22 reported a misty blue cloud with a bright center seen in Miami, followed by a power failure. People chasing a 'spaceman' wearing bubble headgear were reported. The article noted the disappearance of the article from the paper and a similarity to an incident in Brazil.

Interstellar Eavesdropping

This section discusses a project to intercept 'possible' radio signals from other solar systems, mentioning Epsilon Eridanus and Tau Ceti as likely hosts of inhabited planets. Dr. Fontes had suggested these stars as origins for UAOs months before the National Science Foundation announced a similar plan. The article also touches upon changing world weather, a hotter sun, and shifting magnetic poles, suggesting a possible connection to interstellar spaceships.

Aukland Residents Watch UAO Ten Minutes

An object resembling a parachute without lines was observed by four residents in Brown's Bay, Auckland, New Zealand, on June 17. It was described as looking like polished metal, and weather and astronomical experts were mystified.

Cigar-Shaped Object At Nashville, Ohio

On July 31, 1960, a couple near Nashville, Ohio, observed a cigar-shaped object moving slowly and noiselessly. It was brilliant, caused eye discomfort, and disappeared suddenly.

Fireball Gives Off Suffocating Heat

On July 2nd, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Darnell of Chicago, Illinois, reported seeing an object that looked like a ball of flame emerge from the south, bathing the landscape in blue light. The object passed over their car, causing the interior to become unbearably hot. The heat woke their sleeping daughter and her husband. The object then disappeared to the north. Dr. Gerhard Kuiper of Yerkes Observatory suggested it was a fireball but was baffled by the heat phenomenon, calling it 'extraordinary' and 'impossible' for a fireball to cause without scorching the landscape.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed reports of mass UAO sightings, particularly the 'Orthotenic Survey in Brazil,' and the analysis of sighting patterns. There is a strong emphasis on the perceived government secrecy and mishandling of UFO evidence, with particular criticism directed at the USAF. APRO advocates for a scientific and objective approach to UFO investigation, encouraging member participation and personal investigation. The issue also touches upon speculative scientific theories regarding extraterrestrial life and the origins of celestial phenomena, linking them to potential UAO activity. The editorial stance is one of persistent inquiry and a demand for transparency from official bodies.