CENAP Report - No 062

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP – REPORT
Issue: Nr.62
Volume: 6.Jahrgang/H4/
Date: April 1981
Publisher: CENAP (centrales erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher phänomene)
Country: Germany
Language: German

Article 1: Nochmals=F.Fontaine - Der Fall Cergy-Pontoise:Begegnung der übelsten Art

This article, authored by Jean Bastide, critically examines the alleged UFO encounter of Frank Fontaine in Cergy-Pontoise on November 26, 1979. Bastide strongly asserts that the incident was a deliberate hoax, orchestrated to deceive the public and media, possibly for financial gain. He points to several factors: a French radio show discussing UFOs prior to the incident, the involvement of Fontaine's brother Jean-Pierre Prevost who was knowledgeable about UFO literature and possibly the 'brain' behind the trick, and the existence of similar fictional accounts and previous sightings that might have served as inspiration. Bastide also notes that Fontaine and his associates refused hypnosis by serious investigators and that there were no physical or physiological after-effects or anomalies detected in Fontaine.

Bastide concludes that the incident was a 'close encounter' driven by a combination of UFO interest and parapsychology, leading to financial profit. He cites his own book, "La Memoire des OVNI, des Argonautes aux Extraterrestres," published in 1978, as relevant background.

Article 2: NICAP-News oder: Schlechte Zeiten

This section reports on the ongoing problems faced by NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena). K.R. Springer Jr. provides the new NICAP address in Gaithersburg, MD, USA. It is noted that Alan Hall resigned as NICAP President in July 1980, leading to the suspension of correspondence and the publication of the 'UFO INVESTIGATOR'. The article mentions that older issues of the 'UFO INVESTIGATOR' are available through University Microfilms. Werner Walter of CENAP-Staff is credited for this report.

Article 3: Maulkorb oder:Sie MÜSSEN Weiterfliegen - Der Versuch einer öffentlichen Informationskampagne und die Folgen

This article, also by Werner Walter of CENAP-Staff, details CENAP's efforts to disseminate UFO information to the public and media, highlighting the significant challenges encountered. CENAP prepared a comprehensive report titled "Fliegende Untertassen, UFOs, UAP?" with accompanying slides, which was sent to the P.M. Redaktion in December 1980. The report covered various topics including UFO near-collisions, 'Green Fireballs,' UFO ideology, and CENAP's structure.

However, the report was rejected by P.M. and subsequently sent to other publications like SPIEGEL, BURDA-Verlag, STERN, Heinrich Bauer-Verlag (NEUE REVUE), FERNSEHWOCHE, HOR ZU, GONG, and BILD der Wissenschaft. Most of these publications either rejected the material, citing lack of space, irrelevance, or a preference for sensationalism over factual reporting. The article expresses frustration with the 'free press' and its tendency to sensationalize UFO topics, often at the expense of serious research.

Article 4: UFOs über CHINA

This section focuses on UFO activity and research in China. It begins by explaining why a translation of an article from the Flying Saucer Review (FSR) is not provided, attributing responsibility for the material to Japanese UFOlogist Yusuke J. Matsumura of the UFO-Manipuliergruppe CBA. The report is based on information provided by French colleagues from GEOS, with special thanks to Marie-Louise Tanguy.

UFOs über China by Bo Lin:

According to China's development program, 1980 was the Year of the Monkey, but for the China UFO Research Organization (CURO), it was the year of unidentified flying objects. CURO leader Cha Leping reported that UFO sightings reached a new peak in China in 1980, with 77 reports received between January and November from the city of Wuhan. CURO, officially established in May 1980 by a team of UFO enthusiasts at Wuhan University, has investigated 208 sightings. It is a member of the Chinese Society for the Study of the Future and focuses on researching unexplained phenomena, with 400 members across China. Cha Leping, a 25-year-old student of Space Physics at Wuhan University, leads CURO.

The article details several reported sightings from 1980:

• October 5, 1980: A group of machinists reported a conical UFO flying at 3000 feet near Wagang. The object emitted intense heat and a bright light, described as red-green with a white tail, and moved away with a humming sound.
• November 5, 1980: Two office workers in Tianjin reported a disc-shaped object emitting green light, which moved erratically before disappearing and reappearing.
• November 11, 1980: A farm manager in Guangxi reported a silver object flying at high speed and spraying mist.
• November 11, 1980: A Spanish jetliner was reportedly forced to land by a UFO.
• Late November 1980: Three students from Wuhan University sighted a UFO with two yellow and two white lights, described as bowl-shaped, hovering at 3000 feet for over 15 minutes before making a turn.
• August 24, 1980: Two students from Beijing Mining Institute photographed a white light emitting object rising behind a mountain east of Beijing.

The article also recounts a disturbing incident on July 7, 1977, in Fujian Province, where two mysterious objects flying low over an open-air cinema caused panic, resulting in two deaths from trampling and 300 people screaming hysterically.

Another incident involved Chinese Air Force pilots in Gansu Province on October 23, 1978, who observed a massive, luminous, rectangular object flying at 21,000 feet. This sighting is noted to have potential connections to an Australian incident on October 21, 1978, where a pilot reported a large, rectangular object with green light and four lights before losing contact.

Cha Leping categorizes UFO descriptions into three types: 80% are bowl-shaped, ball-shaped, or egg-shaped; rarely seen are large, angular objects; and the third category includes UFOs appearing as spiral nebulae with bright cores.

Finally, a large object identified as a meteor was observed on August 26, 1980, over Eastern China, with a 1000 km long trail and an estimated weight of 1000 tons.

Article 5: ALEPS - Association Luxembourgeoise d'Etude des Phenomenes Spatiaux

This section introduces ALEPS, a Luxembourg-based research group founded in 1980. ALEPS is a young and small team focused on the scientific study of UFO phenomena. They aim to collect as much data as possible on UFO sightings through field investigations, witness testimonies, and measurements. ALEPS collaborates with national and international research groups and plans to publish its findings in the ALEPS-REPORT, which is intended to be published quarterly and be freely available to other researchers. They acknowledge that they cannot offer payment for any activities.

Gilbert Schmitz of ALEPS proposed a second SYRGENSTEIN meeting, and ALEPS expressed interest in sending a delegation. The article notes that a meeting was planned for September 18-20, 1981, at the Hotelrestaurant SYRGENSTEIN.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CENAP REPORT consistently adopts a critical and investigative stance towards UFO phenomena. While acknowledging the existence of unexplained sightings, the publication, particularly through Jean Bastide's contributions, is quick to identify and expose potential hoaxes and misrepresentations, especially when they appear to be driven by financial motives or media sensationalism. The magazine also highlights the difficulties faced by serious researchers in gaining traction with mainstream media, emphasizing the contrast between sensationalist reporting and rigorous investigation. The inclusion of international reports, particularly from China, demonstrates a broad scope of interest in UFO phenomena worldwide. The editorial stance favors a scientific and evidence-based approach, as exemplified by the introduction of ALEPS and their methodology.

This document is a scan of pages from a Chinese newspaper, Beijing Wanbao (北京晚报), dated Friday, November 28, 1980, issue number 3135. The primary focus of the extracted content is the growing interest and research into Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) in China, alongside a report on UFO-related activities in New Zealand and a critical look at the German UFO scene.

UFOs in China

The main article, originating from a XINHUA dispatch dated December 4, 1980, details the burgeoning interest in UFO phenomena in China. It notes that while UFOs have long captured Western imagination, they are now arousing increasing interest among the Chinese population. The "Beijing Evening News" is cited for publishing a photograph of a purported UFO seen by three tourists camping in mountainous Changping County, Beijing, on August 24. The eyewitnesses described the object as resembling a triple star in an inverted T shape, surrounded by a halo of light.

Press reports indicate that individuals interested in UFO studies are spread across 24 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China. These researchers are approaching the phenomenon from multidisciplinary angles, including physics, astronomy, technology, philosophy, and psychology.

Approximately 200 UFO enthusiasts have organized themselves into a UFO research organization, described as the first academic society of its kind in China. This society, reported by Shanghai's "Wen Hui Bao," is headquartered in Wuhan, with branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and the provinces of Sichuan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Hubei, as well as the Guangxi region. Its members include a diverse range of professions: workers, students, teachers, journalists, doctors, and researchers. The head of the society is identified as 26-year-old Cha Leping, a student in the astro-physics department at Wuhan University.

Since its founding in May, the organization has sponsored discussions and observations of unidentified flying objects. It also publishes the journal "UFO Exploration," which covers such phenomena and research progress both in China and abroad.

UFO Research in New Zealand

A section titled "Notizen am Rand" (Notes from the Margin) by Werner Walter/CENAP-Staff discusses UFO research activities. It references a report from the DSIR (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) in New Zealand, specifically from investigator W. Ireland. Ireland sent radar recordings from January 8, 1979, showing a Wellington radar screen. The radar covered a 10-nautical-mile radius. The report details a movable target and three "ghost" echoes (UFOs) detected near the Kaikoura coast. A video representation showed an echo from a ship in Pegasus Bay, beyond the "echo horizon." The article notes that these UFOs were filmed by a TV team on December 31, 1978.

International UFO Community and Activities

Further sections delve into the broader international UFO community and research efforts, with a strong focus on CENAP (Centrale Erforschungsgruppe für Unbekannte Phänomene).

• Merseyside Groups Meeting: The document reports on the "first meeting of the Merseyside Groups" in England on December 13, 1980. Attendees included representatives from various British UFO organizations. Miss Jenny Randles, co-author of 'UFOs-Ein britischer Standpunkt,' was a guest speaker. The meeting involved presentations and discussions, though it was marked by a conflict where Mark Johnson attacked Don Alderson, attributed to past membership issues.

• CENAP's International Contacts: CENAP maintains contact with the "Northern Ohio UFO Group" in Cleveland, USA, exchanging newsletters. This US group, formed in May 1978, has about 40 members and investigates UFO sightings, operating a 24-hour telephone service for reports.

• Yugoslavian UFO Publications: Milos Krmelj from Yugoslavia reported that the last issues of his publication "ODISEJA" in the local language had been published. Due to the difficulty of understanding Serbo-Croatian, there was a request for an English-language edition, but political circumstances required government approval for such a publication.

• CENAP's Film Promotion: CENAP engaged in a promotional campaign in conjunction with the German cinema release of the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (Neue Version) starting March 13, 1981. This involved a four-week dia-sound show and a 22-second advertising spot integrated into film screenings.

• German UFO Scene Critique: A significant portion of the document, particularly the "Hintergründe" (Background) section, offers a critical perspective on the German UFO scene. It traces its origins from the early days to the present, distinguishing between serious UFO research and what the author terms "sectarian study societies" and "superstition." The author criticizes a 1960 UFO congress organized by the DUIST, describing it as a platform for wishful thinking, clairvoyance, and self-deception, attended by nearly a thousand participants from twelve nations. The report highlights alleged encounters with "space beings" or "Martians" who offered advice on human betterment and spoke of "thousand-year kingdoms" and "electrically preserved" food in underground cities. The author expresses concern that such beliefs are being presented as fact, potentially leading people away from established religious beliefs.

• Specific Alleged Encounters: The text recounts anecdotes, such as an alleged Martian named KUMAR who supposedly gifted a Jaspis stone for protection and could render himself invisible. Another story involves a woman claiming to be a "runaway teacher from Venus" who had spoken with "world inhabitants."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document showcases a dual approach to UFO phenomena: reporting on sightings and research organizations in China and internationally, while also critically examining the more esoteric and potentially cult-like aspects of UFO belief, particularly within the German context. The newspaper appears to be presenting information from various sources, including news agencies (XINHUA), research organizations (DSIR, CENAP), and other publications. The tone shifts from factual reporting of sightings and organizational activities to a more skeptical and cautionary stance when discussing the more extreme interpretations of UFO encounters and alleged communications with extraterrestrials. The emphasis on scientific angles (physics, astronomy, technology) in the Chinese research organization contrasts with the more spiritual and pseudoscientific claims discussed in the German context. The overall stance seems to be one of documenting the phenomenon while also urging critical thinking and distinguishing between serious investigation and unfounded belief.

This document is the third issue of the magazine titled "CRS", published in Spring 1981. The publisher is CENAP (Centrale Erforschungs-Netz außergewöhnlicher Phänomene). The magazine is in German and focuses on UFO phenomena. The cover headline is "Weiter: UFOs bei Scandia?" (Further: UFOs at Scandia?).

Content Summary

The issue announces the arrival of CRS Nr.3, stating its intention to provide new information to UFO researchers. Originally planned to cover a specific UFO topic, the editorial team decided to expand the scope into a trilogy due to the nature of the subject. The magazine highlights the Scandia case, referencing previous coverage in CRS Nr.2 by MUFON/APRO-Field-Investigator R.E. Engberg. This issue, however, focuses on the work of CUFOS-Untersucher Bradley Earl Mers on the same case. The magazine aims to present the work of "colleagues" and promises that further details, likely from a future issue (Nr.4/2, Spring issue), will be published within two months.

Readers are encouraged to subscribe to CRS, with a yearly subscription costing 30 DM for CRS and an additional 15 DM for a year of CRS. Subscription details include a postscheck account for CENAP-Hilfe in Ludwigshafen (account number 79082-673). The magazine emphasizes the importance of staying informed, with a quote from an expert recommending "CR gelesen, dabei gewesen..." (Read CR, be present...).

Articles and Features

While specific articles are not detailed with titles, the main focus is on the Scandia UFO case and the ongoing investigations by different organizations.

Key Incidents

• Scandia Case: The issue delves into the Scandia UFO incidents, presenting the investigative work of R.E. Engberg (MUFON/APRO) and Bradley Earl Mers (CUFOS). Further details are promised for future issues.

Subscription and Pricing

• Single Issue Price: 3.50 DM.
• Back Issues: All issues from Nr.31 onwards are available for back-order.
• Annual Subscription: 30 DM for one year of CRS, and an additional 15 DM for a year of CRS.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance is pro-information and encourages active research and engagement with UFO phenomena. It positions itself as a source for new and detailed information, fostering a sense of community among researchers by highlighting the work of various investigators and organizations. The editorial tone is enthusiastic and persuasive, urging readers to subscribe and stay informed.