CENAP Report - No 142

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP-REPORT, dated December 1987 (Nr. 142), with a cover price of DM 3.90, focuses on the controversial "MJ-12: Das Fiasko!" (MJ-12: The Fiasco!). The magazine is published by CENAP-Mannheim, a private, independent organization dedicated to investigating the UFO phenomenon.

CENAP's Mission and Activities

CENAP positions itself as a private, independent organization for the investigation of the UFO phenomenon. Since 1976, it has investigated approximately 350 reported UFO sightings. The organization approaches reported sightings with scientific rigor and a keen investigative sense, even being invited to discuss UFOs with the German Ministry of Defense and the Air Force's leadership. In 1986, CENAP was recommended by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Interior as a point of contact for UFO reports. The German Federal Aviation Office and Air Traffic Control in Frankfurt have also been referring complex UFO sighting reports to CENAP for many years. Police departments, state authorities, and institutes in the aerospace industry occasionally support CENAP's investigations, and German embassies abroad assist with inquiries. CENAP's work is described as "meticulous," "objective," and "critical." They approach every new incident and "historical" UFO event without prejudice, maintaining an extensive correspondent network and a vast archive of information in written and visual form. CENAP is associated with various domestic and international organizations. A part of CENAP's mission includes "psychohygiene," aiming to combat occultism and superstition, and to expose fraudulent activities by popular authors. They also aim to debunk manipulations by the mass media, including press and television.

The CENAP REPORT is published monthly by CENAP-Mannheim and is available via subscription for DM 40 per year.

MJ-12: The Fiasco!

This central article, authored by Werner Walter of CENAP-Mannheim, addresses the heated debate surrounding the "MJ-12" documents, which gained significant attention in ufological circles. Walter notes that CENAP has previously reported critically on these documents with an argumentative skepticism. The media's dissemination of claims about crashed alien spacecraft and their recovery by the US government has fueled "cover-up" rumors.

The Admiral's Knowledge: UFOs, MJ-12, and Roscoe Hillenkoetter

This section, written by Bruce Maccabee, profiles Admiral Roscoe Hillenkoetter, a decorated military officer and former CIA Director. Hillenkoetter served in significant intelligence roles during and after World War II, including as Director of the Central Intelligence Group (which became the CIA) from 1947 to 1950. He later became Inspector of the Navy and retired in 1957. Maccabee highlights Hillenkoetter's authority and expertise, noting his participation in defense and intelligence-themed lectures. In 1957, he joined the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP). Hillenkoetter publicly supported UFO research, stating in 1960 that "unknown objects are operating under intelligent control" and expressing the need to understand their origin and intentions. He criticized the US Air Force for withholding facts and called for an open congressional hearing to reveal the truth about UFOs.

Maccabee questions why an admiral of Hillenkoetter's stature would engage with a UFO institution like NICAP, especially concerning a topic often associated with fringe beliefs. He suggests that Hillenkoetter may have realized the futility of the Air Force's denial policy and supported NICAP's efforts to obtain classified information. Hillenkoetter's actions are seen as an attempt to make the public aware that UFOs are real, even if the government wasn't compelled to release secrets. It is speculated that Hillenkoetter possessed significant knowledge about UFO activities, possibly beyond mere speculation.

Rewriting History

The article revisits the Roswell incident of July 1947, where a large amount of "alien material" was allegedly recovered in the desert near Roswell, New Mexico, and subsequently covered up by the military. The author suggests a need for a new perspective on early Air Force investigations into flying disc reports, acknowledging that the US government may have been conducting a highly secret investigation beyond the scope of Project Blue Book.

The Cover-Up Begins?

Brig. Gen. George F. Schulgen, assistant chief of the Intelligence Service Branch of the Army Air Corps, was tasked with collecting information on UFOs. In July 1947, he contacted the FBI to request assistance in interviewing civilians who reported flying saucers, to determine if these reports were due to a desire for publicity or subversive actions. Schulgen informed the FBI that the Air Force was mobilizing its scientists to ascertain the reality of the phenomenon and promised to share any information the Air Force gathered. This contact with the FBI was crucial in reconstructing the history of the case, as Project Blue Book files reportedly contained no information from this early phase.

Schulgen's intelligence officers gathered significant information, leading to the derivation of basic characteristics of flying discs. This information was then transmitted to the Air Materiel Command (AMC) for technical evaluation. Lt. Gen. Nathan Twining, head of AMC, responded to Schulgen on September 23rd, stating that "interrogation report data" had been studied, leading to the conclusion that the "phenomenon is somehow real and not visionary or fabricated." This echoed an earlier conclusion by Schulgen's officers that the "flying saucer situation is not entirely imaginary or an overreaction to any natural phenomena. Something real is flying around."

Despite Twining's letter detailing UFO characteristics and recommending a special project, it also noted a "lack of physical evidence in the form of a crashed and recovered body, which would undeniably prove the existence of these objects." Critics of the Roswell incident have used this statement to argue that the crash was fabricated, as Twining's letter did not mention any physical evidence. The author suggests that Twining might not have fully briefed Schulgen, as such information was likely reserved for higher ranks. If Twining knew about the Roswell crash, he may have been ordered to keep this information from those not authorized to know, such as those only tasked with collecting and evaluating witness statements.

A Man Who Should Know

If the Roswell incident indeed yielded physical and possibly biological evidence of non-terrestrial origin, it is assumed that government and military representatives at the highest level were informed. It is further presumed that they were confronted with an extremely important and unknown situation beyond their immediate understanding. To resolve this mystery, a special group of high-ranking individuals was likely appointed to coordinate the analysis of the hard evidence and its implications for science, technology, and humanity. This group would have been tasked with creating a barrier to control the evidence and prevent its existence from becoming public knowledge. This situation occurred shortly after World War II, when extreme secrecy regarding military matters was commonplace.

Only individuals with the necessary clearances and knowledge would be authorized to participate in this secret group. One such individual identified is Roscoe Hillenkoetter, head of the civilian agency overseeing military, political, and scientific developments in nations hostile to the US. He may have been responsible for ensuring the group remained compartmentalized and that no information about its activities leaked. The article speculates that this group might have been known as "MJ-12."

The Dirty Dozen?

There is evidence suggesting the existence of a special group evaluating the physical evidence of flying saucers. This group is believed to have been codenamed MJ-12. The term "MJ-12" first appeared in a document purportedly from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) dated November 17, 1980. This document, an answer to an inquiry from AFOSI's 17th District at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, New Mexico, requested analysis of photos and a film taken by a civilian near Kirtland AFB. The response from HQ stated that "the official US Government policy and the results of Project AQUARIUS are still STRICTLY CLASSIFIED and therefore no further information can be released, everything else is in the scope of MJ-TWELVE."

While the authenticity of this document is questioned due to inaccuracies, the author finds it significant. The article also references a 1976 report on Project Aquarius, described as highly classified.

Historical Context and Key Figures

A document found by Bill Moore in the National Archives, dated July 14, 1954, is a declassified memorandum to Gen. Twining concerning the "NSC / MJ-12 Special Studies Project." It indicates that President Eisenhower had decided the briefing should occur at a meeting on July 16th. This memo was signed by Robert Cutler, Special Assistant to the President. Searches of NSC records did not yield information about MJ-12 or a meeting on July 16, 1954.

Lee Graham independently confirmed the existence of MJ-12, having seen a Top Secret document from Autumn 1952 addressed to the "President," referencing a study of crashed saucers by a group of high-ranking government and military officials. Graham noted that two members of this group were Gen. Nathan Twining and Gen. Hoyt Vandenburg. Vannevar Bush, former Chief Scientific Advisor to the President, was also listed. Further evidence of Bush's involvement comes from a declassified document from November 21, 1950, written by Wilbert B. Smith for the Canadian government, stating that "Flying Saucers exist" and that the topic was "highly classified" by the US government, even more so than the H-bomb. This document mentions a "concentrated effort by a small group, led by Doctor Vannevar Bush."

Dr. Robert Sarbacher, an expert in rocketry, reportedly provided original information for Smith's memorandum. Sarbacher recalled being invited to Wright-Patterson AFB to examine the remains of a crashed saucer and its occupants but was unable to attend. He mentioned that some colleagues involved in classified projects did attend and described the recovered material as "extremely light and very resistant." He also noted that the beings operating these machines were "very light" and could withstand high G-forces, and described them as looking like "special insects."

Other potential members of MJ-12 mentioned include James Forrestal (first Secretary of Defense), Sidney Souers (head of the Central Intelligence Group), and Donald H. Menzel, an astrophysicist from Harvard University. Menzel, known as a skeptic, publicly debunked UFO sightings, which the article suggests may have been a form of damage control to protect the government's secret.

Admiral Hillenkoetter's joining NICAP a month after retiring from the CIA in 1957 is presented as puzzling. The author speculates that Hillenkoetter, aware of the reality of UFOs and disagreeing with the government's UFO information policy, sought to influence the scientific community through NICAP. His public statements, including the call for the release of facts, are seen as an attempt to counter the Air Force's debunking and ridicule policy.

International UFO Reporter and NICAP

The article references an article from the "International UFO Reporter" (November/December 1983, Vol. 11, Nr. 6) which discusses a report by Phillip Klass claiming that "Top Secret" documents purporting to show the Pentagon recovered a crashed flying saucer and four alien bodies in 1947 are bogus. The article also mentions Timothy Good's book "Above Top Secret: The Worldwide UFO Cover-up," which claims that Majestic 12 was a committee of senior US officials investigating and covering up flying saucer crashes.

The Moore-Shandera-Friedman Project

The issue highlights the research project by William L. Moore, Jaime H. Shandera, and Stanton Friedman, who collaborated to investigate the US government's involvement in UFO phenomena. They claim to have obtained documents, including a briefing paper for President Eisenhower on "Operation Majestic 12" (MJ-12), dated November 18, 1952. These documents purportedly confirm the recovery of alien bodies following the retrieval of UFO wreckage in New Mexico in July 1947. The article notes that while the authenticity of the documents is being investigated, evidence has been found to support the existence of the MJ-12 committee.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of CENAP-REPORT strongly advocates for the reality of UFOs and criticizes government secrecy and disinformation campaigns. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards official explanations and a belief that a significant cover-up has been in place regarding UFO phenomena. The magazine aims to expose what it perceives as manipulations by the media and to provide a platform for independent research into the UFO topic. The focus on the MJ-12 documents and the Roswell incident underscores a belief in the existence of advanced, non-terrestrial technology and a concerted effort by powerful entities to conceal this truth from the public.

This document is a scanned issue of 'JUST CAUSE', Volume 13, a publication from September 1987, focusing on UFOlogy and conspiracy theories. The issue delves deeply into the controversial 'Majestic-12' (MJ-12) documents, presenting them as a genuine government operation.

Operation Majestic-12: The Core Document

The central theme of the issue revolves around the 'Operation Majestic-12 Preliminary Briefing for President-Elect Eisenhower,' dated November 18, 1952. This briefing, allegedly prepared by Admiral Roscoe B. Hillenkoetter, details the clandestine MJ-12 group, established by President Truman on September 24, 1947, following recommendations from Dr. Vannevar Bush and Secretary James Forrestal. The group's purpose was to investigate UFOs and extraterrestrial phenomena.

The document recounts the 1947 sighting of nine disc-shaped aircraft over the Cascade Mountains and the subsequent crash of a similar craft near Roswell, New Mexico. It describes the recovery of the wreckage and the bodies of four 'Extra-terrestrial Biological Entities' (ETEs). The briefing highlights the scientific analysis of these beings and the craft, noting their non-human biological and evolutionary processes. It also mentions the ongoing efforts to understand the propulsion and power source of these craft, which lacked conventional technology.

The briefing emphasizes the national security implications of these phenomena, stating that the craft do not originate from any country on Earth. Speculation points to other solar systems as a possible origin. The document details the evolution of government projects investigating these objects, from Project SIGN to Project GRUIDGE and currently Project BLUZ BOOK.

A second incident is described: a crash on December 6, 1950, in the El Indio-Guerrero area of Texas, near the Mexican border. Recovered material was sent to Sandia, New Mexico, for study. The briefing stresses the continuing importance of understanding the visitors' motives and intentions, especially given an observed increase in surveillance activity.

The document concludes with a strong recommendation for maintaining strict security precautions, even with the change in administration, and keeping contingency plan MJ-1949-04P/78 ready for potential public announcement.

Analysis and Skepticism of the MJ-12 Documents

The issue then transitions into a critical analysis and debunking of the MJ-12 documents, primarily from the perspective of 'JUST CAUSE' and other skeptical organizations like CAUS (Citizens Against UFO Secrecy).

Several points of contention are raised regarding the authenticity of the documents:

• Source and Transmission: The documents were allegedly received anonymously on 35mm film by Barry Greenwood, with no verifiable source provided by proponents like Moore, Shandera, and Friedman (MSF).
• Lack of Official Records: Inquiries to the Truman Library, Eisenhower Library, and the National Archives yielded no official records or confirmation of MJ-12, the 'Majestic-12 clearance level,' or related operations. The National Archives found no official letterhead, watermark, or registration number on key documents like the Cutler Memo.
• Inconsistencies in Documents: The Cutler Memo, dated July 14, 1954, was found to have an unusual security seal placement and was not signed. Furthermore, the National Archives noted that the memo's date was inconsistent with Robert Cutler's known travel schedule and the declassification status of related files.
• CIA Memo Analysis: A CIA memo presented as part of the evidence was questioned due to its typewriter font, placement of security markings, and the CIA's own assessment that it was a 'bad forgery.'
• Project Names: Projects like AQUARIUS and SNOWBIRD, allegedly linked to UFO research, were found to be unrelated military or intelligence programs with different objectives.
• Manipulation and Hoax Claims: Critics argue that the documents show signs of manipulation, with elements like letterheads being added to existing papers, and that the proponents are unwilling to reveal their sources, suggesting a deliberate hoax.

Barry Greenwood, a key proponent, is criticized for his role in disseminating these documents, and the overall effort is described as a 'fiasco' by CAUS.

Other UFO Cases and Research

The issue also briefly touches upon other UFO-related topics:

• "St. Georgen" Photo Case: A photographic case from the archives is presented, involving a supposed metallic, rotating object filmed in eight meters altitude. The interpretation of this case is questioned, particularly the assertion of it being in a different dimension.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the critical examination of UFO evidence, particularly the MJ-12 documents. The magazine 'JUST CAUSE,' through its articles and the inclusion of analyses from organizations like CAUS, adopts a skeptical stance towards the authenticity of the MJ-12 papers and other alleged government cover-ups. The editorial stance appears to be one of debunking sensational claims and demanding verifiable evidence, contrasting with the more credulous approach of some UFO researchers.

The issue highlights the ongoing debate within the UFO community regarding the validity of leaked documents and the extent of government involvement in concealing information about extraterrestrial phenomena.

This issue of CR magazine, dated January 1988, focuses on the analysis and re-evaluation of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) cases, alongside astronomical observations for the month. The publication appears to be a German-language periodical dedicated to ufology and related topics.

UFO Photo Puzzle and Case Re-evaluation

The issue features a "CR-UFO-Foto-Preisrätseln" (CR-UFO-Photo-Puzzle Contest), inviting readers to decipher the cause of a UFO photograph. The photograph, taken from a moving car near St. Peter-Schmittenhausen, depicts a ring-bell shape with a reddish light cone. The article suggests that the object might be related to extraterrestrial intelligence communicating through thought transmission or projection, or it could be a material object in higher regions.

The Hemsbach Case Re-examined

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to re-examining the CENAP UAP case from Hemsbach a.d. Bergstraße on July 10, 1977. The article, drawing heavily on the work of Allan Hendry and the organization YUFOS, argues that this case, along with others, can be explained as misidentified aircraft (IFO - Identified Flying Object). The primary focus is on the phenomenon of "geräuschlosigkeit" (noiselessness) in reported sightings.

Geräuschlosigkeit (Noiselessness)

Hendry's research, based on over 1,000 IFO/UFO cases, indicates that in a high percentage of sightings (91%), witnesses did not hear any sound from the perceived object, even low-flying aircraft. This lack of noise is presented as a key factor in the misidentification of aircraft as UFOs. The article notes that noise damping in cars can be up to 50%, and even in houses, a significant portion of sightings occur without audible sound.

The authors suggest that if a distinct engine noise is perceived, observers are more likely to identify the object correctly as an aircraft. The similarity in noise levels between aircraft and UFOs, as perceived by witnesses, leads to the conclusion that many UFOs are, in fact, conventional aircraft.

Wahrnehmungsfehler bei Flugzeugsichtungen (Perceptual Errors in Aircraft Sightings)

Several perceptual errors are discussed:

• Nichtwahrnehmung der Formen bei Nacht (Non-perception of Shapes at Night): At night, witnesses often only see lights and connect them to form a perceived shape, leading to misidentification. Hendry's examples show a range of perceived shapes, from saucers to flying triangles.
• Wahrnehmung der Lichter als "rotierende" Lichter (Perception of Lights as "Rotating" Lights): The blinking anti-collision lights on aircraft wings can create the illusion of rotating lights, especially in the dark.
• Das scheinbare plötzlich Verschwinden (Apparent Sudden Disappearance): Aircraft lights can appear to vanish suddenly when switched off or when the viewing angle changes, leading witnesses to believe the UFO has disappeared.

The Hemsbach case is specifically analyzed in light of these perceptual errors. It is suggested that the "white-blue" streaks observed were reflections of white light on the aircraft's fuselage. The size of the object, perceived as a grapefruit at arm's length, is explained by its distance; a 10-meter long aircraft at 600 meters would appear to be the size of a full moon, and its noise level would be below the rustling of leaves.

Conclusion on Hemsbach

Based on this re-evaluation, the Hemsbach UAP case is officially classified as an IFO, attributed to an aircraft. The article thanks R. Henke and YUFOS for their contributions and stresses the importance of applying new knowledge and experiences to re-examine old cases.

Astronomical Observations for January 1988

The "ASTRO-WARNUNG" section, authored by Roland Horn, provides a guide to celestial events for January 1988:

• Mercury: Visible in the southwest in the latter half of the month, detectable around 6 PM.
• Venus: Appears shortly after sunset in the southwest, with its setting time shifting later towards the end of the month.
• Mars: Visible in the southeast in the morning sky, fading around 7 AM. It appears small, and on January 21st, it will have a 'rendezvous' with Antares.
• Jupiter: Its setting times will be before midnight.
• Saturn: Visible in the morning sky in the southeast, just before sunrise, from the second half of the month.
• Meteor Showers: The Quadrantids (Bootids) are expected from January 1st to 6th, with the maximum on the night of January 3rd-4th, though bright meteors are rare.

The purpose of this section is to help prevent or clarify UFO reports based on astronomical sightings.

CENAP-Archiv and Editorial Notes

The "CENAP-ARCHIV" section provides a brief overview of the organization's activities and ongoing research. It mentions that the year 1988 is expected to shed light on the "UFO-Photo-'Evidence'" and that a series of discussions on UFO photos and films will generate excitement. The magazine appeals to readers for continued support and promotion.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFO phenomena, the reclassification of past UAP cases as IFOs through scientific analysis, and the importance of distinguishing between genuine unexplained events and misidentifications. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards unexplained phenomena, favoring rational explanations based on known physics, psychology, and technology. The magazine encourages readers to participate in their photo puzzle contest, suggesting a belief that many UFO sightings can ultimately be explained.

The issue also includes a cartoon by 'Woody' and a brief mention of the CENAP-Mannheim's upcoming activities for 1988, including a Christmas wish and a call for reader support.