BUFORA Newsfile - No.01

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWSFILE
Issue: No. 1
Date: 19 August 1990
Publisher: A BUFORA Publication
Price: £1.00

This issue of UFO Newsfile delves into various unexplained phenomena, with a strong focus on UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, and related mysteries.

Seers Soothe Bulgaria's Earthly Woes

The lead article by Connie Sokoloff explores the growing reliance on the supernatural in Bulgaria, particularly on an 80-year-old blind seer named Vanga. Amidst economic hardship and political instability, Bulgarians are turning to Vanga, who claims to see the future with 80% accuracy. The article also touches upon other psychic phenomena, including reports of poltergeists and UFOs, and mentions the emergence of psychic-oriented newspapers. Professor Marin Marinov, a physics professor specializing in paranormal studies, supports Vanga's claims. The piece also notes the appearance of mysterious crop circles in Bulgaria and the rise in religious worship.

Belgian Air Force Put on UFO Alert

John Fraser reports on a Belgian air force scramble to intercept a triangular UFO with three large red lights. The two pilots involved were ordered not to speak about the incident, but the air force confirmed that the craft put out its lights and zoomed away at an incredible speed. The article highlights the high number of UFO sightings in Belgium, with over 10,000 reported in the year. The Belgian Society for the Study of Space Phenomena has been given access to two planes for the UFO hunt. Experts at the Royal Military Academy and the Free University of Brussels are analyzing witness reports and radar data. Professor Leon Brenig expresses skepticism but acknowledges the strangeness of the numerous sightings, particularly of triangular objects.

Those Baffling Close Encounters

This section features several accounts of alleged UFO encounters. One story details a peculiar incident in Redcar where a young couple reported seeing bright lights, a spaceship, and three-foot tall aliens entering their home. BUFORA director Philip Mantle is considering using hypnosis to extract more details. The article mentions other cases, including a boy with unexplained scars and a policeman who claimed to have been aboard a flying saucer. The Cleveland case is highlighted as one of hundreds investigated by BUFORA, an organization dedicated to gathering and investigating UFO information. The article also touches upon the theory that UFO sightings might be linked to altered states of consciousness or hallucinations, while acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes. The author, John North, expresses an open-minded approach, stating, "I believe nothing and I question everything."

Cover-up Over Spacecraft That Fell to Earth - UFO Mystery of the Four Tiny Coffins

Anthony Walton investigates the Roswell incident of 1947. The article claims that four tiny aliens were killed when their spacecraft crashed in New Mexico. Witnesses, sworn to secrecy for 43 years, are now speaking out, refuting the official explanation of a weather balloon crash. Retired US Air Force Major Jesse Marcel recounts his amazement at the wreckage, describing it as foil-like material with geometric writing. His son, Jesse Jnr., recalls piecing together the debris. Assistant Flight Safety Officer Bob Shirkey witnessed the material in Hangar 84 at Roswell Army Airfield, which remains off-limits. The article also mentions a mortician who received an urgent request for child-size coffins. Retired Lieutenant Walter Haut admits his press release about the crash was a fake. The piece suggests that the military doctored his statement and ordered witnesses never to speak about the real facts. UFO-watchers have had access to confidential files since the Freedom of Information Act in 1974, but the mystery persists. Ex-NASA technician Robert Oechfler believes the government is hiding the truth.

Pensioners Spot 'Glowing Red UFO'

This article reports on a UFO sighting by two city women, Dorothy Bird (71) and Annie Bingham (84), in Stanground. They described a luminous object, "the size and shape of a big red glowing colander," hovering for nearly five minutes. Staff at RAF Wittering took details of the sighting, and Flight Lieutenant Bob Chalmers stated that similar reports have occurred, and extraterrestrial involvement cannot be ruled out. The sighting occurred around the time of deepening crop circle mysteries across Britain.

If It's Not a Spaceship ... What On Earth Is It?

This feature recounts the experience of Mrs Jenny Adams, who saw a large, unidentified object with numerous lights parked on a road junction. She describes it as "bigger and wider than a double decker bus." After driving away, she returned with her husband and son, but the object was gone. Mrs Adams, not a sci-fi enthusiast, feels there must be a down-to-earth explanation but cannot find one. Despite reporting her sighting to a local UFO group, the object remains unidentified. The article also mentions ancient cave drawings depicting similar awe-inspiring lights and odd phenomena. It notes that many UFO reports sound similar, possibly influenced by science fiction media. The piece questions whether there is more to life than currently understood and suggests that the human mind may seek the unbelievable.

Kidnapped-By E.T. Invaders

This section presents a collection of brief, sensational UFO-related stories, possibly from a tabloid source. It includes accounts of a Turkish cake shop worker who encountered a disguised UFO, a bus that ended up in the South Pole with an alien driver, and dustmen finding aliens in bins. The article also mentions a "top secret report" about a "mystery craft" in Suffolk and a "Colonel's top secret report" detailing alien encounters. It suggests that animals flee from strange glowing objects and that UFOs are often explained away by experts, but questions what they are if not aliens.

Star Spotlight on a Terrifying and Bizarre Story: Kidnapped-By E.T. Invaders

This article focuses on the Barnsley Flying Saucer incident. Pete Beard was reportedly frightened when his film came back from the chemists with blank frames, suggesting a UFO encounter. The piece questions whether we are alone and highlights the large number of UFO sightings recorded by BUFORA. It discusses how most sightings are explained, but a significant percentage remain unidentified. The article explores various explanations for UFOs, including aircraft, weather balloons, and natural phenomena like ball lightning. It also touches upon the psychological aspect, suggesting that the human mind may crave the unbelievable and that UFOs might fulfill this need, drawing parallels to folklore and fairy tales. The author, Jenny Randles, proposes a conspiracy theory involving governments using UFOs as a cover-up, citing the Rendlesham Forest incident as a potential example of a crashed aircraft or spy plane being disguised as a UFO. The article concludes by stating that many investigators believe UFOs are not necessarily alien spacecraft, but simply "unidentified flying objects."

History Mystery: Scientists Size and Distance of UFO

Richard Holland discusses the historical context of UFO sightings, noting that they date back many hundreds of years, predating the 1950s craze. He mentions Welsh traditions of "tan-we" (fiery webs) and historical accounts of luminous objects and scorched circles of grass, linking them to "Fairy Rings." The article contrasts these historical accounts with modern UFO phenomena, suggesting a continuity of unexplained aerial events. A separate section details scientific efforts to determine the size and distance of a red glowing object sighted over Gulf Breeze. Dr. Bruce Maccabee's analysis of photographs suggests the object was about 15 feet wide and 1.7 miles away when first seen. The investigation also notes multiple sightings involving many witnesses and the involvement of military personnel.

...and More Sightings

This section compiles several brief reports of unusual aerial phenomena. A MUFON investigator details an elliptical, bright red light seen over Gulf Breeze, which was distinguishable from a plane and helicopter and moved in a drifting pattern. The report notes that this light resembles other recent sightings in the area. Another brief report mentions "mystery circles" similar to those in Britain appearing in a Japanese rice paddy, with no evidence of human or machine involvement. The article also includes a mention of an elaborate corn circles hoax that was reportedly carried out by the Army to fool scientific researchers and TV crews.

It Happened To Me: I Saw a Flying Saucer!

This personal account describes an encounter with a large, silent craft exhibiting bright lights. The narrator and two companions saw the object, which was bigger than a house, hovering above the road. They were too stunned to move initially but eventually drove away. The narrator's son and his friend, familiar with science fiction, immediately identified it as a UFO. The narrator, initially skeptical, later became convinced of the reality of UFOs after this experience and hearing similar accounts from others. The article touches upon the difficulty of finding logical explanations for such sightings and the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO Newsfile include the persistence of UFO sightings across different regions and time periods, the role of government secrecy and potential cover-ups, the psychological and sociological factors influencing belief in the unexplained, and the ongoing scientific and investigative efforts to understand these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting witness accounts and expert opinions while acknowledging the difficulty in definitively explaining many of the reported events. There is a clear interest in historical accounts of aerial phenomena as well as contemporary sightings, suggesting a belief that these events are not entirely new or easily dismissed.

This issue of 'The Indy.' dated July 5, 1990, features a cover story titled "Flying Objects: Humanitarian aliens with sun-tans and no spots," exploring the beliefs of the Aetherius Society regarding extraterrestrial beings. The magazine also includes articles on crop circles, the film 'Communion,' and various UFO sightings and investigations from around the world.

Humanitarian Aliens and the Aetherius Society

The lead article introduces Dr. Richard Lawrence of the Aetherius Society, who claims that aliens exist and are generally humanitarian. He describes them as having a humanoid form, long hair, being taller than average (around 7ft), and appearing sun-tanned and compassionate. These beings, he states, exist on a different physical plane and have the power to appear and disappear at will. They are interested in humanity but will not interfere unless asked, as direct intervention would deny humans the gift of experience. Lawrence suggests their increased appearance since the advent of nuclear power is due to their concern for Earth's self-destruction. The Aetherius Society, founded by Dr. George King in 1954, studies the psychology of extraterrestrials. Lawrence believes that disbelief in aliens will eventually lead to people being considered mentally unsound.

Crop Circles: Solving the Mystery

Another section addresses the phenomenon of crop circles, which appear in southern England each summer. While theories range from UFO landings to hoaxers or bacteria, the article presents the scientific view that strong winds and specific weather conditions, forming small cyclones, are the likely cause. Dr. Terence Meaden, head of Britain's Tornado and Storm Research Organisation, suggests that a full answer might be known in 50 years.

UFOs: A History and Global Perspective

The magazine traces the history of UFO sightings, from a monk's report in 1290 to Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting that coined the term 'flying saucer.' It notes that while many sightings can be explained as mundane phenomena (weather balloons, aircraft, etc.), a small percentage remain unexplained. Philip Mantle of BUFORA (British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association) highlights that 95% of sightings have rational explanations, but the remaining 5% are of interest. The article mentions various shapes and sizes of UFOs, including a 'steam iron' shaped object sighted near Loch Ness. It also touches on President Jimmy Carter's pledge to release UFO information and the ongoing debate about their existence.

Case Studies and Incidents

• Several specific incidents are detailed:
• A UFO speed record of 28,000 km/h was recorded in South America in January 1977.
• A US Air Force RB47 jet was chased by a UFO for over 1,100 kilometres in June 1957.
• A UFO described as a 'Mexican hat' landed in Normanton, West Yorkshire, with three tall men emerging.
• In Baltimore, USA, in October 1958, a 30-metre long, glowing, egg-like object caused radiation burns on motorists.
• Physicist Leon Brenig suggests that triangular craft sighted in Belgium are top-secret US planes.
• Jane Manning-Philips reported seeing a strange cylinder-shaped object with red and orange lights over Porton, UK.
• The Gulf Breeze, Florida, UFO photos by Ed Walters are mentioned, along with a later debunking of similar fake photos.

Government Secrecy and Alien Abductions

Howard Blum, author of 'Out There,' is featured, discussing his investigation into government monitoring of UFO activity. He claims the US government has a 'disinformation campaign' to discredit UFO research and is actively investigating extraterrestrial life, spending millions. Blum questions the extensive secrecy surrounding the topic. The article also touches on the controversial topic of alien abductions, citing Budd Hopkins, who claims aliens are abducting women and stealing their babies, a phenomenon he has documented in over 300 cases.

UFO Glossary and Commentary

A glossary of UFO terms is provided, defining terms like 'Alien,' 'Extra-terrestrial,' 'Galaxy,' 'Humanoid,' 'Orbit,' 'Radar,' and 'UFOnaut.' Commentary pieces discuss the scientific establishment's dismissal of UFO reports, the potential for alien 'squatting' in Jupiter-like communities, and the need for answers regarding why advanced alien races would travel vast distances to interact with humans.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFOs and alien contact as subjects worthy of serious investigation, challenging skepticism and highlighting government secrecy. There's an underlying theme that the public is often ahead of the scientific and governmental establishments in accepting the reality of these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging readers to consider the evidence and question official narratives. The articles collectively suggest that UFOs are a significant and ongoing global phenomenon that warrants attention and research.