UFOlogia Supplemento a Clypeus - 1980 No 10

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFOLOGIA, a supplement to CLYPEUS N°65, published in July-August 1980, is primarily dedicated to the controversial "Stringfield Affair" and includes critical commentary on the state of ufology in Italy. The magazine is edited by Gian Paolo Grassino and Edoardo Russo, with Gianni V. Settimo as the responsible editor and publisher. It features contributions from various collaborators and researchers.

The "Stringfield Affair": Things That Fall From the Sky (And Their Occupants)

Authored by Paolo Toselli, this extensive article delves into the claims made by American researcher Leonard H. Stringfield. Stringfield asserts that the U.S. Air Force possesses the lifeless bodies of extraterrestrials and the wreckage of their "flying saucers." The article recounts how Stringfield presented his findings at the 1978 MUFON Symposium in Dayton, Ohio, generating significant attention. It details numerous testimonies, some from military personnel, suggesting that since 1948, the U.S. Air Force has recovered crashed UFOs and alien bodies, particularly at Wright Patterson AFB. Toselli highlights several cases, including one from 1952 where a large truck allegedly transported a disk-shaped object covered with tarpaulins and transparent cases containing the bodies of small humanoids. Another account from 1953 describes a DC-7 arriving at Wright Patterson with five wooden crates, three containing the bodies of 1.2-meter tall humanoids. A 1953 incident in Conrad, Montana, involved a cigar-shaped object that exploded in flight, with witnesses reporting military personnel carrying human-shaped bags.

Toselli expresses skepticism regarding the security measures described, questioning how such sensitive "cases" could be handled so openly. He also points out the alleged involvement of a radar operator in 1953 who witnessed a film showing a crashed disk and three humanoids inside, followed by a warning to remain silent. The article suggests that the USAF might have deliberately leaked such stories to create a specific narrative, possibly to downplay the reality of UFOs or to foster a particular public perception.

Stringfield's research is presented as having been accepted wholesale by the international ufological community, either as proof of the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) or dismissed as outright fabrications. Toselli questions if there might be another explanation.

The "Stringfield Affair" and the Monkey Business

Dominique Caudron's contribution, translated and titled "Scimienze..." (a play on words combining "monkeys" and "nonsense"), offers a different perspective. Caudron, referencing an article in "Inforespace," suggests that the "voice" (referring to the alleged recovery of alien bodies) might have been deliberately used by U.S. intelligence services since 1953. He critically examines the plausibility of these stories, noting inconsistencies and the apparent lack of stringent security, similar to Toselli's observations. Caudron proposes that the "recovered beings" might actually be monkeys, citing reports from the 1950s about stratospheric rockets carrying monkeys that crashed, with some being stored in refrigerated cells at Wright Patterson AFB. He suggests that the "humanoids" described in the Stringfield case bear resemblances to monkeys, particularly in their physical descriptions (small size, slanted eyes, lack of visible ears, simple mouth slit). Caudron concludes that the "Stringfield Affair" might be a sophisticated disinformation campaign, equating it to "Monkey Business."

Editorial: What Do We Want to Do?

The editorial, originally intended to be a harsh critique of Italian ufologists, was withheld, deemed too strong for the intended audience. Instead, it focuses on the magazine's mission. It laments the reliance on newspaper clippings and recycled information in the Italian ufological scene, contrasting it with the more substantial contributions seen internationally. UFOLOGIA aims to elevate itself by publishing "selected" material, primarily from abroad, rich in content and stimuli. The goal is to "form" individuals with a critical mindset, encouraging them to move from mere passion to genuine ufological research. The editorial emphasizes a Socratic approach, presenting information to provoke thought and encourage self-questioning rather than dictating conclusions. The issue is noted as being largely composed of articles by Italian authors, with the exception of Dominique Caudron's piece.

"Scimienze..." (Science...)

This section, by Dominique Caudron, further elaborates on the "Stringfield Affair." Caudron contrasts his interpretation with Paolo Toselli's, suggesting that while Toselli believes the "voice" about recovered bodies was a deliberate fabrication by U.S. intelligence starting around 1949, Caudron posits that the origin of this "voice" is rooted in something else. He critically analyzes the details of the alleged recoveries, finding them implausible. Caudron references Jacques Vallée's earlier suggestion on radio that the "recovered beings" might be monkeys, linking it to reports of crashed stratospheric rockets carrying monkeys in the 1950s, some of which were allegedly stored at Wright Patterson AFB. He concludes that the "Stringfield Affair" is essentially "Monkey Business," a deliberate misdirection.

"Contro luce" (Against the Light)

This section covers the "Cattolica 1980" conference, an annual summer convention on the unusual organized in collaboration with the local tourism board. The article notes that "Il giornale dei misteri" (GdM) used the event to revive its "Research Group Congresses" series. The conference, however, is described as having a low turnout and a general lack of interest in UFOs, reflecting a post-"flap" decline. The report details the limited number of participants, the disorganization, and the nature of the presentations, which included a cartomancy session and reports from regional research groups. The author expresses disappointment with the overall state of the event and the perceived crisis within the GdM.

Other Sections and Features

• "Note": Provides references for the articles, citing publications like "Lumiéres dans la nuit," "Flying Saucer Review," "Notiziario UFO," and "Ufologia." It also references J. Allen Hynek's "The Hynek UFO Report."
• "Statistica Ufologica": A two-part study by Roberto Doretti and Roberto Farabone on the application of statistics to ufology, presented as a follow-up to a previous article.
• "Recensioni": A new series of reviews of books published in Italy during the year.
• "L'Affare Stringfield": The main article, spanning several pages, detailing the alleged recovery of UFOs and alien bodies by the U.S. government.
• "UFO in Piemonte": An insert covering UFO sightings in the Piedmont region of Italy.
• "Gli altri dicono": A section featuring brief mentions of other UFO-related publications.
• "Note per una Ufologia Sperimentale": An article by Antonio Blanco.
• "I libri italiani del 1980": A listing of Italian UFO books published in 1980.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFO crash retrieval claims, particularly the Stringfield case, and a commentary on the perceived decline and amateurishness of ufology in Italy. The magazine positions itself as a more serious, critically-minded publication aiming to foster a more rigorous approach to the study of UFO phenomena. It champions the publication of substantial, well-researched material, especially from international sources, and encourages a Socratic method of inquiry among its readers. The editorial stance is one of intellectual seriousness, aiming to distinguish itself from what it views as the superficial and uncritical nature of much of the Italian ufological scene.

This issue of "Lumières dans la nuit" (Lights in the Night) is primarily dedicated to the study of UFO phenomena, with a strong emphasis on cataloging specific sightings and exploring the application of statistical methodologies to ufological research. The content is largely in Italian, with a focus on cases from the Piemonte region of Italy.

Congress and Ufological Critique

The issue begins with a critical account of a UFO congress, highlighting the perceived lack of serious research and the prevalence of dilettantism and mysticism among attendees. The author expresses disappointment with the superficiality of presentations and the overall atmosphere, suggesting a decline in public interest in serious ufological investigation.

A significant portion of the text is dedicated to critiquing the direction ufology is taking, particularly the tendency to incorporate occultism, parapsychology, and irrational explanations. The author argues that this trend detracts from serious scientific inquiry and that UFO research should remain grounded in observable facts and logical analysis, rather than succumbing to speculative or pseudo-scientific theories.

Statistical Methodology in Ufology

Two articles, "STATISTICA UFOLOGICA: UNA CHANCE DI RICERCA" by Roberto Doretti and Roberto Farabone, delve into the application of statistical methods to the study of UFOs. These articles aim to demystify the use of mathematics in research, presenting it as a tool for analysis and drawing conclusions. They emphasize that statistics can help uncover hidden patterns and provide a more objective understanding of phenomena that may appear random or inexplicable.

The authors explain fundamental statistical concepts, such as qualitative and quantitative variables, discrete and continuous data, and the importance of data coding. They advocate for a systematic approach to data collection and analysis, suggesting that even with limited or imperfect data, statistical filtering can reveal underlying regularities and laws governing a phenomenon.

The articles highlight the challenges in UFO research, including the sporadic nature of sightings and the potential for observer error. However, they propose that by collecting numerous observations and applying statistical techniques, it is possible to identify consistent characteristics and draw meaningful conclusions, even if the phenomenon itself remains mysterious.

Case Studies: UFO Sightings in Piemonte

A substantial section of the magazine, titled "UFO IN PIEMONTE," presents a catalog of UFO sightings reported in the Piemonte region of Italy, primarily during the 1960s. Each entry includes a date, location, time, and often a brief description of the observed phenomenon, along with the source of the report (e.g., newspaper articles, specific investigations).

These case studies range from descriptions of luminous discs and objects with unusual flight characteristics to reports of objects landing and even interacting with the environment (as in the Rivoli case, which mentions figures emerging from the object and a subsequent fire). The variety of descriptions underscores the diverse nature of reported UFO encounters.

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical evaluation of ufological practices, the push for a more scientific and statistically-grounded approach to UFO research, and the documentation of specific UFO cases. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for rigor, objectivity, and a separation of genuine investigation from what is perceived as pseudoscience or mysticism within the ufological community.

The authors express a desire to move ufology beyond speculation and towards a more systematic study, acknowledging the difficulties but emphasizing the potential of statistical analysis to provide valuable insights. The critique of the current state of ufology suggests a concern that the field is not progressing effectively due to a lack of methodological discipline.

This issue of 'UFO IN PIEMONTE' (Page 15) is part of a publication that appears to be a review or journal focused on UFO phenomena. The cover date is listed as 1978/1979, but the publication date is May 1980. It is published by editecs in conjunction with CNIFAA, with an ISSN of 977-0391-9870. The main cover headline is 'UFO PHENOMENA'. The magazine is primarily in Italian, with some English content, particularly in the reviews section.

Contents and Articles

UFO Sightings in Piedmont (Cases 62.TO.16 to 62.TO.09, 62.CN.01, 62.TO.07, 62.NO.05, 62.TO.08, 62.TO.22, 62.TO.14, 62.TO.19)

The majority of the content consists of a detailed catalog of UFO sightings reported in Piedmont, Italy, primarily from the 1960s. Each entry includes a case number, location, date, time, witness names, object characteristics (shape, color, behavior), and the source of the information (e.g., CSC, Orizzonti, letters).

• Notable sightings include:
• 1962-04-26, Torino: A greenish, pulsating spherical object observed by Cesare D., Rita A., Anna G., and Guido A.
• 1962-05-01, Torino: Two young people (Paolo M. and Brunilde R.) observed a red circular object with a pink halo that flew over San Mauro and then towards Monviso.
• 1962-05-01, Stupinigi: Renzo and Rita C. independently observed a very bright, fast red light moving towards the mountains.
• 1962-05-03, Torino: Spartaco L., Concetta L., and Rosetta S. saw a greenish, undulating light with scintillations.
• 1962-05-07, Torino: Benedetto Lavagna and his wife observed a luminous globe moving erratically.
• 1962-05-22, Nasco di Garessio: Two strong explosions were heard, followed by an elongated object detaching from a large aircraft and exploding.
• 1962-06-08, Torino: Giovanni P. and others observed a spherical object changing color from celeste to orange to red.
• 1962-06-16, Torino: FIAT Mirafiori workers observed a bright star-like object moving back and forth.
• 1962-06-17, Torino: Giovanni P. observed a brilliant yellow-white light above Moncalieri.
• 1962-07-01, Ceres: A small, intermittently lit star-like object was seen moving slowly.
• 1962-07-04, Torino: Maria F. saw a luminous, iridescent object moving slowly from northeast to west.
• 1962-07-11, Intra: Lionello Boni and his cousin observed a strange disturbance of the water on Lake Maggiore, described as a 'bubbling' or 'strange movement' under the surface.
• 1962-07-11, Torino: Alberto A. and his family observed a luminous object moving slowly from southwest to northeast.

Statistical Analysis of UFO Data (Pages 3-7)

This section delves into the statistical analysis of UFO sighting data. It begins by presenting raw data in tables (Tabella A and Tabella B) and then illustrates the concept of frequency distribution with a graph (Figura 1). The author explains how to interpret these distributions to understand the probability of certain events and the characteristics of the phenomena.

• Key statistical concepts discussed include:
• Frequency Distribution: How often specific values (e.g., number of UFOs per sighting) occur.
• Modal Value (Mode): The most frequent value in a distribution.
• Mean Value (Average): Calculated by summing all values and dividing by the number of observations. The author notes that for UFO data, the mean might not correspond to an actual observed case but indicates a trend.
• Variability Indices: Measures used to understand how data points are dispersed around the mean.
• Chi-squared (x²): Used for qualitative variables to compare observed frequencies with expected frequencies.
• Variance (σ²) and Standard Deviation (σ): Used for quantitative variables to measure the spread of data around the mean. A smaller standard deviation indicates that the data points are clustered closely around the mean.

The author emphasizes the importance of considering the phenomenon as a whole rather than focusing on individual, potentially confutable, observations. The statistical analysis aims to provide a more objective understanding of UFO phenomena by examining the collective data.

Reviews of Ufological Publications (Pages 8-10)

This section reviews several ufological publications:

• UFO PHENOMENA (Vol. III, No. 1, 1978/79, published May 1980): Described as an international annual review published in Italy, it features articles by foreign authors and covers various aspects of UFO research, including physical aspects, data collection, close encounters, and epistemological issues. The review highlights studies on probability, psychical aspects, and regression hypnosis. It notes the absence of Italian contributions in this issue, except for two minor ones.
• MORGARA (Quaderni di ufologia abruzzese, No. 2, 1980): This publication includes an editorial criticizing the CUN, a report on the Tagliacozzo case, and reflections on ball lightning.
• CONTACT INTERNATIONAL ITALIA (Circular Informativa, Year VI, No. 1, 1980): This issue focuses on IR-4 cases and a Venetian LN case, along with news from abroad and a critique of the organization.
• idem - "LONDRA speciale 1979": This fascicle covers a London congress, including a critique of the reporting for its non-Italian perspective and inaccuracies. It also includes an interview with Antonio Ribera and a polemic letter from a Contact member.
• NUOVE REALTA (No. 2, April 1980): This periodic informative booklet contains older ufological material, including reports from a 1978 Argentine congress and Spanish news from 1977.
• LA TORRE...DI BABELE: This monthly column reviews unusual events, including UFO cases reported in newspapers and discussions on flying saucers.
• arcani (L'UOMO E L'IGNOTO, May 1980): This issue features an editorial on the parapsychological hypothesis of UFOs and an article by Hilary Evans on the psychical hypothesis, considered well-presented.

Report on an Encounter with G.E.P.A.N. (Page 7)

This section reports on a meeting held in Milan on June 26th, where Italian and foreign researchers met with Alain Esterle, the director of the French GEPAN (an official UFO research organization). Esterle gave a conference on GEPAN's structure and work. The meeting included discussions on various epistemological and methodological aspects of ufology. The author expresses satisfaction with the discussion but also a slight frustration that such serious discussions were prompted by a foreign visitor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, presenting both empirical data from sightings and theoretical/statistical analyses. There is a clear emphasis on scientific rigor, as evidenced by the detailed statistical section and the critical reviews of publications. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious, scientific inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, encouraging a holistic approach to data analysis rather than focusing solely on disproving individual cases. The inclusion of reviews suggests an effort to keep readers informed about the broader ufological landscape and research efforts worldwide.

This issue of Il Giornale dei Misteri, dated May 1980 (Issue No. 109), delves into various aspects of ufology, parapsychology, and occult sciences. The cover prominently features the title "UFOLOGIA SPERIMENTALE" by Antonio Blanco, accompanied by a stylized illustration of a UFO.

Articles and Content

"UFOLOGIA SPERIMENTALE" by Antonio Blanco

Antonio Blanco's article, "UFOLOGIA SPERIMENTALE," is a central piece in this issue. It begins by positing that the human element is essential to UFO phenomena, suggesting that without a witness, sightings are never reported. Blanco explores two hypotheses for the origin of UFOs: the first involves an encounter with a 'Quid' (something) that exists before and after the phenomenon, and the second suggests that UFOs are an abstraction of latent psychic forces within the human subject, influenced by environmental circumstances. Blanco favors the second hypothesis for experimental verification, distinguishing between spontaneous and artificially provoked UFO phenomena. He outlines two experimental methods: auto-induction (where the subject spontaneously develops the phenomenon) and induction (where an agent provokes the phenomenon in the subject). The article emphasizes the need to understand the psycho-physiological conditions necessary for induction and perception, and the challenges in conducting such experiments due to the complexity of the phenomenon and the potential for interference from the subconscious.

Blanco discusses the difficulties in experimental research, noting that laboratory equipment might disturb the subject's concentration. He highlights the need for a precise and secure methodology and suggests experimenting with subjects who have had intense ufological experiences. He also touches upon the potential dangers of prolonged experimentation and the importance of ethical considerations.

Reviews of UFO Books

#### "UFO OPERAZIONE TERRA" by Giuseppe Lazzari

This review critically examines Giuseppe Lazzari's book, "UFO OPERAZIONE TERRA." The reviewer notes that Lazzari is a known figure in Italian ufology and was formerly secretary of the Centro Italiano Studi Aviazione Elettromagnetica (C.I.S.A.E.R.). The book is described as largely unoriginal, rehashing theories and cases without significant new contributions. The reviewer criticizes the book's "UFO-Politics" theme, attributed to Alberto Perego, which posits that UFOs are concerned about nuclear explosions and monitor Earth's socio-political events. The review points out numerous inaccuracies and questionable claims within the book, such as the description of the NGC 2841 galaxy and the orbital period of a satellite. The reviewer concludes that the book lacks scientific rigor and is a superfluous addition to the UFO literature.

#### "UFO: CARNEFICI DELL'UOMO" by Petrus

The review of Petrus's book, "UFO: CARNEFICI DELL'UOMO," is particularly scathing. The reviewer describes it as perhaps the strangest UFO book to appear in Italy, though it is presented as the first volume of a trilogy. Petrus, who claims to be a "Messiah of the new era," proposes a theory of human transformation into God, aided by a movement called M.T.U.D. The book's core thesis is that biological evolution is hierarchical, with "ultrahumans" (Demons and Angels) feeding on humans, particularly their souls. Petrus suggests that demons have intentionally advanced technology to facilitate human self-destruction, thereby ensuring a larger food supply. The reviewer finds Petrus's claims to be highly speculative and lacking in scientific basis, despite the author's attempts to connect them to various UFO phenomena, magnetism, and psychic correlations. The review dismisses the book as an example of pseudoscientific speculation and a waste of time.

Other Mentions and Content

The issue also includes a brief mention of a paraufological article on spatial archeology. There are also references to previous issues of "Il Giornale dei Misteri" and other UFO publications like "Notiziario UFO," indicating ongoing debates and discussions within the ufology community.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Il Giornale dei Misteri" exhibits a critical and analytical editorial stance towards ufological literature. The magazine appears to value scientific methodology and rigorous investigation, often questioning and debunking speculative or unsubstantiated claims. There is a clear skepticism towards theories that lack empirical evidence or rely heavily on anecdotal accounts or pseudoscientific reasoning. The reviews are often sharp and direct, highlighting perceived flaws in argumentation, research, and presentation. The magazine seems to position itself as a platform for more grounded and critical examination of UFO phenomena, contrasting with what it perceives as sensationalism or unsubstantiated theories in other publications. The recurring theme is the search for a more scientific and experimental approach to ufology, as exemplified by Antonio Blanco's article.