Magazine Summary

CENAP-REPORT

Magazine Issue CENAP 1970s

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Summary

Overview

This issue of CENAP-REPORT (Nr. 31, September 1978) details investigations into UFO sightings in Hamburg and Bissendorf. The Hamburg incident on June 14, 1978, involved multiple witnesses describing a winged object, and a metallic body found in a crater. The Bissendorf case also involved multiple witnesses, with a local astronomical society noting a 'susceptibility' of the area to UFO phenomena. The report includes witness testimonies, interviews with astronomers and journalists, and CENAP's analysis, suggesting possible explanations like satellites or meteorites while acknowledging the unusual aspects of the sightings.

Magazine Overview

This document is the 31st issue of the CENAP-REPORT, published in September 1978. CENAP stands for 'centrales erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher phänomene' (central research network for extraordinary phenomena). The report is published by CENAP, with contributions from Hansjürgen Köhler and Werner Walter, who are listed as CENAP leaders based in Mannheim, Germany. The issue is presented in a Schnelldruck (speed print) format, with a goal of delivering approximately 20 pages in DIN-A-5 format.

The issue contains the following articles:

1. CENAP - Erklärung (CENAP - Explanation)
2. Fall Hamburg (Hamburg Case)
3. DUIST - Flugblatt (DUIST - Flyer)
4. MNL über Bissendorf (MNL about Bissendorf)
5. CENAP's Büchervorschlag (CENAP's Book Recommendation)
6. GALLUP 1974 + 1978
7. NL über Kirn (NL about Kirn)
8. UFOS / USA 1977
9. Fotoseite / CENAP - Archiv (Photo Page / CENAP - Archive)

Editorial and Subscription Information

A letter dated August 27, 1978, from Werner Walter and Hansjürgen Köhler addresses the readers, announcing the new printing possibility for CENAP-REPORT Nr. 31 and expressing hope to regularly deliver 20 pages in a more manageable DIN-A-5 format. They are launching an experiment to make the report more accessible without financial burden to the reader, aiming for a print run of 100 copies, with about 50 sold or exchanged and the rest distributed as free samples to those who previously expressed dissatisfaction with the old printing method. They urge readers to help promote the CENAP-REPORT to increase circulation. The annual subscription price is DM 24,--, with payment to be made to the provided Postcheckkonto. They also mention facing financial pressure and welcome voluntary contributions.

Case Report: Fall Hamburg (Hamburg Case)

This section details an investigation into a UFO sighting reported in Hamburg on June 14, 1978. The BILD newspaper reported that 25 people contacted the Hamburg Observatory about seeing a yellow-red glowing, sparkling object without wings. Annegret Leithoff, a housewife, described the object as being 500 meters above her garden, the size of a plane but without wings, glowing at the front and having a sparkling fishtail at the rear. Captain Günther Ehlers also reported observing two large celestial bodies. CENAP began its research on the same day the BILD report became known, contacting the Hamburg Observatory and the Hamburg Air Traffic Control. An astronomer, Mr. Lohsen, confirmed various phenomena were observed. He noted that the BILD report referred to an event on June 14, 1978, around 21:40. Lohsen suggested that the object might have been a descending satellite or a fireball, as described by 7-8 people. He mentioned that while astronomers did not take photographs, there are meteor tracking systems in CSSR and Southern Germany, though he was unsure if they captured anything. He attributed the lack of photos to the sky being too bright and the moon shining. Some descriptions were unusual, including something described as 'helicopter-like' and a 'red sphere' visible for 15-20 minutes. Lohsen explained a cylinder-shaped object without wings, seen during twilight, might have been a high-flying aircraft, possibly from the air force, illuminated by the sun in such a way that the wings were projected away. The sightings occurred in the Hamburg local area, with some witnesses unsure if the object was departing or approaching the airport. Some reported hearing a whistling sound, which Lohsen believed might be a misperception. He stated that a total of 34 people reported seeing these objects, possibly over Altona near the harbor. Lohsen used a criterion for witness credibility: if they could not identify or describe the position of Venus, their testimony was dismissed. One lady even reported a rocket landing and green men emerging, leading to the observatory quickly ending the call. The BILD newspaper was contacted, and a journalist named Koch was assigned to the story. Koch reported that on the same evening, a metallic object landed in the garden of Dipl.-Physiker Hellmut Jentzsch in Hamburg-Trelde-Buchholz, creating a crater and browning the grass. In the crater, a body the size of a hen's egg was found, described as slightly deformed, resembling cast lead, and weighing 3.5 kg, not radioactive. Jentzsch, a chief photo lab technician, took photos of the crater. Koch's initial conclusion was a piece of rocket debris, and the object was sent for technical examination. However, Hansjürgen Köhler doubted that the object's stillness, as reported by a witness, could be explained by a satellite or re-entry. Further research was promised.

Day 2 of Investigation, June 23, 1978

Following up on Hansjürgen Köhler's report, the investigator contacted witnesses. Annegret Leithoff (34) confirmed the sighting on June 14, 1978, around 21:40. She described the object as having a red glowing tip like an arrowhead, about 1 meter long, with a small point at the rear. It flew low, at helicopter height, silently, and slowly. She saw it with a friend. BILD also reported a witness from Bad Segeberg who heard noises, unlike Leithoff's observation which was silent. The object moved from southeast to north and disappeared into a cloud bank. Leithoff firmly believed it was not an aircraft, noting that sunset was around 20:40, and the object was visible an hour later. She ruled out a shooting star, having seen many before. The object was observed from a quiet location, suggesting any sound should have been audible. Its movement was slow and steady. She offered to fill out a CENAP questionnaire and send a sketch. Despite receiving six other names and numbers, the investigator could not reach them. Attempts to contact Helmut Jentzsch were also unsuccessful.

Further Witness Accounts and Analysis

A woman named Grenzing reported seeing the phenomenon with three other people, all describing it as a large shooting star. She contacted the observatory after seeing a BILD call for reports. Her sighting on June 14, 1978, around 21:50, described the 'shooting star' as unusually long, about 1/4 minute. The investigator informed her this was within normal limits. Captain Günther Ehlers could not be reached directly. In a letter dated June 30, 1978, Annegret Leithoff reiterated her certainty of seeing a UFO, stating she had never seen anything like it and could not provide a normal explanation. Her time estimate was approximate. She observed the phenomenon from Hamburg-Harburg. She and Chr. Westedt saw the object simultaneously. She estimated its size at about 1 meter long and a quarter of the moon's size. A sketch comparing the object's size to the moon was included. The object's contour was sharp and clearly visible, moving silently in a hovering manner, comparable to slow drifting. This was contrasted with its rapid movement, similar to a satellite, which was announced for Friday, June 23, 1978, at 22:24. Annegret Leithoff and her husband observed this satellite and noted the object moved with similar speed. She had a clear view, with a cloud bank to the north. The temperature was 12-14 degrees Celsius. She definitively ruled out an aircraft, stating she knew nothing about atmospheric mirages in their region. She provided a sketch of the trajectory and a diagram of the flight path relative to the horizon and a potential entry point. CENAP's annotation suggests that identification as a METEORIT/Fireball or Re-Entry is plausible, but they cannot entirely dismiss other explanations. The witness admits to not possessing astronomical knowledge and that distance estimation at night is difficult, relying on personal impression, which felt like more than 500 meters. A diagram illustrates the atmospheric layer and a potential flight path of a meteorite.

DUIST - Flugblatt (DUIST - Flyer)

This section features a flyer titled 'Der unbekannte Prophet Jakob Lorber' (The Unknown Prophet Jakob Lorber). It includes a drawing of a figure in a helmet with antennae, labeled 'Lola', and text posing questions about the origin of messages from Mars or Venus, or if they are 'brain spins' from the DUIST sect. It states that through this prophet, their life path was determined for service to the Lord and humanity, and they were voluntarily sent to Earth.

MNL über Bissendorf (MNL about Bissendorf)

This article, a continuation from CR-Nr. 30, reports on a sighting in Bissendorf. A woman named Koza reported seeing a luminous object and called the police. The house residents were initially dismissive, but later confirmed seeing the 'UFO'. Four people confirmed the sighting, stating they could hardly believe it themselves and expected to be laughed at. Two young men in an Opel Kadett also witnessed the event. Two women in a VW Beetle were reportedly frightened and hid in the back seats. Augustin Winterberg of the German Weather Service in Osnabrück, who was on duty at the time, did not observe anything. Erwin Heiser, chairman of the 'Astronomical Working Group' in Osnabrück, could not confirm the Bissendorf phenomenon but noted a certain 'susceptibility' of the Bissendorf area to UFOs, recalling a previous report from the same location.