CENAP Report - No 053

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP REPORT, titled "CENAP - REPORT Nr.53", is dated July 1980 and is the 5th volume. The cover features a striking image of a sleek, dark object with "UFO SOLAR" written on its side, under the headline "UFO am Himmel! Luft-Spielzeug und Experiment." (UFO in the Sky! Air Toy and Experiment.). The magazine is published by CENAP, a central research network for unusual phenomena, and is in German.

The Socorro Incident: A Deep Dive

The main focus of this issue is a detailed examination of the classic "Fall Socorro" (Socorro Case), which occurred on April 24, 1964. The article, a continuation of a UFO back-log series, revisits the encounter of police officer Lonnie Zamora. The author notes that Zamora has been interviewed numerous times by the press and ufologists, leading to potential embellishments in his accounts over time.

Key details discussed include Zamora's initial report and subsequent interviews. The article highlights discrepancies and new details that emerged in later accounts, such as the radio in Zamora's car being completely dead after the UFO took off, only to function again after the object passed the mayor's dynamite shed. This radio blackout is presented as a characteristic often associated with plasma phenomena, but it was not mentioned in Zamora's earliest reports. Furthermore, the sound of the UFO's takeoff is described differently in later accounts, changing from an initial 'whooshing' followed by a 'whining' sound to a 'beep...beep...beep...'.

The author recounts a visit to Socorro and interviews with Charles B. Moore, a researcher in atmospheric physics and a UFOlogist who had his own unexplained sighting on April 24, 1949, exactly 15 years before Zamora's encounter. Moore's research into the Socorro case led him to investigate Zamora's reputation, finding it to be impeccable.

A significant new detail that emerged was Zamora's description of a "boiling stone" that was found at the landing site and mysteriously disappeared the next day, presumably taken by military investigators. To test the intensity of the UFO's flame, Moore subjected stones to the heat of an oxygen-acetylene torch, causing them to crack or break apart upon cooling. However, the author points out that if the UFO's flame had been that intense, the surrounding grass and bushes should have been incinerated, which was not indicated in the Chavez photographs.

Moore speculated that the grass and bushes might have been damp, thus escaping the intense heat, but he admitted he had not tested this hypothesis with a torch. The author also spoke with Sergeant Chavez, who denied seeing the "boiling stone" that Moore described. The author, along with Zamora and Moore, visited the site, and Zamora eventually confirmed seeing a burnt stone that had mysteriously disappeared.

The article notes the surprising lack of curiosity from the local community and scientists at the Institute for Mining and Technology regarding the Socorro incident, despite its potential historical significance. When pressed, a local resident suggested that the town's main interest was in attracting tourism, as it lacked other industries.

Further investigation by the author revealed that the town had attempted to leverage the UFO landing for tourism. Articles from the El Paso "Times" and the local newspaper "EL DEFENSOR CHIEFTAIN" are quoted, discussing the town's efforts to promote itself as a tourist destination based on the UFO event, including plans for a UFO film. Mayor Holm Bursum Jr. reportedly persuaded Zamora to reenact the event for filming.

The author expresses bewilderment as to why the Socorro case became so historically significant, especially when considering alternative explanations. He questions why Philip J. Klass, in his book "UFOS IDENTIFIED," did not consider the possibility of a hoax, despite the lack of multiple witnesses and the peculiar nature of the "burnt stone" and "footprints."

The article critically examines Klass's plasma theory, suggesting that while it might explain some UFO sightings, the reality of plasma phenomena is not yet proven. The author also speculates on Zamora's motives for potentially fabricating or embellishing the story, suggesting a desire for recognition or the town's opportunistic exploitation of the event for tourism.

Illustrations from the Belgian magazine INFORSPACE are presented, depicting the UFO and its occupants, which the author suggests are manipulative and serve to condition ufologists to believe in questionable evidence.

Allgäu UFO Incident

The issue also includes a report on a UFO sighting in Mindelheim, Germany, on May 25, 1980. The incident, which involved an "Ehepaar" (couple) seeing a "football-sized" and "silent" UFO over a forest, generated significant media attention in German newspapers. The CENAP investigation, conducted on May 28, 1980, involved contacting the local police and newspaper. The primary witness, identified as Wolfgang L., reported the sighting on Sunday, May 25, 1980. Three additional witnesses came forward. The weather office suggested a "Kugelblitz" (ball lightning) explanation, but this was questioned due to its short duration. The editor of the Mindelheim newspaper suggested a "Party-Heißluftballon" (party hot air balloon) as a possible explanation for the "reddish shimmer" described.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of CENAP REPORT strongly questions the veracity of the Socorro UFO incident, presenting evidence and arguments that suggest it may have been a hoax or at least significantly embellished. The magazine highlights discrepancies in witness testimony, the opportunistic exploitation of the event for tourism, and the lack of corroborating evidence. The editorial stance appears to be critical of sensationalism in UFO research and emphasizes the need for rigorous investigation and skepticism, particularly when dealing with phenomena like plasma that are not fully understood. The inclusion of the Mindelheim case provides another example of a UFO report and its subsequent investigation, underscoring the magazine's commitment to exploring unusual phenomena with a critical eye.

This issue of CENAP, titled "Nicht jeder mysteriöse Flugkörper ist gleich ein außerirdisches Raumschiff !" (Not every mysterious flying object is an alien spaceship!), published in July 1980, delves into the phenomenon of UFO sightings and the frequent misidentification of ordinary objects as extraterrestrial craft. The magazine, originating from Germany, adopts a critical stance, aiming to provide rational explanations for reported aerial anomalies.

Key Articles and Investigations

The Ingolstadt Case and NATO Explanations The issue begins by referencing a case in Ingolstadt where sightings were attributed to 'aerial reflections' or 'Fata Morgana,' a common explanation used by American military services for German UFO reports. The article notes that radar at a NATO airbase detected nothing unusual during a specific incident.

Parapsychological Research Group and ESOTERA A parapsychological research group from Augsburg, led by a Mr. Wolf, is mentioned as having taken on the investigation of a particular case. The author contacted the ESOTERA editorial office in Freiburg for information about this group, but they could not provide the contact details.

The 'Ulkserie' and Manfred Seier's Photograph Further investigation by the author led to contact with the BILD+FUNK editorial team in Munich regarding a UFO photo series. It was revealed that the series was a 'joke series' ('Ulkserie'), originating from a photograph by Manfred Seier from St. Georgen. Seier had submitted a picture of a cloud-like formation, which was then published, leading to the 'trick photo' series. The article connects this to MUFON-CES investigations and publications by August Wörner Studios concerning UFOs in St. Georgen.

Hans Dirk Pape's 'UFO' Photographs The magazine details an investigation into photographs taken by Hans Dirk Pape in Rheda-Wiedenbrück in January 1980. Pape described a silver, dome-shaped object seen around 3-4 PM. Initially, he thought it might be a plane or balloon, but its appearance was unusual. Pape claimed to have photographed the object himself and developed the film, even a color film. He stated he no longer possessed the negatives, but the 'Neue Westfälische Zeitung' did. The investigation revealed that Pape's father-in-law's acquaintance at the newspaper had suggested publishing the photos, leading to their appearance.

Police Investigation in Mindelheim The author contacted the police inspection in Mindelheim regarding a UFO incident. Officer Siebert initially provided a non-committal response, stating no concrete leads were found. However, after further inquiry about a police report, the timeline of events was clarified. A report was filed on a Sunday evening, with the first notification reaching the MINDELSHEIMER ZEITUNG on Monday, which then contacted the police. The incident was officially logged at 18:55 on Monday, about a day after the sighting.

The Jerusalem UFO Incident CENAP investigated a UFO report from Jerusalem on April 6-7, 1980. The Jerusalem Post reported that many Israelis, including police officers, had seen a 'flying saucer.' However, the weather office ruled out a weather balloon, and the police requested military assistance. The IDF concluded it was 'definitely' an 'escaped balloon' from a children's fair in Tel Aviv. CENAP obtained the original press release from the Jerusalem Post through the German Embassy in Tel Aviv and confirmed the balloon explanation.

'Solar UFOs' and Balloon Misidentifications A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to explaining how ordinary balloons, particularly 'Solar UFOs' and 'Solar Zeppelins,' were frequently mistaken for UFOs. These were described as solar-energy-powered airships, often resembling black cigars or balloons, which could ascend to considerable heights. The article highlights several instances where such objects caused public alarm and media attention, including incidents in Mannheim and Heppenheim. In Mannheim, a 'UFO alarm' at Neuostheim airfield was traced to an escaped 'Solar UFO' kite. Similarly, a 'dogfight' between police and a 'UFO' over Heppenheim was identified as a solar-powered kite.

CENAP's Research and Methodology CENAP emphasizes its research methodology, including conducting 'comparison tests' with hot air balloons, as reported in CENAP-Report No. 49. They also detail their efforts to obtain information from official sources, such as the Regierungspräsidium Karlsruhe and the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), though often met with limited cooperation. The magazine also mentions receiving extensive CIA UFO reports and the challenges of translation.

Upcoming Events and Publications CENAP announces an upcoming event in Syrgenstein on the weekend of August 2-3, 1980, for interested individuals and UFO enthusiasts. They also mention plans for a TV production and the need for technical support.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this CENAP issue is the critical examination of UFO reports and the debunking of sensational claims through rational explanations. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of extraterrestrial explanations for most aerial phenomena, advocating for a scientific approach and highlighting how mundane objects like balloons and kites are frequently misidentified. The magazine stresses the importance of 'eigeninitiative' (self-initiative) in verifying press reports and avoiding the pitfalls of 'Scheinforscher' (pseudo-researchers) who build their work on unverified material. CENAP positions itself as an organization dedicated to uncovering the truth behind unusual aerial sightings, often by providing evidence that points to terrestrial explanations.