Awareness - 1979 - Vol 08 No 1 - Spring

Magazine Overview

Title: AWARENESS
Subtitle: The quarterly journal of Contact (UK)
Issue Date: Spring 1979
Volume: 8, No: 1

This issue of "Awareness," the quarterly journal of Contact (UK), presents a diverse range of content related to UFO phenomena, including recent sighting reports, historical case analyses, and an editorial commentary on the state of ufology.

Editorial

The editorial, titled "Editorial," reflects on the surge of public interest in UFOs since 1947, noting that while this increased attention could be positive, much of the literature produced is of poor quality. The editor criticizes the trend of uninformed writers jumping on the "bandwaggon" of UFO topics, producing books and magazines filled with errors, wild assumptions, and bad grammar. A particular concern is the practice of later writers accepting the theories of earlier figures like Raymond Drake, Eric von Daniken, and John Keel as proven facts, leading to a proliferation of "banal and mediocre literature." The editorial expresses sympathy for newcomers to ufology who are faced with this "literary rubbish" and offers advice: to read the earliest published works first to gain an overview of the development of ufological thought. The editor stresses the importance of new writers providing historical context and urges ufologists to be more personally informed and to avoid sectarianism, aiming to improve the overall standard of the field.

Contact International: Branch Reports (South Africa)

Communicated by Mrs Edna Smith from the Durban office, this section details UFO sightings reported to the South African branch of Contact International between July 6th, 1977, and November 9th, 1978. The reports are summarized chronologically:

• Case no:770706/1: July 6th, 1977, 17:50 hrs, near Steynsburg, E.Cape. A spherical light, larger than Venus, was observed stationary, then moving, and finally shooting away.
• Case no:771114/1: November 14th, 1977, Warner Beach, Natal. Mr and Mrs Vanbelkum saw a round, orange, ball-shaped object moving with the wind.
• Case no:780127/1: January 27th, 1978, Verulam, Natal. Mr and Mrs Henwood and passengers saw a ball of flares and smoke descending, resembling an aeroplane, but airport authorities confirmed no missing aircraft.
• Case no:780317/1: March 17th, 1978, coast of Natal. Many observers, including amateur astronomers, watched a cluster of lights moving parallel to the Earth's surface for about 50 seconds.
• Case no:780513/1: May 13th, 1978, Oudtshoorn, Cape Province. Three witnesses sighted a large, blindingly bright, bluish-green light travelling at high speed.
• Case no:780701/1: July 1st, 1978, Cape Town, Cape Province. Three witnesses saw an oval-shaped object with a bright yellow light that remained stationary for about half an hour before disappearing.
• Case no:780719/1: July 19th, 1978, False Bay, SE of Cape Town. Colonel Kempen and twelve others saw a bright egg-shaped object with blue and red lights motionless over the bay.
• Case no:780721/1: July 21st, 1978, Edenvale Hospital, Transvaal. Mr C.Morris and others observed a flaming orb moving up and down and sideways.
• Case no:780922/1: September 22nd, 1978, Johannesburg, Transvaal. Hundreds of observers heard a strange high-pitched voice and saw a globe-shaped object hovering over the city.
• Case no:781021/1: October 21st, 1978, Despatch, near Port Elizabeth. Four boys and two other males reported seeing three figures in silvery clothing, and flattened grass with indentations was found.
• Case no:781109/1: November 9th, 1978, Cape Town district. Eleven people reported seeing an unidentified orange light moving in the sky on six different occasions.

The section concludes by stating that additional UFO cases from South Africa will be reviewed in later communiques.

"Further Details of Unexplained Aerial Phenomena Over Britain in 1950"

By Rudy de Groote, this article supplements a 1976 summary of unexplained aerial phenomena recorded over Britain in 1950. The author presents new information that either amends or adds to the previously recorded material, drawing from foreign (Benelux) newspapers.

• I: Emendments:
• a: April 9th, 1950, between Preston and Lancaster. A newspaper report confirms three young girls saw a flying saucer on this date, fixing the time to the afternoon.
• b: June 7th, 1950, wood near Newport, Shropshire. A Flemish newspaper reported an object flying at 2,000 meters for 15 seconds, casting doubt on previous suggestions that the object "possibly landed."

• II: Additional events:
• a: Early June 1950, Corby new town, Northamptonshire. Details from FSR Case Histories note an overlooked event.
• b: Circa November 26th, 1950, Wandsworth, London. A "mysterious block of ice," brown and about 30 cm³, fell from the sky through a garage roof. It weighed about 2 kg and puzzled meteorological services. Shortly before this, two airmen saw a "silver-blue disk" tumble and disappear at high speed over the Sussex coast. The article also notes that farmers at Exmoor found ice blocks weighing over 5 kg, one of which killed a sheep. The "silver-blue disk" is possibly linked to the Selsea Bill sighting. The article further details numerous icefall cases in Britain during November and December 1950, suggesting that a systematic search of contemporary newspapers could yield more information.

The author concludes that the unexplained phenomena in Britain during 1950 suggest the ingredients of a classic UFO "wave" were present and that further research could be productive.

"Notes on Two Types of UFOs Which Have Appeared Recently With Unusual Frequency"

By D.N.Mansell, this article examines two types of UFOs reported with unusual frequency in British skies: the domed disc and the triangular shaped type. The author highlights remarkable similarities between eyewitness accounts, drawing from Data Research's files at Wheatley.

• A: Domed Disc Events:
• May 1964 (exact date unknown), Yorkshire: The driver of a lorry reported seeing a large domed disc descend into a field, land, and deploy a ramp from which 36 figures emerged, dressed in olive-green tunics and carrying torch-like instruments emitting green beams. The figures searched the field, and the driver's lorry engine temporarily failed when they approached. After the figures re-entered the object, it took off with a droning noise. A depression of approximately 85 feet in diameter was found in the field.
• August 1977 (date unknown), near Wigan, Lancashire: A miner heard a loud droning noise and saw a bright moving light behind trees, which resolved into a huge domed disc surrounded by colored lights. The object moved at treetop height and beamed a brilliant light down on the witness.

Special Announcement

Contact International and Contact (UK) are organizing a special UFO conference at Cowley Parish Hall, Cowley, near Oxford, on June 2nd, starting at 2:45 pm and concluding at 6:00 pm. Admission is 90p, with a reduced rate of 70p for members. Speakers will include the Earl of Clancarty (Brinsley Le Poer Trench), John Sears, J.Bernard Delair, and Ruth Rees, the new international president.

The Contact (UK) Directory

This section provides contact information for the national officers of Contact (UK), including the National Chairman (F.W.Passey), Hon. Secretary (J.Loveridge), Hon. Treasurer (D.N.Mansell), Hon. Membership Secretary (Mrs Robb), Public Relations Officer (P.Flatman), Research Enquiries (J.Sears and P.Flatman), Senior Research Officer (D.N.Mansell), Research Programme Co-ordinator and Librarian (J.B.Delair), and Archivist (E.Cox).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and phenomena, with a particular emphasis on detailed reporting and historical analysis. The editorial stance is critical of the quality of much published UFO literature, advocating for rigorous research, historical context, and a more responsible approach to the subject. The journal aims to disseminate factual information and encourage a higher standard of ufological investigation. The issue also highlights the organizational activities of Contact (UK) through its directory and announcement of an upcoming conference.

This issue of "SOME RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ON THE UFO FRONT" by J.B.Delair, published in March 1979, delves into a variety of recent UFO phenomena and related issues. It covers a range of sightings, investigations, and theories, including detailed accounts of domed discs and triangular UFOs, the concept of invisible UFOs, and allegations of government cover-ups.

Domed Discs and Triangular Objects

The article begins by detailing sightings of domed discs, with witnesses consistently estimating their diameter at approximately 85 feet. These objects were often described as emitting loud droning noises and moving slowly, with a significant percentage of observers feeling they were "searching for something." Specific incidents are recounted from Bexhill, Weeley, Clacton-on-Sea, Hartlepool, Awsworth, Cumnor, and Dartford Heath, all occurring in 1978. The possibility of these being manned craft is raised.

Subsequently, the focus shifts to triangular shaped objects, with over 48 sightings reported in Britain since November 1978, particularly in the Oxfordshire region. These objects are typically described as silvery or metallic, with two large pale yellow lights, and are always silent. While some sightings describe hovering, most report fast speeds. The reported size varies greatly, from a pence piece to twice the size of a "Jumbo Jet." The article dismisses the possibility of these being "Concorde" aircraft or other conventional planes.

A selection of triangular UFO sightings from November and December 1978 is provided, with many occurring near Heathrow Airport and in Oxfordshire. These include objects pacing airliners, being tracked on radar, and moving at high speeds. The times of these sightings are noted as being consistently around 7:00 am or 7:00 pm, leading to speculation that these objects might be engaged in surveying air transport.

Invisible UFOs and Alien Organisms

The issue explores the concept of invisible UFOs, citing an incident on March 29th, 1978, near Indianapolis, USA, where three trucks were engulfed by a brilliant beam of light from an unseen source. The trucks' engines sputtered, noise ceased, and the vehicles were slowed, with witnesses unable to see beyond the light. The phenomenon lasted for an estimated 15 seconds, and afterwards, one driver's vehicle battery took 1.5 hours to regain full charge, and its clock lost an hour daily.

Another case involves an invisible UFO possibly being monitored on radar but remaining invisible to the eye. This is contrasted with an incident on November 7th, 1978, in Italy, where a pilot saw a huge metallic object following his boat, which was absent from his radar.

Further indications of invisible UFOs come from the Adriatic coast of Italy, where fishermen reported seeing huge columns of water spring up from calm seas, and weird balls of fire in the sky. These events are linked to the area of Pescara, known for past UFO photographs.

A particularly intriguing event occurred on September 20th, 1977, in Petrozavodsk, Russia, where a UFO described as irregular, jagged, and grotesque, with protrusions and flickering red and yellow lights, hung in the sky for two hours. Smaller bodies were seen darting away from it, and it beamed light rays that melted holes in window panes and burnt pavement surfaces. Soviet scientists suggested this indicated an extraterrestrial civilization preparing for direct communication.

The article also discusses "Angel Hair," a substance described as cotton-like filaments. A researcher reported that these filaments, dropped by UFOs in Portugal in 1959, were found to be "living things" with tentacles. This revelation is considered important, suggesting that UFOs might be introducing alien organisms into terrestrial conditions as part of a seeding program that may have ended in the early 1960s.

Government Secrecy and Cover-ups

The issue highlights the release of official documents pertaining to UFOs by American sources, which have fueled allegations of a government cover-up. Top NASA engineer William Gould Jr. believes the US government doesn't want the public to develop "national jitters." Major Donald Keyhoe is quoted as saying the government would be angry if the truth were revealed and that the US government intends to keep UFO facts secret, calling it "UFOgate."

Nuclear physicist Stanton Friedman has interviewed over 80 former military men who reported numerous officially documented UFO sightings filed with security agencies and never made public. Jack Acuff, head of NICAP, asserts he has seen classified documents detailing UFO activity reported to the National Security Agency.

John Schuessler, an engineer-manager for NASA, avers that the US government is engaged in a long-term cover-up of "vitally important information on UFOs."

While there is a consensus among researchers about deliberate governmental secrecy, doubts remain about how much data will be released. The Russian Academy of Sciences' public request for UFO sightings is seen as a sign of pressure on officialdom. In contrast, the British government is criticized for its reluctance to engage in open UFO investigations, leading to suspicions of covert research.

The article notes that the official Chinese communist newspaper published an article on UFOs, indicating that China may also be conducting its own studies. The activities of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy, suing the CIA for withholding UFO information, are mentioned as a significant development.

Other Incidents and Conclusions

Briefly mentioned are a car levitation case in Argentina involving two rally drivers and a "strange engine" encounter in Chile where drivers claimed conversations with alien entities.

The issue concludes by discussing the New Zealand UFO photographs, with experts examining the film. Sir Bernard Lovell identified it as a burned-out meteorite, but American physicists declared it the first verified film of an unidentified flying object.

The article suggests that domed-disc UFOs are connected with biological surveys, while triangular UFOs are associated with airfield surveillance. It proposes that studies of specific UFO types and their behavior could be a valuable tool for understanding the UFO phenomenon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the diverse nature of UFO sightings (domed discs, triangular craft, invisible objects), the consistent physical characteristics reported for specific types, the potential extraterrestrial origin of these phenomena, and the persistent allegations of governmental secrecy and cover-ups surrounding UFO information. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories while critically examining official responses and encouraging further research into the UFO phenomenon. The publication seems to lean towards the belief that UFOs are a genuine and significant subject worthy of serious investigation, often challenging conventional explanations and official narratives.

This issue of UFOSPACE NEWSCLIPPING JOURNAL, identified as issue number 20 and volume 6, was published on July 1st, 1979. The cover headline proclaims it as the 'world's largest world's most informed' UFO newsclipping journal. The journal is produced by the UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, based in Dallas, Texas, and Paris, France, which scans thousands of newspapers globally to provide comprehensive UFO coverage.

Editorial Content

The issue begins with a brief editorial noting the selective coverage of numerous significant UFO events in recent months and the major developments in the UFO field over the past year. It suggests that the situation is likely to change significantly in the coming year.

References

A list of four references is provided, including:
1. J.B. Delair. "The Camouflage Syndrome", Awareness, vol.6, no:3, 1977.
2. C. Lorenzen and J. Lorenzen. "UFOs: The Whole Story", 1969.
3. A. Shuttlewood. "The Warminster Mystery", 1967.
4. V. Perry. "UFO Surveillance of North American and Canadian Airforce and Radar Installations", Awareness, vol.7, no:4, 1978.

Advertisements

Two advertisements are prominently featured. The first is for the "UFOSPACE NEWSCLIPPING JOURNAL" itself, detailing its extensive press coverage from two agencies in Dallas and Paris, scanning 8000 U.S. daily and weekly newspapers and newspapers in over 70 countries. It offers subscription rates for North America, Central America, Caribbean, South America, Europe, and Elsewhere, with options for surface and air mail. The second advertisement is for the "UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE" based in Plumerville, Arkansas, which provides 20-page monthly reports of UFO activity, including U.S. and international newsclippings, and a section on 'Fortean' clippings.

The First International UFO Research Congress

A notice announces "THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL UFO RESEARCH CONGRESS EVER," to be held at the Mount Royal Hotel, Marble Arch, London, on Sunday and Monday, August 26-27, 1979. The congress is organized by the British UFO Research Association in conjunction with Grand Metropolitan Hotels and Contact (UK). The leading speaker is Dr J.Allen Hynek, and the event includes a documentary film on UFOs, special slide presentations, an optional visit to the London Planetarium, and a bookstall.

Reader's Letters

This section features letters from readers, including an editorial note from Eddie Cox, the archivist, thanking contributors and mentioning the arrival of a significant number of press clippings. Two reader's letters are reproduced:

• D.K. Clark points out a perceived error in a statement attributed to Prof. Hermann Oberth in the 'Awareness' journal (Winter 1978), where the number of stars in the galaxy is stated as "One Hundred Million" instead of "One Hundred Thousand Million." The editor acknowledges the error and confirms that their source material also quoted "One Hundred Million."
• Nicholas Bishop, a 12-year-old, writes about Vera Perry's article on "UFO surveillance of North American and Canadian Airforce and Radar Installations." He discusses the intelligent behavior of UFOs, such as switching off lights and disappearing, and proposes a theory that UFOs might be intelligent animals living in the upper atmosphere, capable of creating lights and propelling themselves like squids or octopuses. He likens their behavior to that of a baby dolphin and suggests they are highly advanced.

The editor comments on Nicholas Bishop's letter, acknowledging his young age and the intriguing nature of his theory, noting that similar ideas have been proposed by Donald Heard and Rene Fouere.

An Administrative Request

D.N. Mansell issues an administrative request for individuals who applied to become field investigators for CONTACT (UK) but failed to append their names and addresses to their completed examination forms. He asks them to write to Data Research headquarters in Wheatley, Oxford, to enable the issuance of identity cards and other relevant documents.

"More Coincidences?"

This article by J. Randles and J.B. Delair explores the repetition of the surname REES in ufology. They note its occurrence in prominent positions within UFO organizations and research, including the President of Contact International, the editor of 'Skywatch,' a field investigator, a Data Research team member, and a military officer involved in a 1950s "green fireball" episode. The authors question whether these repetitions are mere coincidences or significant clues to the nature of the UFO phenomenon.

Book Review: SITUATION RED: THE UFO SIEGE

J.B. Delair reviews Leonard Stringfield's book "SITUATION RED: THE UFO SIEGE" (Sphere Books Ltd., 1978). Delair describes Stringfield as a prominent ufologist and former editor of the magazine ORBIT. The book is praised as the best popular statement on UFOs and the suspected UFO cover-up in America, covering evidence of crashed UFOs, preserved occupants, and secret activities of American security agencies. The review highlights the book's photographs, appendices, and readable style, noting its excellent value at 95p. Stringfield's acceptance of an extra-terrestrial origin for UFOs is mentioned, along with the book's focus on American organizations.

Books for Sale and Cassette Tapes

Extensive lists of books and cassette tapes related to UFOs and space age publications are provided. Books available include "INVESTIGATING UFOS," "PIECE FOR A JIGSAW," "THE UFO EXPERIENCE," "URI," "THE HUMANOIDS," "THE HYNEK UFO REPORT," "SITUATION RED: THE UFO SIEGE," "UFOS: A SCIENTIFIC ENIGMA," and "UFOS EXIST." Cassette tapes include "SPACE VISITORS FROM LANULOS," "THE TRUTH BEHIND THE VARIOUS SAUCER MEETINGS," "MUSIC FROM ANOTHER PLANET," "GRAY BARKER ON THE AIR," "THE WORLD OF KAZIK," "THE REINHOLD SCHMIDT STORY," "THE MEN IN BLACK," "WARNINGS FROM UFOS," "CARLOS ALLENDE SPEAKS: HOAX OR REALITY?," "THE SHAVER MYSTERY," and "THE UFO ENCOUNTERS OF JENNINGS H. FREDERICK."

Other Publications

Information is also provided for ordering lists of books and items, and for subscribing to "LANTERN," a quarterly journal of East Anglian oddities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong interest in UFO phenomena, UFO research, and the potential for extraterrestrial contact. There is a focus on documenting UFO events, analyzing their characteristics, and exploring various theories, including the possibility of UFOs being advanced technology or even organic life forms. The journal also engages with the broader context of ufology, including historical cases, research organizations, and the potential for government secrecy. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting diverse viewpoints and encouraging reader participation through letters and contributions. The inclusion of advertisements for UFO-related services and publications reinforces the journal's role as a central resource for the UFO community.