the apro bulletin

Magazine Overview

Title: the apro bulletin
Issue: VOL. 25, NO. 3
Date: September, 1976
Publisher: Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc. (A.P.R.O.)

This issue of the APRO Bulletin delves into several intriguing UFO-related cases and investigations. It features a dramatic cover story about a UFO-jets chase over Tehran, an in-depth look at the persistent mystery surrounding the disappearance of Oliver Lerch, and reports on UFO activity in Romania and Australia.

UFO-Jets in Chase Over Tehran

This article, by Kevin Randle, details an incident on September 18th over the eastern suburbs of Tehran where two Imperial Iranian Air Force jets pursued and were subsequently chased by a brightly lit UFO. The object, described as a 'round body,' reportedly increased its speed to many times the speed of sound, outmaneuvering the jets. The pilots attempted to fire on the object, but their electronic firing devices failed. Furthermore, all electronic devices on the aircraft went out of action, and radio communications were lost when the UFO came within a five-kilometer radius. One pilot reported seeing a 'bright object,' a round body about 4.5 meters in diameter, detach from the UFO and fall into the hills. Conflicting reports emerged regarding the success of a subsequent police search for this detached object.

The Disappearance of Oliver Lerch

Kevin Randle also investigates the disappearance of Oliver Lerch, a case often cited as evidence of unfriendly UFOs. Randle examines accounts from various sources, including John A. Keel in SAGA magazine, Otto Binder in 'What We Really Know About Flying Saucers,' and Morris K. Jessup in 'The Case for the UFO.' These accounts vary in the date (Christmas Eve, 1889, 1890, or Christmas Day) and Oliver's age (11 or 20). The common thread is that Oliver was sent for water, his footprints ended abruptly in the snow, and he was heard shouting 'They've got me.' Brad Steiger's account places the event on Christmas Eve, 1909, involving Oliver Thomas near Rhayader, Wales. Randle's research suggests that the story may have originated in 1946 and was later used in a radio broadcast, with no verifiable family tradition supporting the event. He questions the validity of such stories and the reliance on unverified accounts.

Romanian Reports

Moraru Augustin, an APRO Field Investigator, reports on a wave of UFO activity in central Romania during the autumn of 1974, with twenty-three sightings recorded between late July and early October. Three cases are presented:

1. July 31st: Stefan Constantin and Frecan Gheorghe reported a large, artificial light, identified as a barrel-shaped object with its axis vertically oriented, traveling parallel to the road. It was brilliant yellow-orange with a red-orange center, silent, and had blurred edges. It disappeared behind low hills.
2. August 12th: In Cocdsesti, a disc-shaped object with a cross-section of a narrow ellipse was observed moving at about 12 miles per hour. It had a brilliant yellow dome and a trailing edge.
3. October 16th: Six boys and girls in Boldesti-Scaieni sighted a luminous globe moving at supersonic speed, described as having an angular diameter like a tennis ball held at arm's length. The object had a bright upper half and a less bright lower half, with pale rose streamers extending downward.

The witnesses in the Romanian cases generally believed the objects to be of terrestrial origin.

Letters

L.J. Lorenzen addresses Sgt. Moody's comment about beings planning to 'make themselves known to all mankind.' Lorenzen posits that direct confrontation is unlikely due to the current political climate and human fear of the unknown, suggesting that acceptance must come from the extraterrestrials. He references the Antonio Villa-Boas encounter as an example where the percipient's actions influenced the outcome. Beatrice M. Zimmer discusses the Betty and Barney Hill abduction and Marjorie Fish's work with their star map, 'The Zeta Reticuli Incident,' emphasizing its importance for understanding UFO phenomena and advocating for its wider dissemination.

New Consultant

Dr. Russell L. Blaylock, a neurosurgeon from the Medical University of South Carolina, has joined APRO's staff of Scientific Consultants. His expertise is expected to be valuable in cases where percipients experience neurological effects.

Encounters in Australia

William C. Chalker reports on two significant cases from Australia:

1. June 1972 (reported July 1975): At Bent's Basin, near Sydney, six young people encountered a glowing discoid object on a hill and later a man-like figure. They experienced severe headaches, while one girl who remained in the car and did not look at the object was unaffected. The car later experienced engine failure and caught fire. Chalker notes that while the engine failure might be mechanical, the differing reactions to the phenomena are significant.
2. June 8, 1975: At Norah's Head, near Sydney, three boys and a girl heard rustling noises and saw small, glowing, apple-sized objects emerge from a larger, luminous object. These smaller objects approached the boys but veered away from one and came toward the others. One girl in the group could not see the objects at all, despite hearing some of the noises. Chalker's investigation suggests a possible connection between the phenomena and the location's reputation for strange occurrences.

Financial Report

The issue includes a financial report for Fiscal Year 1975 (July 1975 - June 1976), detailing disbursements and general receipts for the APRO. Total disbursements were $29,105.96, with significant amounts allocated to salaries, printing, and research/investigation expenses. General receipts, primarily from memberships, subscriptions, and back issue sales, totaled $28,155.38.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently focuses on detailed investigations of UFO sightings and encounters, often questioning the veracity of sensationalized accounts while presenting new data and witness testimony. The organization appears to maintain a scientific and analytical approach, as evidenced by its consulting panels and the inclusion of financial reports. There is a recurring theme of seeking a rational explanation for phenomena while acknowledging the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance emphasizes thorough research, careful analysis of evidence, and the importance of witness accounts, even when they present unusual or challenging details. The publication also highlights the work of its investigators and consultants, aiming to contribute to the eventual solution of the UFO phenomenon.