LUFORO Bulletin - Vol 2 No 06 - June 1961

Magazine Overview

Title: LUFORO BULLETIN
Issue: VOL.II Number 6
Date: JUNE 1961
Publisher: LONDON UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT RESEARCH ORGANISATION
Country: ENGLAND
Price: 6d

This issue of the LUFORO Bulletin, dated June 1961, is dedicated to the investigation of unidentified flying objects and associated phenomena. It features a striking cover image of a silhouetted UFO and includes various reports, articles, and letters from researchers and eyewitnesses.

LUFORO Organisation and Membership

The London Unidentified Flying Object Research Organisation (LUFORO) was established on July 11th, 1959, with the objective of conducting unbiased scientific investigations into UFO reports. Its aims include collecting verifiable data, publicizing information through bulletins, and fostering cooperation among UFO researchers. Copies of the LUFORO Bulletin are available from the Hon. Secretary. Subscription rates are 5/- or 1 dollar for 12 monthly issues, with single copies costing 6d or 10c. Full membership costs 10/- or 1 dollar 50c and includes an annual subscription to the bulletin. Associate membership is free and offers access to the information service without full membership privileges. The bulletin explicitly states that published opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the organisation.

LUFORO has announced the formation of a 'Contact Investigation Section' to specifically investigate contact claims within the British Isles. Mr. R. Shephard has been appointed as the Secretary of this new section. The organisation also appeals for UFO reports, including press cuttings, to be sent to Mr. G.N.P. Stephenson, Chairman, L.U.F.O.R.O.

The Midlands Sightings of May 12th, 1961

This section details a series of UFO sightings that occurred on the evening of May 12th, 1961, across the British Isles. The prevalent type of UFO reported was a meteor-like flashing white object. Sightings were reported in Hull, the Midlands, Nottingham, and Boreham Wood around 8 pm. The simultaneity of these sightings is noted as particularly interesting. In the Humber area on the same evening, a mysterious distress signal (Mayday) was received from a vessel reporting it was taking on water, leading to an unsuccessful air-sea search. The Air Ministry commented that it was unusual for such reports to be hoaxes. The Humber Area report mentions an object seen to burn up over the Humber at about 8 pm, witnessed by Mr. J.W. Gower of Hessle, who described it disintegrating in a white flash. Seven firemen in Rotherham also reported seeing a similar object. Mr. S. Wrightson, editor of the Journal of the Yorkshire Branch of the British Interplanetary Society, confirmed there was no record of a satellite demise on that date, but suggested it could be a piece from a satellite launch. In the Midlands, Mr. F.A. Lucas of Bilston described an object as torpedo-shaped with a long spark trail, seen by seven people at 7:58 pm. The Nottingham report details Mr. Allen's sighting of a fast-moving, circular object with a silver sheen, which he described as being incredibly fast. Harry Johnson also reported seeing a similar object disintegrate at Wooaton Park. Reports from Birmingham residents described a 'mysterious glowing blue and white object falling from the sky,' which Edgbaston Observatory could not identify, suggesting it might be related to an R.A.F. exercise. An Air Ministry spokesman stated they had no information of such an incident and no aircraft were involved. The Boreham Wood sighting involved Mr. Arthur Allen seeing a blue light falling fast and at an angle, which vanished. The article notes that the Boreham Wood object could not be the same as the Midland ones due to the distance, highlighting the coincidence of objects seen at 8 pm and appearing to vanish simultaneously in daylight.

Letters to the Editor

Two letters are published. The first, from Roger G. Wyld of Northwood, Middx., questions whether the study of UFO facts like size, shape, and color truly helps solve the mystery. He suggests that while questionnaires can weed out misinterpretations, the real knowledge might come from contactees. He criticizes 'serious U.F.O. researchers' for often rejecting information from contactees. The second letter, from Mrs. E. Crewe of Accrington, Lancashire, addresses the editor's tone regarding critics, stating that being apologetic is a form of giving in. She discusses reading Lt. Col. Tacker's book 'Flying Saucers and the USAF,' which she found educational and provided a more realistic perspective on UFOs.

Hostile Saucers

This section explores the concept of UFOs exhibiting hostile tendencies. It begins by acknowledging the constant influx of new ideas in ufology and its potential impact on mankind's future. While some view extraterrestrial arrivals as salvation, others perceive them as aggressive. The 'mysterious' West Midlands Flying Saucer Society is quoted as believing these visitors are 'the Devil's angels in disguise.' The article notes that while some cases suggest shyness or strange behavior, many cases show evidence of deliberate hostility. It presents a condensed article from 'UFO Gids' by A.F. Van Wieringen, translated by Miss S.R. Stebbing. Van Wieringen argues that while UFOs have been entering our atmosphere for some time, acceptable ways of making contact have not been established. He contrasts cases involving contactees like Adamski, Fry, and Allingham with those exhibiting shyness, strange behavior, or aggression. He states that the true nature of UFO crews is not ascertained and takes a neutral stance, but highlights cases demonstrating hostility. The article then details the case of Captain Mantell, a war pilot who encountered a UFO on January 7th, 1948, and died under mysterious circumstances. The official explanation of running out of oxygen is deemed improbable by the author, given Mantell's experience. Other explanations, such as the vacuum created by the UFO or radiation from its stern, are considered. The article mentions cases of flyers exposed to infrared or other radiation causing intense heat in the cockpit. The disappearance of Mantell's pilot could be explained as 'spacenapping' or teleportation. The author stresses that UFO occupants may fight and destroy each other, accounting for falls of flesh and blood. The Dayton, Ohio incident in June 1951, where 8 jet fighters crashed with motor explosions and three pilots died, is presented as a case with significant material damage. The cause is attributed to a 'black cloud' and not known meteorological conditions. The article suggests UFOs can disguise themselves in clouds. A 1943 incident in Arizona describes two balloon-shaped UFOs attacking a military airplane with beams of light, causing a tremendous explosion and the deaths of two pilots. A third UFO joined in before they disappeared. In August 1952, a scoutmaster in Florida encountered a UFO that shot a fireball at him, leaving burned holes in his hat, with evidence found in the scorched grass. Several other incidents are listed: a B-47 Stratojet crash in Tampa Bay (December 1958) with UFOs reported nearby; an Air Force C-118 transport crash at McChord Air Force Base (April 1959) with UFOs reported; and an orange UFO appearing at Itaipu, Brazil (November 1957), causing a wave of heat and electrical system failures. A 1952 incident in Sutton West Virginia involved witnesses investigating a landed globe-like object and being repelled by a noxious odor. The disappearance of 27 men from five bombers and a Martin Mariner near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in December 1945 is also mentioned, with UFOs reported in the area.

Braniff Flight 542 Crash

This section details the crash of a Braniff Airways Lockheed Electra airliner, Flight 542, which resulted in the deaths of 34 people. The incident occurred while the plane was en route from Houston to New York. Major R.O. Braswell, flying a C-47, observed a large red fire, described as an 'atomic cloud,' at an altitude of 12000-15000 feet. Billie Guyton, on the ground, saw the glow spread and an object descend rapidly before a tremendous explosion. W.S. Webb of Buffalo heard a noise like something falling through the sky, a 'wooshing shrill sound,' and saw a ball of fire. Debris began falling, described by a farmer as 'terrible.' The investigation revealed no fire or explosion aboard the airliner, but scorch marks indicated exposure to tremendous exterior heat. The force causing disintegration did not come from the interior. Dogs in the area began howling ominously before the fireball appeared. The phenomena observed – the glowing cloud, emerging object, flash of light, explosion, whistling sounds, and howling dogs – are associated with non-terrestrial spacecraft activity. The article concludes that Flight 542 was likely destroyed by a fast-moving non-terrestrial spacecraft. It also references a warning issued by Major General Richard E. O'Keefe in December 1959, identifying UFOs as a serious U.S.A.F. business and noting that a relatively small percentage of UFO reports display hostile tendencies.

British and Overseas Reports

This section compiles several brief reports from various locations:

• North Sea: A report of an aircraft crashing into the North Sea led to an air-sea search, but no missing planes were found. The report originated from a pilot cutter that saw an object drop eight miles away.
• Dundee: Hundreds reported seeing an Unidentified Flying Object, which the Air Ministry denied was a runaway missile.
• Exeter: A 'mystery object' seen over Exeter was identified by the Air Ministry as a high-altitude 'Skyhook' balloon launched by Bristol University.
• Bristol: Mrs. B. Lines observed a 'mirror' type disc moving very fast across the sky, described as circular and turning. Her son later reported similar experiences. C.E. Lines reported seeing a bright silver object like an inverted saucer followed by a darker object, which appeared to explode.
• Northern Sky: A mystery object described as a bright light, flying noiselessly and fast, was seen in Dundee, Angus, Perthshire, and the north of England. A suggestion that it was a Corporal Missile was refuted by the Air Ministry. An object resembling 'the oblong flame of an acetylene burner' was seen over Consett, Co. Durham.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of the LUFORO Bulletin consistently emphasizes the investigation of UFO phenomena, with a particular focus on cases that suggest potential hostility or unusual characteristics. The organisation's commitment to scientific investigation is highlighted, alongside an acknowledgment of the diverse and sometimes controversial nature of UFO reports, particularly those involving contactees. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and expert opinions while maintaining a degree of neutrality on definitive conclusions, as exemplified by the 'Hostile Saucers' section and the editor's own reflections. The recurring theme is the persistent mystery surrounding UFOs and the ongoing efforts to gather and analyze evidence to understand their nature and origin.

Title: Flying Saucer Review
Issue Date: May 1961
Publisher: The London UFO Research Organisation
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Flying Saucer Review delves into the phenomenon of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) with a mix of personal accounts, official statements, and international reports.

Vicar's Perspective on Flying Saucers

The cover story features an interview with Reverend F. Vere Hodge, a 41-year-old Vicar of Kingswood, Surrey. Hodge firmly believes that 'flying saucers' are not a myth and that their occupants, whom he refers to as 'Spacemen', have been exploring Earth's corner of space for many years, predating human spaceflight. He criticizes the term 'flying saucer' for making the phenomenon a target for humor, but asserts that the weight of evidence from competent observers worldwide makes it difficult for any fair-minded person to deny the existence of these machines from outside Earth. Hodge suggests that the owners of these craft, possibly from Venus or Mars, are concerned about humanity's propensity for self-destruction and damaging other worlds. He advocates for accustoming society to the idea of their presence, believing that when they eventually land, they should be accepted as friendly travelers rather than met with aggression.

UFO Sightings and Reports

The magazine presents several reports of UFO sightings from various locations:

• United Kingdom: An Air Ministry spokesman confirmed a radar check showed nothing unusual after a report of a low-flying 'white round object' flashing across the sky near Neville's Cross, County Durham. A retired RAF officer described an incandescent object with a slight green tinge and a long tail flying west to east, reported in the Bristol Evening Post on June 19th.

• Germany: The Daily Mail reported on July 1st that the Bochum Observatory in West Germany had picked up snatchs of a Russian radio conversation, including the words, 'Earth, I am hearing you well', on Soviet satellite frequencies, according to Reuter.

• Denmark:
• On November 20th, 1960, in Gudbjerg on Funen, a drop-shaped lighted object was seen flying slowly from west to south. It was clearly visible through binoculars and had a corona. Four witnesses observed this phenomenon.
• On March 13th at 2:15 pm, Herr Dalskov of Van Lose (a suburb of Copenhagen) saw a shining orange object about the size of a 2 krone piece. It was shaped like a flat mussel-shell with three spheres underneath and flew with an undulating motion at an estimated speed of 125 mph.
• E. Jensen reported an observation on April 11th from his apartment in Amager (Copenhagen) at 11:41 pm. He saw two blue-green objects, soon joined by a third, forming a triangle, which then disappeared into thin air. The objects were oval with a weak light, and Jensen speculated they might be 'telemeter discs'. This translation was provided by R. Caswell.

• Sweden: On January 14th, 1961, in Linkoping, Herr Petterson observed an object travel sideways, backwards, and forwards while changing color from red to green and vice versa for a duration of 10 minutes.

• Switzerland: A report from Basla Naachrichten on June 13th, 1960, at 14:10 GMT, described a white needle-like object, standing upright and brightly shining, observed for 2 hours. It was joined by a bigger, similar object that flew in a zig-zag around it. A white round object passed over the two 'needles' from North to South. The small upright needle remained visible until 16:00 hrs.

• Fiji: Reverend N. E. G. Cruttwell from the Anglican Mission in Menapi noted that 1960 had surprisingly few sightings compared to 1959. However, he suggested that many sightings in Fiji might have occurred while he was away on furlough, indicating a possible eastward movement of their survey.

Military and Miscellaneous Reports

• Territorial Army Exercise: The 211 Field Squadron's territorial soldiers reportedly 'beat off an attack from outer space' as part of their training at a summer camp. Shortly after 'men from Mars' landed reconnaissance parties, squadron members were sent over Dorset and Somerset to deal with them, as reported by Ev. News and Star on June 13th.

• Bulletin Size Reduction: A note at the end of the issue explains that the bulletin's size has been reduced to halve the labor involved in typing and duplicating. The index reports will now be included as a supplement.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across different countries and the growing acceptance of the phenomenon by some credible individuals, such as a vicar and former military officer. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors and to approach the subject with curiosity rather than fear. The publication aims to document these sightings and foster a community interested in UFO research, as indicated by its publisher, The London UFO Research Organisation.