APRO Bulletin - 1968 09 00 - September-October

Magazine Overview

Title: THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN
Issue Date: September-October, 1968
Publisher: The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (A.P.R.O.)
Country of Publication: USA
Language: English

This issue of The A.P.R.O. Bulletin, a copyrighted publication dedicated to the eventual solution of the mystery of unidentified flying objects, features a prominent article on Dr. J. Allen Hynek's call for international UFO study. The magazine includes detailed reports from various global locations, focusing on sightings, landings, and alleged encounters.

Hynek Urges International UFO Study

A significant event covered is the meeting of scientists from various countries in New York City on October 15, 1968, organized by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. The meeting, held in conjunction with the International Astronautical Federation congress, aimed to foster international cooperation in UFO research. Participants were urged to speak freely, and APRO's extensive global UFO information was utilized by Dr. Hynek. A notable suggestion from an Italian delegate was the formation of an international center to study not only UFOs but also their alleged occupants. A Yugoslavian scientist reported a lack of reliable data on UFO occupants in his country. A Swedish delegate mentioned that their institute had undertaken a study of UFO reports due to public pressure.

Pereira's Report On Recent Landing

Professor Flavio Pereira, APRO's Representative in Brazil, submitted a final report on an object landing near a hospital in Botucatu, Brazil. The incident, observed by three children (Fernandinho, Waltinho, and Valcinho), involved an object supported by a tripod with a ladder. The object took off after being seen. Arrangements were made for an APRO team to investigate. Dona Eloa, the mother of one of the children, and hospital staff also witnessed the object. Dona Nair de Melo Rodrigues, a retired teacher, reported seeing a silent, circular, grey, disc-shaped machine with a dome on top and another underneath, flying at low altitude about 40 minutes prior to the boys' sighting. The landing site showed deep, symmetrical impressions forming an isosceles triangle, measuring 6.80m by 7m by 5.45m.

Photo of Two Discs in Peru

This section features a color photograph of what is claimed to be two UFOs taken in the Ancash Mountains of Peru. Richard Greenwell, APRO's Peruvian representative, is investigating the photograph. If authenticated, it would be the first photo of two objects taken simultaneously and one of the few showing a clearly defined outline and typical disc-shape.

The Mendoza 'Contact'

An account from Argentina details an encounter that occurred early on August 31. Two casino cashiers on their way home reported their car engine failing. They were approached by four small, bald, stocky men who communicated telepathically, saying, "Don't fear, don't fear." The men claimed the sun was "the reason for everything" and that mathematics is the universal language. They then showed a television-like screen displaying images of Niagara Falls and an ascending cloud. They also took blood samples from the men. The beings then entered a disc-shaped object hovering about 3 feet above the ground, estimated to be 18 feet in diameter, emitting a powerful light. A man on duty at the Military Academy nearby reported seeing the object leave the vicinity. Mrs. Maria Spinelli also reported seeing a strange lighted object in the area. A similar incident occurred a week prior, where an oil company employee saw a humanoid who showed him a TV screen displaying people walking on a tiled floor.

Hynek (Continued)

Further details on Dr. Hynek's meeting are provided, including the role of Mr. K. Gosta Rehn, who has published a book on the subject in Czechoslovakia. Astronomers in Czechoslovakia are informally investigating UFOs. The Brazilian Air Force was instructed to organize an investigation with civilian experts, with Professor Flavio Pereira expected to participate. Recommendations from the panel included standardization of UFO report forms and total international cooperation. A study by a committee of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics on whether UFOs represent a problem worthy of scientific attention was expected to be made public.

Lorenzens Interviewed On Japanese TV

Mr. Jun-Ichi Takanashi, APRO's Japanese Representative, arranged for Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzen to be interviewed on the Japanese TV program "Midnight" in Tokyo. The show was well received in Japan, and Mr. Takanashi promoted APRO. The Lorenzens discussed recent reports from APRO Headquarters during the interview.

URGENT NOTICE!

APRO members are urged NOT to use the membership blank on the Bulletin cover for renewals, as these are intended for soliciting new members, and using them for renewals causes considerable confusion.

The Straight Dope

This section addresses an Air Force report concerning the death of Lt. Gorman during a chase of a flying saucer. Mr. Lorenzen checked with the Air Force and received confirmation that Lt. Gorman was not killed, but had encountered a lighted weather balloon. The article also mentions sensational pieces in "Midnight" magazine, including an alleged "first flying saucer murder" in Australia.

Pereira's Report On Recent Landing (Continued)

The report details the object's takeoff and subsequent flight. Dona Eloa witnessed the object enveloped in white smoke. Hospital staff also saw it. Dona Nair de Melo Rodrigues described the object as circular, grey, with a dome on top and another underneath, flying without wings and with its rim inclined toward the ground. The landing site had deep impressions forming an isosceles triangle.

Mendoza (Continued)

The encounter involved four small, bald men who communicated telepathically. They showed the cashiers a screen with images and took blood samples. The beings then entered a disc-shaped object hovering three feet above the ground, estimated to be 18 feet in diameter and emitting a powerful light. The car started after the object left. A nearby military academy official corroborated the sighting. A previous incident involved a humanoid showing a TV screen to an oil company employee.

Hynek (Continued)

Details about the meeting's recommendations, including standardization of UFO report forms and total international cooperation, are provided. A study by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics was mentioned.

Landing (Continued)

Further details on the Brazilian landing case, including witnesses seeing the object fly off at high speed and Dona Eloa's observation of the object enveloped in white smoke. Dona Nair de Melo Rodrigues' detailed description of the object and the landing site marks are reiterated.

Two 1967 Brazilian Landing Cases

Two alleged landings occurred in November 1967 near Americana, Brazil. A highway patrolman reported seeing a large, aluminum, spinning object with enormous rivets and hatchways. Powerful lights streamed from the object, and a loud humming sound was heard. The patrolman's car starter failed, and nearby lights went out while the object took off. The patrolman later reported a second incident two nights later, where he observed a similar object from which two figures dressed like frogmen emerged.

More From Colorado

Several sightings in Colorado are reported by Pearl M. Nicholas of the Alamosa Valley Courier. These include an oblong, bluish-white light bouncing across a meadow, a blue cigar-shaped light near a car, and a silvery white light that moved slowly and then went out when car lights were turned off. A wide swath of light illuminated a field, followed by another blue light. A large orange blob of light was seen over a pasture. Harvey Smalley reported following a blue light for several miles, which matched his car's speed. Another incident involved a bright light on the north side of the road that grew larger and flashed red, blue, and white, appearing the size of a semi-truck before zooming upward.

Isla Mocha Case

Pablo Petrowitsh S., APRO's Chilean Representative, forwarded details of a well-witnessed UAO on Isla Mocha on July 20, 1968. A Judge and his wife, along with a civilian pilot, observed an object that appeared to be a plane in flames, hovering over the landing field for 10 to 15 minutes. An architect and two airport workers also observed the object, describing it as round, like two saucers put together, brighter than the sun, with white-orange light, vibrating, and painful to observe.

U. S. Reports

This section compiles several UFO sightings across the United States:

• Nassau County, New York (March 12): A woman, her daughter, two sons, and a friend observed orange, glowing disc-shaped objects maneuvering at low altitude.
• Rockville, Connecticut (March 21): Two adults and two teenagers observed a hat-shaped object with protrusions on the brim and flames issuing from the bottom. The object was seen with the naked eye and binoculars.
• Niagara Falls, New York (April 2): Policemen observed bright white lights pulsating with red and blue colors in the northern sky. Four separate lights were observed moving independently.
• Cochrane, Wisconsin (April 3 or 4): A school teacher and her son witnessed an orangish-colored boomerang-shaped object enveloped in cloudy material, which flew over their car, causing its lights and engine to die. The teacher reported her feet burned afterwards and felt light and weightless.
• Friday Harbor, Washington (April 10): A man and his wife observed a large, round object with numerous lights, estimated to be between 50 and 100 feet, which took off and disappeared.
• New Kensington, Pa. (April 19): About a dozen individuals reported observing a bright circular light making a humming sound and flashing lights, moving along the Allegheny River.
• Wahoo, Nebraska (April 25): A pharmacist, his wife, and son reported seeing a cone-shaped object with a rim, which moved at high speed and appeared to land nearby. A second object was observed at a higher altitude.
• St. Louis Park, Minn. (April 28): Five individuals observed a "harvest moon" colored (orange) object, described as a "huge harvest moon which had been squashed (flattened) and then circled with a rubber tube."

World (Continued)

• Argentina: A rumor suggests people are being discouraged from talking about UFOs, and are reluctant to leave their homes at night.
• Canada: An object encircled with white lights and green and orange flashing lights was sighted over Oakville, Ontario. It was observed for a considerable time but did not register on radar.
• Cuba: Hundreds of calls reported a strange airborne object over the province of La Habana.
• Colombia: A strange, egg-shaped object was seen over Medellin. A newsman, engineer, and university instructor reported observing it. Another report mentioned a flying disc landing briefly.
• France: Radar screens in Paris failed to register a UAO described as cigar-shaped with a slightly swollen underside and "paddles" or "fins." Others described it as a sphere or globe split into two sections.
• Peru: Twelve fishermen reported seeing three strange beings emerge from the sea near Naplo Beach. A luminous unidentified flying object was seen over the same beach that night.
• Spain: Ten luminous unidentified objects were spotted flying in formation over Malaga, emitting red, green, and white lights.
• Uruguay: Two UFOs were seen spinning in midair near Salto, with one descending to earth before both took off. Witnesses reported bright white light and engine-like noises.
• United States: A parachute-shaped object was observed over Las Cruces, New Mexico. A "harvest moon" colored object was seen in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
• Venezuela: A luminous object giving off red and amber lights was spotted by an Avensa Airlines Captain.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing international interest in UFOs, as evidenced by Dr. Hynek's initiative, and the consistent reporting of diverse UFO phenomena from around the globe. The APRO Bulletin maintains a stance of diligent documentation and investigation, encouraging detailed reports regardless of perceived bizarreness, aiming to discern the role of psychological factors in UFO reports while not dismissing the phenomena themselves. The editorial emphasis is on scientific inquiry and the collection of factual information to understand the UFO mystery.