Disclosure Australia (AURA) - No 18 - Nov 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA
Issue: NEWSLETTER EIGHTEEN
Date: NOVEMBER 2004
Publisher: AURA (Australian UFO Research Network)

This issue of Disclosure Australia Newsletter focuses on two main areas: the discovery of a previously unknown Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) file related to UFO groups, and a detailed analysis of UFO reports from Papua New Guinea documented in Australian federal government archives.

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation UFO Related File Located

The lead article reports on a significant development in UFO research: the location of a file held by ASIO, titled "Queensland Flying Saucer Bureau Volume 1." This discovery is particularly noteworthy because a previous request to ASIO for any files concerning early Australian UFO groups, including the Queensland Flying Saucer Research Bureau, yielded the response: "A check of our indices has failed to locate any open or closed period records with respect to the above named subject."

The Queensland Flying Saucer Research Bureau had been included in the request because its president, Stan Seers, had met an individual claiming to be from ASIO in 1958, who was seeking "hot" UFO information. ASIO contact with the group was reportedly maintained until 1970.

On November 8, 2004, a random check of NAA RecordSearch revealed a new file, series number A6122, control symbol 2155, series accession number 2004/00053526, titled "Queensland Flying Saucer Bureau Volume 1." The file's access status is "Open with exception," and its contents date from 1959-1973. The agency holding the file is identified as ASIO, Central Office. The newsletter expresses surprise that their earlier request did not uncover this file and notes that a copy has been ordered for examination.

A Closer Look at UFO Reports from Papua New Guinea

This section delves into UFO reports originating from Papua New Guinea (PNG) during the period when it was administered by Australia. The analysis focuses on the years 1958-1960, supplemented by a list of sightings between 1958 and 1971.

Early Sightings and Government Correspondence

The investigation begins with a memo dated June 17, 1959, from the Secretary of the Department of Territories (DOT) to the Secretary of the Department of Defence (DOD), reporting a "Reported sighting of falling object." An earlier sighting on May 24, 1959, involved a brilliant blue object descending erratically near Baniara, which changed color to red and disappeared.

Further correspondence from the DOT to the DOD on August 4, 1959, detailed additional sightings in PNG. Copies of this memo were sent to the Department of Air (DOA), Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Department of National Development, and the CSIRO. The inclusion of CSIRO is noted, as they had previously been identified as holding UFO files. The Department of National Development, established for national resource planning, was abolished in 1972, and its involvement in UFO reports remains unexplained.

Specific Sightings in Papua New Guinea

Several specific incidents are detailed:

• June 1958: Bishop Doyle of Sideia reported a round, pale blue object, the size of the Moon, that hovered over the Mission before moving north.
• Late Oct/early Nov 1958: A white light was observed moving across the sky on two consecutive evenings, flashing on and off at two-second intervals on the second night.
• May 1959: Nine schoolboys reported a large, green elliptical object moving rapidly.
• June 13, 1959: Twenty boys reported a fast, green, elliptical object traveling east to north-east.
• June 26, 1959: Mr. E. Evenett of Samarai observed an object approaching from the north-east, descending and hovering about 500 feet above the ground. Described as a "rugger football" shape with portholes, it had a glow and disappeared rapidly.
• June 27, 1959: Two men observed a half-Moon sized object moving slowly in the western sky.

Government Agency Involvement and Analysis

The newsletter highlights the involvement of various government agencies in investigating these reports. The Department of Army maintained a file series (MT1131/1) on "Unidentified aircraft Papua & New Guinea" from 1958-1959. The Department of Territories managed file series A452 (1958-1970) concerning "Flights by unidentified aircraft over Papua New Guinea."

It is noted that the Department of Air Force Intelligence (DAFI) only became aware of the Father Gill sightings on September 12, 1959, after Peter Norris of the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society (VFSRS) inquired about them. DAFI initially stated they had no official information but were making inquiries. Despite subsequent correspondence and the submission of a 15-page report by VFSRS detailing Gill's sightings and others from PNG, DAFI's conclusion, based on an interview with Father Gill by Squadron Leader Lang, was that the lights were likely "natural phenomena."

Further analysis involved the Directorate of Air Force Intelligence (DAFI) asking the RAAF liaison in London and Washington for the latest views of respective governments on UFOs. A report from the DOD to the DOA forwarded PNG reports to the Aerospace Technical Intelligence Centre (USAF) for evaluation. The USAF response in March 1960, compiled in a two-page report, provided conclusions for various sightings, often identifying them as "Insufficient information," "Poss aircraft," "Prob meteor," "Prob Sirius," "Prob search light," "Prob Venus," or "Prob aircraft."

The newsletter points out a potential disconnect, suggesting that DAFI was primarily focused on the Father Gill case, while other parts of the DOD handled the broader PNG reports, despite DAFI being recognized as the lead agency for government UFO investigations.

Later Reports and Research Library

The Disclosure Australia Project has extracted a total of 49 distinct UFO reports from PNG for the period June 1958 to August 1971. A notable case is the June 29, 1970, Sepik River radar case, which was dismissed as "electro-meteorological."

Additionally, the newsletter announces the establishment of a research library by the Australian UFO Research Association, containing UFO-related books and symposium reports. A list of materials is available on the Disclosure Project website, and researchers can access the library for assistance with their work.

Other Woomera Files

The newsletter also mentions the location of another Woomera file, series D250/3, titled "Reports on unidentified aircraft, strange occurrences Part 1," covering 1952-1958. This adds to previously identified Woomera UFO files.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are government secrecy and the systematic investigation (or lack thereof) of UFO phenomena by official bodies. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent archival research, uncovering previously unknown or denied information, and presenting it to the public. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of cross-referencing documents from various government departments to piece together a more complete picture of official UFO investigations. There is a clear focus on historical cases and the bureaucratic processes involved in handling such reports, highlighting discrepancies and potential cover-ups or oversights within government agencies.

Title: Disclosure Australia
Issue: 18
Volume: Newsletter
Date: November 2004

This issue of Disclosure Australia Newsletter presents a compilation of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings, predominantly from Papua New Guinea, spanning from 1965 to 1971. The content is largely a chronological listing of these events, with details such as date, location, time, duration, observer, and a brief description of the phenomenon. The newsletter also includes notes on the administrative changes in Papua New Guinea and contact information for Disclosure Australia.

UAP Sightings in Papua New Guinea (1965-1971)

The newsletter meticulously documents a series of UAP encounters, drawing from RAAF files and other official sources. These reports detail a variety of aerial observations:

• September 15, 1965, Port Moresby, PNG: A white light was observed at 30 degrees elevation, moving briefly before disappearing north at speed.
• September 27, 1965, Goroke, PNG: A very bright yellow/white light was seen at 240 degrees azimuth, emitting long rays. It moved slightly south, descended to the horizon, and vanished behind a mountain.
• November 2, 1965, Kurada, PNG: A dull, vertical, narrow beam was observed ascending slowly before disappearing.
• December 2, 1965, Popondetta, PNG: Star-like colours, varying to blue or red tinges, were seen at 20 degrees elevation, disappearing below the horizon.
• January 1, 1966, Musch Island, PNG: An object exploded following a bright orange flash. Six minutes elapsed between the flash and sound, and a smoke trail slowly disintegrated. This event is referenced as potentially a meteor.
• April 11, 1966, Telefomin, PNG: A soundless, unknown aircraft, described as resembling a helicopter, approached the area, despite no known helicopters being in the vicinity.
• April 12, 1966, Lorangau, PNG: A "rocket" was observed travelling from northeast to southwest, noted as the third sighting in a fortnight.
• May 3, 1966, Kagua, PNG: Two lights, one above the other, were seen low on the horizon, changing colours (red/green/white), sparkling, and described as extremely bright, surpassing any star or planet.
• March 17, 1967, Gingala Point, PNG: Two rocket-like objects with vapour trails plunged into the sea, with one appearing to explode upon impact with the water.
• September 1, 1968, Papua New Guinea: A golden-reddish light, slightly larger than a star, was seen on a clear night. It travelled erratically to the southeast, with no aircraft reported in the area.
• September 14, 1968, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea: An object was observed through a theodolite at 56.5 degrees elevation, moving northwest to southeast, described as very bright. Civil Aviation authorities confirmed no aircraft were in the area.
• May 16, 1969, Kokopo, PNG: A sighting of a UFO was reported.
• May 16, 1969, Rabaul, PNG: A white oval ball was observed moving very slowly from south to north, then lost in mid-air.
• May 16, 1969, Tomaring, PNG: A white oval ball was seen at 30 degrees elevation, moving from south to north, then east, and upwards out of sight.
• May 16, 1969, Kokopo, PNG: A blue light with a red and orange trail was seen, stationary, with smoke and vapour at its rear.
• August 11, 1969, Rabaul, PNG: A glowing red light was observed moving from south to north, stopping twice before continuing in a straight line, disappearing at 80 degrees elevation.
• June 29, 1970, Sepik River, PNG: A pilot of an F27 aircraft reported radar observation of five cigar-shaped objects at 12,500 feet, maintaining station with the aircraft. These echoes disappeared when the radar scanner was adjusted. Civil Aviation confirmed no aircraft were in the area.
• November 16, 1970, Wewak, PNG: A pilot saw a white light at 30-45 degrees elevation shoot down the windscreen. The object left a smoke trail, broke into pieces, and went out.
• August 9, 1971, Boroko, PNG: A red light was observed at 65-70 degrees elevation, moving like a rocket, and was lost behind hills in the northeast. The object was unidentified by RAAF.

Administrative Notes and Contact Information

The newsletter includes historical notes regarding the administration of Papua New Guinea:

1. The Department of Territories was abolished on February 28, 1968.
2. The Department of External Territories was created on February 28, 1968, and took over government aspects of Papua and New Guinea, eventually being abolished on December 1, 1973.
3. Papua New Guinea was granted internal self-government on December 1, 1973, and independence in September 1975.

Contact information for Disclosure Australia is provided for those wishing to inquire further about the project:

DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA
PO Box 783
Jimboomba 4280
e-mail: [email protected]

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the systematic documentation and reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena, primarily within the geographical context of Papua New Guinea. The editorial stance appears to be one of archival and investigative interest, presenting raw data from official sources like RAAF files and government departments. The inclusion of administrative notes suggests an effort to contextualize historical events within broader political and governmental changes in the region. The newsletter aims to collate and disseminate information on UAP for public record and further research.