BUFORA Journal - Volume 01 No 07 - Winter 1965

Magazine Overview

Title: BUFORA JOURNAL AND BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. I No. 7
Date: Winter 1965
Publisher: BRITISH U.F.O. RESEARCH ASSOCIATION
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of the BUFORA JOURNAL AND BULLETIN, published in Winter 1965, presents a collection of articles, reports, and notes related to UFO research and phenomena. The journal aims to promote unbiased scientific investigation and the collection and dissemination of UFO evidence.

Editorial

The editorial, written by J. Cleary-Baker, Ph.D., addresses the complex relationship between UFO phenomena and psychic abilities. It recounts an incident involving a clairvoyant who claimed to be inside a UFO, prompted by a photograph of the Trindade Island sighting. While acknowledging the existence of psychic elements, the editorial stresses the importance of independent confirmation for any claims derived from psychic means. It warns against accepting assertions from questionable psychic entities or intermediaries without rigorous verification. The author suggests that while some UFO reports may indicate a link with psychic phenomena, such as poltergeist activity, these connections could be casual, or the UFO occupants might possess advanced psychic abilities. However, the primary focus of BUFORA remains on scientific investigation of UFOs as material machines, rather than solely relying on psychic interpretations. The editorial also clarifies that the Association is not committed to a purely materialistic interpretation of the universe but approaches the UFO enigma scientifically.

Articles and Reports

The Langenhoe Saucer

Authored by Alan Watts, B.Sc., F.R.Met.S., this article details a sighting by Paul Green on Sunday, September 19th, 1965, near Langenhoe, Essex. Green, described as a reliable witness with a scientific bent, reported hearing a strange humming noise that escalated to a scream. He then witnessed a blue pulsating light approaching rapidly, followed by a saucer-shaped object descending onto nearby marshes. His motorbike engine failed simultaneously, and a scooterist also experienced engine failure. The object was described as having a diameter similar to a gas holder, with a ring of spheres underneath and a smooth, pulsating dome. The light was described as ethereal blue. The incident also involved a numbing sensation experienced by Green. The article notes that the scooterist has not yet come forward to corroborate the story. Further, Green reported after-effects, including a recurrence of the sensation and the motorbike performing as if supercharged.

Phenomena Continue at Warminster

This section reports on ongoing unusual sights and sounds in the Warminster area. BUFORA plans to launch an investigation in the Spring. The report mentions the discovery of possible UFO landing-sites. Barry Woodgate of the Fleet Street U.F.O. Study Group notes that the activities of cranks are hindering serious investigation. A specific incident from November describes a woman who saw a bright object, experienced her car engine cutting out, and heard the 'Warminster Sound' while near Skew Bridge. She also reported seeing two figures in unusual clothing and another vehicle. Another report details a 'Mystery Man' found near Norwich Wood, suffering from shock and amnesia, possibly related to the 'Sound'. The article notes a number of fresh reports of lights and fiery globular objects in the area, which assume significance when aggregated. It also references experiments by Professor Clyde Ingalls on the audibility of electromagnetic waves, suggesting a possible link to the Warminster 'Sound'. The article dismisses the likelihood of military involvement in producing these phenomena due to security and safety concerns.

Proposed Summer Conference of Northern Societies

Consideration is being given to holding a one-day conference in Halifax in late July or early August. Members interested in further details are advised to contact the Hon. Secretary of the BUFORA Halifax Branch.

Notes & Quotes

Surprise from Scorriton

This note refers to a 'contact' tale received following the publication of a report on the Scorriton Affair. The June 7th sighting at Scorriton is considered genuine, though the sequel is under study.

Research Officer's Report

Mr. G. N. P. Stephenson's Annual Report to the A.G.M. on November 27th is highlighted for its quality. The report may be circulated to members or reproduced in the journal.

The Barwell Meteorite

On Christmas Eve, a large meteorite exploded over Barwell, Leicestershire, showering the area with fragments. The article notes that such events often lead to a proliferation of dubious UFO reports, cluttering the pages of less critical periodicals.

When the UFO-denizens land

A quote from Eric Frank Russell's "Great World Mysteries" speculates on the psychological effects of a superior life-form's arrival, suggesting potential societal upheaval and a shift in beliefs.

Spreading it around

Antoni Szachnowski is reported to be preparing UFO-related scripts for Radio Free Europe. He has stepped down from the National Advisory Council of BUFORA due to work pressure.

UFOs out of Time?

A leaflet by Hernani Ebecken de Araujo from Rio de Janeiro proposes a new concept of Time Travel involving UFOs, suggesting they might be visitors from Time rather than Space. The article mentions Kurt Godel's work on a cosmological model where Time Travel is possible.

Pictures from the Moon

The author discusses the first photographs relayed from the Soviet Luna-9 probe, revealing a desolate, lava-coated, and boulder-strewn lunar surface, contradicting earlier claims of 'luxuriant vegetation' and 'superhuman beings'.

Dean Swift & The Moons of Mars

This section debunks a theory that Dean Swift predicted the Martian moons based on extraterrestrial knowledge. It explains that Swift's calculations were based on the astronomical data available in his time and were a remarkable coincidence rather than evidence of alien contact.

"Ufocals" - A New Hypothesis

J. C-B. proposes a new hypothesis called "Ufocals," identifying specific geographical areas, typically circular and about 10-20 miles in diameter, that experience a significantly higher proportion of UFO visitations. Warminster is cited as an example of a Ufocal. The hypothesis suggests that UFOs tend to move slowly and emit sounds near the center of these areas, and appear or disappear suddenly at the very center.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific investigation of UFOs, the potential overlap and distinction between UFO phenomena and psychic abilities, and the reporting of specific UFO sightings and related events. The editorial stance, as articulated by J. Cleary-Baker, is firmly rooted in a scientific and evidence-based approach to UFO research, emphasizing critical evaluation and independent verification of data, while acknowledging the broader philosophical implications of the UFO enigma.

This issue of the magazine, identified as Volume 12, Issue 9, published in 1963, features a lead article titled "CRATERS: Their Origin and Elucidation" by Alan W. Sharp. The magazine also includes sections on the problems of exobiology and the "psychological" saucer.

CRATERS: Their Origin and Elucidation

Alan W. Sharp's article provides a comprehensive classification of craters, dividing them into natural and artificial categories. Natural craters are further subdivided into impact, explosion, and subsidence types, with causative agencies including meteorites, volcanic explosions, lightning, and subterranean erosion. Artificial craters are similarly categorized, with causes such as explosives, mining, and the descent of space debris.

The author notes that some UFO-related ground disturbances, like those at Dufton Fell, may not be true craters but rather the result of other geological processes. The article discusses how large meteorite impacts can evaporate the impacting mass, leaving little trace, while smaller meteorites arrive with lower velocities. It also explains how aqueous agencies can create cavities through underground erosion, and how percolating water and slumping can affect arenaceous rocks and unconsolidated sediments. Permafrost areas can also form craters due to underground ice.

Lightning is highlighted as a particularly potent producer of craters, with estimates suggesting millions of holes are formed annually worldwide by thunderstorms. The article details the features often associated with lightning strikes on open ground, including crater formation, radiating surface marks, magnetic effects, and evidence of prior thunderstorm activity.

Specific British crater cases are examined: Niton (subsidence), Berkshire craters (subsidence into chalk), and Dufton Fell (outbreak of temporary springs). The article then focuses on the Charlton crater in Wiltshire, which occurred in the summer of 1963. This case is discussed in detail, noting its similarity to lightning-induced craters in Dodge, Nebraska, and South Amboy, New Jersey. Despite initial consideration of extraterrestrial origins, the evidence, including magnetic phenomena and storm damage, strongly points to a lightning strike as the cause. The author dismisses alternative explanations, including a "spaceship theory," as unsatisfactory.

The Problems of Exobiology

This section, written by S. L. Smith, B.A., is the first of a three-part series exploring the possibility of life beyond Earth. Part I focuses on the origin of life on Earth, summarizing current theories and experimental evidence. It begins by discussing early ideas of spontaneous generation, prevalent in ancient beliefs and supported by figures like Aristotle and Van Helmont. The article traces the shift towards scientific methods, dispelling spontaneous generation through the work of Reddi and Pasteur, and the subsequent development of ideas about chemical evolution.

Charles Darwin's concept of life arising in a "warm little pond" is mentioned, along with contributions from Tyndall, Huxley, and Oparin. The article notes the blurring lines between living and non-living matter. With the advent of space exploration, interest in the origin of life has been renewed, with Professor J.D. Bernal emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle the problem.

Two symposia on the origin of life are mentioned, held in Moscow (1957) and Wakulla Springs, Florida (1963), which dealt with five stages of evolution: primary formation of organic compounds, transformation into complex molecules, origin of proteins and enzymes, origin of structure and metabolism, and the evolution of metabolism. The article discusses the primary constituents of the universe (hydrogen, helium, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon) and the formation of primitive atmospheres. It explores the role of synthesizing agents like ultraviolet light, electric discharges, ionizing radiation, and heat in converting atmospheric gases into biologically significant molecules. Experimental evidence from Dr. C. Ponnamperuma at NASA is cited, showing how simulated lightning and heat can produce amino acids and other organic compounds.

The "primordial soup" hypothesis is presented, where biologically significant molecules float in primitive oceans. The article acknowledges that the steps from this soup to the first single-celled animals are not fully understood. Part II of the series will examine the evolution of life on Earth and consider other planets in the Solar System.

The "Psychological" Saucer

This article, attributed to J. C-B., explores the phenomenon of UFO sightings from a psychological perspective. The author recounts receiving a curious UFO report from a middle-aged lady, which, due to its bizarre details, led him to conclude it was a "psychological saucer" – an illusion triggered by an airborne object, possibly a meteorological balloon.

The article references the work of psychologist C. G. Jung, who in his book "Flying Saucers: A Modern Myth of Things Seen in the Skies," discussed UFOs as a manifestation of the Collective Unconscious and archetypal significance. Jung's ideas are supplemented by Tom Comella (pseudonym "Peter Kor"), who views UFOs as "Signs of the Times," symptomatic of a spiritual vacuum in modern society, akin to the visions preceding the Year 1,000. Comella suggests UFOs are psychological projections of a non-material reality.

The author agrees with Jung that while a small proportion of UFO reports (5-10%) may relate to real, material objects of advanced technology, many sightings are psychological in nature. He posits that the human psyche, influenced by a collective unconscious, can generate illusions comparable to hypnosis, explaining UFO experiences without recourse to material flying machines. The article concludes by quoting Gautama the Buddha on self-reliance and seeking truth within.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific investigation of unexplained phenomena, the classification and causes of natural and artificial craters, the origins of life, and the psychological interpretation of UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous scientific inquiry and evidence-based explanations, while acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge and the potential for psychological factors to influence perception. The articles collectively suggest that while phenomena like craters and UFOs may seem mysterious, they often have rational explanations rooted in geology, atmospheric physics, or human psychology, though the possibility of advanced alien technology for some UFOs is not entirely dismissed.

This document, identified as page 19 of a publication, details a UFO sighting in Ireland and discusses organizational matters related to UFO research. The main article, "UFO REPORTED FROM IRELAND," describes an event on December 26th, 1965, near Cappoquin, where two women, Miss Wingfield and Miss Mortensen, observed and photographed a remarkable object.

UFO Sighting in Ireland The object was described as solid and rounded, moving silently and trailing a brilliant "plume" of flame. Photographer Mr. Percy Hennell developed Miss Mortensen's film, noting that it showed a "huge semi-elliptical efflux." Hennell's analysis of the emulsion's granulation confirmed that the image was not a cloud and that the photograph was not faked. A reproduction of this photograph appeared in "The Times" on January 22nd, 1966, accompanied by a letter from aeronautical expert Mr. Charles H. Gibbs-Smith. The article notes that the description of the object is similar to that of a UFO reported in the Chiles-Whitted Eastern Airlines sighting near Montgomery, Alabama, USA, on July 23rd, 1948, and mentions other similar reports.

Additions to the Constitution of B.U.F.O.R.A. The document also outlines additions to the Constitution of the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA), proposed by Dr. Cleary-Baker and sanctioned at the Annual General Meeting held in Kensington on November 27th, 1965. These additions include:

• Article 4 (e): Allowing the Committee to confer Honorary Membership on designated members of foreign or other UFO-research societies, based on reciprocity and to promote cooperation.
• Article 4 (f): Enabling the Association, at a General Meeting and on the Committee's recommendation, to confer honorary life-membership upon individuals whose services to UFO-research are deemed deserving of recognition.
• Article 5 (h): Clarifying that membership of an affiliated society does not automatically confer membership of the main Association unless certain provisions are met.

The article notes that the new Article 4 (f) was immediately put into practice when Honorary Life-Membership was conferred upon Mr. G. F. N. Knewstub upon his retirement as President, in recognition of his long service. The new President is identified as Mr. Gordon Creighton, described as a distinguished researcher.

Literature and Tape Recordings Page 20 provides information on BUFORA's resources. A library of scientific and 'ufological' literature is available at 26 Kings Road, London, S.E.25. Additionally, recordings of lectures and testimonies related to UFO sightings are being prepared and will be available to BUFORA member societies for a fee. Member's reels can also be dubbed with selected items.

Advertisement and Reporting An advertisement for a "UFO DETECTOR" made in Switzerland, offering sound and visual signals, is included. It lists prices for the unit, assembly kit, and blueprint, with contact information for PERRIN in Geneva. The section "UFO SIGHTING REPORTS" urges members and non-members to send details of recent UFO reports to Regional Information Officers for prompt investigation, emphasizing the importance of reaching landing sites before they are disturbed. It also mentions that reporting sightings by telephone can alert members with photographic equipment across the country.

Regional Contacts Pages 3 and 4 list numerous regional contacts and societies across the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland) and the Isle of Man, providing names, addresses, and telephone numbers for UFO investigation groups in various counties and regions. These include Tyneside UFO Society, Merseyside UFO Research Society, Direct Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, and many others, along with a Central Information Office for London and surrounding areas.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, the organizational structure and development of UFO research societies (specifically BUFORA), and the dissemination of information through literature and recordings. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious, methodical investigation, as evidenced by the detailed reporting of the Irish sighting, the confirmation of its authenticity, and the structured approach to constitutional changes and information gathering within BUFORA. There is a clear emphasis on encouraging public participation in reporting sightings and on maintaining a network of regional investigators.