BUFORA Newsfile - No.77 - (undated)

Magazine Overview

This issue of NEWSFILE, number 77, dated Monday, February 26, 2001, published by THE IRISH TIMES, focuses on UFO phenomena and related historical events, alongside an obituary for novelist Desmond Leslie.

Desmond Leslie Dies in France at 79

The lead article by Marie O'Halloran reports the death of Desmond Leslie, a novelist, World War II Spitfire pilot, and spiritualist, at the age of 79 in Antibes, France. Leslie was the second son of Sir Shane Leslie. He co-authored the bestselling book 'Flying Saucers Have Landed' with George Stransky, which was translated into over 50 languages. He also co-authored 'Space Race' with astronomer Patrick Moore. His novels included 'Suzy Saucer', 'Ronnie Rocket', 'The Incredible Mr Lutterworth', and 'The Jesus File'. At the time of his death, he was working on 'Pandora'. Leslie had lived in St Jeannet since the late 1980s with his second wife, Helen Strong, with whom he had two daughters. His first marriage was to actress Agnes Bernelle, with whom he had three children. The article also recalls an incident in 1963 where Leslie punched BBC drama critic Bernard Levin during a TV programme.

Flying a UFO kite

A short piece by Warner Kelly from the Blackpool Gazette describes an incident where a policeman questioned youths about flying lit-up kites due to concerns about low flying aircraft. The youths had contacted Squires Gate Airport. The article speculates that professional kite flyers sometimes fly kites at high altitudes, and this incident might have been responsible for UFOs seen over Fleetwood.

The night they saw the light

This article from the Liverpool Echo reports on numerous sightings of strange lights in the night sky over Merseyside. Eileen Davidson described four organized orange lights in formation. Corina Rigazio saw four lights moving in a diagonal formation. Astronomer Tim O'Brien from Jodrell Bank suggested a link to a meteor shower but noted the descriptions didn't match, also mentioning aircraft lights as a possibility. However, he stated that the experiences described couldn't be solely attributed to astronomy.

Truth is out there

Another article from the Middleton & North Manchester Guardian details an encounter by four young men, Anthony Gill, Reece Fleming, Ben Dale, and Dexter Schofield, who saw two very bright lights in the sky over Middleton. They described the lights as being like a fireball, with one stationary and the other moving, before vanishing. They were bewildered by the sighting, and faced disbelief from friends and family.

The kind of experiences which people have described in the last

This piece from the Liverpool Echo, written by Felicity Newson, investigates UFO sightings over Merseyside. It mentions reports of white arrowheads, bronze lights, and glowing red discs. Amateur astronomer Dave Lancaster from Huyton described seeing several red discs in a triangular formation. Corina Rigazio recounted seeing four bright white lights that moved in an arrow-head formation before settling into a diagonal line and fading away. Another witness described seeing four deep bronze coloured lights with blurred edges.

The truth of what's really out there

This article features an interview with Liverpool UFO expert Anthony Eccles, who believes about 10% of sightings are inexplicable. He suggests that while many sightings are explained by aircraft, meteors, or the International Space Station, the unexplained ones might involve complex dimensional factors. Dr Tim O'Brien from Jodrell Bank agrees that astronomy alone cannot explain all recent sightings, mentioning meteor activity and bright planets, but states that the described experiences go beyond astronomical explanations.

Bizarre bracelet of lights

A report from the Lowestoft Journal about Eileen and David Davis who claim to have seen a huge circle of flashing white lights, like a bracelet, hovering for 10 minutes before turning red and floating out of view.

MYSTERY SPOTS

A brief mention of two mysterious scorch marks found on a beach in 1997.

Calling all UFO sighting reports

An appeal from David Spoor for anyone who has captured UFO footage or has sightings to share for a book he is writing. He also seeks explanations for five burn or scorch circles found on a beach in 1997.

Did you see UFO craft?

A report from the Hemsworth & South Elmsall Express about a claimed sighting of a large orange, triangle-shaped object with two white lights in South Kirkby. UFO enthusiast Paul Westwood is seeking information from anyone who saw the object.

Meteor hits town!

Two articles, one from the Tameside Reporter and another from the South Wales Evening Post (Swansea), report on a bright green light seen over the region, initially thought to be a UFO. Astronomers confirmed it was a meteor that turned reddish-orange and disintegrated. Dr Tom Muxlow and Ian Morrison from Jodrell Bank confirmed it was a meteor and not dangerous.

Workers puzzled by sky sight

A group of workers in Swansea reported seeing three silver coloured spheres, the size of planes, in the sky. One sphere was stationary while another moved erratically before both disappeared.

Opening the Military X-files

This article by Nick Redfern investigates the origin of the term 'Foo Fighters', mysterious aerial objects reported by pilots during World War II. It discusses the Kenneth Arnold sighting in 1947, which coined the term 'Flying Saucer', and explores the possibility that these 'Foo Fighters' were advanced German or Russian aircraft. The article references FBI and CIA reports concerning potential Nazi involvement in developing flying saucer-like craft, citing evidence from former prisoners of war and intelligence documents.

German experimental craft artwork

A diagram illustrating a German experimental craft, possibly related to 'Foo Fighters' or early flying saucer designs.

Nazi Prototypes

This section delves into declassified FBI documents suggesting that the Nazis were developing advanced flying saucer-like devices during World War II. It mentions reports of circular craft with jet engines and rapid movement, and the CIA's concern that such technology might have fallen into Soviet hands. The article also notes that the US Air Force considered the possibility of German or Russian origin for reported UFOs in the early 1950s.

National Security Agency

An excerpt from a 1952 US Air Force report highlighting the military's concern about unusual flying objects and the potential link to German and Russian technological advancements during World War II.

Unidentified Objects

This section discusses the 'Foo Fighters' phenomenon, referencing reports from military personnel describing various types of lights and formations. It mentions the possibility of these being psychological weapons and notes that the British government has declassified documents related to 'Unorthodox Aircraft' from the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Does anyone recall that UFO?

A letter to the Sentinel (Stoke On Trent) from John Hanson and Dawn Holloway seeking information about a UFO sighting on February 7, 1977, witnessed by pupils and staff at Edenhurst School, as well as police officers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and the historical context of these events, particularly during World War II and the early Cold War. There is a clear interest in exploring the possibility of advanced, possibly extraterrestrial or secret human-made, craft. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation into these phenomena, presenting witness accounts and historical evidence, while acknowledging that many sightings can be explained conventionally. The articles highlight the enduring mystery surrounding UFOs and the potential for them to be linked to secret military projects or even extraterrestrial origins.