Disclosure Australia (AURA) - No 20 - Feb 2005

Magazine Overview

Title: DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA
Issue: TWELVE
Date: APRIL 2004

This issue of the Disclosure Australia Newsletter, published by the Australian UFO Research Network and the Secretariat of the Australian UFO Research Association, focuses on the ongoing effort to locate and catalogue Australian government records pertaining to UFO phenomena, specifically those from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) prior to 1953.

Pre-1953 RAAF Documents

The newsletter highlights the discovery and examination of RAAF files related to UFOs. A significant find is RAAF file 114/1/197, opened in August 1953, titled "Reports on Flying Saucers and other unusual objects Oct 53-Apr 55." This file contains a mix of sighting reports, policy documents, and general correspondence. The authors note that given the modern UFO phenomenon began in 1947, it is reasonable to expect RAAF files from the period 1947 to October 1953.

After extensive searching, a file in the National Archives of Australia (NAA) was located, opened on 21 August 1950, titled "Reports on unusual activity and aerial phenomena." This file, listed as series number B5758, control symbol 5/6/AIR part 1, and held by Headquarters Training Command, contains six folios predating October 1953. These include:

• A confidential memo from RAAF East Sale to HQ Southern Area dated 15 August 1950, concerning a report of light flashes seen from Perry Bridge on Lake Wellington.
• A memo dated 24 August 1950 forwarding a report from Southern Area RAAF to DAFI.
• A RAAF telegram dated 20 August 1950 from Wing Commander SASO to RAAF HQ, detailing aircraft navigation exercises near Port Albert in response to reported flares and lights.
• A memo dated 14 February 1951 from RAAF East Sale to HQ Southern Command, reporting that a RAAF aircraft captain observed a brilliant light at 2330hrs on 7 February 1951, which the pilot believed to be a flare or a very low altitude object.
• A memo dated 16 January 1951 from the Chief of Air Staff to various HQs (Southern, Eastern, North Eastern, North Western, and Western Areas). This memo addresses "unusual sightings" and the need to standardize reports. It states that a pro-forma has been drafted and emphasizes that "it would obviously be unwise to draw any publicity towards Service interest in these reports, and persons making the reports should be asked to treat Service interest as Confidential."
• A memo dated 13 May 1952 from the Air Officer Commanding HQ Southern Area to DAFI, detailing a sighting on 3 May 1952 at 0545hrs in Kew, involving a "Bullet nosed object travelling at high speed leaving a vapour trail."

Other Pre-1953 Sightings and RAAF Files

The newsletter mentions that they are preparing a summary of file 5/6/AIR Part 1 and a catalogue of its sighting reports. It also references another source of pre-October 1953 reports: a listing attached to Harry Turner's 1954 report to the RAAF. This list contains 20 sightings between 16 July 1950 and 31 August 1953. Notably, only one of these sightings (3 May 1952 from Kew) appears in file 5/6/AIR Part 1, suggesting that other undiscovered RAAF/Department of Air files on the subject may exist.

The publication also lists RAAF files dealing with policy matters, including:

• 5/6/AIR Part 1: "Reports on unusual activity and aerial phenomena," 21 Aug 1950 - Oct 1955 (NAA).
• 114/1/197: "Reports on Flying Saucers and other aerial objects," Oct 53 - Apr 55 (NAA).
• 554/1/30 Part 1: "Investigations of Flying Saucers Policy," 20 Jul 53 to 22 Nov 67 (NAA).
• 2/25/1: Unknown opening date, mentioned in a 1966 RAAF minute. This file could not be located in response to a 2004 FOI request.
• 574/3/88: Unknown opening date, also mentioned in a 1966 RAAF minute. The RAAF advised they physically held this file but could not release it under FOI due to its age. The RAAF Historical Unit may be able to provide information, and a request was submitted on 16 March 2004.
• 569/5/461: Unknown opening date, rationalised in 1966. Mentioned in a 1966 RAAF minute.
• 554/1/30 Part 2: "Investigations of Flying Saucers Policy," 67-72? Physically held by RAAF but not releasable under FOI due to age. Request submitted to RAAF Historical Unit on 16 March 2004.
• 554/1/30 Part 3: "Investigations of Flying Saucers Policy," 26 May 1972 to 2 Feb 1984. Copy obtained from RAAF under FOI.
• AF 84/3508 Part 1: Unknown, 3 Feb 1984 - ??. RAAF advised they cannot find this file.
• A9755 Parts 1-23: Various.

Expanded Listings and Web Resources

The listing of abstracts of UFO reports from South Australia has been expanded to over 70 A4 pages. These can be viewed at http://disclosure.freewebpage.org. The newsletter also announces that file summaries and catalogues previously on the website have been moved to two CD-ROMs, with plans to distribute free copies to Australian UFO groups, likely at the June 2004 National UFO Conference.

Contact and Contribution

The newsletter concludes by welcoming information that would assist the Project. Contact details for DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA are provided, including a postal address in Jimboomba, Queensland, and an email address ([email protected]).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the systematic investigation and archival of official documentation related to UFO sightings in Australia. The editorial stance is one of diligent research, seeking to uncover and make accessible historical government records, while also acknowledging the difficulties and bureaucratic hurdles encountered in this process, particularly concerning Freedom of Information requests and the preservation of historical data. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of confidentiality in official interest in such matters, as indicated by the memo from the Chief of Air Staff.