CENAP - REPORT

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP - REPORT
Issue: Nr. 84
Volume: 7. Jahrgang / H2
Date: February 1983
Publisher: CENAP
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of CENAP Report focuses on UFO phenomena, particularly photographic evidence from Norway. It includes detailed witness accounts, analysis of photographic evidence, and information about related organizations.

UFO-Fotos aus NORWEGEN (UFO Photos from Norway)

The main article details a significant UFO sighting that occurred on November 19, 1981, at 18:20 near Arendal on the south coast of Norway. The witnesses, Mr. and Mrs. Bjoernsen and their daughter, observed a large, elongated object with a prominent red light at each end. The object exhibited blinking and pulsating behavior, with an irregular blue light that sometimes illuminated the ground. The Bjoernsenses had heard about other sightings of blinking objects in the preceding days.

The report describes the object's movement, including ascending and descending, and changing course. It notes that the object's lights shifted from yellow to blue. At one point, two other objects appeared, moving in formation with the main object. The witnesses, initially skeptical, found the experience profound and life-altering.

Later that evening, around 20:00, an object identical to the one seen by the Bjoernsenses was reported flying over Arendal by a driver. This driver confirmed the object's identity by lowering his window to rule out reflections.

The article includes a sketch made by Mr. Bjoernsen and discusses the photographic evidence (Photos A4 and A5), which were the first taken of the phenomenon. The analysis of these photos highlights details such as the red lights, their blinking pattern, and the object's shape. The report contrasts the observed lights with those of conventional aircraft, noting differences in color and blinking frequency.

Further analysis is provided for other photographic series (A, B, C, A4x2, D2), comparing them to known aircraft and celestial bodies. The report notes that some photos (A6, A7) were underexposed, while others (A10-A13, AO) were intentionally taken of aircraft for comparison purposes.

SUFOI Documentation and Anniversary

Pages 9 and 10 discuss the 25th anniversary of SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information) in 1982. CENAP has released its second documentation, 'CENAP-DOKUMENTATION SUFOI', which includes an interview with SUFOI leader Peter A. Hansen, information about SUFOI staff, and a retrospective on 20 years of Danish UFO research. The documentation is available for purchase. The issue also mentions that SUFOI is a central alarm center for UFO reports.

Page 10 features a collage of information, including a 'Skandinavisk UFO Information' report with classification codes (NL.1, NL.2, DL.1, DL.2, NO.1-3), a note about Russian UFO reports, and a brief mention of three airline pilots reporting a 'very green light' in Australia. It also includes a diagram illustrating flight paths and locations of reported sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, photographic analysis of UFOs, and the importance of witness testimony. CENAP appears to maintain a serious and analytical approach to UFO research, aiming to document and investigate extraordinary phenomena. The publication also serves to connect researchers and organizations like CENAP and SUFOI, fostering a network for the study of UFOs in Europe.

This issue of the magazine features an in-depth article titled "Der Kontaktfall „Hill" in der Krise!" (The Hill Contact Case in Crisis!), authored by Werner Walter of CENAP-Staff. Initially intended for a different publication, the manuscript was revised and submitted for the CR readership. The article focuses on the controversial Betty and Barney Hill UFO abduction case.

The Hill Case: A Crisis of Belief

The article begins by contextualizing the Hill case as one of the most significant alleged alien encounters in UFO literature, alongside figures like George Adamski and Howard Menger. The incident, reported in 1961 from the United States, involved the mixed-race couple Barney and Betty Hill claiming to have been medically examined by extraterrestrial intelligences aboard a flying saucer.

The private institute CENAP in Mannheim took an interest in the case and conducted research using various sources, requiring perseverance and extensive correspondence, literature, and source studies.

Literature Review

The article lists numerous publications and media reports that have covered the Hill case, including:

• Süddeutsche Zeitung (1965)
• Der SPIEGEL (1967)
• QUICK (1967)
• UFO-Erlebnis-Berichte (1966)
• Auf ins All (Sphinx-Verlag)
• Die UFO-Beweise (Verlag Blanvalet)
• Das UFO-Phänomen (Bertelsmann-Verlag)
• UFO-Begegnungen der Ersten, Zweiten und Dritten Art (Goldmann Sachbuch)
• BILD-am-Sonntag (1975)
• KONTAKT-Berichte (1977)
• Deutsche Zeitung (1978)
• ESOTERA (1977)
• QUICK (1978)
• Wiener SAMSTAG (1978)

The author notes that while these sources are accessible, they often present a biased perspective. The article suggests that further investigation, particularly into US information, has revealed new details that challenge the credibility of the Hill story.

NICAP and the Hill Case

The article then turns to the stance of NICAP (National Investigation Committee on Aerial Phenomena), an organization founded by Major a. D. Donald E. Keyhoe. In its publication THE UFO-INVESTIGATOR (November-December 1965), NICAP addressed the Hill abduction claim. They stated that they did not accept the claim, as their multi-year investigation had found no supporting evidence. NICAP mentioned a psychiatrist who had examined the couple and was expected to release a report the following year. NICAP indicated they would discuss the previous reports with the couple before making a final decision.

However, after a Boston newspaper reported on the case, NICAP's conviction wavered. Walter N. Webb, a Boston NICAP advisor, interviewed the Hills extensively. He later visited them regularly and learned they had undergone extensive psychiatric hypnosis analysis regarding their abduction story. Webb compiled a preliminary report, and details were submitted to NICAP. When a Boston newspaper highlighted the psychiatric aspect, the Hills requested that the report remain confidential. NICAP stated they had a responsibility to their members and, after the Boston press made premature statements, they were no longer convinced. NICAP concluded that they had no proof and that the abduction might be an imaginary experience, possibly triggered by a sighting. They promised to publish their findings once the psychiatrist's report was released or the Hills gave permission.

TRUE Magazine's special issue (No. 2, 1967) titled "THE New Report on FLYING SAUCERS" also covered the case, noting that while there might be evidence, NICAP sent an investigator who could not obtain samples of alleged chemical markings on the Hills' car, which was later scrapped.

Philip J. Klass and the Hill Case

Philip J. Klass, co-editor of AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY, is introduced as an author who discussed the Hill case in his 1974 book "UFO-Erklärt" (UFOs Explained). Klass describes the incident, which occurred on September 19, 1961, as the Hills drove home late at night through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Betty noticed a strange light that seemed to follow their car. She called her sister, who had also seen a distant UFO. Betty then borrowed a book titled "Die fliegende Untertassen-Verschwörung" (The Flying Saucer Conspiracy) and wrote to NICAP about her sighting. The initial letter to NICAP did not mention an abduction. Ten days later, Betty began experiencing nightmares about being taken aboard a flying saucer for examination, which lasted for five days. When she described these dreams to neighbors and colleagues, some suggested they might have a basis in reality. When NICAP investigators spoke with the Hills, they heard about the dreams, and one investigator speculated that an abduction might have occurred.

Over the next two years, the Hills shared their story with UFO and church groups. Barney sought psychiatric help from Dr. Ben Simon in Exeter, New Hampshire, due to personal issues. Dr. Simon, a prominent Boston psychiatrist experienced in hypnosis, evaluated the couple. In late 1963, Simon hypnotized Barney and Betty individually. He found that when asked about their drive, they effectively 'relived' their journey and the UFO incident, providing identical details. Simon explained this was natural as they shared the same experience. However, when they 'relived' the alleged abduction, the dynamic was different. Betty described many specific details, while Barney seemed to remember almost nothing. Simon suggested this indicated Barney's knowledge of the abduction was likely influenced by Betty's repeated retellings of her nightmares to neighbors and friends. Simon also noted that many details Betty reported were typical of dream symbols, some with sexual connotations, which an experienced psychiatrist would recognize.

When asked for his opinion on the Hill abduction case, Dr. Simon recalled a similar question from the senior editor of LOOK magazine. Simon stated, "Absolut Nein!" when asked if he believed the Hills were abducted. The editor reportedly said that if Simon had answered affirmatively, he would have immediately flown back to New York. Despite this, the article was published, leading readers to infer that the magazine supported the sensational story.

Dr. Simon's rejection of Betty's traumatic account of the abduction did not surprise the author, as Simon had previously indicated his views differed from those presented by Fuller in the LOOK article. Simon and Fuller reportedly had sharp disagreements regarding Fuller's interpretation of the facts.

Betty Hill's Own Account

The article then presents excerpts from a UFO REPORT interview with Betty Hill in January 1978, titled "Betty Hill-die naheste Begegnung" (Betty Hill-the Closest Encounter). Hill discusses her experience and claims extraterrestrials are from other solar systems. She clarifies that she does not believe they come from Zeta Reticuli. She mentions that the case gained significant publicity due to Fuller's book "Die unterbrochene Reise" (The Interrupted Journey) and an NBC TV film in 1975.

Barney Hill died in 1969 at the age of 46. Betty Hill, now 63 and retired, dedicates her life to UFO research.

Betty recounts the initial reporting of their story in a Boston newspaper in 1965. She states they were not interested in publicity and that the newspaper conducted extensive research, interviewing witnesses and radar operators. She claims seven radar screens detected 'their' UFO. However, no investigators, civilian or military, contacted her after the article was published.

Regarding the weather station on Mt. Washington, Betty states she never heard of it having a 130-mile visibility range, only 90 miles. She explains that Mt. Washington's location and the intervening mountains would make it difficult for weather personnel to see a UFO, especially if it were not directly visible. She dismisses Shaeffer's assertion as irrelevant.

Betty confirms that copies of Dr. Simon's hypnosis interview tapes are supposedly in the National Archives or Library of Congress, though she is unsure of their exact location.

She mentions waiting 12 years to meet other UFO witnesses like Charlie Hickson and Calvin Parker.

Betty recounts another UFO sighting with Barney in 1965, which reinforced their belief in their first experience. She also notes the Exeter/N.H. area was flooded with sightings, leading John Fuller to write a book about it. Living only 12 miles away and working as a social worker in Exeter, she became familiar with the area. After their story became public, they received many calls from people sharing their own UFO sightings. Betty began mapping these sightings and identified a particularly active area in New Hampshire, which she calls her "Landegebiet" (landing area). She has since been accompanied by others to observe and document these phenomena.

Further Encounters and Observations

Betty describes encountering UFOs that seemed to specialize in following cars. On one occasion, a UFO hovered directly over her parked car. She notes that for three weeks, all UFOs disappeared, but then returned in greater numbers and variety. She describes these new UFOs as more aggressive, previously accompanying cars playfully but now firing beams and swooping down as if to drive people away. She recounts a personal frightening experience where a UFO drove her off the road, and the paint on her car was damaged. A particular UFO, a flat disk with bright lights and two white headlights underneath, appeared almost nightly during the winter of 1976-77. During one such sighting, she and a retired military officer and his wife observed it. The officer approached the UFO, and a large, swirling red ball emerged. Betty attempted to film it, but a green light hit her camera, burning out the trigger.

Two sketches by David Baker, an artist and NICAP member, based on interviews with the Hills, are presented, depicting the alleged "leaders" from the spacecraft.

Betty believes UFOs are spacecraft piloted by astronauts from other solar systems. She reiterates her belief that they do not come from Zeta Reticuli.

The article notes that the images on page 9 are from THE UFO-INVESTIGATOR (April 1972) and that the BOSTON TRAVELER first reported the Hill story in 1965. NICAP members learned of the case through correspondence between Hill and Keyhoe in early 1962, but the UFO-Investigator did not cover it.

Barney Hill passed away on February 25, 1969, after suffering a stroke. His death at 46 led to speculation about alien intervention. The article concludes by questioning whether the entire case should be carried forward.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the Betty and Barney Hill UFO abduction case, exploring its controversial nature, the evidence presented, and the skepticism it has generated. The article highlights the role of media, investigative organizations like NICAP and CENAP, and psychiatric analysis in shaping public perception of the case. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical examination, presenting various viewpoints and questioning the veracity of the abduction claims, particularly through the lens of Dr. Ben Simon's skeptical assessment and the inconsistencies noted by Philip J. Klass. The article also touches upon Betty Hill's continued dedication to UFO research and her personal experiences, suggesting a persistent, albeit debated, phenomenon.