THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN

Magazine Overview

Title: THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. 21, No. 2
Date: September-October 1972
Publisher: Aerial Phenomena Research Organization Inc. (A.P.R.O.)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the APRO Bulletin, dated September-October 1972, features a prominent cover story titled "FLYOVER AT VIENNA, AUSTRIA," detailing a sighting by Councillor Friedrich Miksa and his wife. The bulletin also includes reports on "Discs Over Brazil" and "The South African Flap," alongside various other UFO sightings and related phenomena from around the world.

Key Articles and Reports

Flyover at Vienna, Austria

The lead article details a sighting by Councillor Friedrich Miksa on August 3, 1972, near Vienna. Miksa described a luminous, yellowish-orange, roundish object moving rapidly across the sky. A second, corroborating sighting by head forester Reinhold Hering and sportswoman Erika Graef in the Agsbach Valley on the same date described a similar object with red and yellow lights. Alexander G. Keul, APRO's Representative for Austria, investigated both cases, noting the witnesses' descriptions of the object's light and speed, estimating its altitude between 3,000-4,500 feet and speed between Mach 5 and 6.

Discs Over Brazil

Field Investigator Mrs. Irene Granchi reports on a sighting by Mrs. Amana Domenech on August 11, 1972, in Gavea, Brazil. Domenech observed a large, elliptical, silvery-metallic object with an orange band, accompanied by two smaller objects. The larger object emitted a bluish beam of light. Dr. Francisco Domenech, her husband, also witnessed the object as it moved off.

The South African Flap

Mr. Frank D. Morton, APRO's Representative for South Africa, forwards a report from Bennie Smit of Braeside farm, near Fort Beaufort. Smit described seeing a fiery ball that later changed color and disappeared, leaving a smoke trail. Warrant Officer P.R. van Rensburg and Sgt. P. Kitching investigated and observed a round, black, shiny object. The report also details strange imprints found on a shore in Norway, which were found to contain radioactive particles.

Trio Observe Object In Colorado

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Ludwig and their daughter reported a sighting on September 13, 1972, near Burlington, Colorado. They described a diffuse, white light that paced their car and then descended near the ground, appearing as a bright, solid object. The object was observed to be about the size of a small house.

Campos Soccer Case

This section details a sighting of UFOs over a soccer stadium in Campos, Brazil, on July 26, 1972. Witnesses reported seeing multiple objects, described as dark, elliptical, or bright orange and pulsating. Mrs. Irene Granchi provided further details after interviewing witnesses.

Flap In Florida

Reports from the east coast of Florida in September 1972 describe multiple sightings of unidentified flying objects. On September 12th, an anonymous caller reported 11 pulsating objects. On September 14th, August Brown, an air traffic controller, reported an object on radar for 1.5 hours. Another report on September 14th involved an Eastern Airlines pilot flying beneath an object. On September 16th, Robert C. Burgun and Dale Moree reported seeing a luminous green light.

Car Failure Case In Wisconsin

Greg V. Faltersack reported that on August 22, 1972, his car's power steering, lights, radio, and engine failed while he saw a large, circular orange object hovering nearby. Deputies verified that the car's fuses had blown and it had overheated.

Another Occupant Case

Field Investigator Louis Normandin reports on an alleged landing and occupant case from August 1965 near Ottawa, Ontario. Two individuals parked near a reservoir saw an extremely bright light and a glowing object descend, with three man-shaped figures emerging. The object then departed.

Repeat Sightings In Canada

This section details alleged repeat sightings by Mrs. Donna Mercer of Campbell's Bay, Quebec, in July and August 1972. Mrs. Mercer and neighbors reported observing a bright orange ball that sometimes vanished, causing a town-wide power failure.

UFOs Over Reservoir

Campers on the shores of Alcova Reservoir, Wyoming, witnessed four circular objects hovering at high altitude on September 16, 1972. A fifth object joined the formation, and they all accelerated and disappeared rapidly.

Family Reports UFOs

The Harold J. Whitcombs and their family reported sightings of unidentified objects over their home in George town, California, described as oblong and sometimes shrouded in mist with shining lights.

Science Experiments For The 1975 Viking Mars Mission

Dr. John S. Derr, APRO's Consultant in Seismology, details the scientific experiments planned for the Viking Mars Mission. The mission aims to explore Mars with orbiters and landers, including analyzing soil for living organisms, studying the atmosphere, and mapping the planet's surface.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently focuses on detailed, eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings and related phenomena, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation. The publication highlights the organization's efforts to collect and analyze data, interview witnesses, and collaborate with other researchers. There is a clear stance that UFOs are a real phenomenon worthy of scientific study, challenging skepticism and debunking simplistic explanations. The inclusion of scientific articles, such as the one on the Viking Mars Mission, suggests an interest in the broader context of space exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry and a commitment to uncovering the truth behind the UFO mystery.

Title: THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN
Issue: Volume 11, September-October 1972
Publisher: APRO
Country of Publication: USA
Original Language: English

This issue of The A.P.R.O. Bulletin focuses on "Press Reports," compiling numerous accounts of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings from around the world during August, September, and October of 1972. The reports detail witness testimonies, physical evidence, and official responses to these phenomena.

Press Reports

Alaska and USA Sightings

The issue begins with a report from August 16-17, 1972, in Stebbins, Alaska. Eskimo Scout Sgt. John Cheemuk and his wife reported seeing a large, elongated object shaped like a football with a cockpit and red lights. They observed it land and take off near St. Michael on Norton Sound. The Army Corps of Engineers collected soil, grass, and water samples from the alleged landing site. Capt. Tom Williams investigated the site, noting a three-foot diameter hole with burned grass and an "eerie feeling." Approximately 20 residents at Stebbins also claimed to have seen unusual aerial phenomena on August 16th.

On August 11, 1972, in Portland, Oregon, two groups of people reported seeing a UFO with "lights around the sides" that moved slowly. Witnesses Terry Bowlby, Donna Parker, and Karen Parker described it as looking "like something at a carnival." Rick Young and his wife, Margo, along with Bob and Mary Gourde and Bill Ziemer, also observed the object, describing it as round with numerous white lights revolving around the center, appearing similar to the spaceship from "Lost in Space."

In Reading, Pennsylvania, on August 20, 1972, city police responded to a report of an illuminated object hovering over Mt. Penn. Initially skeptical, the officers witnessed the object themselves, describing it as oval and changing colors from white to red to bluish green. After viewing it for some time, the object shot upward and out of sight, despite the Reading Municipal Airport tower identifying it as a bright star.

Further US reports include a sighting on September 24, 1972, in Richardson, Texas, where Mrs. Ollie Erwin claimed her son, Billy, was chased home by a "red star-like object" with a haze. Witnesses described the object as predominantly white with glittering red lights.

Australian Sightings

Several reports come from Australia. On September 13, 1972, in Taree, New South Wales, sky-watchers at the PMG lines depot observed an unidentified flying object. A similar object was seen near Yamba the previous day. Duty foreman Ernie Dwyer believed it was an extraterrestrial craft. A visitor described the object as bubble-shaped, red on the bottom, and white or silver on top. A light plane with cameramen failed to photograph it.

On September 14, 1972, in Sydney, Australia, over 300 residents watched a mysterious shimmering spot in the sky at precisely 7:10 a.m. It was described as red on the bottom and white on top, appearing cigar-shaped when viewed through binoculars. The Air Force ruled out weather balloons or satellites.

September 19, 1972, in Melbourne, Australia, a "brilliant mystery light" was sighted over Broadmeadows for two consecutive nights. Photographer Ray Jamieson captured images of the object, which showed a light trail forming a triangular pattern with loops. The object appeared to be 500 to 1000 feet above the ground, with no sound or vibration felt. Aviation and meteorology experts were baffled.

In Broomehill, Australia, on September 25 and 28, 1972, people reported a strange light in the sky that moved erratically and emitted lights. The Webb family witnessed it moving up and down and side to side.

Vietnam Sighting

A report from September 29, 1972, in Hanoi, North Vietnam, details a mysterious object in the clear blue sky. Correspondent Jean Thoraval described the object as spherical, luminous orange, and at a very high altitude. It attracted missile fire, but remained motionless. Three surface-to-air missiles were launched, but the object did not appear to be affected. The object remained visible for over an hour after the alert, though less bright.

Object Characteristics

The reported objects varied in shape, including football-shaped, elongated, bubble-shaped, cigar-shaped, spherical, and oval. Colors mentioned include red lights, white lights, bluish green, light colors with purplish fringes, and luminous orange. Behaviors described range from slow movement and hovering to rapid ascent and evasive maneuvers. Some reports noted physical traces like holes and burned grass, while others mentioned high altitudes and a lack of sound or vibration.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across different continents and the consistent descriptions of unusual aerial phenomena. The editorial stance, as reflected in the compilation of these reports, is to present documented accounts of UFO encounters, highlighting witness testimonies, photographic evidence, and the challenges faced by authorities and experts in identifying these objects. The inclusion of detailed reports suggests an interest in the unexplained and a commitment to documenting such events.