Disclosure Australia (AURA) - No 12 - April 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA
Issue: TWELVE
Date: APRIL 2004
Publisher: Australian UFO Research Network
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the "Disclosure Australia" newsletter, published by the Australian UFO Research Network and auspiced by the Australian UFO Research Association, focuses on uncovering and cataloging historical UFO-related documents, particularly those from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Department of Air. The newsletter aims to combine resources to provide a comprehensive overview of UFO phenomena in Australia.

Pre-1953 Documents and RAAF Files

The main focus of this newsletter is the identification and analysis of pre-1953 documents pertaining to UFO sightings. Researchers have located a significant file in the National Archives of Australia (NAA) opened on August 21, 1950, titled "Reports on unusual activity and aerial phenomena" (series B5758). This file contains six folios predating October 1953.

Key reports within this file include:

• A confidential memo from RAAF East Sale to HQ Southern Area dated August 15, 1950, concerning light flashes seen near Lake Wellington.
• A memo dated August 24, 1950, forwarding a report from Southern Area RAAF to DAFI.
• A RAAF telegram from August 20, 1950, detailing aircraft navigation exercises near Port Albert related to reported flares and lights.
• A memo from February 14, 1951, reporting a RAAF aircraft captain's observation of a brilliant light, possibly a flare or a low-altitude object.
• A memo from January 16, 1951, from the Chief of Air Staff to various RAAF Headquarters, addressing unusual sightings and emphasizing the need for standardized reporting procedures and confidentiality.
• A memo from May 13, 1952, detailing a sighting of a "bullet nosed object travelling at high speed leaving a vapour trail" near Kew.

The newsletter notes that while the modern UFO phenomenon began in 1947, finding RAAF files from the period 1947-1953 has been challenging. The discovered file (B5758) is considered the earliest previously located by UFO researchers.

Other Sources and Harry Turner's Report

Another source of pre-October 1953 reports is a listing attached to Harry Turner's 1954 report to the RAAF. Turner was asked to examine two RAAF files, and his report, found on RAAF file 554/1/30 part 1, contains a list of 20 sightings between July 16, 1950, and August 31, 1953. Notably, only one sighting from Turner's list (May 3, 1952, from Kew) appears in the B5758 file, suggesting that many other RAAF/Department of Air files on the subject remain undiscovered.

Search for RAAF UFO Policy Files

The newsletter also lists RAAF files that contain papers relating to policy matters concerning UFOs:

• 5/6/AIR Part 1: "Reports on unusual activity and aerial phenomena" (Aug 1950 - Oct 1955), located at NAA.
• 114/1/197: "Reports on Flying Saucers and other aerial objects" (Oct 1953 - Apr 1955), located at NAA.
• 554/1/30 Part 1: "Investigations of Flying Saucers Policy" (Jul 1953 - Nov 1967), located at NAA.
• 2/25/1: Unknown, mentioned in a 1966 RAAF minute. This file could not be located via a 2004 FOI request.
• 574/3/88: Unknown, also mentioned in a 1966 RAAF minute. The RAAF advised they held this file but could not release it under FOI due to its age, suggesting the RAAF Historical Unit might assist.
• 569/5/461: Unknown, rationalized in 1966. Incorrectly requested under a 2004 FOI.
• 554/1/30 Part 2: "Investigations of Flying Saucers Policy" (1967-1972?), held by RAAF but not releasable under FOI. RAAF Historical Unit may be able to assist.
• 554/1/30 Part 3: "Investigations of Flying Saucers Policy" (May 1972 - Feb 1984), copy obtained from RAAF under FOI.
• AF 84/3508 Part 1: Unknown (Feb 1984 - ??), RAAF advised they cannot find this file.
• A9755 Parts 1-23: Various, this listing has been expanded to over 70 A4 pages and represents a comprehensive collection of abstracts of UFO reports from South Australia.

Web Site and CD-ROMs

Previously, file summaries and catalogues were available on a web site. These have now been withdrawn and transferred onto a set of two CD-ROMs. The intention is to provide free copies of these to Australian UFO groups via liaison officers, likely at the June 2004 National UFO Conference.

Contacting the Secretariat

Information that would assist the Project is welcomed. Contact details for DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA are provided, including a postal address in Jimboomba, Queensland, and an email address.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this newsletter is the diligent effort to uncover, document, and analyze historical UFO-related records within Australian government archives, particularly those of the RAAF. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of these official records for understanding the history of UFO investigations in Australia and highlights the challenges faced in accessing and cataloging this information. There is a clear commitment to making these findings accessible to the UFO research community, moving from online resources to physical media like CD-ROMs. The newsletter also underscores the need for confidentiality and standardized reporting when dealing with sensitive information related to national security and public interest in unusual phenomena.