BUFORA Journal - Volume 01 No 06 - Autumn 1965

Magazine Overview

Title: BUFORA JOURNAL AND BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. I No. 6
Date: Autumn 1965
Publisher: BRITISH U.F.O. RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

This issue of the BUFORA Journal and Bulletin presents a collection of articles and reports related to UFO phenomena, reflecting the research and activities of the British UFO Research Association in 1965. The publication aims to provide a platform for scientific investigation and data dissemination.

Editorial

The editorial, written by J. Cleary-Baker, addresses the significant number of UFO reports investigated by the U.S. Air Force, noting that a substantial portion remains unexplained and suggests a global total of 60,000 sightings during the 'Flying Saucer Era'. Cleary-Baker cautions against sensationalism and 'cults' surrounding UFOs, emphasizing the difficult task of separating genuine sightings from hoaxes and misidentifications. He also mentions that this is the third issue he has edited, produced quickly to catch up, and expresses hope for a more polished appearance with the return to a quarterly schedule.

Flying Saucers over Central Europe

This section features an excerpt from a lecture by Antoni W. Scachnowski, focusing on UFO activity in Hungary and Czechoslovakia. In Hungary, UFO sightings increased significantly from 1950, with notable reports including flights along the Roumanian frontier in 1953 and UFOs hovering over Lake Balaton in 1955, which were followed by clusters of dead fish. The political climate after the Hungarian uprising made reporting UFOs risky. In Czechoslovakia, a silence on the subject was broken in 1957, leading to private research groups and observations by meteorological stations. The article mentions a 'Free Europe' operation involving balloons over Czechoslovakia and Poland, which allegedly resulted in the loss of two MIG jets pursuing what might have been a UFO mistaken for a balloon.

Public Meeting at Warminster

A public meeting was held in Warminster on August 27th, 1965, to discuss recent mysterious aerial sights and sounds. Over 300 people attended. Speakers included Dr. Geoffrey Doel (BUFORA Chairman) and Dr. J. Cleary-Baker (BUFORA Evaluation Officer), who suggested UFOs might be alien craft. Rev. Lewis Inge, of the Salisbury Plain Astronomical Society, also spoke. A witness, Mrs. Attwell, reported a frightening sound and a 'brilliant star', with 49 witnesses to the sounds, which reportedly affected animals and killed birds. Other interpretations included cigar-shaped UFOs resulting from methane gas ignition.

Report on Warminster

This report delves deeper into the UFO phenomena around Warminster, Wiltshire, focusing on aerial sights and sounds. The author believes these are due to UFO activity, possibly centered around Cley Hill. The report notes that only about one-third of observations were available, as a local investigator, Mr. David Holton, declined cooperation with BUFORA. The 'Warminster Sound' is analyzed as a combination of a dull crunching noise and a high-pitched humming, potentially caused by electromagnetic interaction or an altitude-finding device. The report references historical accounts of similar sounds and luminous objects. It also details instances where the sound affected animals, including pigeons dropping dead. Numerous visual sightings are listed, including cigar-shaped objects, discs, and ovoid UFOs. A photograph of a flattened disc with projections is mentioned as potentially remarkable.

UFO Report from Caistor, St. Edmunds, Norfolk

This report details a sighting on June 9th, 1965, by a chauffeur who observed a hovering object resembling a clam or spinning-top. The object, estimated to be 40 feet in diameter, shot vertically upwards at high speed. The witness is described as credible, and the report is evaluated as a genuine UFO visitation, with no evidence of hoax or hallucination. The absence of landing marks is noted, suggesting the UFO's occupants were observing the surface rather than landing.

Other Content

The issue also includes a list of BUFORA's aims, member societies, branches, and officers. Membership details and subscription rates are provided. Advertisements for classified ads are included, along with information on where to send correspondence and exchange publications. A brief mention of BUFORA meeting Dan Fry is also present.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the reporting and analysis of specific sightings from various locations, and the distinction between genuine UFOs and misidentifications or hoaxes. The editorial stance, as articulated by J. Cleary-Baker, is one of cautious, evidence-based research, critical of sensationalism and 'cult' beliefs, while acknowledging the reality of unexplained aerial phenomena.

This issue of "METEORITES" from "Flying Saucer Review," Volume 12, Issue 10, dated August 1965, delves into the phenomena of meteorites and UFOs. The cover headline boldly states "METEORITES," setting the tone for the primary focus on celestial objects and their terrestrial impacts.

Meteorites and Their Origins

The article "METEORITES" explains that between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter lies a belt of rocks ranging in size from dust particles to masses 500 miles in diameter. Perturbing effects from major planets alter the orbits of these particles, bringing many near Earth. When these objects enter the atmosphere, friction generates heat, causing them to glow or explode. Most burn away, but larger pieces, called meteorites, can reach the surface. The largest known meteorite is at Hoba West, South West Africa, weighing about 60 tons.

The most enigmatic event discussed is the Tungus meteorite, which fell in Siberia on June 30, 1908. The resulting explosion was equivalent to 30 million tons of TNT, heard 380 miles away. Dust from the explosion created a bluish glow visible as far as Jena, 3250 miles distant. The event devastated an area 30 miles in diameter, destroying eight million trees. A shallow crater was found in 1938, and recent evidence suggests it was caused by a comet collision.

Not all atmospheric entries cause such chaos; about one ton of matter falls to Earth daily, with 25 times that amount burning up as meteors. Observers can see about ten meteors per hour, with numbers rising to 50 or more on active nights. Meteors are categorized into sporadic types, which enter alone and can be large meteorites, and shower types, which are groups of particles in fixed orbits, often burning up as sparks. Sporadic meteors are typically half stone and half iron (stony-irons), while shower meteors are usually 100% stone. Overall, approximately 95% of meteorites are stones, 5% are irons, and the remainder are stony-irons.

Tektites: A Special Case

The article introduces tektites as glassy-looking objects found in specific areas, with shapes ranging from irregular to symmetrical, and weighing from milligrams to one pound. Their color is black or dark green, and analysis shows they are composed of iron, aluminum, and other metallic oxides, having undergone two heating processes. One theory suggests they are particles ejected from lunar surface eruptions that entered Earth's atmosphere as meteorites. Examples include australites (Australia), moldavites (Czechoslovakia), and bediasites (Texas). Tektites are found in these areas and possibly others, but not in the British Isles.

The distinction between a meteor and a UFO is clarified by several characteristics of meteoric activity: meteors travel at speeds between 7 and 45 miles per second, have flight paths lasting one second or less, become visible around fifty miles high and disappear at about 40 miles, move in straight lines, and are typically seen as swift streaks of light. Fireballs are an exception, being as bright as the full moon, sometimes leaving trails for minutes, and often having a distinct green coloration before exploding.

The Scorriton Affair

This section details an incident on June 7, 1965, involving Mr. E. Arthur Bryant, an ex-Prison Officer, near Scorriton, Devon. He reported hearing a humming sound and seeing a blue-lighted object, about the size of a pea held at arm's length, approaching from the SW. The object made two quick deviations before descending into a field. The humming ceased, and the object was not heard again. The next morning, Mr. Bryant found singed foliage and pieces of metal. In an adjoining field, grass was scorched in an oval area with three circular burn-marks. He also found a turbine-like fitting and a glass phial containing "silver sand" with a paper bearing words in Classical Greek: "Adelphos Adelpho" (Brother to Brother).

Mr. Bryant noticed the metal fragments glowed in the dark. These, along with other finds, were given to local amateur astronomer Mr. Hedley Robinson. BUFORA has been unable to obtain sight of these items or ascertain Geiger count results. Tragically, swallows near the landing site were found dead shortly after the incident. Dr. Doel, BUFORA's Chairman, visited the site and confirmed the scorch-marks were due to heat.

Evaluation of the Scorriton Affair

The author, J. C-B., evaluates the Scorriton incident, concluding that it was unlikely to be a natural phenomenon or conventional object, and improbable to be a hoax or collective hallucination due to Mr. Bryant's reputation. The area is described as "saucer country," and the object's movements suggest a landing was contemplated but abandoned due to witnesses. The scorch marks are attributed to jets of compressed gas from the object's leg-like projections, which may also serve as supports. The enigmatic Greek message is a puzzle, with the author suggesting it might be a relic from a past sentimental prank rather than directly related to the UFO.

Notes & Quotes

This section provides brief mentions of various topics:

• "Flying Saucer Review.": Recommended as an authoritative publication for UFO researchers, edited by Mr. Charles Bowen.
• Photographs of Mars: Mariner 4's pictures revealed a crater-pitted surface, similar to the Moon, with no canals, suggesting limited life evolution on Mars.
• "The Cumberland Spaceman.": A photograph sold by Mr. J. Templeton is dismissed as a lens-reflection of a woman, with the £2 charge for copies deemed excessive.
• "Gee" & "Newton" Ride Again!: A story about a saucer with dead men, previously linked to a Denver confidence trick in 1952, has resurfaced in an Italian UFO journal, this time dredged from the North Sea.
• Bizarre... !: A brief note about Cooper and Conrad producing dollar bills to prove their identity after space missions.
• No News is Good News?: Mentions a UFO sighting in the Antarctic confirmed by Chile and the Argentine Republic, with a lack of British communique noted.

BUFORA. MEETS DAN FRY

This section reports on a meeting with Dan Fry, author of "Steps to the Stars" and "The White Sands Incident." Fry, who holds a Ph.D. and has worked on missile guidance systems, discussed the U.S. allocation of $300,000 to statistically determine facts about the galaxy. Scientists concluded the galaxy contains millions of inhabited worlds, with our solar system being in an outer spiral. Fry projected that if travel speed increases at the same rate, humanity could reach the 'light barrier' in sixty years. He estimated that 10,000 spacecraft could have been in Earth's vicinity since the birth of Christ.

Fry recounted the "White Sands Incident" from July 4, 1950, where he encountered a large object (30 feet across, 15 feet high) plated with platinum. He heard a voice from a loudspeaker and was invited into the craft, experiencing a 30-minute flight at 8,000 m.p.h. between White Sands and Washington. Upon return, he saw an orange band around the craft as it took off. The next day, his footprints ended abruptly, reappearing elsewhere, suggesting a teleportation or similar phenomenon. The story was kept secret due to security concerns.

UFO REPORT FROM QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

This report details a sighting on May 23, 1965, near Mackay, Queensland. Witnesses Mr. J. W. Tilse (a pilot), Mr. Eric Juden, and Mr. John Burgess observed an object described as an upturned saucer, about 30 feet in diameter, with a jet-black upper part and three triangular legs. It hovered at treetop height, emitted lights, and flew off. The sighting lasted 30-40 minutes. Mr. Tilse later photographed a circular area with scorch-marks where the object had hovered. The Regional Director of Civil Aviation in Brisbane expressed belief in Mr. Tilse's narrative.

Evaluation of Queensland Sighting

The author concludes that the detailed description by the three witnesses makes it unlikely to be a natural phenomenon or hoax. The area is described as "saucer country," and the object's movements suggest a landing was contemplated but abandoned due to witnesses. The leg-like projections are theorized to be nozzles for compressed gas, used for steadying and cushioning descent. This incident is added to a growing list of near-landings, suggesting a trend.

WHO ARE MEMBERS OF BUFORA ?

This section clarifies the membership structure of BUFORA (British UFO Research Association). It states that individual members must complete an application form, be accepted by the committee, and pay an annual subscription. Members of affiliated Member-Societies are not automatically BUFORA members unless they also apply and pay the subscription. The National Advisory Council comprises representatives of Member-Societies.

BAVIC AS. A PERMANENT ALIGNMENT

This article by P. K. Haythornthwaite discusses the concept of orthoteny, the geometrical patterns of straight lines connecting UFO sightings. While Aime Michel's work highlighted such patterns, subsequent research by Jacques Vallée suggests they can often be explained by random distribution. The article focuses on statistical analysis, particularly D. H. Menzel's method using a 'corridor' of arbitrary width to define a 'straight' line.

It applies these methods to the BAVIC alignment of September 24, 1954, involving 10 sightings in France, with 6 lying on a line from Bayonne to Vichy. Statistical calculations suggest that the probability of such an alignment occurring by chance is very low, approximately 1 in 25 million. This low probability is attributed to the high proportion of sightings on the BAVIC line and the small deviations of points from the calculated line. The author notes that while the alignment's significance is debated, it warrants further consideration.

The article compares the observed number of landings on the BAVIC line with the expected number based on random distribution, finding a remarkable agreement. This suggests that the distribution of landings and non-landings does not differ significantly on or off the BAVIC line, despite the overall statistical unlikelihood of the alignment itself.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of scientific inquiry and unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs and meteorites. There's a clear effort to apply logical analysis and statistical methods to these subjects, as seen in the BAVIC alignment study and the evaluation of the Scorriton Affair. The publication seems to advocate for a serious, non-dismissive approach to UFO reports, while also maintaining a critical stance, distinguishing between credible sightings and potential hoaxes or misidentifications. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, grounded in evidence and analysis, with a particular interest in the statistical significance of observed patterns.

This issue of Flying Saucer Review, dated November 1965 (Volume 11, Issue 6), published by Flying Saucer Service in the United Kingdom, focuses on historical UFO sightings and includes an obituary. The cover headline announces "GREAT UFO SIGHTINGS OF THE PAST" with a specific mention of the year "1200 A.D.". The price was 2s. 6d. and the ISSN is 0015-4757.

Historical UFO Sightings of the Past

The issue begins with a discussion on the results of multi-object and zig-zag UFO sightings, noting a lack of strong evidence for a predominance of these types in Autumn 1954. This observation is presented as potentially a consequence of the limited time period considered.

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a historical sighting from "1200 A.D.". The text quotes Roger de Hoveden's "Chronica" describing an event in December of that year in the Province of York. Five luminous objects, likened to moons, appeared in the night sky. The first four were positioned at the cardinal points of the compass (North, South, West, East), with a fifth in the center. This central object, accompanied by smaller, starlike points (likened to "Foo-fighters"), reportedly made a circuit of the four main objects five or six times over a period of one hour. The author highlights the precision of this historical account, contrasting it with modern reporting, and suggests natural explanations are unlikely for the 13th-century event. The phenomenon is speculated to have military or ritual significance, or to be related to UFO propulsion or signalling.

Modern instances of similar UFO maneuvering and "square-bashing" are mentioned, adding to the mystery.

References and Research

A list of references is provided, primarily related to the concepts of 'Orthoteny' and 'Menzel-Michel Controversy':

1. Vallee, J. 'The Menzel-Michel Controversity'. FSR 1964/4
2. Menzel, D. H. 'Orthoteny - A Lost Cause'. Part II FSR 1965/4
3. Mebane, A. Appendix of 'Flying Saucers and the Straight Line Mystery', by A. Michel
4. Vallee, J. 'Recent Developments in Orthotenic Research' FSR 1963/6
5. Michel, A. 'Global Orthosteny'. FSR 1963/3
6. Seeviour, P. M. 'Foundations of Orthoteny'. FSR 1965/2 (for a detailed discussion of the concept of independent or mutually exclusive corridors).

Southern Region U.F.O. Research Groups' Conference

An article from the "Oxford Mail" of May 10th is referenced, which covered a conference held in Oxford the previous Saturday. The article, written by Anthony Wood, is praised for being objective and constructive, differing from typical media coverage of UFOs. The article's caption was "The things from outer space," and it included an unflattering photograph of the magazine's editor, who humorously fears being linked to the caption.

Obituary

The magazine includes a heartfelt obituary for Mr. V. W. Smithson, affectionately known as 'Val'. It states that he passed away on September 29th after a short illness. The text expresses deep regret and highlights his mature advice, wise council on the BUFORA Executive Committee, and his valuable work as BUFORA Treasurer. The condolences of the magazine extend to his family, and the publication assures that 'Val' will be remembered and thanked for his contributions. BUFORA will miss him sadly. The obituary is signed "G.D.".

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue demonstrates a strong interest in historical UFO phenomena, presenting them as potentially significant events worthy of detailed analysis. The editorial stance appears to favour rigorous research and objective reporting, as evidenced by the positive review of the "Oxford Mail" article. There is also a clear commitment to acknowledging and commemorating significant figures within the UFO research community, as shown by the detailed obituary for V. W. Smithson.