CENAP Report - No 012

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP - REPORT
Issue: 12
Volume: 2/77
Date: February 1977
Publisher: CENAP (Private UFO-Forschungsgruppe Mannheim)
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of the CENAP REPORT provides a comprehensive look at UFO research and sightings, covering the organization's activities over the past year, notable international events, and speculative scientific advancements related to UFO technology.

Ein Jahr CENAP ("and no little bit of nonsense...")

This section reflects on CENAP's first year of operation, acknowledging the vast amount of information gathered but concluding that no definitive UFO evidence has emerged. It highlights the challenges faced by amateur researchers in archiving and verifying UFO cases. The author stresses the importance of serious UFO research, suggesting a need to identify and expose charlatans within the field. The article references specific cases, such as the alleged 'UFO landing in Memmingen,' which CENAP investigated and found to be explainable by natural phenomena.

UFO-Flap

This section discusses the difficulties in UFO research, noting how some researchers may invent UFOs to sustain their beliefs. It cites examples from the CENAP archives, including a case where only one witness out of thirteen provided a detailed response. The author expresses concern about the psychological state of some witnesses, like Christa Schreiblmeier from Straubing, who is described as being in a state of psychic chaos and interested in contacting spirits. The report also touches upon the 'UFO wave' of Summer 1974, noting a lack of response from witnesses when CENAP followed up.

Presse-News

This part of the report critiques media coverage of UFO events. It discusses how the WESTFALEN-BLATT newspaper allegedly distorted a UFO drawing from a 1974 article to make the objects appear smaller and more commercial. The author also mentions the investigation into alleged UFO sightings in Ulm-Wahlstatt, where the Max-Planck-Institution for Astronomy provided no information. The RHEIN-NECKAR-Zeitung provided reports from January 1977 about a sighting that was initially sensationalized as 'Airplane or green Martians?' but later revealed more factual details.

Bemerkenswerte Sichtungen (Notable Sightings)

This section details numerous UFO sightings reported from various locations, primarily in the USA, but also in Portugal and Holland. The sightings are categorized by date, location, number of witnesses, and type of observation (e.g., NL for Night-Light, CE-I for Close Encounter of the first kind). Descriptions include objects of various shapes, colors, and behaviors, such as pulsating lights, round objects, and mushroom-shaped phenomena. The report lists specific incidents from January to March 1976, including sightings in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, and other states.

Werbeluftschiff? (Advertising Airship?)

This section appears to be a question posed in the table of contents, likely exploring whether some sightings could be attributed to advertising airships. The content for this specific section is not fully detailed in the provided OCR text but is listed as a topic.

Konnten die Inkas fliegen? (Could the Incas Fly?)

This is another topic listed in the table of contents, suggesting an exploration into ancient civilizations and their potential knowledge or use of advanced technology, possibly related to flight or UFOs. The specific content is not elaborated upon in the provided OCR.

UFO - Forschung? (UFO Research?)

This concluding section, likely an editorial or a reflection, questions the current state and direction of UFO research. It emphasizes the need for rigorous investigation and the potential for UFO research to become stagnant if not approached with genuine scientific inquiry. The author expresses concern that many researchers may be afraid to find out that most cases have no basis, potentially leading to self-deception within the field.

An Amazing Breakthrough...

This article reports on a supposed breakthrough by a team of three French scientists who claim to have deciphered the secret of 'flying UFOs.' They allegedly explained how UFOs hover, their propulsion systems, and why they don't create sonic booms. The scientists, including Dr. Jean-Pierre Petit, Dr. Claude Poher, and Dr. Maurice Vitan, believe that functional UFO replicas could be built within 8 to 10 years, potentially allowing for interplanetary travel. They state that the UFO's propulsion relies on electromagnetic and nuclear energy, using heated gases expelled from the craft, with a magnetic field controlling the direction and lift.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of CENAP REPORT include the challenges and skepticism surrounding UFO research, the importance of rigorous investigation, the critique of media sensationalism, and the reporting of numerous UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, advocating for a scientific approach while acknowledging the possibility of unexplained phenomena and even advanced extraterrestrial technology. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing genuine research from hoaxes and speculation.

This issue of "CR" (likely a publication from CENAP-ARCHIV) focuses on two main topics: a contemporary unexplained aerial phenomenon (UAP) sighting and a historical exploration of ancient flight capabilities, particularly concerning the Incas and the Nazca lines.

UAP Sighting in Vannheim-Wallstadt

The primary report details a sighting on December 25, 1975, in Vannheim-Wallstadt, Germany. The event began around 9:30 PM when Peter George and his wife observed a bright object in the southeast. They contacted CENAP, and the author (identified as M. Kohler from station -2/m) was alerted. George photographed the object from his house. Both George and his wife reported a color change from silver to red and blue, and the object blinked. The author also observed the object through binoculars and noted its fantastic colors, which he could only discern fully with magnification. The object was described as silver, blinking red and blue, and appearing as a solid body.

Several witnesses, including George's family and other CENAP stations (like Christoph 1 and Robin 68), observed the object. The object reportedly moved slowly upwards from an initial altitude of 30 degrees to 45 degrees. Attempts to photograph the object with a pocket camera and a small-format camera were unsuccessful due to the object's movement and the author's limited ability to keep it in focus.

Following the sighting, attempts were made to obtain an explanation from official sources. The Max-Planck-Institut for Astronomy stated they were on holiday until January 10th. Inquiries at the Neustheim airfield for sport aircraft yielded a speculative answer that it might have been an "ADVERTISING AIRSHIP." The Max-Planck-Institut later mentioned a report in the Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung about a Heidelberg observation and asked for contact details. The Landessternwarte in Heidelberg had no astronomical explanation, and meteorologists were also unable to provide insight due to the holiday period.

A map is included showing the various observation points of the witnesses.

Could the Incas Fly?

The second major section delves into the possibility of ancient flight technology, specifically focusing on the Nazca lines in Peru and the theories surrounding them. The article references a report from "Der Spiegel" (No. 6/1977) about American researcher Jim Woodman's work.

Woodman's research suggests that South American Indians may have mastered hot air balloon technology around 500 AD. He was intrigued by the geometric lines and figures in the Nazca desert, initially thought to be irrigation ditches by agronomist Paul Kosok. Aerial photographs revealed numerous geoglyphs, including bird-like figures, reptiles, and abstract symbols, covering vast areas.

Mathematician Maria Reiche meticulously mapped these geoglyphs and theorized that they represented a secret science, potentially containing information about astronomical phenomena, earthquakes, and celestial movements. The article mentions that the "International Explorers Society" (I.E.S.) became interested and commissioned Woodman to photograph the Nazca lines from the air.

Woodman's hypothesis was that these geoglyphs were created by beings who could fly, possibly using hot air balloons. The I.E.S. researched primitive ritual smoke balloons used by indigenous tribes and historical accounts, including a report from a Portuguese Jesuit, Bertolono Lourenco de Gusmão, who claimed to have flown a hot air balloon in 1709.

To test this theory, the I.E.S. conducted an experiment. They constructed a large balloon, named "Condor I," using materials similar to those found in Nazca textiles and designs. The balloon, made of cotton fabric and a gondola woven from Totor-reeds, was filled with hot air generated by a smoke pit. On November 29, 1975, the "Condor I" successfully ascended to nearly 130 meters, with Woodman and co-pilot Julian Mott observing the Nazca lines from above. This flight aimed to demonstrate that ancient peoples could have built and operated balloons to create such large-scale ground drawings.

The article concludes that the "Condor I" flight proved that ancient Indian hot air balloons could have transported people. The I.E.S. theory suggests these balloons might have been used for burial rituals, transporting the deceased rulers to the heavens, and that the Nazca lines could be part of a cultic burial ground.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly leans towards the acceptance of unexplained phenomena and the exploration of alternative historical narratives. The UAP sighting is presented as a genuine event for which no conventional explanation could be found, highlighting the limitations of official investigations. The article on ancient flight champions the idea that past civilizations possessed advanced knowledge and technology, challenging conventional archaeological and historical views. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards the unexplained and a willingness to investigate fringe theories, particularly those related to UAPs and ancient mysteries.

This document, titled "UFO-Forschung? 3.Teil" (UFO Research? Part 3), is a section from a documentation series by CENAP, likely a German-language publication from around 1960.

Key Articles and Content

Contactee Testimonies and Claims

The issue heavily features accounts from individuals claiming contact with extraterrestrials, often referred to as "contactees." One prominent figure discussed is Truman Bethurum, described as a mechanic. The author expresses skepticism regarding Bethurum's claim to have received written responses in French and Chinese from beings identified as "CLARION inhabitants." The author questions how a simple mechanic could possess such linguistic abilities, noting that even in cultural centers, such multilingualism is rare.

Another significant account is the story of Howard Henger, who was allegedly healed of severe war wounds, including nerve inflammation, by a "mysterious nurse." This nurse is implied to be of extraterrestrial origin, and her intervention restored his sight to the point where he no longer needed glasses. The author sarcastically notes the supposed miraculous healing.

Cedric Allingham is discussed in the context of his supposed disappearance. While rumors circulated that he might have been abducted by a UFO, the article clarifies that he passed away in a Swiss sanatorium in early 1956 due to severe tuberculosis. The author criticizes the continued propagation of the "disappearance" narrative, suggesting it should not be used to support UFO research.

Emanuel Cihlar's report about a "planetarium operator" is presented, with the individual described as having "phosphorescent eyes" and a delicate, ethereal appearance, reminiscent of figures from fairy tales, elves, and saints. This description is noted to be similar to many other UFO-related accounts.

Buck Nelson is another contactee whose story is detailed. He claims that terrestrial immigrants live on Venus and that a 19-year-old Earthling teaches English there. Nelson also recounts being healed by a beam from a flying saucer, which cured him of a "schuss" (likely a sudden pain or ailment) and nerve inflammation, restoring his eyesight. The article mentions that Nelson claims "a few government officials (from the USA)" have also been taken to other planets. The author suggests that Nelson is a "clever fox" and that the mention of "Men in Black" (MIBs) is a tactic to explain why contactees cannot produce concrete evidence of their encounters.

Elisabeth Klerer's Encounters

The experiences of Frau Elisabeth Klerer are also recounted. As a child, she saw a spaceship near her parents' home in the Dossètta district of Natal, an event that profoundly impacted her. Later, on December 27, 1954, she witnessed a "flash-carrier" with a handsome and striking pilot whose face, upon smiling, caused her to feel fear and retreat. On April 7, 1956, she encountered the same flying object and recognized the pilot. This time, when she boarded, she experienced a feeling of strength and security, describing it as an "exceptionally wonderful feeling." She perceived the pilots as humans whom one could "trust without reservation."

Critical Commentary and Skepticism

The author, identified as W. Walter, interjects with commentary, often expressing skepticism or sarcasm (e.g., "d.R." for "der Redaktion" - the editorial team). The article questions the validity of claims, particularly those involving miraculous healing or advanced knowledge from alleged extraterrestrials. The author notes that some UFO research is treated with "more or less affirmation or rejection," sometimes being diverted into the realm of psychology, which is deemed inappropriate for certain cases.

The piece also touches upon the role of amateur radio operators and the search for extraterrestrial communications, mentioning Dr. George Hunt Williamson's claims of receiving messages on 40- or 160-meter bands. The CENAP team's own attempts to intercept such signals via radio were unsuccessful, yielding only static.

Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes include UFO contactees, alleged UFO-related healing, extraterrestrial communication, and the skeptical examination of evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, distinguishing between verifiable facts and unsubstantiated claims, while acknowledging the public's interest in these phenomena, particularly among older and infirm individuals who may seek miraculous cures.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the phenomenon of UFO contactees and their extraordinary claims, ranging from receiving messages in foreign languages to miraculous healing. There is a clear undercurrent of skepticism from the editorial team (indicated by "d.R."), which questions the plausibility of many accounts, such as a mechanic knowing French and Chinese, or the nature of alleged healings. The article highlights the psychological appeal of such stories, especially for those seeking hope or explanations for the unexplainable. The mention of "Men in Black" serves as a narrative device to explain the lack of concrete proof. The overall stance is one of cautious investigation, presenting the claims while simultaneously casting doubt on their veracity and suggesting alternative explanations, such as psychological factors or fabricated stories. The publication itself, CENAP-Dokumentation, positions itself as a source for documenting and analyzing these UFO-related phenomena, albeit with a critical lens.