APRO Bulletin - 1965 03 00 - March-April

Magazine Overview

This issue of THE A. P. R. O. BULLETIN, dated March-April 1965, is published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) and serves as their official member publication. It is dedicated to the study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs).

The Florida "Landing” Incident

The lead story details the purported landing of a UFO and encounter with a "robot-like creature" by John Reeves in Weeki-Wachi Springs, Florida, on March 1, 1965. Reeves described a disc-shaped craft approximately 20-30 feet in diameter and 8 feet thick, with "slats" around its circumference. A spacesuited figure emerged, described as about five feet tall with a helmet, large "flat" eyes, and a squarish black object. The creature flashed this object, prompting Reeves to flee. Upon returning to the site, Reeves found four holes from landing gear and two sheets of kleenex-like paper. The article notes that the physical evidence was destroyed by rain and that photographs taken were only of footprints. The case was investigated by the Air Force, who declared it a hoax, citing paper analysis and the improbability of the object's ascent speed. However, the Bulletin presents a polygraph examination by Edwards Polygraph Service, which concluded Reeves answered pertinent questions truthfully, and a handwriting analysis by E. J. Edwards, which suggested Reeves was not credulous. The article suggests the possibility of hypnosis or a hoax involving someone with intimate knowledge of UFO lore.

UFOs Over D. C.

This section reports on an incident from March 1965 where twelve to fifteen white, oval-shaped objects were observed flying over Washington D.C. at an estimated 12-15,000 feet, chased by two delta-winged jet planes. The observers, identified as Communications Specialists, claimed high government pressure was applied to silence them, with the building being government-owned. The Washington Post reported the incident, but the Defense Department denied it, stating "There was no such incident; it just didn't happen."

UAO Photographed Clearly In Australia

An object described as a bright orange glow with a "dent" on top and a "knot" on the bottom was photographed at sea by Walter Jacobs, a ship's steward and amateur photographer, on March 17, 1965. Astronomical experts in Adelaide could not positively identify the object, with one suggesting it was an aircraft with a powerful spotlight. An RAAF spokesman stated no such planes were in the area, and another expert speculated it could be a satellite illuminated by the moon.

Radar UFO "Diagnosed"

This brief report covers an incident on December 29, 1964, where two radar operators at Patuxent Naval Air Station tracked two unidentified radar returns moving at 4800 miles per hour, executing a tight turn and disappearing. The Air Force later concluded these were "false radar returns."

Important Notice

APRO announces a change of address effective July 1, 1965, to 3910 E. Kleindale Road, Tucson, Arizona.

From The Director To The Members

L. J. Lorenzen introduces himself as the new Director of APRO, taking over from Mrs. Lorenzen due to her health and APRO's increasing workload. He states that no policy changes are planned and APRO will continue to focus on building a scientific case for the UFO mystery. He also clarifies that his work at Kitt Peak Observatory is separate from his UFO research and does not imply endorsement by the observatory.

Landing Site Investigation

Lorenzen outlines recommended equipment for investigating landing cases, including cameras, geiger counters, plaster of paris kits, and tape measures. He stresses the importance of investigators knowing how to use this equipment and encourages cooperation with local law enforcement and military personnel. He also advises witnesses with physical evidence to be informed of their rights, as such evidence cannot be appropriated without consent.

About The New Director

This section provides a biography of L. J. Lorenzen, detailing his birth in 1922, his musical career, his service in the India-China-Burma theater during WWII, and his subsequent career as an electronics engineer at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation and Kitt Peak National Observatory. His interest in UFOs began in 1947, leading him and his wife, Coral Lorenzen, to found APRO in 1952.

Mystery Vapor Trails

An article from the Melbourne, Australia Herald reports on seven unexplained vapor trails observed over the Tasman Sea on January 13, 1965. The RAAF could not identify any aircraft in the area. Captain D. Shannon and his Electra crew reported seeing the trails at 35,000 feet. While initially explained as contrails from high-flying planes, news sources suggested evidence indicated a formation of military aircraft. The Australian radar station at Brookvale reported no unidentified objects.

Professor Reports E-M Phenomena

A university professor in Victoria, B.C., reported his car's auto lites repeatedly going out and coming back on while driving. Separately, his cello instructor heard a high-pitched noise and saw an object moving at terrific speed. These incidents, occurring within hours of each other, are noted as possibly indicating unusual phenomena.

D. C. (Continued)

This brief continuation from page 1 states that an Eastern Airlines plane landed at National Airport around the time of the D.C. sighting, but Eastern reported no unidentified objects.

Incident In Australia

This section details an incident from May 3, 1964, near Canberra, Australia, where a large, white, wobbling object was observed traveling northeast. A smaller UFO with a faint red light was nearby. The objects appeared to collide, causing both to bounce without explosion. The larger UFO then accelerated away at high speed. Officials from the U.S. State Department, CIA, NSA, NASA, Army, and Navy were reportedly involved in investigating this incident, which was also investigated by the Scientific Attache of the American Embassy and two NASA engineers.

Lights Over Arkansas

Frank Hudson, an amateur astronomer and APRO member, reports several sightings of lights in Arkansas in February and March 1965. These included a bright white light moving south at high speed, brightening and dimming, and another light that blinked at intervals. He tracked these with a 60X scope and noted they did not appear to have running lights like aircraft.

UAO Photographed By Saturn Trackers

An Eastern member reports that during the launching of a satellite, a UFO was found on film taken with a camera in the SV-4-B stage of separation.

In Brief

This section provides a series of short reports on various UFO sightings from different locations:

• Hanover, Mass.: Six men in a carpool observed a speedy, brilliant, pulsating UFO.
• Takamusu, Japan: Two civilian pilots reported being buzzed by a disc-shaped UFO emitting a greenish glow, which approached at 20 mph and flew alongside their craft.
• Woodlawn, Canada: An oval object with multi-colored lights and a blue exhaust was reported.
• Riverside, Calif.: A 14-year-old newsboy reported a 100-foot-long football-shaped object that was stationary before making a sharp turn and heading toward Corona at high speed.
• Gilroy, Calif.: County Park employees observed an object larger than an aircraft, bluish translucent, which circled and then proceeded east-west.
• Kankakee, Illinois: A 13-year-old boy reported observing a shining bright oval object flying at high speed.
• Montrose, Colorado: A Highway Patrolman found the image of a UFO on film.
• London, Ontario, Canada: A 17-year-old observed an oval-shaped object flying low, emitting red, white, and blue smoke. The Control Tower reported nothing.
• Lolo, Montana: A shimmering circle of light was observed flying noiselessly, veering sharply and making a right turn. A similar humming sound was reported in Manchester, N.H., after a "mystery object" hovered.
• Houston, B.C., Canada: Two members of the Forestry Service observed a dark object lit from within, which disappeared without noise.
• Longmont, Colorado: Deputy Sheriff Walt Dunbar observed a brilliant white object traveling at high speed, with bright streaks shooting out from its sides.

Connecticut Has January Flap

This section details multiple sightings in Connecticut in late January 1965:

• Hartford: Charles Clinsky and William Ullman reported a metallic-appearing disc like a "big nickel" over Avon Mountain, which made a whistling sound and disappeared.
• Glastonbury: A 10-year-old girl reported an "object like a soap dish on its side" with flashing blue lights.
• Hartford: A woman and her two children saw a saucer-shaped object rimmed with blue light.
• These three sightings formed an almost straight line northwest of Glastonbury.

Alaska Lights Stump AF

On January 27, multi-colored, flickering lights were observed near Anchorage, Alaska. The Air Force stated they had no explanation for the light, which was described as smaller than Jupiter but more brilliant and moving at the speed of a star. Other "multi-colored, flickering lights" were also seen. The Air Force claimed their radars did not register the objects.

Bright Objects Over New Zealand

• Grey Lynn: A man reported seeing a bright object in the southern sky that seemed hesitant in its movements.
• Glen Innes: Two men reported seeing a bright object that detached itself from a star before moving off hesitantly.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of the APRO Bulletin are the detailed investigation of landing cases, the analysis of physical evidence, and the reporting of numerous UFO sightings from various locations. The publication maintains a stance of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, presenting witness accounts, investigative findings, and expert opinions. There is a clear emphasis on gathering scientific data and exploring all possibilities, including hoaxes, while remaining open to the reality of the phenomenon. The bulletin also highlights the challenges of official denials and the importance of independent research.