Disclosure Australia (AURA) - No 05 - Oct Pt.1 2003

Magazine Overview

This document is the "DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER FIVE OCTOBER PART 1. 2003", published by the Australian UFO Research Network. It details the ongoing work of the Disclosure Australia project, which focuses on examining and analyzing Australian government UFO files. The newsletter is dated October 2003 and is part of a series of publications from the Australian UFO Research Association and the Australian UFO Research Network.

Federal Government Document Search Update

The Secretariat has been actively engaged in examining paper lists of Defense Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) files held at the National Australia Archives (NAA) in Adelaide. Requests have been made for several files to allow for physical examination, with processing expected to take several weeks or months. The newsletter also mentions contact with Peter Morton, author of "Fire Across the Desert," regarding UFO files from Woomera, which are now believed to be in Canberra. A UFO researcher from Western Australia may have already accessed these files through the Department of Defence.

Documenting the Volume of Material

The project is addressing the significant volume of UFO reports released from various Australian government sections, including local police, RAAF, Department of Civil Aviation, and CSIRO. While many reports have mundane explanations, the project is identifying 'good' cases that contribute to understanding the UFO phenomenon. A summary listing of these UFO reports is being compiled for availability on the Disclosure website and in hard copy. A sample from RAAF file 580/1/1 Part 1 is provided as an attachment.

Accessing Files Digitally

Further NAA files are now accessible digitally via the NAA website (www.naa.gov.au) through RecordSearch, allowing the public to review documents from their home computers. The newsletter lists specific series and control symbols for available files.

Detailed File Summaries

The newsletter provides extensive summaries and lists of contents for numerous government files that have been examined. These include:

DSTO Files

• RAAF Headquarters Support Command, Victoria Barracks Victoria UFOs (A9755)
• Flying Saucers-Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research (A9778)
• Eastern Area Headquarters Intelligence-Report on unusual sighting 3rd May 1952 (A11066)

National Archives of Australia (NAA) Files (Hard Copies Received)

• Investigations of flying saucers-policy (A703)
• Reports on "flying saucers” and strange sky lights (C273/227)
• Unusual Occurrences Flying Saucer at Woomera (D174)
• Air Safety Investigation-Investigations of reports on unidentified flying objects-procedures (J23)
• Reports on UFOs (J63)
• Flying Saucers 1954-1954 (M1148)

File M1148: "Flying Saucers 1954 to 1955"

This file, located at the Melbourne NAA office, contains 42 pages. It includes a press release on Flying Saucers, correspondence from D F Martyn (Commonwealth Observatory) to the Minister for External Affairs, and communications with Australian embassies in Washington D.C., New Delhi, and Italy regarding UFO reports. It also contains correspondence with Dr E G Bowen of CSIRO and other individuals, discussing UFO literature and evidence. Notably, it includes a letter from Rear Admiral D H Harries about the "United States Air Force Unidentified Flying Objects Programme."

File J23/35: "Air Safety Investigation-Investigation of reports on unidentified flying objects-procedures"

Located at the Brisbane NAA office, this 3-page file details procedures for investigating unusual occurrences. It notes that reports not associated with known aircraft should still be communicated to Head Office.

File J63/25: "Unidentified Flying Objects -Reports on Unidentified Flying Objects."

This file, also from the Brisbane NAA office, contains 222 pages from RAAF Townsville, covering the period from May 1957 to June 1971. It includes various reports, memos, and statements concerning UFO sightings, such as a RAAF pilot's investigation of a UFO over Millaa-Millaa in June 1961, and numerous reports of lights, objects, and phenomena from different locations across Australia.

File J63/25 (continued): "Unidentified Flying Objects –Reports on Unidentified Flying Objects."

This section continues the summary of RAAF file J63/25, covering the period from June 1971 to December 1972. It lists reports of gold colored objects, horseshoe-shaped smoke, pulsating red lights, bright orange lights, silver ovals, and stationary silver objects, among others. It also mentions memos regarding the completion of UFO report forms and policy changes.

File MP742/1: "Flying saucers re O L Alwin"

This 3-page Army file, located in Melbourne, contains correspondence from Mrs O L Alwin regarding her sighting and information about "Russians folder" and "unknown substance U-235."

File C273/227: "Reports on ‘flying saucers” and strange sky lights."

This Department of Civil Aviation file, located in Sydney, contains 70 pages of reports from 1953 to 1959. It includes sightings of lights (LITS) in various locations, shiny objects, white columns, vertical silver objects, discs, and reports that were explained as aircraft or hoaxes.

"Revelations" Column

A new column titled "Revelations" will be introduced in the upcoming issue of the "Australasian UFOlogist" magazine, focusing on the progress of the Disclosure Australia project.

Thank You and Distribution of Material

The newsletter expresses gratitude to UFO research and experiencer support groups that have appointed Disclosure Australia liaison officers. Copies of Project Newsletters are being distributed to these individuals. Material, including summaries of Townsville RAAF files and a copy of file D174 SA 5281, has been forwarded to various organizations.

Ideas Rolling Action List

An "Ideas rolling action list" is in use to capture and organize suggestions from readers. The current list includes actions such as accessing state-level Police UFO records, researching SAPOL patrol logs, requesting copies of specific UFO reports, and obtaining Victorian Department of Civil Aviation files. The NAA Melbourne office is currently searching for these files.

Attachment Two: Files Listing RAAF File 580/1/1 Part 1

This attachment provides a detailed listing of cases from RAAF file 580/1/1 Part 1. Each entry includes a header with date, location, time, duration, number of witnesses, gender, name, and type of report (using a modified Hynek classification). The newsletter then provides a summary of the event for each case. Notable cases include:

• 26 February 1942, Timor Sea: A multi-witness sighting of a large, aluminum disk approaching at speed, flying in circles for 3-4 hours, then suddenly veering off and disappearing.
• 23 September 1955, Perth WA: A report of 200 objects moving N to S, followed by a small flash of light travelling N to S, concluded as Tinfoil by RAAF.
• 3 October 1955, Essendon Melbourne Vic: Noiseless, yellow "cluster of brilliant globes" moving ENE, concluded as Aircraft by RAAF.
• 15 November 1955, Boronia Vic: Noiseless, white light stationary for one minute, then moved through 5 degrees in 30 seconds, concluded as "Lights of a car" by RAAF.
• 20 January 1956, Williams WA: Initially seen by the Moon, a noiseless light was seen stationary for a minute, then moved towards the SW in slow, spasmodic movements.
• 7 February 1956, Fitroy Melbourne Vic: 30 objects were seen moving off, some appearing to glide across the sky and shoot off at right angles, straight ahead, or straight up.
• 31 May 1956, Marrickville NSW: Two noiseless lights, one red and one green, with two vapour trails coming out of the cloud after the lights went into it.
• 18 June 1956, Cremorne NSW: Soundless, stationary white light described as half Moon in size.
• July 1956, Wongan Hills WA: Star-like object low in S changing colours red and green, hovered, then returned and went straight up.
• 7 July 1956, Cremorne NSW: Two soundless, moving objects one on top of the other.
• 9 July 1956, Melbourne Vic: A bright orange light approached down near the horizon and "shot off in apparently level flight."
• 4 Sep 1956, on board ship MV Waimer: Saw five degrees above horizon two soundless lights "appeared to be the tails of two comets..." Lost in mid-air.
• 11 October 1956, Bundaberg Qld: Bright green light seen in SE, came down from clouds to be lost behind trees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this newsletter are the systematic analysis of government-held UFO documentation, the effort to make this information accessible to the public, and the cataloging of historical UFO sightings in Australia. The editorial stance is one of transparency and co-operation, aiming to build a comprehensive understanding of the UFO phenomenon through diligent research and public engagement. There is a clear emphasis on processing and verifying official records, while also acknowledging the potential significance of unexplained cases.

This document, identified as "Disclosure Australia, Newsletter 5, Oct Pt.1, 2003," is a compilation of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sightings reported in Australia. The primary content consists of a chronological log of these incidents, primarily from 1956 to 1958, with some entries extending into early 1958. The data appears to be sourced from RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) files and other investigative bodies, indicated by numerous file references.

Chronological Log of UAP Sightings

The document meticulously lists individual UAP events, providing the date, time, location, number of witnesses, and a brief description of the phenomenon. It also often includes the RAAF's conclusion or classification for the sighting and references to specific pages within RAAF files or other original sources.

1956 Sightings:

• October 11, 1956: Multiple reports from various locations including Yarrowitch (NSW), Allora (Qld), Brisbane (Qld), Taree (NSW), and Williamtown (NSW). These involved brilliant flashes of light, bright lights on the horizon, a gigantic 'flare,' a meteor, and a brilliant green-yellow light traveling SSW. The Williamtown sighting was described as traveling in a straight line and lost over the horizon, with the RAAF concluding it was a meteor.
• December 7, 1956: In Tambar Springs (NSW), witnesses heard jet engines and saw an object described as "coming down." It was white, "disk shaped," and spinning. At one point, a wing was visible. The object then "went straight up until it became a speck in the sky" and moved East before disappearing. This sighting is noted as having an original file reference.

1957 Sightings:

• January 29, 1957: New Angledool (NSW) reported a noise and a "comet with a snow white tail" falling in a NE direction. Binocular observation revealed a cylindrical shape. The RAAF concluded this was an aircraft.
• January 30, 1957: Heywood (Vic) reported an object with a vapor trail seen almost overhead.
• February 5, 1957: South Yarra (Melbourne, Vic) witnessed a triangular, noiseless object of a light color that traversed an arc of 90 degrees in 4 seconds.
• March 14, 1957: Revesby (NSW) reported a white light to the left of the Sun.
• April 29, 1957: Vaucluse (Sydney, NSW) reported seeing an object like a saucer through binoculars, which then disappeared.
• July 3, 1957: A significant event occurred 126 miles SE of Port Headland (WA), involving four witnesses. It began with a very bright green light illuminating the area, followed by loud explosions. Later, a brilliant green light was seen stationary in the sky for a few seconds before moving East. A noise like a motor truck was associated with the light, and no aircraft were in the area. A separate witness, R. Houghton at Port Headland, also saw a long green light traveling high in the sky.
• July 16, 1957: Longreach (Qld) reported an object with flashing red and green lights seen very low and approaching. It vanished below the horizon after one minute.
• July 30, 1957: Streatham (Vic) reported a very bright, soundless light that changed colors from red to green, moving West and disappearing behind the Grampians.
• August 19, 1957: Essendon (Melbourne, Vic) had a sighting of a stationary, circular, grey/silver object seen from the airport control tower. It disappeared, and while radar in the Preston area picked up a blip, no known aircraft were in the vicinity. RAAF radar searches did not find anything.
• August 29, 1957: Glenelg (Adelaide, SA) reported an object like a quarter moon with an illuminated yellow bottom half, which approached and then veered off. The RAAF concluded this was an aircraft.
• September 27, 1957: A lengthy sighting occurred over Tasmania, involving three witnesses and lasting 41 minutes. It began with a white light bearing 025 degrees from Launceston Airport, traveling south at the speed of a DC3 aircraft. The light was later seen passing over Evindale and moving horizontally. Through binoculars, it appeared spherical or circular. Radar searches were initiated from Cambridge Airport (Hobart), and two signals were detected at 354 degrees, 17 miles away, at a height of 9-10,000 feet, which appeared to accelerate and disappear. Another echo was located at 356 degrees, 34,000 yards away, moving at a fast speed and tracked for 15 seconds before increasing range. The RAAF radar trace confirmed a similar position and height.

1958 Sightings:

• November 1957 (listed under 1958): Nhill (Vic) reported a line of light in the NE sky that moved NNW to SSE and disappeared.
• November 1, 1957: Campbelltown (Tas) reported a soundless, yellow light seen for 20 minutes, initially coming from behind a hill and traveling southwards. It was lost over the southern horizon.
• November 12, 1957: Springwood (NSW) had a RAAF pilot witness an apparent vapor trail at 30 degrees W, moving S to N. The object disappeared towards the northern horizon, and the pilot described a "360 degree turn" towards the northwest.
• November 23, 1957: Glenhuntly (Vic) reported a noiseless yellow/white light appearing at 15 degrees elevation, traveling southwards.
• January 18, 1958: Essendon (Melbourne, Vic) reported a white light traveling in a straight line to NW, disappearing over the horizon. The RAAF concluded this coincided with the passage of Sputnik 2.
• February 3, 1958: Mildura (Vic) reported a noiseless, white, stationary, cloud-like object seen E of Mildura at about 40 degrees elevation, which faded from view.
• February 10, 1958: North Manly (NSW) had three sightings of two silver spherical objects, described as noiseless, with durations of 35, 12, and 65 seconds.
• March 25, 1958: Oatley (NSW) reported a pale yellow light seen overhead, described as "like a comet, with a trailing tail." It was steady at first, then very fast, traveling S to N before being lost in mid-air.
• April 6, 1958: Sydney (NSW) reported a soundless, white, short 'cigar' observed stationary to the East.
• August 19, 1958: Wooroloo (WA) reported a white object like a table tennis ball moving rapidly, which then faded in the sky while traveling E to W.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are the detailed cataloging of UAP sightings, the involvement of official bodies like the RAAF in investigating these phenomena, and the presentation of witness testimonies. The editorial stance appears to be one of objective reporting, presenting the raw data of sightings along with any official conclusions or file references. There is no overt commentary or speculation, but the sheer volume and detail of the documented sightings suggest an interest in the unexplained nature of these events. The inclusion of numerous RAAF file references implies a focus on the official record and the potential for these events to be more than just misidentifications of conventional aircraft or natural phenomena.