LUFORO Bulletin - Vol 1 No 10 - 20th November 1960

Magazine Overview

Title: LUFORO BULLETIN
Issue: No.10
Date: 20th November 1960
Publisher: LONDON UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT RESEARCH ORGANISATION (LUFORO)
Editor: Roy Stemman

This issue of the LUFORO Bulletin focuses on UFO reports and related controversies, featuring contributions from various organizations and individuals in the field.

Adler Planetarium Comments on U.F.O.

The bulletin begins with a report on comments from the Adler Planetarium regarding UFOs. As reported in their September 15th issue, an object believed to be circling the Earth had been seen by astronomers at the Adler Planetarium and photographed. The Planetarium staff noted an increase in reported unidentifiable objects in the sky, attributing this to heightened public interest in observing satellites. While they keep all reports on file, they stated that due to inadequate observations, the nature of a specific object observed on Friday, August 26th, at approximately 9 P.M. C.D.T. remains unexplained. This object, described as a faint reddish object moving east to west, was believed to have been photographed at a satellite tracking station on the East Coast.

Riddle of Sat SFOIS (Satellites/UFOs)

This section details an investigation by LUFORO's K.A. Lawrence into reports of mysterious objects resembling parachutes seen over Essex on Sunday, September 25th. Maurice Fryer, an aircraft engineer, reported seeing what appeared to be a main parachute with a smaller stabilizing 'chute, at about 10,000-15,000 feet, drifting south. He also observed higher groups of objects, estimating their height at 20,000 feet, and using a telescope, saw more objects in layers up to 50,000 feet. These objects, numbering between twenty and fifty in each group, moved slowly or disappeared. Fryer dismissed the explanation of a met. balloon burst at 70,000 feet, considering the objects to be definitely not fragments of a balloon. He described them as appearing like puffs of anti-aircraft fire.

White Hot Object in Sky

A brief report from the London Evening News (26/9/60) describes a brilliant light seen by many in South Africa, likened to 'the grandfather of all shooting stars'. In Durban Bay, the glare lit up the bay as it passed overhead before sinking towards the Indian Ocean. Observers in Johannesburg reported it leaving a 'vapour trail'.

First British Isles Flying Saucer Convention

An announcement for the First British Isles Flying Saucer Convention held in London on September 24th-25th, 1960, at the Hotel Russell. A report on the convention by John Dale, President of Manchester U.F.O. Research Society, was available in the July-August issue of 'Outer Space Review'.

The Straith Letter Controversy

This extensive section, written by S.R. Stebbing, details the controversy surrounding the 'Straith Letter'. American UFO researcher Richard Ogden sent LUFORO a photocopy of a letter dated September 2nd, 1959, from James W. Moseley, Editor of 'Saucer News', predicting trouble distributing the December 1959 issue of 'Flying Saucers' magazine, which contained an article by Ogden about the Straith Letter. The Straith Letter, purportedly from the State Department, claimed UFOs existed and that the department had proof. However, the State Department denied the existence of Straith and the Cultural Exchange Committee. The letter remains controversial, with arguments for it being a hoax (possibly perpetrated by Gray Barker) or proof of government censorship and UFO evidence.

Ogden defended the letter's authenticity in his article, leading to a strong reaction from Moseley, who accused Ogden of promoting a hoax and endangering national security. Ray Palmer, editor of 'Flying Saucers', later described the disappearance of 54,000 copies of the December 1959 issue, which had been mailed out and offered with new subscriptions. The magazines vanished en route from the printer, with plates also unavailable and damaged, leading to speculation about censorship.

Palmer suggested that if the issue was removed from sale, it would be an admission of the truth of their claims. The section questions if this was a case of censorship by the 'Silence Group' and notes that Palmer attributed the loss not to the Straith article, but to his theories about UFOs being of POLAR origin, a land 'BEYOND THE POLE', and a hollow earth.

Lackland Field Statement on UFO Policy

This section presents an extract from 'Flying Saucers, Top Secret' by Major Donald E. Keyhoe, director of NICAP. The extract, from the August 1960 issue of 'Saucers, Space & Science', suggests that Earth is under study by superior intelligences, possibly from Mars. It posits that prolonged secrecy and censorship by the U.S. Air Force on UFO information, coupled with public flippancy, prevented the public from being prepared for an admission of space visitors. The 'Silence Group' was forced to continue censorship to avoid panic, fear, and economic collapse. The Federal Government and U.S. Air Force are stated to have concealed information deemed dangerous due to the potential for hysteria and economic crisis.

The text notes that this statement was contained in a script sent to NICAP by Robert C. Halsey, director of Lackland closed-circuit programmes, implying it was for Air Force personnel.

Index of 1960 UFO Sighting Reports

A comprehensive index lists UFO sightings received by LUFORO since the publication of Bulletin No. 9. It includes date, time, duration, witnesses, location, description of the object, and the source/reference. Sightings span from February to November 1960, with reports from Denmark, Japan, Norway, Sweden, England, Australia, Canada, USA, South Africa, New Zealand, and Italy. Descriptions range from orange-red objects and glowing lights to cigar-shaped craft and parachute-like phenomena. Various abbreviations are provided for sources and publications.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the investigation into their nature, and the pervasive issue of government secrecy and censorship surrounding UFO information. The LUFORO Bulletin appears to adopt a stance of investigating and reporting on these phenomena, while also highlighting controversies and potential cover-ups. The detailed index of sightings suggests a commitment to documenting evidence. The discussion around the Straith Letter and the disappearance of the 'Flying Saucers' issue strongly points to an editorial belief in the significance of UFOs and a suspicion of official attempts to suppress information.