Disclosure Australia (AURA) - No 13 - May 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA
Issue: NEWSLETTER THIRTEEN
Date: MAY 2004

This issue of Disclosure Australia Newsletter Thirteen, dated May 2004, focuses on historical UFO investigations and sightings within Australia. It combines resources from various UFO research organizations and highlights new findings from government files and archives.

"Black" Aircraft and Australian UFO Reports

The newsletter revisits a previous report from Newsletter Six concerning Australian UFO reports between October 1960 and March 1963, which were potentially caused by USAF U-2 "black" aircraft. Further research has uncovered information about the English Gloster A-W Meteor PR19 aircraft, which first flew in 1956. This aircraft was also a "black" aircraft used for secret overflights of the USSR and reportedly flew out of Butterworth in Malaya and Laverton in Australia during 1960-1962, primarily at night. The article posits that the PR19, similar to the U-2, may have also generated Australian UFO reports.

Police Participation in UFO Investigations

An unexpected discovery from examining early Government UFO files is the involvement of State Police forces in investigating UFO reports on behalf of the RAAF. This was reinforced by the acquisition of files series number PP474/1, which details investigations conducted by RAAF Pearce in Western Australia between January 1951 and June 1960. During this period, the WA Police forces were continually utilized to interview UFO witnesses. A similar arrangement was previously noted between RAAF Townsville and the Queensland police force.

RAAF FOI Updates and File Summaries

More NAA Files Available:
Disclosure Australia has been awaiting the review of several RAAF UFO files in the 580/1/1 series. While parts 1-10 of this series have been accessed and summarized, another 24 parts were listed as "Not yet examined." Recently, 8 more parts have been examined and their status changed to "Open," and digital copies have been requested, with the process expected to take 4-6 weeks.

RAAF Files AF 554/1/30 Part 2 and 574/3/884:
Following up on a previous FOI request, the RAAF initially stated that these files, being over 30 years old, could not be accessed under FOI. Subsequent correspondence suggested they might be available via RAAF Historical Records. On April 1, 2004, RAAF Historical Records advised that there was no record of file 574/3/884, suggesting it might be 574/3/88 Part 4, which was reportedly destroyed in 1998. Efforts will be made to locate references to these files. Regarding file 554/1/30 Part 2, it was indicated that the file was shortly to be forwarded from the National Archives.

RAAF FOI Update:
In response to a second FOI request, the RAAF has located 38 additional files, totaling approximately 2300 pages, related to UFOs. These are in addition to the 600 pages previously released. Access to these files is currently being arranged.

More File Summaries: E499/18 (Darwin)
This section continues the series of file summaries, focusing on a file from the Northern Territory, Defence Establishment Berrimah (formerly HMAS Coonawarra). The file, titled "Unidentified flying object sightings" (E499/18, control symbol C21/4/41), consists of 41 pages and details numerous reports:

• August 1959: Several reports from Katherine and Darwin describe fiery red balls, glowing lights, and objects moving rapidly across the sky, some leaving vapour trails.
• September 1959: A telegram mentions a meteorite glowing brightly, and a telex reports a large, shallow black object seen near Mandorah, moving towards Delissaville Creek.
• January 1960 & March 1962: Reports of a "Monster" near Mandorah, believed to be a giant ray.
• May 1962 & June 1962: A large, dark object estimated at 1000 feet was seen traveling at a steady speed 10-11 miles away from Darwin.
• June 1962: Reports of a mystery light over Darwin Harbour, possibly Venus, and a large, deep orange light that sped to the NW and disappeared.
• June 1962: A large light reflected in the sea, changing color from green to yellow, and moving E to W before disappearing.
• November 1963: An orange light was seen traveling above water near Racecourse Creek, rising vertically and disappearing.
• January 1964: A report from between Cape Gray and NE Pt of Groote Eylandt describes a landing barge with an erratic compass and unusual lights seen in the water.
• February 1964: Memos discuss a strange phenomenon seen at sea and a bright flashing blue light over the Edward River Mission that moved very fast E to W, followed by an explosion.
• October 1964: A large patch of light was observed below the surface of the water, and the water in the vicinity became quite hot.
• October 1966: A report from King Sound describes a conical-shaped glow.
• July 1967: A very bright pulsating white light with a circle of orange/red lights was seen descending over South Alligator River.
• January 1968: Reports of cigar-shaped objects with white to pink flames, seen with no noise, and other objects reported by scores of people.
• February 1968: A news clip suggests a UFO was a Boeing 707, and another reports an egg-shaped object seen moving NE to SE.
• September 1966 - October 1967: A list of UFO reports includes sightings of fast-moving objects with no noise, bright red-like lights that disintegrated, silver objects rising quickly, and lights that suddenly appeared and died out.
• January 1968: A light with a long bright red/orange tail was seen over Darwin.
• April 1974: News clips report on RAAF probes into UFOs and an increase in UFO sightings.

1940 File: "Jane Moorhead" Sighting

A file from 1940, titled "Report of sighting of strange object by master of Auxiliary Ketch 'Jane Moorhead'," is summarized. The file, a Navy file located in Melbourne, contains a letter from H J Lund, Master of the "Jane Moorhead," describing an object stationary and extending vertically out of the sea. Lund presumes it could be a submarine periscope.

Contact Information

Disclosure Australia welcomes information to assist their Project and provides contact details for the Secretariat and the Project via mail and email.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this newsletter are the investigation of historical UFO sightings in Australia, the potential identification of these sightings with known or classified aircraft, and the role of government and police agencies in documenting and investigating these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent archival research, seeking to uncover and analyze official records related to UFOs, and encouraging public participation in this endeavor. There is a clear focus on factual reporting based on declassified or accessible government documents.