BUFORA NEWSFILE

Magazine Overview

Title: BUFORA NEWSFILE
Issue: Number 66
Date: December 1997

This issue of BUFORA NEWSFILE delves into the complex and often disturbing world of UFO phenomena, with a strong focus on Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind (CE4), which involves alien abduction. The magazine presents a collection of witness testimonies, expert opinions, and historical accounts, aiming to shed light on unexplained events and potential government involvement.

CE4 - Abducted by Aliens

The lead article, "CE4 - abducted by aliens," introduces the concept of different types of Close Encounters, with CE4 being abduction. Nick Pope, former UFO desk officer at the Ministry of Defence, is quoted stating that the abduction phenomenon is a "fact of life" with "virtually undeniable" evidence. The article features the compelling case of "Walter," a man from Workington, UK, who believes he was abducted by aliens at the age of seven. Walter recounts a terrifying experience involving a hovering oval craft with spherical shapes and a white energy source. He describes being enveloped in a "carpet," experiencing intense heat, and being sucked into the craft. Inside, he found himself in a vast chamber with other children and reptilian-like beings who communicated telepathically. He underwent a medical examination, and upon waking, found himself miles away with three days missing.

Wild and Weird Road Tales

Another section, "in the files of Fortean Times, the journal of strange phenomena, lurk some wild and weird road tales," presents anecdotal accounts of strange occurrences during car journeys. These include a case in Argentina where a couple lost consciousness and awoke thousands of miles away, and an incident in Western Australia where a UFO landed on a car, causing it to rise and a strange smell. The article notes that many UFO encounters begin with a drive, often late at night.

Abduction and Examination

The narrative of Walter's experience continues, detailing his post-abduction state and the changes he noticed in himself, including a significant improvement in intelligence and precognitive abilities. He expresses a desire to undergo regressive hypnosis to uncover more details about his encounter. The article also briefly mentions Chris Davis, a teenager from South Carolina, who reported being attacked by a "scaly green biped" that jumped on his car roof.

International Encounters and Swamp Slobs

Investigator John Keel is cited for summarizing encounters with "Abominable Swamp Slobs," highlighting their penchant for chasing cars. Several other encounters are mentioned, including Joseph Whaley being chased by a hairy hominoid and Charles Wetzel's encounter with a scaly creature. The article warns drivers to be vigilant for unusual phenomena on the road.

Mystery Lights Over the Downs

A letter from Linda Higgs in Stroud addresses a previous article about "UFO seen over Downs," suggesting that the orange lights witnessed were likely hot air balloons, with their burners appearing brighter than the rest of the balloon.

Mystery of Hovering Lights Excites UFO Experts

This article reports on a series of 17 separate incidents of strange lights hovering or zig-zagging in the sky over East Devon over six days in late July and early August 1997. John Downes, head of the Exeter Strange Phenomenon research group, has been inundated with calls. Witnesses described bright orange and white lights that flared brightly and disappeared. The sightings formed a line that, if extended, crossed the Bristol Channel into South Wales.

UFO Reported in Beckton

Five locals in Beckton, UK, claim to have seen a UFO hovering above flats in the early hours of July 17, 1997. The object was described as a bright light the size of a football, which moved backwards and disappeared. Staff at nearby London City Airport stated the airport was closed at the time.

Residents Mystified by UFO Sightings in Sevenoaks

Residents in Shenden Close, Sevenoaks, are investigating sightings of an unidentified flying object, described as a "disc-shaped craft with lights around the rim," hovering above trees. The object reportedly made no sound and remained stationary for hours before moving.

The Stars (But Not on the Cinema Screen)

This piece discusses the phenomenon of UFO sightings, with a mention of foreign service reports and encounters. It touches on the idea that perhaps aliens are not just confined to cinema screens.

New UFO Sighting 'Not a Laser from Nightclub'

A report from the International Herald Tribune details a new UFO sighting.

Military Lied About Nature of UFOs, CIA Reports

An article by William J. Broad from The New York Times reveals that the Cold War strongly influenced America's official attitude towards UFOs. Historian Gerald Haines' research, published in a CIA journal, suggests that intelligence officials worried the Soviets might use mass UFO sightings to disrupt US air defence systems. This led to efforts to downplay sightings and create false cover stories, often attributing them to secret US spy planes like the U-2 and SR-71.

Five Kinds: From Flying Saucers to Cigar-Like Craft

Christopher R. Elliott writes about a military manual from 1957 that categorized UFOs into five types: cigar-shaped, flying saucers, disc-shaped, low-flying craft, and small spherical remote-controlled craft. He also mentions paperwork from a retired British army officer who was a spotter for the USAF/RAF.

Night We Saw UFOs in Forest

This article discusses the Rendlesham Forest incident in Suffolk, UK, a well-known UFO mystery. It mentions a forthcoming book, "Left at East Gate," by Larry Warren, a former security guard at the base, and Peter Robbins. They are touring the UK to promote interest in UFOs, with a lecture planned in Ipswich.

UFO Watch on Yorks Coast

UFO investigators were planning to monitor the skies over the Yorkshire Coast following a spate of sightings in the Scarborough, Filey, and Bridlington areas. Reports included a "hockey puck" shaped object and a "bell" with fairy lights.

UFO Sightings: Woman Reveals She Saw Object

A 21-year-old woman from Peterborough reported seeing a triangular-shaped object with lights hovering near the A16 near Holbeach. She described it as a "boomerang" shape and "the strangest experience of my life."

Light Thrown on Aviemore UFO Incident

This article explains that a recent mystery surrounding strange alien lights near Aviemore was solved. Police attributed the sightings to estate workers using powerful Land Rover lights and hand lamps with red filters while spotlighting for foxes.

The Truth Is Out There... Perhaps!

Nick Redfern, a UFO researcher from Pelsall, UK, searches official government documents for records of UFO sightings. He focuses on declassified government records, believing that trained pilots' reports are credible. He notes that records are only released 30 years later, so he is currently examining 1966 records. Redfern believes governments may know more than they are revealing.

Cold War Put Heat on American UFOs

This article reiterates that the Cold War influenced US attitudes towards UFOs, with intelligence officials fearing Soviet exploitation of sightings. It mentions a CIA study group's concern in 1952 that UFO reports could overload the air warning system and lead to "hysterical mass behaviour."

With Eyes Like Saucers

This brief piece describes "Cypher," an experimental plane built by Sikorsky Aircraft, which resembles a flying saucer and is being developed for traffic control and surveillance.

That's No Flying Dragon

This article from Newsweek explores the growing interest in UFOs in China, where the mainstream press is reporting sightings as serious news. It details investigations into various incidents, including a photographer's picture of a metallic object and an encounter at Red Flag Forest involving alleged aliens.

Sky's the Limit for UFO Buff

Bob Boyd, a UFO spotter from Plymouth, criticizes national "Skywatch" nights as a waste of time, advocating for year-round vigilance. He shares his own experiences of seeing unexplained objects and notes that despite years of research, the nature of UFOs remains unknown.

Abductions: Incidents in Scotland

This section details two abduction cases in Scotland. The first involves Robert Taylor, a forester who was confronted by a large dome-shaped object and lost consciousness, experiencing a strong smell and physical discomfort. The second case features Garry Wood and Colin Wright, who reported being enveloped in a "shimmering curtain" and losing two hours of time after encountering a spaceship hovering above their car.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings and alien abduction accounts, the potential for government secrecy and cover-ups, and the ongoing debate between scientific explanations and the belief in extraterrestrial visitation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting witness testimonies and expert analyses while acknowledging the skepticism and the search for definitive proof. The magazine encourages readers to remain vigilant and report their own sightings.