Disclosure Australia (AURA) - No 16 - Sept 2004

Magazine Overview

This document is Newsletter Sixteen from DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA, published in September 2004. It is auspiced by the Australian UFO Research Network and the Secretariat is the Australian UFO Research Association. The newsletter focuses on combining resources and examining government documents related to the UFO phenomenon.

The Project Interviews Harry Turner

This section details an interview conducted by Dominic McNamara and Bill Chalker with Harry Turner, a former government worker with a keen interest in UFOs. Turner's interest was sparked by a book from Donald Menzel, though he found Menzel's explanations at odds with the data. He also read George Adamski but found his experiences confusing.

Turner became involved in investigating UFO reports after local sightings in Melbourne suburbs like Dandenong gained media attention. He approached the RAAF Intelligence area, who were seeking investigators due to inquiries from the Department of Air. Turner agreed to investigate, and his security clearance was upgraded. He declined expenses to maintain independence.

His investigation into the Dandenong sightings uncovered a series of witnesses and evidence, including a girl's watch that stopped and was magnetized during the event. He also noted that fence posts near a reported object's location had abnormal magnetic polarity, as measured by the Department of Transport. Turner prepared a report on these sightings for the RAAF.

Turner was shown two RAAF files on sightings and allowed to analyze them. He did not recall being shown files from other agencies. After completing his report, he moved to Harwell in the UK for a NATO project but did not conduct UFO research there. However, he was aware of the 1952 Washington mass sightings and speculated that anti-gravity research might be related.

In March 1955, Peter Birch of the Directorate of Air Force Intelligence (DAFI) advised Turner that his report was being sent to Washington and London for comment, though Turner did not recall receiving official feedback.

From 1956 to 1964, Turner was stationed at Maralinga, South Australia, in charge of Health Physics. He did not conduct UFO research there but learned from the range commander, Dick Durant, about his observations during the 1952 Washington mass sightings.

In April 1957, DAFI asked the Joint Intelligence Bureau (JIB) to take over UFO report collection and investigation. Turner had no personal knowledge of this as he joined JIB in 1964.

In 1968, Turner was in the Directorate of Scientific and Technical Intelligence (DSTI) of the JIB and acted as an unofficial liaison between JIB and DAFI on UFO matters. He found JIB to be generally dismissive of UFOs, and while he had no opposition to his involvement, he lacked official support. He noted that some DAFI directors considered UFO investigations a nuisance.

In 1969, Turner proposed a rapid investigation team within DSTI, involving personnel from ANU, the Australian Atomic Energy Commission, the National Standards Laboratory CSIRO, and Defence Science and Technology. However, DAFI rejected the proposal.

Turner and Dr. Michael Duggin had previously investigated a reported UFO landing on a Sydney golf course in 1969, finding unusual marks and an oily residue, which they considered a convincing case.

Regarding serious government interest in UFOs, Turner stated that it was minimal, with investigations often conducted 'through the back door' due to potential career risks. He recalled interviewing Professor Allen Hynek and O'Farrell in 1973.

Turner did not see any JIB UFO files between 1964 and 1982. He participated in the investigation of a radar UFO case in Kalamunda, Western Australia, in 1969. This involved a stationary object detected on radar and seen visually, which led to a report recommending further investigation, disliked by DAFI.

Two incidents particularly interested Turner: the Cressy, Tasmania, Reverend Browning event, and a radar/visual case at Woomera. The Woomera case involved an object with a velocity exceeding any aircraft of the day, observed at 60,000 feet and deduced to be twice the size of a tracking aircraft.

Turner reviewed USAF 'Report 14', noting that its military version was complete while the public version was deleted. He found the report's argument that more experienced observers led to fewer conventional explanations to be flawed and wrote a JIB report pointing this out.

Through DSTI connections, Turner obtained some UK material but not a great deal. He also wrote a critique of the US Condon report, highlighting contradictions between its summary and bulk.

Notes and References

The newsletter includes extensive notes referencing National Archives of Australia documents, including memos, letters, and reports related to Harry Turner's involvement, RAAF UFO files, and specific sightings like the East Dandenong case.

It also details the RAAF's investigation of a trace on a golf course in La Perouse, NSW, in June 1969, which was considered a possible hoax.

Details of the Kalamunda WA radar/visual case from May 1969 are provided, including radar returns and a visual sighting by Mrs. Cosgrove.

Information is also given on RAAF file series 580/1/1, with some digital copies made available by the National Archives of Australia. The newsletter notes that some files are still pending examination.

Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOT) UFO related files

Disclosure Australia has taken actions regarding potential DOT UFO files, including an FOI request for documents and a query about current policy. They are also checking the National Archives of Australia for nominated DCA files.

RAAF FOI number 2 request

A request for photocopies of RAAF UFO files at RAAF Base Edinburgh has been granted, and the documents are awaited.

Feedback and research

The publication of examined documents has stimulated further research. Examples include an examination of the 1938 Darwin 'unidentified aircraft' saga, an inquiry about current Australian Government UFO policy, and new witnesses coming forward for the 1966 CE2 Westall event.

The newsletter recommends the book "Out of the shadows: UFOs, the establishment and the official cover up" by David Clarke and Andy Roberts for those interested in UK archival experience.

It emphasizes that examining documents is only one step and urges readers to engage in analysis and conduct their own research.

Contacting the Project

Contact details for DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA are provided: PO Box 783, Jimboomba 4280, and e-mail: [email protected].

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this newsletter are government secrecy surrounding UFO phenomena, the challenges and importance of archival research, the detailed investigation of specific Australian UFO cases, and the perceived lack of genuine scientific inquiry within official government bodies. The editorial stance is one of persistent investigation and a call for public engagement in analyzing the uncovered data, advocating for transparency and a deeper understanding of UFO events.