CENAP Report - No 170

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP REPORT
Issue: Nr. 170, Volume 9
Date: April 1989
Publisher: CENAP-MANNHEIM
Country: Germany
Language: German
Cover Headline: '..ufo-absturz über afrika..' (..ufo crash over Africa..)

CENAP: Central Research Network for Extraordinary Aerial Phenomena

CENAP is presented as a private, independent institution established in 1976 to investigate the UFO phenomenon. They claim to have conducted investigations into approximately 380 reported UFO sightings, often finding natural explanations, which they term 'UFO stimuli'. CENAP emphasizes its scientific approach, considering psychological and socio-psychological factors. They highlight their unique invitation to the German Ministry of Defence (Luftwaffe) for confidential discussions and their recommendation by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Interior as a point of contact for UFO reports. The German Federal Aviation Office (Braunschweiger Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) and Frankfurt Air Traffic Control also forward UFO reports to CENAP. Police departments, regional authorities, aviation institutes, and German embassies abroad provide information. CENAP serves as a public contact point for UFO reports, with a dedicated telephone number in Mannheim (0621-701370). They also aim to provide media with in-depth information for objective reporting and maintain a comprehensive archive, including Europe's largest UFO video archive. CENAP is known nationwide through media coverage and is associated with international UFO organizations, possessing a global network of correspondents. They are also a member of GWUP (Society for the Scientific Investigation of the Paranormal), aiming to combat occultism and modern superstition, and to expose manipulation by popular authors and mass media.

CENAP publishes the monthly UFO journal 'CENAP REPORT', available via annual subscription for DM 40. The issue being reviewed is the April edition, featuring a special report.

The South African 'UFO Crash' Incident

The main article, authored by Tony Dodd, investigates a claimed UFO crash over the South African continent on May 7, 1989. The information is sourced from South African intelligence officers, with names and backgrounds altered to protect informants. The article presents facts as they are, leaving interpretation to the reader, and notes that the investigation is ongoing.

Military and Government Secrecy

Dodd criticizes the US military and government's stance on UFOs, citing their repeated claims of no further investigations since Project Blue Book closed in 1969. A FOIA request to the NSA for UFO-related materials since 1980 was denied, with documents classified as 'Strictly Confidential' under Executive Order 12356, citing potential damage to national security if released. This contradicts the claim that the US has not investigated UFOs in twenty years, raising questions about what the government is hiding.

A phone call to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) yielded a standard response that the UFO topic is not officially investigated and poses no threat to national security. However, the article recounts an instance where a Ministry of Defence official personally called a newspaper editor, warning them against reporting on 'strange occurrences', which the author interprets as evidence of something significant being concealed.

The South African Affair

In early July 1989, a South African source reported that on May 7, 1989, a South African fighter jet shot down a UFO, which crashed in the central Kalahari Desert. The object was reportedly recovered intact, along with two living alien beings. These were transported to a South African air force base, and American air force personnel from Wright Patterson AFB were flown in. The source stated that the South African intelligence service lacked the resources to handle the situation alone. This was reportedly the third 'space machine' recovered in the last 10 years, and the operation was kept secret to prevent panic in a religious country. The source expressed hope that the letter would reach its destination without interception.

Later, a package arrived from South Africa containing five pages of 'Einweisungs-Unterlagen' (briefing documents). These documents, marked 'Classified as Strictly Confidential', detailed an operation codenamed 'Black Horse' on May 7, 1989, involving the recovery of unidentified flying objects and alien beings from the Kalahari Desert. The documents indicate the transfer of the object and beings to Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio, on June 23, 1989.

Incident Details and Object Specifications

On May 7, 1989, at 13:45 GMT, the naval frigate 'WHITE SWAN' reported an unidentified flying object entering South African airspace at high speed. Attempts at radio contact failed. Two Mirage fighter jets were scrambled. At 13:59 GMT, Squadron Leader Jones reported visual and radar confirmation and was ordered to fire an experimental Thor-2 laser at the object. Blinding flashes were observed, and the object began to lose altitude rapidly, crashing at 14:02 GMT in the desert terrain 80 km north of Botswana. A recovery team of air force intelligence officers, medics, and technicians was dispatched.

The crash site revealed a 150m diameter, 12m deep crater. A silver, discus-shaped object, tilted at a 45° angle, was found buried. The area showed signs of intense heat, and an intense magnetic and radioactive environment caused electronic equipment failure. The object was recovered and transported to an air force base. The site was then covered with sand and gravel.

Specifications of the recovered machine are listed as: Type: Unknown, Origin: Presumed extraterrestrial. Dimensions: Length approx. 20 yards, Height approx. 9.5 yards. Weight: approx. 50,000 kg. Construction: Unknown, surface is spotless, polished silver, with no visible seams. It has 12 indentations around its circumference, appearing like oval hatches. A hydraulic landing gear was extended, suggesting electronic failure, possibly caused by the Thor-2 laser. A loud noise was heard during examination, attributed to an opening in the lower part of the machine.

Humanoid Descriptions

Two humanoid beings in tight-fitting grey overalls were recovered and taken to a medical center. They are described as approximately 1.30-1.50m tall, with grey-blue, smooth, elastic skin. They have no body hair. Their heads are oversized with dark blue markings around a high skull. They have prominent chins, large, upward-sloping eyes with no visible pupils, small noses with two nostrils, narrow slit mouths, and thin necks. Their bodies and arms are covered in scales, and their hands have three claw-like digits with webbing. They are classified as 'Strictly Confidential' and housed at an Air Force base under security level 6. A request was made for their transfer to Wright Patterson AFB, USA, for further study, scheduled for June 23, 1989.

Due to their aggressive nature, no blood or skin samples could be taken. They refused offered food and their method of communication is unknown, possibly telepathic.

CENAP Commentary on the South African Incident

CENAP suggests that while UFO literature is dominated by US cases, other nations are now emerging. They question the involvement of three intelligence services (South Africa, Israel, USA) in this event, pondering if there's a kernel of truth. They propose an alternative theory: that the incident might have involved an Israeli cruise missile test from a ship off the coast of South Africa, which was possibly intercepted by a South African missile, causing it to crash. This would explain the 'UFO alarm' and the involvement of Wright Patterson AFB due to its alien technology department. CENAP acknowledges that a skilled manipulator might have fabricated the UFO crash story for unknown reasons and awaits further developments.

Italian CE III Cases

Paolo Fiorino contributes an analysis of Italian CE III (Close Encounter of the Third Kind) photographic evidence, noting that out of 432 Italian CE III cases, only 13 have photographic proof, with only one considered truly noteworthy: the Mount Bondone case.

Categories of Italian CE III Photos:

1. HOAXES:
* 'Classic' Hoaxes: The most famous is the alleged landing saucer and humanoid photographed by Giampiero Monguzzi on Mt. Scherschen in 1952. Monguzzi later admitted to faking the photos, and a friend confirmed his involvement.
* 'Occasional' Hoaxes: In 1982, a group sent 'Okkult-Journal' photos of a humanoid, later admitting it was a hoax to highlight the 'carefulness' of ufologists.
* Advertising Hoaxes: In 1988, a magazine published a blurry photo of a 'UFO occupant' to promote Whitley Strieber's book.

2. Contactee Photos: Antonio De Rosa claimed to have photographed two Venusians in 1972, but the images were identified as stills from a 1968 Hungarian sci-fi film.

3. UFO Fan Photos: Six humanoid photos are attributed to UFO fans, four from the 'Gruppo Osservazioni e Ricerche Ufologiche' (GORU) in La Spezia. These fans claim to detect 'invisible' entities through skywatching and photographic analysis. The article notes that most of these are 'invisible' entities, with only one case from Mt. Bondone being a genuine sighting of a visible entity.

The Mount Bondone Case

This CE III case occurred on September 18, 1976. A 35-year-old employee, returning from a funeral, saw what he initially thought was a fire in the trees. Upon investigation, he heard a rhythmic ticking sound and felt observed. He then saw a humanoid figure behind a tree, approximately 5 meters away. He took two photos, though his camera was not properly set. The figure then fled. The witness described the being as about 1.50-1.60m tall, stocky, with pointed ears, a 'tube' coming from its mouth, large, deep, almond-shaped eyes, and a mothball-like odor. The ground where the being stood had a 3m diameter circular imprint and was warm. The witness, a known personality and social worker, lost the negatives. The CENAP commentary expresses skepticism about this case, suggesting it might be a staged photo, possibly a painted sheet.

UFO Landing in Voronezh, USSR

This section summarizes an article from the 'Moscow News' (October 17, 1989) about UFO incidents in Voronezh, USSR, between September 21 and October 2, 1989. Schoolchildren reported seeing a large craft and humanoid occupants. Local UFO experts, part of the Alexander Popov team, interviewed witnesses separately. The descriptions of the beings matched those reported earlier in Konantsevo. The report notes the consistency between witness accounts and objective measurements of background gamma radiation, which showed higher levels in the 'UFO traces' area.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of CENAP REPORT heavily focuses on alleged UFO crashes and encounters, particularly the controversial South African incident. The magazine consistently highlights themes of government secrecy, cover-ups, and the challenges of obtaining verifiable evidence in UFO research. CENAP positions itself as a scientific investigator dedicated to uncovering the truth, often critical of official denials and media manipulation. The inclusion of Italian CE III cases, while acknowledging hoaxes, aims to present a broader spectrum of UFO evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of persistent investigation, skepticism towards official narratives, and a commitment to informing the public about potentially significant, yet concealed, phenomena.

This issue of the magazine "UFOs" (ISSN 0937-0737), published by CENAP-Archiv and dated February 13, 1990, delves into various aspects of the UFO phenomenon with a mix of reporting, analysis, and skepticism. The cover features the headline "Cheesy UFOs star at Science Centre" and includes an illustration of a UFO and a figure, along with smaller text and images.

Key Articles and Reports

The Woronesch Incident

The issue begins with a report from Obradvsk, Russia, detailing a sensational event where a UFO reportedly landed. Journalist P. I. Neustroev recounts a late-night call about the incident. The article describes an encounter with a "flying object" (PLO) and mentions that the tallest of the extraterrestrial visitors was perceived as female. The report includes sketches by three children from Woronesch depicting their experiences. Zhenya Blinov described a "body" that emerged from the UFO, approximately three meters tall, with two eyes and a lamp on its forehead. Oleg Chebotaryov drew an "ET" with hair that stood out and was colored blue and red, likening them to "cosmic punks."

Soviet Union and UFOs

A section discusses how the Soviet Union began to address UFO phenomena more openly, with the magazine "SOWJETUNION" featuring UFOs on its cover. The article notes that while the West discussed "UFO traces" being caused by heavy objects, the Soviet Union suggested smaller weights. It highlights that the UFO topic was previously non-existent in official Soviet press but that its suppression fueled rumors. The article also mentions that experts in the USSR are divided into two groups: those who support the existence of UFOs and those who attribute these phenomena to atmospheric processes or human interference. W. Migulin, a member of the AdW of the USSR, is quoted as believing that all phenomena can be explained by known laws of physics, mechanics, and optics. The article also touches upon the existence of rocket centers and cosmodromes like Kapustin Jar and Plesetsk, suggesting that rocket launches might have been mistaken for UFOs.

MUFON Sighting in Pensacola

An account from MUFON's UFO Journal Nr. 260 describes a sighting in Pensacola, Florida, on September 12, 1989. Twenty witnesses, including MUFON investigators, observed a red, glowing, elliptical object moving silently before accelerating eastward. Edward Walters took two photos of the object, which showed a reddish point with a yellowish core. MUFON considers this a significant multiple-witness sighting.

UFO Safari and Locations

William Moore, publisher of FOCUS, suggests destinations for "UFO safaris," recommending the Chama/Ourango area in New Mexico/Colorado and Chestnut Ridge in southwestern Pennsylvania. These areas are noted for frequent UFO sightings and other unusual phenomena.

Belgian UFO Reports

The magazine reports on a surge of UFO sightings in Belgium, with reports of "flying triangles" and "glowing discs." A football match in Charleroi was interrupted when a UFO hovered over the stadium. The Belgian Ministry of Defense deployed fighter jets. Witnesses described the objects as flat, triangular, about 50 meters wide and 70 meters long, and capable of hovering silently. Some reports mention objects tapping into power lines, causing them to scorch.

New UFO Journal in Belgium

A new UFO journal, "NUFOC-Belgium," edited by Filip Rekoms, is announced, aiming to cover UFO cases and related topics in Dutch and English.

Skeptical Perspectives

Walter Werner, a private UFO researcher and member of CENAP, expresses a skeptical view, referring to UFO sightings as "brain blähungen" (brain flatulence). He believes that most sightings can be explained by ordinary phenomena and that the belief in UFOs is fueled by mass media and a desire for sensationalism. He points out that many UFO reports stem from misinterpretations of known objects or atmospheric events.

Puma Myths and UFOs

An extensive article explores the folklore surrounding mysterious animals, such as "ghost dogs," "werewolves," and "pumas," in Germany and Britain. It draws parallels between these legends and the modern UFO phenomenon, suggesting that both are fueled by a combination of traditional beliefs, media sensationalism, and a human tendency to interpret the unknown through existing narratives. The article details numerous reported sightings of large cats in Germany and Britain, often with inconclusive evidence and explanations ranging from escaped pets to misidentified animals.

The "Face on Mars"

The "Face on Mars" phenomenon is discussed, with the magazine "Popular Astronomy" awarding the "Bent Astrolabe Prize" to the newspaper STAR for its sensational claim about a "gigantic human face" discovered on Mars. The article clarifies that NASA scientists had previously explained this as an optical illusion due to light and shadow.

Crop Circles

The phenomenon of crop circles is also addressed, with an explanation suggesting that they are often created by humans, possibly as hoaxes or for media attention. The article notes that circles are less common in cornfields and not found in freshly cut grass, and that many circles appear near roads or paths, indicating human involvement.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine exhibits a dual stance: it reports on UFO sightings and alleged encounters with a degree of detail, but also consistently presents skeptical viewpoints and alternative explanations. There is a strong emphasis on debunking sensational claims and highlighting the role of media in shaping public perception of UFOs. The editorial stance appears to favor rational explanations and critical analysis, often drawing parallels between UFO phenomena and existing folklore or misinterpretations of natural events. The magazine seems to aim at educating the public about the complexities of UFO research and encouraging a critical approach to extraordinary claims.