APRO Bulletin - 1985 02 00 - Vol 32 No 10

Magazine Overview

This issue of The APRO Bulletin, Volume 32, Number 10, published in February 1985, focuses on the "Sucking Saucer" case and presents a collection of UFO reports and investigations. The cover prominently features the headline "THE CASE OF THE \"SUCKING SAUCER\"" accompanied by a photograph of a crater and a plug of earth.

Renewal Notice

The issue begins with a renewal notice for members, informing them that if their computer scan card has been removed, their renewal is due. It outlines the renewal fees for the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and overseas, urging members to remit their dues to avoid additional notices.

UFOhio Symposium Papers

A section lists papers presented at the APRO UFOhio Symposium in June 1981, available from APRO Headquarters. The papers include titles such as "Old Magic and New" by Robert F. Creegan, Ph.D., "The Roswell Investigation, Update and Conclusions" by William L. Moore, "The Interrupted Journey Continued" by Betty Hill, "UFO Activity and Human Consciousness" by R. Leo Sprinkle, Ph.D., "The Night Surgeons" by Peter A. Jordan, "Ε.Τ.Η. - Completing the Jigsaw" by L.J. Lorenzen, "UFO - The Cosmic Watergate" by Stanton T. Friedman, and "Sociological Aspects of UFO Research" by Peter Van Arsdale, Ph.D. Prices for these papers are listed, reflecting copying costs at $0.10 per page plus postage.

Letter to Members

A message titled "DEAR FRIENDS AND FELLOW TRUTH-SEEKERS," thanks members for their holiday season messages. The Headquarters staff apologizes for falling behind schedule with social amenities due to the pressure of projects in 1984. They express hope that the Bulletin conveys their continued good wishes and that the efforts put into its preparation are for the mutual benefit of all members and readers.

The Case of the "Sucking Saucer"

This is the main investigative article, detailing a peculiar incident that occurred on October 18, 1984, near Grand Coulee, Washington. Rick and Pete Timm discovered an unusual hole on their father's wheat farm, seventy-three feet away from which a plug of earth was found. This information prompted APRO to compare it with past cases, leading to the identification of two similar reports.

Case One: The Impossible Hole (France, 1954)

This case, detailed in Aime Michel's book "Flying Saucers and the Straight Line Mystery," describes an incident on October 4, 1954, where Mme. Yvette Fourneret saw a luminous, elongated, orange object in a field. Upon investigation, a hole approximately a yard and a half long and 27" wide at one end and 20" at the other was found. The earth appeared to have been "sucked up," with white worms wriggling in the fresh soil. Clods of earth were scattered around the hole, and the inner edge of the hole had a wider section halfway down. Notably, small roots on the inner surface were intact, and a plant with a long root was found in the center, undamaged.

Case Two: Middleburg, South Africa (1972)

This case, featured in the January-February 1972 APRO Bulletin, involved policemen at Middleburg observing a strange glowing object that changed color and shape. The object hovered over a hill and then disappeared and reappeared. Later, the principal of Rosmead school saw a "beam like a searchlight" and discovered that chunks of tar had been gouged from the school tennis court. The next morning, a closer inspection revealed no damage to the fencing, but the gate was secured. Lumps of tar were found high up in the tennis court fence and on a hill some distance away. Lieutenant Colonel B.J. Van Heerden noted that the reports tallied with a UFO seen earlier in 1972.

Investigation and Theories

The investigation into the South African case revealed that a nearby blue gum tree showed signs of scorching and had started to die. Theories of a gas explosion or whirlwind were discounted because the tar chunks were not overturned, and other trees were undamaged. Four men guarding petrol dumps reported seeing red lights on the tennis court and later observed the petrol dump being illuminated by a "strange incandescent light." Mr. E. Van Zyl, a BSc in astronomy, investigated the case and concluded it was caused by a whirlwind. However, he made the "fatal error" of assuming the object used a mundane propulsion and stated that two holes in the asphalt could not have been made by a leg or stay. Van Zyl also claimed the whirlwind did not explain the lights seen. The article critiques Van Zyl's "Menzelian explanation," stating it ignores or distorts evidence.

Editorial Comments on the South African Case

The editorial comments question the sequence of events: did the guards see UFOs with rotating lights, which then disappeared, leading to the petrol dump being lit up, while simultaneously Mr. Truter saw a searchlight? It also questions whether a whirlwind could pick up heavy material and why asphalt was found far away without evidence of a whirlwind's path. The dying green shoots at the base of the gum tree are also noted as unexplained by a whirlwind.

Physics of Whirlwinds

The article discusses the physics of whirlwinds, comparing them to tornadoes. It argues that while tornadoes can uproot trees and carry houses, they are unlikely to tear up asphalt or cement pavement due to their vacuum-based lifting power. Similarly, a weaker whirlwind's vacuum power would struggle with asphalt. The article finds it difficult to conceive of a whirlwind "sucking" up two-inch-thick chunks of asphalt and transporting them a mile away without disturbing intervening vegetation. Furthermore, whirlwinds depend on sharp temperature gradients from sunlight and thus could not form at night, making the South African case difficult to explain by this theory.

Conclusion on the South African Case

While the evidence does not definitively confirm a UFO caused the damage, Lt. Col. B.J. Van Heerden established that humans did not cause it, and he could not explain the cause of the holes or the objects seen.

Temple Offers UFO Course

This section reports on a UFO controversy course offered at Temple University's Ambler Campus by Dr. David M. Jacobs. The four-credit course aimed for a strictly neutral, objective position, examining the controversy from its beginnings. Dr. Jacobs, an American History professor and APRO consultant, shared his interest in UFOs dating back to high school and his undergraduate years at UCLA, where he recognized UFOs as an important mystery regardless of their reality. The course included a class project, summation, and examination, with Dr. Jacobs conducting research on APRO's files.

1978 Utah Mark

This section details a mysterious ground mark found in the Little Malad River Valley, Utah, following a 3.5 magnitude earthquake on July 29, 1978. The Survey Notes described the mark as "Mysterious" and cross-shaped, about 14 feet in diameter, with furrows and longitudinal cracks radiating from a central depression. Clods of topsoil were hurled about 14 feet beyond the feature. No relationship to the earthquake or a geologic cause was found. UGMS Chief Engineering Geologist Bruce N. Kaliser speculated an object dropping from an aircraft as a possible explanation.

The "Cookie Cutter" Theory

This section discusses the Utah case further, with Don Aubertin, director of mining, stating there was a roar accompanying the earthquake, leading to speculation about a meteorite impact. Bill Utterbach, a consultant, ruled out the meteorite possibility, describing the hole as having vertical walls and a flat bottom, "almost as though it had been cut out with a giant cookie cutter." However, he noted that roots were torn rather than cut, and the hole was not a crater. There was no indication on the ground that the piece of earth had been dragged or rolled, but Utterbach found dribbles of earth tracing an arc from the hole to where the chunk was found.

Grand Coulee Marking Details

The location is described as Section 12, Township 30 North, Range 27 East, approximately 20 miles NW of Grand Coulee, WA, at an elevation of 2360 feet. The phenomenon occurred in a depression approximately 100 x 150 yards, scoured by glacial ice. "Dribbles" of fingernail-size soil particles were found, with a southeast wind possibly explaining their arc shape. The plug of earth was 1.5' thick at the north end and 2.0' thick at the south end, weighing approximately 3 tons. Digging underneath revealed undisturbed ground, and the top of the plug showed natural vegetation, indicating it was right side up. The composition was silt with a substantial root mat, possibly responsible for its integrity during movement. Roots dangled from the sides of the hole, indicating they were torn. The hole had vertical walls and a flat floor.

Connection to Earthquake and Meteorite

The article mentions a meteor sighted in the vicinity five days before the hole was discovered, traveling from north to south at a 30° angle. While there are correlations between cases one, two, and four, the Utah case lacks detail for a full comparison. The secluded location might explain why the event was not observed unless it was the meteor.

Out of the Past - "Foo Fighters"

This section references an article from "Current Science and Aviation" dated January 22-26, 1945, submitted by Richard Keifer. It describes "Foo Fighters" as the latest Nazi aerial weapon: mysterious red and silver balls of fire that followed allied military aircraft at speeds of 300 miles per hour, not hitting planes but zooming out of sight, possibly radio-controlled and intended as a psychological threat. The article asks readers for any knowledge of earlier mentions or the source of this information.

Mysterious Lights Partially Explained

According to a report in the Danbury, Connecticut, News-Times, a Dutchess County police officer may have solved part of the mystery behind unidentified lights. Sgt. Daniel Andriano forwarded information to the FAA about eight airplanes flying in a circular formation over Putnam, Westchester, and Fairfield counties. He observed one plane land and five others veer away. The article notes that regulations do not allow ultralights (small, one-person planes) to be flown at night, making them difficult to trace. Sightings were usually reported on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Press Reports

This section compiles numerous UFO sighting reports from various locations and dates in 1984:

• Ohio (May 20, 1984): Hundreds reported a strange stream of bright lights, described as a "ball of fire."
• California (near Solon, May 20, 1984): Two men reported about 15 objects flying in formation, making no sound and with streaks like firecrackers.
• Indiana (Hammond, May 20, 1984): A pinkish, rectangular-shaped, gaseous mass with intense lights was seen moving slowly and quickly.
• Illinois (Logan County, May 20, 1984): A disabled airplane-like object with white lights moved in several directions.
• Missouri (Cape Girardeau, July 5, 1984): A disc with an orange halo was sighted hovering over a park.
• Tasmania (Greens Beach, July 15, 1984): Three witnesses reported a low-flying, cigar-shaped object creating its own smoke or cloud.
• Washington (Lummi Island, July 27, 1984): A spark-tailed fireball splashed down in the water.
• South Carolina (Lesslie, July 30, 1984): A cigar-shaped object, estimated to be 60 feet long, with blinking lights and bright beacons, was observed.
• Australia (Tom Price, August 14, 1984): A tourist reported a UFO with flashing red, green, and blue lights that hovered and followed.

Additionally, the Mississippi section details a recurring incident where a car's headlights repeatedly went out on a specific stretch of road, and strange marks were found in a soybean field nearby. The Utah case is mentioned again, linking it to a possible meteorite or an object that cut the ground like a "giant cookie cutter."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed investigation of physical evidence related to alleged UFO encounters (e.g., the Grand Coulee hole, tar chunks, ground markings), the cataloging of numerous UFO sightings from around the world, and the attempt to provide explanations or identify potential causes, whether mundane or extraordinary. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and rigorous investigation, as evidenced by the detailed analysis of cases, the critique of explanations, and the encouragement for members to submit their findings. There is a clear commitment to exploring the UFO phenomenon from multiple perspectives, including historical accounts, scientific analysis, and witness testimonies.