Australian UFO Bulletin - 1993 03 - March

Magazine Overview

This issue of "The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin" (Vol. VBH122, Issue 34, March 1993) is published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society and focuses on a range of topics within ufology, including historical sightings, media representation, and government involvement.

Editorial

The editorial section begins by stating that the publication will present editorials from international sources that generally align with the society's views on ufology. It notes that the current issue follows a recent discussion night where a video on UFO sightings over the United States Capital in 1952 was shown, and that further discussion on early UFO history is planned. A guest editorial by Barry Greenwood, co-author of "Clear Intent," is highlighted. The editorial also addresses the recent announcement that the National Enquirer will be publishing in Australia, expressing concern about the tabloid's typical reporting accuracy. It contrasts "good news" (increased UFO coverage in the press) with "bad news" (deplorable coverage in wide-circulation sources), citing examples like the New York Post's coverage of a dermatologist's UFO beliefs and Hustler Magazine's article attacking UFO enthusiasts. The editorial also mentions a Harpers Magazine story about tabloid journalism and falsified UFO tales. It advises UFO researchers to practice restraint, avoid mixing personal beliefs with information, be critical of nonsense, and present the best evidence for the UFO phenomenon, acknowledging that this is a long-term and costly endeavor.

On the UFO Trail

This section, authored by Paul Norman, details a documentary viewing of "Unidentified Flying Objects" which received significant applause and standing room only attendance. The documentary covered the history of the modern UFO story starting in 1947, featuring actors portraying key figures like Dewey Fournet (Pentagon UFO Project), Albert Chop (USAF Public Relations), and Edward Ruppelt (Project Blue Book). Norman shares his personal involvement in ufology, beginning with a 1953 sighting, and notes the shift in public perception from only 15% believing in UFOs to over 50% today, despite debunking efforts. The article discusses Project SIGN and its transition to Project GRUDGE, citing the official explanation of jammed communication channels versus the reality of handling reports from military personnel. It also touches upon the media's role in attempting to distract public interest through debunking procedures. A 1958 incident involving Major Donald Keyhoe on a TV network is recounted, where he was cut off the air after only four minutes, allegedly due to Air Force pressure. Keyhoe's statement, intended to be broadcast, claimed that NICAP was working with a Senate Committee investigating official secrecy on UFOs, and that open hearings would prove flying saucers were real machines under intelligent control. The article lists four Air Force documents that were allegedly confirmed by Capt. Edward Ruppelt, including conclusions that flying saucers were real and interplanetary spaceships, and a 1953 Pentagon panel's recommendation to quadruple the UFO project, which was rejected. The author recounts being asked to present Australian cases to the Condon Committee project in 1967. The article also critiques Donald Menzel, a former debunker, and Philip Klass, head of the American skeptics organization, noting their methods of misrepresenting cases and abusing researchers. The article discusses the Knowles Family encounter on the Nullarbor, refuting a skeptic's explanation of a temperature inversion.

Just Cause - FOIA Dirty Tricks

This section reports on suggestions for anticipating requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) from a NASA memo. These suggestions include destroying notes or rewriting them to minimize adverse impact, using yellow stick-ons to annotate documents, and avoiding cross-references that could lend context. The article criticizes government agencies for taking steps to subvert FOIA, highlighting a perceived double standard between public pronouncements and private actions. It presents this as an obstacle to keeping the public informed.

The Curious Case of Donald Menzel

This article details the life and career of Donald Menzel, a prominent astronomer and a key figure in UFO debunking. Menzel, who died in December 1976 at age 75, was known for his intolerance and vendettas against those he disagreed with. He led a double life, serving as a high-ranking agent of the National Security Agency, where he allegedly used his position to damage the careers of scientific opponents, produced fake research, and betrayed his president. Documents reveal he joined US Intelligence in 1930 and was a Commander in Naval Intelligence. In 1950, he faced secret court charges of disloyalty and abuse of authority, which were not proven. The article describes Menzel's role in the early 1950s UFO scare, where he authored books asserting UFOs were misidentified natural phenomena and consistently misrepresented cases to discredit Air Force investigators. He was reprimanded by the Pentagon and, out of favor with the Eisenhower government, he allegedly offered secret data on intelligence activity to presidential candidate John F. Kennedy. The article suggests Menzel's career bloomed after Kennedy joined Harvard's Board of Overseers, with Menzel allegedly writing letters to JFK abusing rivals and urging positions of authority for himself. The article concludes that Menzel sacrificed his honor as a scientist for political paymasters.

The New Zealand UFO Wave of 1909

This extensive article by Tony Brunt details a significant wave of UFO sightings in New Zealand during the winter of 1909. For over a month, hundreds of people reported seeing "airships" of various shapes and sizes. The sightings occurred across the country, generating widespread public interest, with crowds gathering at night hoping to see the "phantom airship." The article draws on old newspaper records, indicating that multiple objects were involved, though not always sighted simultaneously. Sightings were reported in both daytime and night-time, often at long range, with a few close-range sightings reported. At the time, no conventional airships or balloons were being flown in New Zealand. Newspapers initially considered the possibility of a back-country inventor but this theory fell into disfavor when similar sightings occurred in eastern Australia. The wave began in the South Island and moved northwards. The article recounts specific sightings, including those reported in Southland, Balclutha, Oamaru, Timaru, Temuka, Geraldine, and Dunedin. It describes objects as boat-shaped, cigar-shaped, and cone-shaped, with powerful headlights and searchlights. Some reports mentioned unusual maneuvers, such as dipping, ascending, and rapid movement. The article also includes a letter from a correspondent, Robert Grigor, who proposed a theory that the sightings were visitations from beings of superior intellect from another world. The article notes that by late July, reports began coming from the North Island, particularly Auckland, and later from the Hawkes Bay area. It concludes by mentioning that the Chinese had a written literature 3000 years before us, and suggests that beings visiting Earth might be far more advanced.

UFOs Fly; Radioactive Ring Found

This is a collection of press cuttings. One from The Nashville Tennessean (March 29, 1966) discusses UFO sightings in southern Michigan, including reports of objects flashing red, white, and green lights at low altitudes. It also mentions a circular mark on the ground that gave off a radioactive reading, with black granules found nearby. Another cutting from the Folkestone Herald (August 14, 1992) reviews a book titled "A Question Of Reason" by Derek Sheffield, which challenges accepted theories about the universe, religion, and the existence of life on other planets. A cutting from the Shetland Times (August 7, 1992) reports on an unexplained encounter of a "third grade" experience by two women in England who described cold-eyed non-terrestrials in a triangular craft. A cutting from the Sunday Telegraph (August 25, 1991) discusses complex, mathematically precise crop circles, specifically a Mandelbrot set design in a wheat field near Cambridge, England, and quotes the mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot expressing amusement but denying involvement.

UFO Newsclipping Service

This is an advertisement for the UFO Newsclipping Service, which provides monthly 20-page reports of UFO sightings, close encounters, landing reports, and occupant cases from the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. It also includes a section on "Fortean" clippings like Bigfoot reports.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the historical documentation of UFO sightings, particularly the 1909 New Zealand wave, and the persistent issue of media misrepresentation and sensationalism of UFO phenomena. The publication strongly advocates for serious research and the presentation of factual evidence, while criticizing debunking efforts and government secrecy. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, seeking to present credible information and challenge the dismissal of UFO reports as mere nonsense or hoaxes. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of transparency and the public's right to know, as highlighted by the critique of FOIA subversion.

This issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin, dated August 1992, focuses on the historical "New Zealand Airship Wave of 1909" and includes contemporary UFO reports from Australia, alongside an analytical essay on UFO lights and a history of the Victorian UFO Research Society.

The New Zealand Airship Wave of 1909

The lead article details the 1909 New Zealand Airship Wave, a period of intense UFO sightings. Reports from Wanganui describe a ship with two large wings making a hissing sound, seen at a height of about 200ft and travelling at approximately 90 mph. Another account from Waihi describes a large, dark, cigar-shaped object sailing slowly with bluish-green lights and a trailing light. Orange tinted lights were reported near Palmerston North. The wave concluded with sightings over Gore in Southland. The article notes that similar waves occurred globally, including in Britain, the USA, Southern England, and South Africa, between 1909 and 1914. It suggests that the lack of information from non-English speaking countries might be due to less thorough research in those regions.

Contemporary UFO Sightings in Australia

The bulletin includes several recent sighting reports from Australia:

• Canberra, August 8, 1992: Andrew Parkinson and Mariem Omari reported an orangy-red light that appeared to be two objects. One object dropped a fiery object resembling a firecracker. Later, two more identical objects were seen.
• Pearce, August 8, 1992: A housewife reported a solid, gold, featureless, flat disc, described as "very relaxed and elegant," which also dropped a fiery object that disintegrated.
• Rivett, May 1992: A witness saw a large object with red lights beneath it, moving slowly and low to the ground, which disappeared towards Mt. Taylor.
• Aspendale, August 3, 1992: Ann and Mark observed two erratic-moving lights that danced together before disappearing.

Essay: Why Do UFOs Have Lights?

This analytical essay by Dr. Willy Smith of the UNICAT Project explores the significance of lights on UFOs. It argues that while lights are not essential for the operation of structured UFOs, they are a common characteristic. The essay dismisses the idea that lights are solely for navigation, suggesting they might be used to attract attention or for other purposes of the operators. It highlights that many UFOs are structured objects and that the presence of lights may indicate intelligent control rather than a natural phenomenon.

Society News and History

The bulletin includes information about the Victorian UFO Research Society (V.U.F.O.R.S.), including its history, membership rates, and upcoming discussion nights. The society evolved from earlier UFO groups in Australia, with its origins tracing back to the early 1950s. It has published various materials and maintained a significant UFO library. The issue also contains subscription information for the "Australian UFO Bulletin" and contact details for UFO research organizations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are historical UFO waves, particularly the 1909 New Zealand Airship Wave, and contemporary UFO sightings from Australia. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into UFO phenomena, presenting witness accounts and analytical perspectives. The Victorian UFO Research Society's approach is described as "dispassionate," viewing UFOs as a scientific problem deserving closer attention.