The A.P.R.O. BULLETIN

Magazine Overview

Title: The A.P.R.O. BULLETIN
Issue Date: September, 1962
Publisher: The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO)
Country of Publication: USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of The A.P.R.O. Bulletin, dated September 1962, focuses heavily on a perplexing case of alleged alien abduction in Brazil, alongside reports of various UFO sightings across the globe and a look into related scientific research.

Man Kidnapped by Globes

The lead story, "MAN KIDNAPPED BY GLOBES," details the disappearance of Rivalino Mafra da Silva from Duas Pontes, Brazil, on August 20, 1962. The account is primarily based on the testimony of his 12-year-old son, Raimundo, who claims two strange, dark, globe-like objects appeared, enveloped his father in yellow smoke, and made him vanish. The police investigation, led by Lieutenant Wilson Lisboa, found no conventional explanation and confirmed the boy's sanity, despite the extraordinary nature of his story. The report notes the divided opinions within the local community, ranging from belief in murder to alien abduction. The case is presented as potentially the first instance where vanishing people and UAOs (Unidentified Aerial Objects) are definitively connected by direct evidence, leading to the conclusion that Rivalino was kidnapped.

Further details emerge from the investigation, including witness accounts from Antonio Rocha, who saw similar objects hovering near the house the night before, and Rivalino's own report of seeing strange persons and a hat-shaped object days earlier. The police found a few drops of human blood near the site, identified as Rivalino's. The case gained significant attention, with Raimundo being questioned extensively and even undergoing a psychiatric examination, which found him to be sane. The police chief, Lieutenant Lisboa, was left in a difficult position, unable to disprove the boy's account despite his personal skepticism towards flying discs.

Raimundo was eventually sent to Belo Horizonte for further observation. The epilogue suggests that space creatures may have been investigating Earth for years, collecting specimens, and that man might be the next target for collection. The case is presented as a clear example of a kidnapping by UAOs.

UFO Over Titan Site

Another significant report details a sighting on or about August 7, 1962, near a Titan missile site near Oracle, Arizona. A brilliantly glowing object descended over the site. The witness, initially hesitant to be identified, was corroborated by two other reports. The object was seen ascending directly over the site, causing fear among the night crew. Jets were scrambled from Davis-Monthan AFB, but the object departed at high speed. It reappeared later, and after ascending vertically, disappeared quickly. Another witness reported seeing a similar object the night before or after.

Boy Snabs Photo Of UAO Covey

In Sheffield, England, 14-year-old Alex Birch, using a box camera, photographed a group of five dark, fan-shaped objects hovering over currant hedges and trees on February 25, 1962. Air Ministry experts examined the photos but offered no definitive comment, though they reportedly stated the photo was not a hoax.

Landings In Italy

Reports from Italy include a sighting near Florence on April 11, 1962, where Iller Benazzi and three friends witnessed a strange flying machine that landed on the road. The object was described as having "three smaller tail lights with a violet gleam." The witnesses initially kept quiet for fear of not being believed but came forward after reading about a similar sighting.

Scientific Developments and Other Sightings

Al Brown's "Batman" Work: The bulletin highlights the accomplishments of Alvin E. Brown, APRO's Research Director. He patented a portable electrocardiograph and developed a "bat radar" device that enables blindfolded individuals to detect objects. This device, developed at Lockheed Missiles & Space Co., is seen as a significant step in bionics research.

Life on Mars: Dr. Frank B. Salisbury discusses his belief in life on Mars, citing the planet's color changes, vegetation cycles, and the riddle of its satellites and canals as supporting evidence for "higher forms of life."

Moving Lights Over Philly: On April 25-26, 1962, objects were reported over Philadelphia that moved, stopped, changed direction, and faded. Authorities suggested airplane lights or fireballs.

Red Ball Speeds Over Phoenix: On August 11, 1962, a huge, glowing reddish-orange ball was observed moving swiftly and horizontally across the sky for about five seconds.

Low Flying Disc In Washington: On September 17, 1962, a disc-like object shaped like a whale was seen near Marysville, Washington, dipping towards a field before heading northwest at the speed of a small aircraft.

AF "Bugged" By UFOs At Truax: Reports from Madison, Wisconsin, indicated that several UFOs were observed near Truax AFB, flying erratically and untrackable by radar.

UFO Over Milwaukee, Wis.: On August 3, 1962, a huge, luminous, cigar-shaped object with a sunflower-shaped light blinked on and off as it moved rapidly north.

Light On Moon Observed: On August 12, 1962, Donald R. Westlake observed a small star-like object on the dark portion of the moon, which appeared bright and oblong through a telescope but did not move like a star or planet.

Teacher, Friends, See UFO: On May 17, 1962, near Winfield, Alberta, Canada, a teacher and five companions observed two cigar-shaped, long and slender, golden objects.

Liberal, Kansas Sightings: On August 2, 1962, brilliant objects were seen lighting up the runways at the Liberal, Kansas airport. Similar reports came from other locations, with one pilot describing objects moving faster than any known aircraft.

UAO Formation North Of Toronto: On July 2, 1962, three white, round objects were observed flying in formation directly north.

Boys Sight Maneuvering UFO In 1961: On August 7, 1961, two boys in Gresham, Oregon, reported seeing a large, strange light that circled, hovered, and made several passes over the town.

Books

The section reviews "Mars, The New Frontier-Lowell's Hypothesis" by Wells Alan Webb, praising its analysis of Lowell's hypothesis and its insights into scientific objectivity. It also mentions Webb's paper on establishing colonies on Mars.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the potential for alien interaction with humans (including abduction), and the reporting of numerous UFO sightings from around the world. The APRO Bulletin maintains a stance of serious inquiry into these phenomena, presenting witness testimony and investigative findings, even when they involve extraordinary claims. The publication aims to gather and disseminate information to contribute to the eventual solution of the mystery of unidentified objects, encouraging scientific investigation and open-mindedness.