CENAP Report - No 060

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP REPORT, Nr. 60, dated February 1981, is the 5th year of publication. The cover prominently features the headline "UFO über BERLIN?" (UFO over Berlin?) alongside a collage of Berlin landmarks, suggesting a focus on UFO sightings in the German capital. The report is published by CENAP, a central research network for unusual phenomena.

The Case of Frank Fontaine (Cergy-Pontoise)

The report delves deeply into the case of Frank Fontaine, previously covered in CENAP CR 47, 48, and 55. A new report from an 'UFOlogen-Blatt' in September/October 1980 is mentioned, stating Fontaine published a book titled "CONTACTS OVNI Cergy-Pontoise." The article criticizes the DUIST organization for discrediting UFO researchers like Gerard Lebat, who questioned the validity of contactee claims.

CENAP contacted Gerard Lebat and received documentation translated by Marie-Louise Tanguy. The investigation into the Cergy-Pontoise case began on December 1st. Upon arrival, CENAP representatives met with Commander Courcoux of the Gendarmerie, who confirmed the witnesses had seen something but could not identify it, and did not believe they were lying.

Commander Courcoux recounted the police's involvement on November 26, 1979, when they were called to the scene. The Gendarmerie took over the investigation. The witnesses reportedly contacted the police two hours after the 'abduction.' Initial investigations by the Gendarmerie included searching for radioactivity, which yielded no results. Dogs and a tracker also failed to indicate anything unusual around the car.

CENAP then visited Jean-Pierre Prevost, one of the witnesses, at his home. They found a gathering of about 15 people, including journalists and researchers, listening to Prevost's account. Prevost, a 25-year-old salesman, was described as the more articulate of the two main witnesses. The other witness was Salomon N'Diaye, also 25, an African sales agent, who appeared tired and worried about his friend Frank Fontaine, who was still missing at the time of this visit.

The events leading to Fontaine's disappearance occurred on a Monday morning around 4 AM. Fontaine, Prevost, and a third friend were preparing to drive to the market in Gisors to sell their goods. Fontaine, who was unemployed at 19, was with Prevost and N'Diaye. Their Ford Taunus, lacking a starter, needed to be pushed to get going.

As they were loading the car, Fontaine saw a bright, white, long object descending slowly from the north, resembling a crashing airplane. N'Diaye went inside to get a camera. Fontaine started to drive ahead. Prevost, looking through a window, thought the car had broken down again. At this point, the phenomenon was no longer visible.

N'Diaye, frustrated about not finding a camera film, looked out a window and saw a 'mist' around the car. He observed four balls, similar in color and slightly larger than a car wheel, emerging from the mist. The mist was dense, obscuring visibility, and extended about 20-30 cm above and around the car. The balls then disappeared into the mist, which condensed into a bright point. This point ascended and vanished with incredible speed.

Prevost and N'Diaye ran to the car, about 200 meters away. They found the driver's door open and the headlights on, but Frank Fontaine was gone. The car was parked slightly askew in the middle of the road. Distressed, they returned to the apartment and called the Gendarmerie. Police arrived, but were unable to handle the situation and reported it back to the Gendarmerie. The object's appearance was around 4:20 AM, and Fontaine disappeared around 4:30 AM.

The report notes that the witnesses appeared sincere, and it was difficult to find flaws in their initial statements. There was no indication of why Fontaine might have disappeared, leading to speculation about other missing persons cases worldwide, such as the Valdes case in Chile.

Frank Fontaine eventually reappeared on Monday, December 3rd. Commander Courcoux provided an official explanation: Fontaine had driven off to get a closer look at the object. Upon reaching an electrical installation, he saw a round object, like a tennis ball, approach and settle on the left side of the car. The car was then enveloped in 'mist.' Fontaine felt pricks in his eyes and lost consciousness. He awoke later in the same spot, thinking the car had been stolen (it had been missing for 8 days). He then went to Salomon N'Diaye's apartment. The time was around 4:30 AM.

Salomon explained the situation to Frank, informing him he had been missing for 8 days. The Gendarmerie was notified of Fontaine's reappearance around 7:30 AM. Gendarmes questioned Fontaine, whose account matched the others. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, both witnesses refused further examination by police officials, agreeing only to a small blood sample.

GEPAN scientists (a biologist and a physicist) also investigated but were similarly refused further examination by the witnesses. Jean-Pierre Prevost was later hypnotized, while Frank Fontaine refused but was present at the session. Doctors and psychologists were unable to extract further information.

Ernste Anmerkungen (Serious Remarks): CENAP was not allowed to fully investigate the case and lacked funds to pursue it further. They identified potential contacts: a friend in the Gendarmerie, someone who had observed the witnesses for 14 days, and a person who knew one of the witnesses well.

Reasons for Doubt:
1. The Gendarmerie was not called quickly enough; the witnesses delayed reporting.
2. A brother of one of the witnesses is a UFO phenomenon enthusiast.
3. Radio Luxembourg (RTL) received an anonymous call after the 'abduction' claiming Frank Fontaine was seen surrounded by 'mist.' Voice analysis identified the caller as Salomon N'Diaye.
4. The witnesses intended to write a book about the event.
5. The witnesses inquired about fees for photos and interviews from 'PARIS-MATCH.'
6. A quote from an interview: "We were three witnesses to this event and are disgusted by the journalists' manners. On Thursday, we read some things in PARIS-MATCH, completely seri-
ous."

UFO Sightings in Dumfries, Scotland

The report details an investigation by the RAF in London and the Scottish air traffic control center regarding UFO sightings in Dumfries. Witnesses, including police officers and hospital staff, reported a long, white object with three lights at the front and two at the rear, hovering about 500 feet high for nearly an hour.

The object was described as brilliant and luminous. Sightings were also reported from Motherwell and Dalry. The local air traffic control, which receives about two UFO reports per month, initially believed the sighting might be a meteorological phenomenon. However, the report suggests the possibility of a military aircraft.

Three police officers, Sergeant Bill McDavid, Constable Jim Smith, and Policewoman Pamela Brown, revisited the area. Sergeant McDavid stated, "I have never seen a UFO before. I remain skeptical, but I know what my eyes saw and I cannot explain it." A possible explanation offered was that the UFO was simply the lights of a building with a GPO transmission mast. The object appeared in the direction of the mast on Riddings Hill. GPO engineers confirmed they were working at the station from 11 PM to 3 AM, and the UFO was seen shortly after 1 AM for almost an hour. The police noted the low cloud cover that night.

The report concludes that simple, everyday occurrences can sometimes be misinterpreted as UFO phenomena under certain influences, if the explanation of the GPO building lights is correct.

UFO Meetings '80

This section covers various UFO research meetings and events in 1980.

Smithsonian UFO Symposium (Washington, D.C.)

On September 6, 1980, the Smithsonian Institution hosted a full-day UFO symposium in Washington, D.C., attended by 400-500 people. The event featured a debate between "UFO Promoters" (Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Dr. Bruce S. Maccabee, Alan Hendry) and "UFO Demoters" (Philip Klass, Robert Scheaffer, James Oberg).

Dr. Hynek emphasized that scientific problems are solved through hard work, not just debate, but acknowledged the symposium's potential to raise interest. Maccabee referred to the opposing side as "skeptics of skeptics" and highlighted their errors. Philip Klass argued that UFOs could not be secret weapons or spacecraft, citing the US radar network and the impossibility of maintaining such a secret for over 30 years. He suggested that the sheer volume of UFO reports made the spacecraft explanation unlikely.

Robert Scheaffer agreed, stating that UFOs move from place to place and generate many sightings. James Oberg concluded that it is unknown if extraterrestrial beings have reached Earth, and those who claim to know are merely creating a stir.

Provisional International Committee on UFO Research (PICUR) Meeting (Copenhagen)

On October 19, 1980, the first meeting of the Provisional International Committee on UFO Research (PICUR) took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, in conjunction with a congress organized by SUFOI. The Federation UFO Research (FUFOR) showed significant interest in PICUR's activities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents detailed case studies of alleged UFO encounters and sightings, often involving witness testimonies, official investigations (or lack thereof), and attempts at rational explanation. There is a clear critical stance towards certain UFO organizations (like DUIST) perceived as discrediting serious research. The publication seems to favor rigorous investigation and presents a balanced view by including both proponents and skeptics in its discussions, as seen in the Smithsonian symposium report. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, seeking to understand phenomena while acknowledging the possibility of misinterpretation or hoaxes, as highlighted in the Dumfries case.

This issue of the magazine, identified as 'UFO - Crash? 3. Fortsetzung' from BILD, dated Monday, January 19, 1981, focuses on UFO phenomena, international research efforts, and specific case studies. The cover prominently features a headline about bestseller author Charles Berlitz revealing details of '6 grey aliens from another star,' accompanied by an illustration of an alien being escorted by a soldier, referencing the alleged Roswell incident.

International UFO Research Meeting in Copenhagen

The issue details a meeting in Copenhagen that was attended by representatives from various UFO organizations, including BUFORA (England), SUFOI (Denmark), and PROJECT URD (Sweden). Mark A. Tyrrell and Peter Hill from BUFORA, and Bertil Kuhlemann from PROJECT URD were present. The meeting aimed to establish a 'scientific community' within the UFO field, standardize data, methodology, and terminology, and potentially form an International Committee of Scientific Unions (ICSU). Peter Hill emphasized the need for a journal, 'UFO INTERNATIONAL,' to publish the latest results and bridge the gap between the scientific world and UFO research. Bertil Kuhlemann outlined two levels of UFO research: individual interest and organized efforts. The goal was to move UFO research away from mythology and towards a more scientific study.

Interview with Per Andersen of SUFOI

An interview with Per Andersen, representing SUFOI (Scandinavisk UFO Information) from Denmark, provides insights into Scandinavian UFO research. SUFOI, founded in 1957, was the first UFO group in Scandinavia. Andersen discusses the challenges of managing a large organization and outlines plans for training courses to standardize investigation procedures, including field investigation manuals. He highlights SUFOI's contact with police and military authorities, mentioning their success in accessing previously classified 'ghost rocket' reports from 1945-1946. While acknowledging interest from some military personnel, he notes the absence of military representatives at the congress.

Case Study: UFO Sighting in Berlin

The magazine presents a detailed investigation by Jon P. Johnson of MUFOIT/GER into a UFO sighting reported by Maria Burghard in Berlin on October 9/10, 1978. Johnson notes discrepancies between the press report (Bild-Zeitung-Berlin) and the witness's account. Burghard described a gold-colored, pipe-shaped object, approximately 15 meters wide and at an altitude of 100 meters, which moved slowly before disappearing. She reported the sighting at 9 PM, contrary to the press report placing it near midnight. The press also claimed other witnesses saw the object, which Burghard denied. Johnson analyzes the possibility of it being a helicopter or aircraft, dismissing these due to the lack of noise and the object's behavior. He offers a theory that the object might have been attached to a crane, explaining the gold color as reflections from streetlights. A significant discrepancy is noted regarding the publication date of the press report (July 1978) versus the date of the sighting (October 1978), suggesting a potential error in the witness's recollection or the reporting.

Charles Berlitz and the Roswell Incident

Another section discusses bestseller author Charles F. Berlitz and his claims regarding the alleged UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico, in July 1947. According to Berlitz, six grey aliens were captured by US soldiers and subsequently killed by the CIA to maintain secrecy. The article mentions that President Eisenhower ordered the incident to be kept secret. The text also includes a brief mention of Walter Rizzi's 'UFOnaut' artwork and a note about the Hill couple's hypnotic trance experience, with a statement that serious UFO/UAP researchers reject such methods.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue demonstrates a strong interest in UFO phenomena, emphasizing the need for scientific rigor and international cooperation in research. It highlights the challenges of communication across different languages and organizational structures within the UFO community. The case study of the Berlin sighting underscores the importance of critical analysis and the potential for media sensationalism to distort factual reporting. The inclusion of Berlitz's claims about Roswell suggests an engagement with prominent, albeit controversial, UFO narratives. The magazine appears to advocate for a more structured and evidence-based approach to UFO investigation, while also covering significant historical claims within the field.

This issue of UFO-Nachrichten, dated November 1977 (Volume 1978, Issue 11), published by Countrywide Publications Inc. in the USA, delves into several compelling UFO-related topics. The content is primarily in German, with a focus on alleged alien encounters, potential hoaxes, and historical sightings.

Alleged Alien Bodies and Hoaxes

The magazine reports on claims of individuals seeing alien bodies. One account mentions three new witnesses, with one claiming to have seen a body in a ambulance and another in a hospital. A further report details a witness seeing a single body at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. Len Stringfield is mentioned as possessing eight photos showing a preserved body in a glass box, possibly in a nitrogen solution. These photos, obtained through a US government news agency, were not yet released to the media as their authenticity was under investigation. Stanton Friedman, a MUFON consultant, and William "Bill" Moore, a State Section Director, reportedly found a logical source for these photographs through their research.

The November 1977 issue of "ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS" magazine, published by Countrywide Publications Inc., featured a photograph with the caption "The Humanoid, found in a crypt in a SECRET CHAMBER BENEATH THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING." The accompanying text claimed this was the first image of a being discovered by the government beneath New York City. Dr. L.K. Barnes, who claimed telepathic contact with former inhabitants of Atlantis, stated he would reveal the origin of this find in the next issue of "ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS." Walt Andrus sent a $7 check to the magazine's publishers for a 2-3 feet color reproduction of this "incredible discovery." However, months passed without the check being cashed or MUFON receiving the "fantastic photograph." Dennis W. Hauck, former editor of "OFFICIAL UFO" and "ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS," clarified that the new owners of both magazines had altered the content from legitimate UFO reports to "pure inventions" by fiction writers. It was then determined by the two investigators that someone had re-photographed the magazine's photo and sent it to Leonard Stringfield as a "painful joke" to discredit his work. Stringfield stated he received the photos from a person who assured him they came from another individual, a member of a news agency.

1947: A Special Situation

The issue then shifts to the year 1947, described as a time when the world became aware that "something was going on" following the first sightings of flying discs and saucers. This period is compared to other mysteries like the Loch Ness Monster and the Abominable Snowman. The article highlights the prevailing atmosphere of fear and uncertainty following World War II, with the Cold War looming and the world powers on the brink of direct confrontation. Space exploration and rocket technology were advancing, and the study of elementary particles was central to understanding power dynamics.

Kenneth Arnold is credited with the first major sighting on June 24, 1947, over the Mt. Rainier-Massiv in Washington State. This event led to sensational headlines and a widespread "UFO fever." The public's interest was piqued by the "myth of flying saucers." The article notes that Arnold's sighting triggered a wave of reports across the USA, with many sightings being commercially explainable or the result of pranks. However, the focus is also on the "hysteria" and the unpreparedness of US authorities, who were confronted with these reports through news and internal memos.

A report from the OREGON JOURNAL on July 5, 1947, details an airline crew's confirmation of flying discs. The crew of a UNITED AIRLINES flight over Boise/Idaho, along with a Coast Guard watchman near Seattle, Portland border police, and numerous citizens, reported sightings. Captain E.J. Smith of the airliner told UNITED PRESS that he sighted five "thin and smooth" objects that appeared against the sunset shortly after their 8 PM departure. They followed the objects for over 45 miles to the northwest before they disappeared. Smith could not determine if they sped away or dissolved. He emphasized that they were not other aircraft, nor were they smoke or clouds. In Seattle, Coast Guard watchman Frank Eyman reported taking a photograph of the objects from his porch.

The issue also includes promotional material for Steven Spielberg's film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," highlighting its success and announcing that the director filmed additional scenes. It promotes the "new version" of the film, with a start date of March 13th.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of alleged physical evidence of UFOs (bodies, photographs), the critical examination of potential hoaxes within the UFO community, and the historical context of early UFO sightings, particularly the 1947 wave. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, acknowledging the public's fascination while also highlighting the need for verification and distinguishing between genuine reports and fabrications. The inclusion of promotional material for "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" suggests an awareness of the cultural impact of UFO phenomena.