Enigma

Magazine Overview

Title: ENIGMA
Issue Date: June, 1967
Publisher: International Sky Scouts Association (U.K.)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of ENIGMA, the newsletter of the International Sky Scouts Association (U.K.), dated June 1967, focuses on recent UFO developments and activities within the UFOlogy community.

Latest Developments

Ken Rogers reports a colossal number of UFO reports received in the first six months of the year. While activity around Warminster appears to have temporarily subsided, a new center of UFO activity is emerging in Reading, Berks. Over fifty reports have been received from Reading since June 1965, with descriptions including discs, cigars, and dome shapes, accompanied by high-pitched whining noises that frighten animals. The local group, led by four scientists, has submitted extensive written reports. One notable report from March 7th describes three boys seeing a fuzzy patch of light that transformed into a disc with domes, lights, and a yellow glowing hub, disappearing after two minutes. Photographs were successfully taken with a Kodak Instamatic 200 camera.

International Flying Saucer Sighting Day - June 24th

June 24th marks the twentieth anniversary of the "flying saucer era." To commemorate this, UFO groups globally will conduct mass skywatches. Over 40,000 Sky Scout members in 23 countries are expected to participate. The main watching period is from 7 pm on Saturday to 7 am the following morning. Members are encouraged to report any unusual sightings by telephoning the central point in London (01-723-0305) or contacting Mr. Keith Palmer for details on national skywatches. The London skywatch is scheduled for Crewes Hill, with a meeting at Crewes Hill railway station at 7 pm.

A Place in History

Peter Coleman reflects on how UFO groups and investigators might be remembered after the "great event" (when the UFO enigma is solved). He considers whether "believers" will be seen as pioneers or simply eccentric individuals. Coleman suggests that historians might portray them as bickering groups, cranks, and eccentrics. However, he believes the Sky Scouts can change this perception by demonstrating insight and integrity, showing that UFOlogy is a subject worthy of sane and scientific study, not just sensationalism.

UFO reports requiring investigation should be sent to Ken Rogers. Members are urged to include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with correspondence to officials to help reduce costs. A meeting for members and friends in London and the South is scheduled for August 26th at Caxton Hall, Westminster, featuring a talk and film on the Warminster Phenomena.

Planet Positions

Bill Trotter provides a guide to planet visibility for June and July, including Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, detailing their positions in the evening or morning sky.

Book Reviews

• Two new UFO books are reviewed:
• THE WARMINSTER MYSTERY by Arthur Shuttlewood, described as a factual record of sightings and strange noises in Warminster, including unusual telephone calls allegedly from inhabitants of the planet Aenstria.
• THE SCORITON MYSTERY by Eileen Fuckle, detailing a contact claim by Mr. Bryant of Scoriton, Devon, who was allegedly taken into a saucer by three space beings. The book suggests this might be a reincarnation of George Adamski and discusses strange messages received on tape recorders.

Western Expedition

This section details a Sky Scout expedition focused on ley research, primarily in Somerset. Despite poor weather, a skywatch was conducted on May 24th, with no definitive non-aircraft or satellite sightings. Discoveries were made regarding the Great Isosceles Triangle ley, with a modification shifting its western side. Othery Church is identified as the western corner of this modified triangle. A minor discovery involved a mound on the horizon near Dunkery Beacon, which aligns with the Bristol-Weston-super-Mare orthoteny. Fan Hill near Devizes is also noted as a potential ley center. A fuller account of the expedition will be published in a booklet.

Balloon or UFO?

Ken Rogers questions the coordination within the Ministry of Defence following a widely reported sighting over Kent and Sussex on June 10th. Hundreds of people reported the object, which was tracked by radar and observed by helicopter, police, and coastguards. However, RAF Manston claimed no reports, the Ministry of Defence suggested a balloon from Canterbury, and the Meteorological Office stated it was likely a balloon from Yarmouth, highlighting a lack of consistent information.

Editor's Note

Jimmy Goddard, the editor, welcomes news and comments from members and friends.

Book List

This section provides an extensive list of books related to UFOlogy, categorized by "Books by Scientists" and "General Saucer Books." It includes titles such as "Anatomy of a Phenomenon" by Jacques Vallee, "Other Worlds Than Ours" by C. Maxwell Cade, "The Flying Saucer Story" by Erinsley Le Poer Trench, and "The Warminster Mystery" by Arthur Shuttlewood. Contact stories like "Inside the Space Ships" by George Adamski and "My Contact with Flying Saucers" by Dino Kraspedon are also listed. Other books include "The Books of Charles Fort" and works by George Hunt Williamson.

A separate "Magazine and Book List" compiled by Lionel Beer offers a comprehensive catalog of available UFO literature, including magazines like "Flying Saucers - UFO Reports," "Flying Saucer Review," and "Australian Flying Saucer Review," as well as handbooks and journals from various UFO research organizations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing volume of UFO sightings, the organization of international UFO observation events, and the critical examination of UFO phenomena through research and reporting. The editorial stance, particularly evident in Peter Coleman's article, emphasizes the importance of treating UFOlogy as a serious and scientific field, aiming to elevate the public perception of UFO researchers from eccentrics to individuals of insight and integrity. There is also a focus on promoting the International Sky Scouts Association as a credible platform for such study and a desire to document and investigate UFO reports thoroughly.