Australian UFO Bulletin - 1981 03 - March

Magazine Overview

Title: THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN
Issue: MARCH, 1981
Publisher: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, dated March 1981, is the official publication of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society. It features a range of articles, reports, and reviews related to UFO phenomena, with a particular emphasis on the potential correlation between UFO sightings and earthquakes, and discussions on government secrecy surrounding the topic.

The Secrecy Question (Editorial)

The editorial, titled "The Secrecy Question," reflects on the evolution of UFO research from the 1950s, when 'flying saucers' were widely considered to be inter-planetary craft. It notes that early investigations by police and the air force were expected to be efficient. However, as theories evolved, it became apparent that these authorities were ill-equipped to handle the subject. The editorial highlights the U.S. government's appointment of Professor Edward Condon in 1966 to conduct a scientific study of UFO phenomena at the University of Colorado. Despite a modest budget, the investigation garnered significant media attention. The Condon Committee's conclusion, that UFOs did not warrant further research as most sightings could be explained, was widely publicized and intended to 'kill' the subject. However, UFO researchers challenged these findings, with some of the strongest criticism coming from within the scientific community itself. The editorial suggests that the official investigation felt disingenuous, leading researchers who suspected a government cover-up to believe the Condon project was a 'massive smoke screen' designed to hide the truth. It posits that a larger research program might have been operated secretly by the Defense Department or the National Security Agency to suppress findings that could disturb the status quo. The article mentions that some researchers and authors, bordering on paranoia, pointed to government agents confiscating UFO-related materials and the 'strange deaths' of several American UFO researchers as evidence of a conspiracy. Recent disclosures under the Freedom of Information Act have indeed shown that the CIA has been withholding interesting reports of UFOs over military installations. The editorial concludes by suggesting that the truth may be revealed in time, and that the CIA, with assistance from various government departments and police agencies, may have begun a thorough study of the phenomenon in 1959, acquiring files and materials that include photographs and films contributed by military personnel. The CIA, it is suggested, knows that UFOs exist but has no idea of their origin or purpose. The editorial posits that it would be politically inexpedient for a President to reveal that millions have been spent to confirm the existence of UFOs, only to admit their origin and purpose are unknown. The 'cover up cum-conspiracy' might conceal not just an explosive revelation but also embarrassment and frustration. The editorial ends with a thought-provoking moral: 'Don't be too hard on your local C.I.A. representative – he's got his problems too.'

UFO's and Earthquakes: Are They Related?

This article by Ahmad Jamaludin, an interested researcher from Malaysia, explores the suspected relationship between UFOs and earthquakes. The author presents correlations in time, space, and observed features shared by both phenomena, aiming to renew interest among ufologists and seismologists. The abstract notes that while few papers have demonstrated this relationship, the author's analysis suggests a connection.

Introduction: The article notes that UFO appearances before or after earthquakes have been recorded, citing the English tremors of February 11th, 1957, where tad-pole shaped UFOs were sighted. A significant statistical analysis indicated that 85 percent of some 60,000 UFO events were sighted near geological fault lines. While acknowledging the piezoelectric effect on quartz bearing rocks as a possible explanation for some aerial phenomena, the author asserts that truly unidentified sightings require further investigation.

Correlations:

1. Time: The peak time for UFO sightings is between 9 PM and midnight, with a minimum usually at noon. Shimshoni's research on seismic events from 1968-1970 shows a similar pattern, with a peak around midnight and a minimum at noon, suggesting seismic events do not occur randomly throughout the 24-hour period.
2. Space: The manifestation of the UFO phenomenon occurs mainly along or near fault lines, which is also where earthquakes are active. This shared space indicates a connection.
3. Geomagnetic Disturbances: Analysis of geomagnetic disturbances during a French UFO wave in October 1954 showed remarkable correlations with UFO manifestations near recording stations. Abrupt disturbances in advance of earthquakes have also been recorded, suggesting that both earthquakes and UFOs can excite disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field.
4. Anomalous Animal Behaviour: Anomalous animal behavior during or after UFO manifestations is well-documented. The successful prediction of the 1975 Haicheng earthquake in China is partly attributed to monitoring abnormal animal behavior, which may also occur during impending earthquakes and UFO manifestations.
5. Mode of Interaction: Both UFO phenomena and seismic events can occur sporadically but also periodically in 'waves' or swarms. This pattern of interaction is similar for both.
6. Counts for Large Interactions: Between 1945 (Foo-Fighters) and 1977 (English waves), close to two dozen major UFO waves were recorded globally. For the same period, NOAA Worldwide Earthquake Statistics recorded at least 25 large earthquakes of magnitude 8.0 or greater, indicating a close agreement in the number of large interaction counts.
7. Stopping of Watches: Watches have been known to stop during seismic events and UFO manifestations.
8. Water: UFOs are reported to have an affinity for bodies of water, and water plays a role in seismic events.
9. Luminosity: Some UFO sightings have been accompanied by unusual luminosity, similar to the phenomenon observed before the destructive 1976 Tangshan earthquake, where the sky lit up like daylight. This luminosity is suspected to be due to EM interactions.
10. Scorched Marks: Evidence of scorched marks or landing imprints at alleged UFO landing sites has been compiled. During the Tangshan earthquake, a corn field was flattened, leaves were burnt, and vegetables were scorched, similar to effects attributed to UFO landings.
11. Both Phenomena are Increasing in Numbers: Worldwide UFO sightings are increasing, as are the number of known earthquakes. The increase in both phenomena is notable in the past 176 years, particularly in the last 26 years.

Discussion: The author suggests that if one looks for a trigger force that may have excited both phenomena, the correlations appear real rather than coincidental. The alarming increase in earthquakes coincides with other observable physical changes on Earth and the Solar System, such as increased sunspot counts, climatic changes, and potential magnetic field reversals. The increase in UFO sightings seems to follow this trend, possibly indicating that the source of the trigger force is aging and exhibiting signs similar to pulsar radio emissions. Careful study of these correlations could shed light on the expected type of trigger forces and their actual source.

References: The article cites several sources, including publications from FSR, Eastwest Journal, Nature, NOAA, CUFOS, MUFON, and Review & Herald Publishing Association.

Librarian's Report

John Auchettl, the librarian, reports good news for the library, with the book total reaching 201 different titled books. This increase is attributed to donations from three members: Jane Tumney, Bill Clyde, and Joan Clowes. The library hopes to receive old society books held by past librarians by the end of March to return to normal operations. A rough book list is available at meetings or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The library is seeking books produced between 1970 and 1980 to fill a gap in its collection. Book donations are welcome, and donors' names will be placed inside the cover. The librarian also thanks Miss J. Tubbock for her letter regarding "The Cosmic Conspiracy" and expresses eagerness to discuss such books and receive recommendations for reviews or additions to the library.

Stranger Things to See

This section briefly mentions a unique BISON SKULL at the anthropological museum of Moscow, which is 10,000 years old. The skull has a hole in its forehead that was produced while the bison was alive, evidenced by bone healing. The article questions if this could be the result of a bullet, given that guns were not invented 10,000 years prior. This is cited from page 173 of "In Search of Ancient Gods" by Von Daniken (1973).

Book Review No. 2: "The Devil's Meridian"

This review covers the book "The Devil's Meridian" by Kevin Killey and Gary Lester, published in 1980. The book is described as having 228 pages, 14 chapters, and includes maps and photographs. The authors propose that Bass Strait is the Australian equivalent of the "Bermuda Triangle" and describe events within this area. The review highlights historical vanishings in the Strait, including the English naval vessel 'Sappho' in 1858, a paddle steamer in 1862, and two ships in 1870 ('Dunkeld' and 'Harlech Castle'). It also mentions a search plane vanishing in 1920 while investigating strange lights, and a four-engined passenger plane disappearing in 1934. An airforce bomber in 1944 reportedly encountered a UFO over the Strait that paced it for 20 minutes, causing its radio and instruments to fail. The book lists disappearances up to 1979 and examines reports from Australia, Papua New Guinea, and other historical accounts, including a map relating Bass Strait to similar areas globally, such as the Japanese Devil Sea. The review notes that in most cases, no wreckage was found, and when traces were found, they only added to the mystery. The disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich on October 21st, 1978, over Bass Strait after reporting an encounter with a UFO is a central focus, with the book dedicating at least five chapters to his disappearance, official explanations, and a personal study of his history. An inflight communications transcript is also provided. The book covers 122 years of unexplained events, primarily related to Victoria and Tasmania, and suggests the existence of a "Devil's Meridian."

New Movie "Hangar 18" Depicts UFO Retrieval

This section reviews the film "Hangar 18" by Sunn Classics Productions, which surmises a government cover-up and violent repression following the retrieval of a flying saucer. The article notes that Sunn Classics previously worked on a factual documentary about 'retrieval' cases and questions why they switched to fiction. Chuck Sellier, president of Sunn Classics, is quoted stating that 80% of the population believes UFOs exist and that governments have contact with them but conceal it. The Defense Department reportedly refused to cooperate and threatened an injunction. The company had to use an abandoned Air Force base for filming.

Jet Hunt for UFOs Mystery

This news clipping from "The Sun" (December 6th, 1980) reports that the RAAF was baffled by four mysterious unidentified flying objects seen over Perth and tracked by radar. A Macchi jet was scrambled, but the pilot could not find the objects. The UFOs were first sighted by an air traffic controller, who, along with others, made visual sightings between 8 AM and 11 AM. Radar tracked the 'silver tumbling discs' at altitudes exceeding 20,000 meters before they disappeared. No aircraft or weather balloons were in the area. A 12-year-old girl reported seeing four objects changing color. An RAAF spokesman suggested that unusual atmospheric conditions might have accounted for the sightings. The article also mentions a sighting by crew members of a Darwin-bound TAA jet and links it to the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich in October 1978 after reporting a UFO encounter.

Perthquake Leaves City in Fear

This article by Cathy Johnson from "The Australian" (December 15th, 1980) reports on recent tremors that have awakened Perth residents to the threat of earthquakes. It recalls the devastating earthquake that flattened Cadoux and the 1968 earthquake that devastated Meckering. A tremor measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale was felt in Perth, and another strong tremor occurred off the coast. In the past two years, 446 earthquakes have shaken the State, and the tremor off the coast has opened up a new area of earthquake activity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unexplained, particularly UFO phenomena and their potential connections to natural events like earthquakes. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards official explanations and a belief in government secrecy and cover-ups. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging researchers to look beyond official narratives and investigate independently. The publication actively promotes the idea that UFOs are a real phenomenon worthy of serious study, often linking them to anomalous events and potential extraterrestrial or unknown origins. The society's commitment to building its library and sharing information suggests a dedication to furthering the understanding of these subjects within its membership and the wider community.

This issue of the magazine, identified as issue number 16 and volume 13, was published on December 13, 1980, by V.U.F.O.R.S. in Australia. The content is primarily in English and focuses on UFO phenomena, including sightings, investigations, and related events.

Earthquake Activity in Western Australia

The issue begins with a report on earthquake activity in Western Australia, noting a main belt of seismic activity extending about 600 km inland from Perth. The area designated as Zone 2, considered to be of greatest risk, stretches for 300 km. Last year's quakes, measuring 6.2 and 6.8 on the Richter scale, highlighted the state's susceptibility and the lack of earthquake resistance in most houses. A survey by the Public Works Department indicated that most public buildings in earthquake zones would be destroyed by tremors similar to the Meckering and Cadoux quakes. The government has allocated funds for hazardous features in these buildings. Earthquake activity has increased over the past 15 years, now on par with seismic energy released in California, and is associated with increased pressure on the continental plate.

On the UFO Trail

Written by Paul Norman, this section reflects on the year 1959 as a significant year for ufologists. The author, residing in Nashville, Tennessee, recounts following up on UFO reports. He mentions the Mantell case and his visit to the area to speak with a foreman of a power line crew who witnessed the disintegration of the interceptor. While leaving Nashville, he heard a newscast about Rev. William Gill's sighting of figures on a disc over New Guinea. Norman notes that reporting such phenomena was brave at the time and mentions Professor Hermann Oberth of Germany as one of the few 'Galileos' of ufology.

Norman recalls his first attempt in 1959 to secure scientific assistance in investigating a UFO case near Nashville. He describes a sighting of three UFOs: the first sped from horizon to horizon, the second hovered, and the third followed the first. The radar stations at Sewart Air Force Base and Joelton near Nashville reportedly blacked out for thirty seconds during the event. Interceptors were scrambled, but no results were forthcoming, and local stations alerted cars to be on the lookout. When explained to a professional astronomer, he reportedly blushed. Norman's year of attending lectures at Vanderbilt University Observatory yielded only three interested contacts, two of whom were associated with Professor Oberth, and the third being Dr. Carl Seyfert, a board member of Project Ozma.

The author observes that scientists have faced increasing UFO questions globally, with some encouraging signs of answers emerging. He notes a growing trickle from the scientific community to ufology. A recent poll indicated a larger percentage of astronomers were perplexed but not yet fully engaged with ufology, leading Norman to conclude that the initiative lies with the UFOs, leaving 'Homo Ostriches' with their heads in the sand.

U.F.O. Sighting Report: Ancona, Italy

This report, from the local Melbourne newspaper "Il Globo" and translated by Guido Valentich, details sightings from November 24, 1980, in the Ancona, Italy region. People reported seeing unidentified flying objects, described as spheres or discs, in Camerte, Osimo, Castelfidardo, and Ancona. In Tolentino, the objects were described as metallic. Numerous calls were made to the police. In the region of Camerte, a 'flying saucer' was reported to have landed, leaving burn marks, though this was not yet verified. The object's trajectory was witnessed, and in Padova, it was reportedly detected by radar. A couple described the object as a sphere with a cone. Mr. Mario Ciasca of Ancona claimed to have seen an object flying low at a slow speed for one minute before disappearing. Police officers in Tolentino, Osimo, and Matelica reported sightings of an object emitting intermittent blue, yellow, and red lights. Notably, this series of sightings occurred two to four days before an earthquake in southern Italy on November 23, 1980, with the sightings being 500-800 km from the earthquake area.

Request for Information on "Talbingo" Saucers

Written by Mark Sawyers, this letter, sent in December 1980, details a sighting from late 1971. While working as a drafting officer for the Snowy Mountains Authority in the Geology Section, Sawyers was tasked with preparing geology archives. He discovered two photos labeled "TALBINGO" showing the excavation for Talbingo Dam. Between the plane and the ground, five (or possibly three) objects were seen in the air in a wild-goose formation. A second picture, taken by a hand-held camera, showed the objects flying lower, between the plane and the hills north of Talbingo. The objects were described as resembling 'fried eggs' with a solid 'yoke' and a transparent 'white', allowing the dam site to be seen through them. When shown to colleagues, older members of the drafting team identified them as the "Talbingo flying saucers" known around 1965. Copies were made before the photos were catalogued. The next morning, the senior geologist, accompanied by two gentlemen, removed the photos, with an altercation about hidden negatives. The author has not seen these pictures since and is asking for information about these objects, whether they are natural phenomena, or if anyone else remembers the sighting.

Close Encounters of the Prankster Kind

This section discusses amateur hoaxers and pranksters in the UFO field, noting that while they constitute a small percentage, the inexperienced often fall victim. It highlights an example from January 29th where commercial interests, with official assistance, staged a hoax in Moe, Victoria. A "War of the Worlds" style radio broadcast interrupted programs, announcing an alien craft landing. Police cordoned off the area, and a "Martian" (an actor advertising a science fiction movie) emerged from a fibreglass craft. The hoax was planned by "3UL promotions manager" Mr. Alistair Doherty. Senior Sergeant Bil Griffiths of Moe police confirmed the realism of the broadcasts. The article criticizes officials for cooperating with such pranks while often refusing to assist with serious UFO cases. It references the disappearance of Frederick Valentich, where an official contacted witnesses while a VUFORS investigator was already gathering details. The author states that VUFORS supports organizations fighting for the public's right to know through the Freedom of Information Act.

UFO at Gosford

This brief report from "The Australian" on April 2, 1977, describes an April Fool's Day hoax in Gosford, Australia. A local radio station, 2GO, reported a silver spaceship landing, causing over 6000 people to gather. Police, emergency services, and local officials played along. The general manager of 2GO, Mr. Bob Scott, revealed it was a staged event. The UFO Club president was reportedly furious, stating the hoax set their cause back 20 years.

A UFO Above Council Project

This report, thanks to Les Gaston, details a sighting over Dumfries, Scotland, on August 31st. Dozens of people, including police officers, witnessed an oblong shaped cluster of lights below cloud level. The object vanished before a CID photographer arrived. Police received numerous calls about the UFO hovering over 'Lochside.' Police officers, including P.C. James Smith and Sgt. Bill McDavid, investigated. P.C. Smith, who previously disbelieved in UFOs, found no explanation for the lights. Sgt. McDavid described the object as vivid and clear, appearing as three lights, then a blank, then two more in line. He and P.C. Henry observed it move above wooded hills, appearing divided into five or six compartments, like an illuminated airship, with no sound. Residents of Dunlop Road, Mary and Vicky Blyth, reported the lights appearing from nowhere and moving in circles. Staff members of the Dumfries Infirmary also saw the lights. The RAF at Prestwick offered no explanation.

"UFO's Spying On Us" - Secret Report by Russian Scientists

This article, from "The Star" dated July 15, 1980, reports on a secret Soviet study. A prominent Soviet scientist, radio astronomer L.M. Gindilis of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, believes intelligent beings from outer space are spying on Earth, a view shared by some American space scientists. The report, part of an ongoing Russian program called SETI (Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence), examined 250 verified sightings from the past 20 years within the Soviet Union. Gindilis states that spacecraft entering our system are controlled by intelligent beings and that UFOs may hold the answer to the search for life. He notes that while many sightings can be explained by atmospheric phenomena, a significant percentage (20-25%) cannot. Stanton T. Friedman, a nuclear physicist and UFO expert who worked on US nuclear and space programs, obtained a copy of this report, which was kept secret by NASA. Friedman suggests that while there may not be an official American project to investigate UFOs due to potential disclosure via the Freedom of Information Act, the government's scientific community is engaged in a loosely organized effort. He believes that duplicating alien communication and propulsion techniques would represent a quantum leap in technology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, with a strong focus on UFO sightings and the phenomena surrounding them. There's a clear skepticism towards official explanations and a leaning towards the belief that UFOs are real and warrant serious investigation. The publication champions the public's right to know, advocating for transparency through the Freedom of Information Act, and criticizes authorities for their perceived lack of cooperation with genuine UFO researchers compared to their willingness to engage with hoaxes. The issue highlights the global nature of UFO reports, spanning continents and involving various witnesses, from ordinary citizens to scientists and police officers. The recurring theme is the persistent mystery of UFOs and the ongoing effort to uncover the truth, often against official resistance or public skepticism. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, supporting ufologists and encouraging the scientific community to engage more directly with the subject.