CENAP Report - No 042

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP - REPORT
Issue: Nr. 42
Date: August 1979
Publisher: CENAP (centrales erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher phänomene)
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of the CENAP REPORT focuses on international UFO research activities and investigations, featuring a visit to the CENAP Section in Austria, a case study from Konstanz, Germany, and a detailed report on US military encounters with unidentified flying objects.

CENAP Visit to Austria

The CENAP leadership, Werner Walter and Hansjürgen Köhler from Mannheim, visited the CENAP Section AUSTRIA from July 20-24, 1979. The visit aimed to assess the section's prerequisites and objectives. They met with CENAP-Austria leaders Christian Pöchhacker and Andreas Gerersdorfer in Kemmelbach. The Austrian section's archive was described as constantly expanding. During the visit, they also met with Wilhelm Meduna of the "Wissenschaftl. Arbeitsgemeinschaft für UFO-Forschung + Paraphysik" in Vienna and arranged a meeting with members of INTERKOSMOS and author Peter Krassa.

Werner Walter presented films from the CENAP archive, including footage from the US Air Force Project Bluebook, such as the "Tremonton" film (July 2, 1952, Utah), "Greatfall's Montana" (August 15, 1950), "Landrum/South Carolina" (November 16, 1952), "Luke Air-Force-Base/Arizona" (March 3, 1953), "Corpus Christie/Texas" (July 28, 1959), and "Jonkers/New York" (March 19, 1967).

Discussions following the film presentations were noted as being open and constructive, with both pro and contra arguments presented. A key outcome of the visit was the agreement to establish cooperation between INTERKOSMOS and CENAP, including an exchange between "Der Neue Kosmos" and the "CENAP-Report". CENAP-Austria was to be integrated into this cooperation. The CENAP leadership concluded that CENAP-Austria is well-positioned to conduct serious and optimal UFO research in Austria, benefiting from fewer "Ufologists" compared to Germany. The CENAP central office pledged full support to expand this European UFO research network.

UFOs in Konstanz?

An article from the "Südkurier" newspaper dated July 21, 1979, reported a UFO sighting in Konstanz on the evening of July 17, 1979. A woman walking her dog reported seeing a bright, orange, balloon-like object hovering at approximately 100 meters altitude. The object was described as having a transparent oval spot in its center and then shot away rapidly, shrinking to the size of a star. Subsequent witness accounts corroborated the sighting.

Cenap-Field-Investigator Klaus Trippel investigated the report. He contacted the Konstanz airport, and a representative confirmed that no unusual air traffic was registered at the time, apart from scheduled flights. Upon further inquiry at the "Südkurier" editorial office, it was revealed that the sighting had been identified as a hot air balloon from a garden party. The woman's fear led her to report it as a UFO.

CENAP Mannheim added a note that hot air balloons are increasingly being used for parties and events, sometimes causing public alarm when mistaken for UFOs.

CIA/UFO's: Important Addendum

This section provides an update to a previous report in CENAP REPORT Nr. 41 regarding UFO sightings in 1975. It details a report from the US Department of Defense concerning a series of sightings of unidentified, low-flying objects near sensitive US nuclear missile silos and bases in Montana, Michigan, and Maine during October and November 1975.

These objects were visually and radar-detected by air and ground personnel. Descriptions varied, including helicopters, aircraft, and brightly lit, fast-moving vehicles that evaded pursuit. The Luftwaffe attempted to intercept these objects with fighter jets and airborne command aircraft, but without success. The documents did not indicate if any shots were fired, nor did they suggest any direct impact on the security of the bases beyond alerting local command posts.

A directive from November 11, 1975, from the Secretary of the Air Force instructed information officers to avoid publicizing scattered sightings unless specifically requested. The Department of Defense reiterated that formal UFO investigations concluded in 1969 and no new Air Force investigations were planned.

The report also mentions an incident in 1976 over Iran where two Iranian F-4 Phantom aircraft encountered a bright, luminous object. The object caused electronic communication systems to fail as the aircraft approached. The object was described as large, with colored, flashing lights, and was tracked by Iranian ground radar. The report noted that a smaller object emerged from the larger one.

Information regarding these 1975 and 1976 sightings was transferred to the Phoenix-based organization GROUND SAUCER WATCH. This organization obtained documents through a Freedom of Information Act request. A similar request to the CIA by Ground Saucer Watch and the Washington Post resulted in the release of nearly 900 pages of UFO reports dating back to the 1950s. The CIA had been ordered by a US District Court to release UFO data not related to national security. Ground Saucer Watch alleged that the CIA withheld some records.

Todd Zechei, an investigator for Ground Saucer Watch, expressed frustration with the government's partial release of archives, questioning why they wouldn't release everything if UFOs were indeed nothing significant.

Leck im Pentagon (Leak in the Pentagon)

Mr. Zechei stated that the 1975 incidents involving missile and bomber sites would not have been revealed without a leak from a Pentagon source. He received a tip regarding a UFO flap in late October and early November 1975.

Detailed sightings data from Loring AFB (Maine), Wurtsmith AFB (Michigan), and Malmstrom AFB (Montana) were provided by the Air Force and NORAD. Military personnel reported objects hovering over nuclear weapon silos, sometimes as low as 10 feet above the ground. Some objects were described as "helicopters," though no positive identification was made. The sounds produced were also described as similar to helicopter noises.

Wie ein Helikopter (Like a Helicopter)

A specific case from November 7, 1975, at Malmstrom AFB involved Captain Thomas O'Brien reporting an aircraft-like object resembling a helicopter hovering over a silo area. He and his representative heard what they thought was a helicopter rotor. The object was described as having a silhouette of a large aircraft, 10-15 feet above the ground and 25 feet from the launch site fence, with two red and white lights at the front and a white light at the rear. The object disappeared after hovering for a minute. Military personnel at other nearby sites also reported seeing moving lights.

Unidentifizierte Helikopter (Unidentified Helicopters)

Reports from October 30 and 31 mentioned an "unidentified helicopter" flying over Wurtsmith AFB and hovering over weapon silos. Investigators later determined that no known military, commercial, or private helicopters were in use by the base at that time. A KC-135 tanker crew spotted the object and attempted to pursue it but could not keep up. Sightings from Maine Air Base also described objects hovering over weapon zones. Radar and visual sightings were made, and another KC-135 attempted to monitor the pursuit of a borrowed helicopter from the Maine National Guard. Loring AFB did not have its own helicopter. The object eventually disappeared towards the Canadian border, and Canadian Air Force jets were alerted.

Source: INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE, Zurich, Saturday/Sunday, 20./21. January 1979.
Translation: Werner Walter, CENAP-Staff and CENAP-Archiv.

CENAP's Annotation: This report is considered comprehensive and open, suggesting that the reality of flying saucers might not be as extraordinary as often portrayed. It highlights the sighting of UNKNOWN FLYING OBJECTS, many of which were identified as simply UNKNOWN aircraft of UNKNOWN origin and UNKNOWN nationality with UNKNOWN missions. The annotation suggests that there was not much that would interest a serious UFO investigator, and it remains to be seen what detailed data GSW will release.

Die australische Szene (The Australian Scene) - Continued

Subtitle: Wie ein Spiel im Dunkeln: Erklärungen der jüngsten New Zealand-UFO-Begegnungen (Like a Game in the Dark: Explanations of Recent New Zealand UFO Encounters)
Author: John Prytz

In late December 1978 and early 1979, New Zealand became the center of a UFO flap, attracting global attention. The core of the flap involved UFOs in flight being filmed by an aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes a critical and investigative approach to UFO phenomena. While acknowledging the existence of unexplained aerial phenomena, the CENAP REPORT often seeks rational explanations, as seen in the Konstanz case. There is a clear interest in international cooperation and information sharing among UFO research groups, as evidenced by the visit to Austria and the planned exchanges. The report also highlights concerns about government secrecy and the release of information, particularly regarding military encounters. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism, favoring evidence-based analysis and discouraging sensationalism, while still remaining open to the possibility of genuine mysteries.

This issue of the magazine, identified by its cover headline "UFO-Phänomene, die England beunruhigten" and the UN identifier UN 182/Okt. 1971, delves into UFO phenomena and investigations. The primary focus is on the Aldridge case in England, which occurred on August 16, 1971, involving multiple police officers and civilian witnesses who observed and photographed an unidentified flying object. The magazine also briefly touches upon a New Zealand UFO encounter from December 1978.

The Aldridge Case: Pc. Leek's Photographs

The article details the Aldridge sighting extensively. Police officer Leslie Leek was among the first to witness a large, oval-shaped object hovering over a garage. He was joined by other officers and civilians, including telephonist Joyce Smith. Leek managed to take 12 photographs of the object, which was described as silvery-yellow, then vivid orange, and appeared to be about 300 meters in length. The object exhibited unusual movements, including pendular motion and erratic behavior, and was observed for over two hours.

Initial reactions from authorities, including the British Ministry of Defence and local police, were to secure the photographs, citing that it was not in the public interest for them to be released immediately. However, public outcry led to the release of one photograph. The investigation team, consisting of J. Allen Hynek and Julian Hennessey, visited Aldridge to reconstruct the event. They interviewed witnesses, including Police Constable Robert Smart and David Hopkins, who corroborated Leek's account. Smart noted the object's shape seemed to change slightly, while Hopkins described it as 'weird' and unlike any balloon or aircraft he had seen.

The investigation team conducted a 'reconstruction of the crime,' using a similar camera and returning to the exact location at the time of the sighting. They discovered that the 'mysterious object' in the photographs was likely a street light, which appeared in only some of the photos due to camera movement. The Constable admitted to not being proficient in photography and that the bright light, possibly Mars, might have been mistaken due to atmospheric conditions and the camera's 'infinity' setting. Despite this likely explanation for the photographed object, the article acknowledges that the core event, the witness sightings, might still represent an unexplained phenomenon.

New Zealand UFO Encounter

The magazine also references a UFO incident in New Zealand that occurred shortly before Christmas 1978. Captain Vern Powell of SAFEAIR-Airlines and his crew reported a single UFO following their aircraft near Christchurch Airport. This object was also detected by radar in Wellington, where four other UFOs were also observed. This sighting was one of five reported in New Zealand on December 21, 1978. A report of this sighting was published by Barrie Watts in the DAILY TELEGRAPH.

Furthermore, a film and reconstruction documentary of Captain Powell's sighting was commissioned. Journalists Quentin Fogarty and Dave Crockett were tasked with creating this film. They flew the same route as Powell, and unexpectedly, they also encountered UFOs, with one coming very close to their aircraft, allowing for a film to be taken. This film reportedly showed an object with a 30-meter diameter. Dr. Mike Deakin, a physicist, studied the film. The Wellington radar also confirmed the presence of multiple objects. The article notes that the complete history of these New Zealand sightings would fill a book.

Explanations and Theories

Several tables are presented, listing numerous proposed explanations for the New Zealand sighting (Table A) and stating what the objects were definitively *not* (Table B). These explanations range from astronomical bodies like Venus and Jupiter, atmospheric phenomena, reflections from boats or objects, to secret military aircraft, and even 'Superman'. The article also includes a section where the CENAP staff offers their own analysis, suggesting that the 'movement sequences' in the New Zealand film might be due to camera movements within the aircraft cabin, caused by vibrations and the pilot's hand-held filming, rather than actual UFO maneuvers. They also consider the possibility of 'plasma phenomena' but do not rule out other explanations.

CENAP Investigations and Editorial Stance

The magazine also features a report from CENAP investigator Fritz Rothgängel from Nuremberg, Germany, detailing his research into older UFO cases. He investigated sightings reported by Wilhelm Arnold in 1956 and a sighting by Frau Rosa Hausmann in 1958, but found limited information due to the passage of time and the passing of some witnesses. Another case involving Maria de Carmen Carrasco in Erlangen in 1969 yielded no verifiable information.

The editorial stance of CENAP, as expressed by Werner Walter, is to investigate all reported UFO cases, even those originating from sources like DUIST, which they believe have not thoroughly investigated certain cases themselves. They aim to publish 'counter-statements' when information from DUIST literature, presented as 'real,' is questionable.

The magazine also mentions an article in the German magazine '2000' about the UFO scene and reports on a trip to Austria, highlighting a trend towards 'UFO research' rather than 'ufology.' The issue concludes with a note about the separation of ufologists from the main research efforts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of UFO sightings, the critical analysis of witness testimonies and photographic evidence, and the exploration of various explanations, from mundane to extraordinary. The editorial stance, particularly from CENAP, is one of thorough investigation and a commitment to presenting findings, even if they contradict previous reports or popular theories. There is a clear emphasis on differentiating between 'ufology' and 'UFO research,' advocating for a more scientific and evidence-based approach. The magazine also highlights the importance of on-site investigations and reconstructions to understand UFO events.