GICOFF-Information - 1970 No 1

Magazine Overview

This is the first issue of "G.I.C.O.F.F. INFORMATION", a member magazine from the Göteborgs Informations Center för Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål (GICOFF), published in December 1970. The magazine's stated purpose is to foster rational UFO research in Sweden by providing a forum for members' investigations and discussions. It aims for objective and factual reporting, covering a range of viewpoints from skeptics to believers.

Editorial Stance and Content

The editorial team, consisting of Sven-Olof Fredriksson, Björn Högman, Siv Högman, Seppo Lahtinen, and Alf Tollhag, emphasizes the importance of a unified approach to UFO research across Sweden. They express a desire for the magazine to be a platform for all members to contribute through suggestions, investigations, articles, and book tips. The publication is distributed only to GICOFF members, with a membership fee of 30 kronor covering the rest of 1970 and all of 1971.

The cover features a map of lunar craters, specifically Aristarchus, Herodotus, and Schroter's Valley, with marked points A, B, and C, suggesting UFO observations on the Moon. The issue includes a variety of articles detailing UFO sightings and investigations:

Lunar Observations

An article titled "EN OBSERVATION AV LJUSFENOMEN PÅ MÅNEN" (An Observation of Light Phenomena on the Moon) by James A Greenacre details observations made on October 29, 1963, using the Lowell Observatory's 24-inch refractor. Edward Barr and Greenacre observed unusual pinkish-orange colored areas near the Aristarchus crater, which gradually faded. They meticulously documented the locations and characteristics of these colored regions, noting their oval or elongated shapes and varying degrees of luminescence.

Swedish UFO Cases

Several terrestrial UFO incidents are reported:

• "Spökbomberna" (Ghost Bombers) 1946: This section revisits the widespread sightings of mysterious flying objects in the summer of 1946 across Sweden, Finland, and Norway. The objects were often described as rocket or disc-shaped, sometimes with tails, and were observed at various altitudes. The article notes that authorities initially suggested they were Soviet-guided rockets, but later investigations cast doubt on this theory, considering possibilities like German technology or unusual atmospheric phenomena related to a strong sunspot maximum.
• Avesta Sighting (October 5, 1969): Two brothers, Lars-Åke (12) and Hans-Erik Henningsson (7), reported seeing a luminous, star-like object that moved erratically before descending into a forest. Lars-Åke provided a detailed description of the object, likening it to two stacked plates with unusual lights and emitting a whining sound.
• Ås Sighting (August 31, 1965): Bertil Lyrstedt and his family observed a luminous, elliptical object that followed their car. Hans Lyrstedt, aged 15, kept watch for an hour and described the object as having a vertical band and emitting a whistling sound as it departed.
• Arjeplog Sighting (January 6, 1970): Two witnesses, a teacher and a policeman, observed two luminous objects traveling in a north-south direction. One had a sharp yellow-white light, the other a duller red-yellow light.
• Dala Järna Sighting (January 6, 1970): Liss Albert Johansson reported seeing a luminous object connected to a cylindrical form, emitting a red-orange glow.
• Ramdalen/Tisselskog Sighting (October 30, 1970): Erik Lennartsson observed a strange phenomenon reflecting in a lake, moving up and down with a reddish glow.
• Åmotfors Sighting (October 28, 1970): A woman witnessed a meter-sized, luminous object hovering at low altitude, described as a "bottle."
• Faråkra Sighting (November 5, 1970): Alli Faråker reported her room being illuminated by an oblong object hovering about 20 meters above treetops.
• Jämshög Sighting (Date not specified, likely late 1970): A farmer described a clear, luminous object with a sharp white halo, moving downwards and described as irregular in shape.

International UFO News

• "JORDEN RUNT" (Around the World): This section covers international UFO reports, including "teleportation" cases from Brazil (7 reported between 1968-1969), and the discovery of unusual magnesium fragments at Ubatuba, Brazil, following a UFO observation in 1957. The magnesium was found to be purer than any produced on Earth at the time, though a later US study suggested it could be synthesized.

Other Sections

• Local Contacts: Information is provided on GICOFF's local representatives in Sweden (Malung, Stockholm, Falkenberg) and international contacts, including UFO organizations in Norway and APRO in the USA.
• FAQ (Frågespalt): A question-and-answer section addresses general interest questions related to UFOs.
• Table of Contents: Lists the articles and their corresponding page numbers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine strongly advocates for a rational, evidence-based approach to UFO research. It emphasizes the importance of detailed eyewitness accounts and investigations, distinguishing itself from publications that focus solely on sensational cases or rely heavily on media reports. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, encouraging contributions from members with diverse perspectives. There is a stated avoidance of deep philosophical speculation about extraterrestrial beings' intentions. The publication also highlights the need for more thorough research into past UFO events, noting the disappearance of official Swedish defense files related to the 1946 "Spökbomberna."

Title: JORDEN RUNT
Issue: nr. 5
Date: 1970
Publisher: The Denver Post (indicated by a credit on the cartoon)
Country: USA (implied by publisher and University of Colorado)
Language: Swedish

This issue of JORDEN RUNT, dated 1970, prominently features a satirical cartoon on its cover that comments on the National UFO Study conducted at the University of Colorado under the direction of Dr. E. Condon. The cartoon, signed 'OLIPONT' and with a credit to 'THE DENVER POST', depicts three figures in lab coats exiting a building labeled 'UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DEPARTMENT FOR NATIONAL UFO STUDY DR. E. CONDON'. One of the figures expresses concern, stating, 'DON'T LET THIS GET OUT-IT COULD JUST RUIN OUR CONCLUSIONS'. To the right, a classic flying saucer hovers above two alien-like creatures, adding to the visual commentary.

The main headline in Swedish reads, 'Ta det lungt, dr. Condon - säg bara att Ni inte tror på dem!', which translates to 'Take it easy, Dr. Condon - just say you don't believe in them!'. This headline, combined with the cartoon, suggests a critical or skeptical stance towards the official UFO study, implying that its findings might be predetermined or that a public denial of belief in UFOs is the desired outcome.

The text at the top of the page, also in Swedish, includes phrases like 'JORDEN RUNT' (Around the World), 'emiis vs TẾ пог торот san ub 16H', 'aningen af har ov', 'sửa händer på. UFH-Fronten i Tårt klot. Som klit kommer vi foreignvis att använda Fader APRD-bulanti', and 'Gordon bre 5, 1970:'. These fragments suggest broader content within the magazine, possibly related to international news or UFO-related discussions, though the specific meaning of the garbled text is unclear.

Key Content and Themes

The primary focus of the cover is the commentary on the Condon Report and the perceived scientific or governmental approach to UFO phenomena. The cartoon and headline work together to suggest that the study might have been biased or that its conclusions were already decided, regardless of evidence. The humor lies in the suggestion that Dr. Condon should simply dismiss the phenomena rather than investigate them impartially.

• Themes:
• UFOs/UAP: The central subject matter.
• Government Secrecy/Skepticism: The cartoon implies a potentially biased or predetermined outcome of a government-funded study.
• Scientific Inquiry: The satire targets the methods and conclusions of a scientific investigation into UFOs.
• Public Perception: The headline hints at managing public belief or disbelief in UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Based on the cover, the editorial stance of this issue of JORDEN RUNT appears to be critical or at least humorously skeptical of official UFO investigations, particularly the Condon Report. The use of satire suggests a desire to question authority and conventional explanations, or perhaps to highlight the perceived absurdity of the situation surrounding UFO research at the time. The magazine aims to engage readers with topical issues through a lens of commentary and perhaps even mild mockery.