CENAP Report - No 018

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP REPORT
Issue: nr.18
Volume: 2J/H 8/77 A
Date: August 1977
Publisher: CENAP
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of the CENAP REPORT, published by the Private UFO-Forschungsgruppe Mannheim (German section of I.U.P.O.R.), focuses heavily on UFO sightings, particularly from the USA, and includes reports from the SUFOI organization.

Table of Contents

The issue's table of contents outlines the following sections:
1. UFO Cases from the USA
2. SUFOI Reports
3. UFO Shapes Registered by SUFOI in 1976
4. No UFO - Crash

UFO Cases from the USA

This section details several reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) observed in the Los Angeles area and surrounding regions in March 1977. The reports are presented as follow-ups to previous CENAP Reports.

Huntington Beach Sighting (March 22, 1977): Five Huntington police officers reported seeing two unidentified flying objects in formation at approximately 3:15 AM. A police helicopter pilot observed the objects at an altitude of 1,300 feet, estimating their speed at 10,000 m/h. The objects appeared to be moving from the southwest horizon and shot off to the northeast within 5 seconds. Sergeant Arden Beavers described the objects as having reddish, cone-shaped tips and being otherwise brilliantly white. Officers Jim Lail and Tom Arnold were in a patrol car in the area and witnessed the event. Police Officer Dan Mekerron also observed the objects. Officer Steve Parkerton reported that the objects made a 40 to 60-degree turn. The report notes that even if they were two meteorites in formation, it would be a very unusual occurrence.

Helicopter Pilot Sighting: The report mentions that a helicopter pilot, Officer Lail, stated the UFOs appeared to be flying much higher than the police helicopter.

Further Law Enforcement Reports: The article notes that other law enforcement officers could not corroborate the sightings, possibly because they were not paying attention to the sky at that specific time. However, the officers involved felt compelled to file a formal report.

Orange County Airport Control Tower: The control tower at Orange County Airport was closed at the time of the sighting, and a spokesperson from the Griffith Observatory was unavailable to comment.

Laguna Beach Sighting (March 17, 1977): Laguna Beach pilot Captain Neil Purcell and Sergeant Terry Temple reported an almost identical object flying very low from the southwest to the northeast over the city.

Griffith Observatory Explanation (March 22, 1977): Initially, the Griffith Observatory could not provide an explanation. However, according to the Los Angeles Times on March 23, 1977, Dr. Edwin Krupp later identified the phenomenon as a rare double meteorite, an astronomical event.

Washington Post Report (March 24, 1977): The Washington Post reported on sightings by law enforcement officers of mysterious lights over Los Angeles, Orange, Venture, Riverside, and San Bernardino. These sightings occurred on Monday night and early Tuesday morning (March 21-22).

Los Angeles Police Helicopter Crew (March 21/22): Officers Raymond Davis (39) and Theodore Roach (40) reported seeing two lights at 600 feet altitude over La Mirada in the Whittier Hill area. They attempted to follow the objects at 80 m/h, but the objects were significantly faster and disappeared.

March AFB Sighting (March 22, 1977): Approximately 50 miles east of Los Angeles, near March AFB, mysterious bright objects were observed. Highway patrol officers Robert Scholl and L. Orchard reported "a bright light with a smoke trail" over the Box Springs Canyon area.

Weston Sighting (March 22, 1977): 50 miles further west, Los Angeles police officers Lonnie Hicks (28) and Robert Carr (34) saw a bright light followed by another.

Sheriff's Department Sighting: Police Officer John McSorley of the Sheriff's Department reported seeing two mysterious lights over the airfield.

Ventura County Sighting: In Ventura County, 60 miles northwest, two objects were sighted. Sergeant Vincent Rupp of the Sheriff's Station reported picking up radio traffic about lights in southern California between 3:45 AM and 4:00 AM.

Air Force Report: An Air Force researcher indicated that no further reports were available, but suggested that the objects could be related to further research into the "BLUE BOOK" study. The conclusion was that while the objects' speed and bright illumination suggested a possible connection to meteorites, they did not necessarily indicate extraterrestrial origin.

National Enquirer Report (May 10, 1977): The National Enquirer reported that police officers observed brilliant UFOs traveling at 12,000 m/h over Southern California.

Ray Davis and Ted Roach Account: Officers Ray Davis (39) and Ted Roach (40) described a "bright light with an orange hue" that initially appeared to be an aircraft. It moved low, at an altitude of 600 feet, and they estimated its speed at 200-250 m/h. Roach described it as intensely bright, like magnesium, and stated it moved like a "bird" before suddenly accelerating and disappearing.

Lonnie Hicks and Robert Carr Account: Police officers Lonnie Hicks (28) and Robert Carr (34) described seeing two bright, round objects that flew straight across the sky.

Lorin Orchard Account: Lorin Orchard observed the objects on the same night, seeing a bright light followed by a second, cylindrical object that left a condensation trail.

Guy Oilarn Account: First Class Flyer Guy Oilarn, a security officer at March AFB, saw the objects flying over the airfield, describing them as "darting lights without sound." He estimated they traveled 50 miles in about 10 seconds, which would equate to 12,000 m/h if Wilson's speed estimate was correct.

Mark O. Hogan Account: Cargo loader Mark O. Hogan and his colleague Paul R. Till observed two orange lights coming from the ocean and flying across the airport.

Analysis of Meteorite Theory: The report questions the meteorite theory, noting that such objects do not fly in formation or horizontally. It also points out the difficulty in estimating speed and the unlikelihood of two such "double meteorites" appearing in a short period. The report acknowledges that misidentification cannot be entirely ruled out but emphasizes that the speed and bright illumination suggest a connection to meteorites.

SUFOI Reports

This section announces that future CENAP Reports will include UFO cases and reports from the "Scandinavian Region," specifically from Denmark. It highlights the successful collaboration between SUFOI and CENAP, facilitated by good correspondence, leading to an increased interest in cooperation. Herr Köhler has been appointed as the West German representative for SUFOI by its leader, Herr Flemming Ahrenkiel.

Danish Sighting (March 9, 1976): A man observed an object on the ground near Kalundborgweg, close to Sorø, Denmark, during light fog. The object was described as having an orange color, approximately 2.5-3 meters wide and 1 meter high, with a corona visible around it. It was positioned about 180 meters from where the observer was standing.

UFO Shapes Registered by SUFOI in 1976

This section is mentioned in the table of contents but not detailed in the provided pages.

No UFO - Crash

This section is mentioned in the table of contents but not detailed in the provided pages.

Financial Situation of CENAP

Werner Welter discusses the financial challenges faced by CENAP in producing and distributing the report. The worldwide circulation is around 70 copies, with only 18 being regular subscribers. The cost of printing and distribution is high, with the actual cost per issue being almost DM 2,--, while the selling price is DM 1.50. The planned photo pages have been postponed due to financial strain. The report suggests two alternatives: either increase the price to DM 2,-- per issue starting September 1977, or reduce the scope and size of the report. Welter appeals for continued support and understanding from readers and collaborators.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the detailed reporting of UFO sightings, primarily from official sources like police officers and pilots in the USA. The magazine presents witness accounts with specific details about speed, altitude, shape, and behavior. While acknowledging potential explanations like meteorites, the overall tone suggests a serious investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena. The publication also highlights its collaborative efforts with international UFO organizations like SUFOI. The financial struggles of producing such a specialized report are also a significant point of discussion, indicating a dedication to the cause despite economic difficulties.

This issue of UFO-Nachrichten, dated April 1976 (Volume 4/76), is published by SUFOI and focuses on UFO phenomena, particularly the controversial 1948 Aztec, New Mexico crash and several sightings from 1976.

The Aztec UFO Crash: A Case of Alleged Deception

The lead article, titled "Kein UFO-Crash oder: 'Der UFO-Absturz von Aztec ein Betrug'", scrutinizes the widely publicized Aztec UFO crash incident. The author argues that the event has been misrepresented and used to promote the idea of extraterrestrial visitors. The article lists numerous publications that allegedly fell for this "hoax," including UFO-Nachrichten itself, Weltraumbote, Das Neue Zeitalter, Mysteria, and various newspaper articles. The piece criticizes the "Deutsche UFO/IFO-Studiengemeinschaft e.V." for continuing to promote the Aztec story, labeling it as a "sensationalist fairy tale." The magazine aims to "clarify" the event, suggesting it was not an alien crash but possibly a misinterpretation or fabrication.

Robert Spencer Carr's Investigation

The article then introduces the investigation by Robert Spencer Carr, who reportedly received a radio interview about the alleged crashed UFO and recovered alien bodies. Carr, a retired professor of Mass Communication, claims to have spent 26 years investigating this case. He recounts a story from a witness named Carr (no relation), who allegedly worked as a secret investigator for NICAPS and had knowledge of the event since 1949. According to this account, three radar stations tracked an unknown object at 90,000 feet, which then descended and crashed three miles west of Aztec, New Mexico. The craft was described as a 30-foot disc, and upon inspection by police and sheriffs, 12 small, deceased alien beings were found inside. The bodies were reportedly flown to Edwards Air Force Base and then to Wright-Patterson AFB. Carr claims that a nurse who assisted in the autopsy revealed that there was no reason to keep the secret. He also mentions a security guard at Hangar 16 at Wright-Patterson.

The Role of Arthur Bray and Other Witnesses

Another key figure in Carr's investigation is Arthur Bray, a retired master sergeant and alleged eyewitness to the storage of the bodies. However, the article casts doubt on Bray's testimony, suggesting he may have been confused or misrepresented his involvement. A different Arthur Bray, a Canadian investigator, is also mentioned, who denies being the same person Carr interviewed. The article notes that many individuals from various professions have been approached regarding the Aztec case, but Carr claims to be the only one who has managed to bring this information to the public.

Presidential Involvement and Secrecy

It is claimed that President Truman was informed about the incident but decided to keep it secret, deeming the public not ready for such revelations. The article concludes this section by stating that the discovery was to remain strictly confidential.

UFO Sightings in Denmark (1976)

The magazine also reports on several UFO sightings that occurred in Denmark in 1976.

Horsens Sighting (March 9, 1976)

At 8:45 PM, two students in Horsens observed an elliptical object for two minutes. The object had a diameter of approximately 4 meters and was seen at an elevation of 30 degrees above the horizon. The students were drawn to its unusual appearance and flight behavior.

Avdøb Sighting (March 30, 1976)

At 9:50 PM, a young woman in Avdøb observed a strongly luminous and pulsating elliptical object. The object emitted six cone-shaped light beams that curved in a specific direction, possibly due to the object's rotation. The witness described the object as moving in a gliding, wavy course from east to west against a wind of force 9 m/s. She estimated its altitude to be about 35 meters and its speed around 70 km/h. She estimated the object's size to be 4 meters in diameter, though with reservations. The sighting ended silently as the object disappeared.

UFO Shapes Registered by SUFOI in 1976

Page 4 features a visual compilation of various UFO shapes that SUFOI registered in 1976. This section serves as a catalog of different forms reported, ranging from disc-like objects to more complex and unusual configurations.

Map of UFO Sightings in New Mexico

Page 10 includes a map of the United States, highlighting New Mexico as a "Grossraum" (large area) for UFO activity, specifically around Aztec. A more detailed inset map shows various cities in New Mexico, including Farmington, Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, and Clovis, with markers indicating where UFOs were sighted.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the alleged cover-up of significant UFO events, particularly the Aztec crash, and the presentation of witness testimonies. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards sensationalized UFO reports, while still acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena. The magazine attempts to debunk certain claims, such as the Aztec crash being an alien event, by presenting alternative explanations or questioning the credibility of witnesses and sources. However, it also dedicates significant space to detailing these accounts, suggesting an ongoing interest in the subject matter. The use of translations from various UFO publications indicates an effort to cover international UFO news and research.