CENAP Report - No 027

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP - REPORT
Issue: Nr. 27
Volume: 3Y/H5/78
Date: May 1978
Publisher: CENAP (central research network for unusual phenomena, Mannheim)
Country: Germany
Language: German

GEP - News: Two Police Officers See a UFO

This section details a report published in the 'Bild' newspaper on June 19, 1976, concerning two police officers who observed an unknown flying object near Ennepetal on June 12, 1976. CENAP obtained the official report from the Düsseldorf Ministry of the Interior. The report, dated Ennepetal, June 14, 1976, by Police Master Ulrich Roeschlaub, describes an object flying silently in the direction of Breckerfeld-Delle. The object, estimated to be 200-300 meters away, descended and hovered parallel to the police vehicle. It was characterized by a strong, rotating light, creating a halo of 15-20 square meters. The officers initially thought it had landed, but the hilly terrain made confirmation impossible. After about 1-2 minutes, the object ascended with high speed towards Breckerfeld-Delle, disappearing over a wooded hill. A yellow light continued to shine intensely from the object. After approximately 20 minutes, bright headlights illuminated from below the object, which then departed at high speed towards Ennepetal-Gevelsberg, its lights turning bluish.

Witnesses to the departure included Jürgen Hoppmann, who described the object as flat and elongated. A follow-up interview with Police Master Nöeler by GEP staff (Hans-Werner Peiniger and Constant Hublin) confirmed his sober and factual account. Reinforcements arrived only after the object had vanished. The official explanation from the Federal Office for Air Traffic Control (FS-Stelle, Düsseldorf) suggested it was a model balloon. However, Police Master Nözler insisted that the object's size, brightness, and maneuverability made it unlikely to be a model balloon. The only supporting factor for the model balloon theory was its departure direction, aligning with the wind. The report notes that investigations, including a search for physical traces, yielded no results. Local newspaper reports and an on-site investigation also provided no further clues.

Impressions from a DUIST Meeting

This section recounts a visit to a DUIST (German UFO Research Association) meeting in Wiesbaden on April 30, 1978. The CENAP representatives (Louis Preston, Hansjürgen Köhler, and Werner Walter) arrived at the scheduled hotel but were informed that the UFOlogy meeting had been relocated to the Hotel Kaffee Blum. Upon arrival, they found the meeting already in progress with approximately 33 attendees. The DUIST president, Karl L. Veit, briefly summarized previous UN (UFO-Nachrichten) issues. He discussed a fragment from Norway, drawing a parallel to Daniel Fry's contactee experiences. Veit also mentioned a 'hoax' related to a relic from a friend, which was allegedly examined at the University of Mainz without conclusive results. He also spoke of a new UFO landing case in La Florida, Argentina, on February 4, 1978, where police investigation suggested hallucination due to lack of material evidence. Veit also referenced a visit by Barry C. Gouding of UFO INFO, who reportedly praised Veit's work. Veit emphasized the importance of 'close encounters' as the substance of ufology. He downplayed a recent UFO incident in FIRM/Naha, stating it was not significant but supported the UFO presence. A comparison was made to alleged UFO actions in the USSR involving UFO rays. The report mentions a UFO catastrophe in Norway or Sweden 22 years prior, where occupants allegedly died.

During the meeting, Louis Preston expressed frustration, feeling that the attendees only wanted to hear 'science fiction.' Despite this, the CENAP team remained. Werner Walter had a private conversation with Karl L. Veit, who advised Walter to acknowledge his work and avoid attacking him. Veit stated that UN publications serve only for information, regardless of their truthfulness. When asked about the SPEYER case, Veit called it a 'fraud' that had damaged the cause. He was evasive when asked about the investigation methods. Veit also spoke of evolving to 'higher vibrations' and possessing more experience. The conversation was interrupted, and Frau Veit then directed the CENAP group to the back of the room where Hansjürgen Köhler and Louis Preston were reportedly arguing with DUIST members. Frau Veit then became very agitated, accusing the CENAP team of being 'swindlers' and questioning their motives. She stated that they had invested their entire fortune into their work, and then accused them of arrogance and presenting half-truths and fairy tales. The CENAP team felt that the discussion was unproductive and decided to minimize coverage of DUIST and UFO news in their own CENAP-REPORT to avoid wasting space.

BILD Newspaper Reports

This section discusses a report in the 'Bild' newspaper from April 15, 1978, titled "Golden Death Ray UFO Grips Russian City." The article describes a supposed UFO encounter over Petrosawodsk, near the Finnish-Soviet border. The UFO, described as the size of a football field, allegedly fired golden beams that cut holes in streets and windows, causing panic among the 185,000 inhabitants. The incident occurred around 4 PM. CENAP became interested after reviewing their own report Nr. 23 and recalling past information. They contacted the 'Bild' office in Neu-Isenburg, which referred them to the Axel-Springer Foreign Service in Hamburg. Frau Stelling from Hamburg provided information that the 'Bild' report was based on an article from an American newspaper, written by two reporters whose names and the newspaper's title were not disclosed. CENAP suspects the source was a tabloid like 'The Star' or 'National Enquirer,' possibly linking the incident to the Chester, USA, case (where a UFO fleet allegedly destroyed the town and caused amnesia) to create parallel cases and fuel uncritical belief in UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings and investigations, particularly those involving official reports or witness accounts that challenge conventional explanations. There is a critical approach to ufological organizations, as evidenced by the detailed account of the DUIST meeting and the perceived internal conflicts and questionable practices. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous investigation and factual reporting, while remaining open to the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena. The magazine also highlights the role of media in reporting UFO incidents, sometimes with skepticism regarding sensationalism or potential manipulation.

This document is a summary of the "Projekt UFODATA" (UFO Data Project), a SUFOI initiative dated December 24, 1977. The project aims to statistically analyze UFO reports using electronic data processing and to create an efficient system for retrieving this data. The magazine issue also includes information about CENAP, a research network for extraordinary phenomena, and a specific case from Gran Canaria.

Projekt UFODATA

Project Leadership and Background

The Projekt UFODATA is being carried out by a working group affiliated with SUFOI (an organization that has been collecting UFO reports since 1957). The project is led by Per Andersen, who serves as a consultant for SUFOI in the field of data processing. The project is conducted in collaboration with SUFOI's reporting center.

SUFOI has amassed approximately 6000 UFO reports since its founding in 1957. Due to the significant workload and limited financial resources, only a few statistical analyses of this material have been performed over the years. Recognizing this, Per Andersen initiated a comprehensive statistical analysis of the past report material. Projekt UFODATA is one such initiative, born from the desire for thorough electronic data handling of the material housed in SUFOI's Report Archive.

Preliminary Work

The preliminary work for Projekt UFODATA involved various considerations, investigations, concrete proposals, and test models. These efforts are documented in a "Report on the Use of Electronic Data Processing within Ufology."

Project Goals and Structure

The primary goal of Projekt UFODATA is to perform a statistical investigation of UFO reports and observations from SUFOI using electronic data processing. Additionally, it aims to implement an electronic registration system that allows for the rapid retrieval of specific reports.

The overall project is divided into four sub-projects that can be undertaken concurrently:

1. Report Review and Conversion: This phase involves a critical review of the reports, converting them into numerical sequences according to precise guidelines. It also includes the continuous expansion of the program system.
2. Data Entry: This involves punching and encoding the report material into the data system.
3. Statistical Analysis: This component encompasses various analyses, including simple statistical frequency tables, two- or three-dimensional cross-tabulations, histograms, chi-square tests, tables on the frequency and distribution of sightings, and other essential investigations related to the project.
4. Reporting and Dissemination: This part focuses on preparing reports about the project itself and its statistical findings. It also includes the general dissemination of the results.

Furthermore, the data system is designed to be continuously available for quickly and conveniently searching for specific individual reports or groups of reports.

The document is signed by CENAP/H. Kohler, representing SUFOI, and is dated December 24, 1977.

CENAP and Case Presentation

CENAP - Network for Extraordinary Phenomena

The document also introduces CENAP, described as a "centrales erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher phänomene" (central research network for extraordinary phenomena). The CENAP-ARCHIV is located in Mannheim, Germany, with contact persons Hansjürgen Köhler and Werner Walter.

Gran Canaria Incident (June 22, 1976)

A section titled "Erinnern Sie sich noch?" (Do you remember?) presents a case from Gran Canaria. On Tuesday, June 22, 1976, an unknown flying object reportedly landed in the vacation paradise of Gran Canaria, leaving physical traces. The document includes two images from a series of photographs taken by Rolf Tobisch from Frankfurt. The image on the top right shows a flattened onion field, while the image on the bottom left depicts a plant covered in white powder and appearing withered.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are the systematic collection and analysis of UFO data, the importance of statistical investigation, and the application of modern data processing techniques to ufology. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious, scientific inquiry into UFO phenomena, emphasizing the need for organized data management and analysis. The inclusion of the Gran Canaria case suggests a focus on presenting documented evidence and eyewitness accounts, even if brief.