GICOFF-Information - 1971 No 4

Magazine Overview

This issue of GICOFF-INFORMATION, published by Göteborgs Informations Center för Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål, is the 4th issue of 1971, dated July-August. The cover features a striking black and white photograph of a man seemingly engaged in an outdoor activity with a device, accompanied by the headline "Märkestillverkning" à la Lektyr. The magazine is distributed to members only and costs 30 SEK for membership in 1971.

Editorial and Contents

The editorial team consists of Sven-Olof Fredrikson, Alf Tollhag, Björn Högman, Siv Högman, and Rickard Lidblom. The issue begins with a "Förord" (Foreword) on page 3, highlighting that despite summer being a typical holiday period, GICOFF has received numerous interesting cases. The organization is facing financial and manual strain, prompting an appeal for assistance. The foreword also mentions a meeting with the leading figures of Flying Saucer Review in England, praising their work despite a tight budget and limited resources. The foreword notes the delay in publishing a promised case from Norway and expresses regret over the need to cut back on international material due to resource limitations. It concludes with the sad news of Professor James McDonald's passing.

• The table of contents lists several articles:
• Förord (Foreword) - page 3
• Uppföljning av Antenfallet (Follow-up on the Anten Case) - page 4
• Specialartikel, Pärlemormoln (Special Article, Mother-of-pearl Clouds) - page 19
• UFO-Nytt SVERIGE (UFO News SWEDEN) - page 21
• Ytterligare undersökning av- och omkring L. Thörns foto (Further investigation of and around L. Thörn's photo) - page 30
• UFO-Nytt NORGE (UFO News NORWAY) - page 33
• Finska UFO-fall från andra hälften av 1970 (Finnish UFO Cases from the second half of 1970) - page 43

Uppföljning av Anten-fallet (Follow-up on the Anten Case)

This extensive article, authored by S-O Fredrikson, revisits the mysterious event that occurred on the night of August 29-30, 1970, near Enebacken, by the lake Anten, close to Alingsås, Sweden. The incident involved a strange aerial phenomenon and the discovery of round burn marks on the ground the following morning. The case had attracted significant media attention, with various explanations offered, including a lost weather balloon. However, the Anten case remained a topic of interest even a year later, particularly due to the weekly magazine Lektyr's attempt to dismiss it.

The article details the location: a garden of a small cottage about half a kilometer from Anten lake, near a smaller lake called Hälsingen. The cottage was inhabited by an 81-year-old man named Johansson, who slept through the event. Several witnesses observed a strong red glowing object moving erratically in the sky. The burn marks were found in Johansson's garden. The article includes testimonies from multiple witnesses (Vittne 1-7), describing a red, round object with varying speeds and movements, emitting yellow-white beams of light. Some witnesses noted a strange sound initially. The object was estimated to be about half the size of the full moon.

Lektyr's Article and GICOFF's Rebuttal

The magazine then critically examines an article published in Lektyr, which proposed a 'practical joke' explanation for the Anten case. Lektyr claimed that a group of young people from Gothenburg had staged the event using a gas burner, a gas balloon, batteries, and other equipment to create the burn marks and the 'flying saucer' effect. Lektyr's article is described as providing 'correct explanations' on how to discharge static electricity from a balloon and includes 'technical acrobatics.'

GICOFF found Lektyr's article to be highly questionable and decided to conduct their own experiment to test the hoax theory. They gathered similar equipment, including a gas burner, a weather balloon, batteries, and a 220-volt lamp, and attempted to replicate the 'UFO landing' at the same location. The experiment, conducted on May 31, 1971, involved burning the ground with a gas burner, which produced a strong jet of heat and left marks that were more superficial than the original ones. They also attempted to replicate the aerial phenomenon by sending up a balloon with a 220-volt lamp attached. However, they found it difficult to create perfectly round marks and noted that the original marks contained intact grass and twigs, unlike their experimental marks which were completely scorched.

Furthermore, GICOFF points out several inconsistencies in Lektyr's account. They question the anonymity of the individuals who allegedly performed the hoax, the number of people involved, and how they managed to carry out the experiment without waking Mr. Johansson. They also question the choice of a secluded location and the logistics of transporting the equipment. GICOFF's experiment, while attempting to mimic the described setup, failed to produce results identical to the original Anten case. The article concludes that Lektyr's explanation is highly improbable and that the original phenomenon was not a simple hoax.

Scientific Analysis and Other Cases

The issue also mentions that soil samples from the burn marks were analyzed by Chalmers institution for nuclear chemistry in Gothenburg. The analysis revealed trace amounts of radioactive Cesium 137, suggesting a possible link to nuclear fallout from atomic bomb tests. However, the article notes that the amount was too small to be detected by a Geiger counter and that it was remarkable that nothing was found in the surrounding ground.

Other sections include a special article on "Pärlemormoln" (Mother-of-pearl Clouds), which are high-altitude clouds that display iridescent colors when illuminated by the sun below the horizon. There are also reports on UFO News from Sweden and Norway, and a mention of Finnish UFO cases from the latter half of 1970.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly reflects GICOFF's stance on UFO phenomena: a commitment to thorough investigation, critical analysis of media reports, and a skeptical yet open-minded approach. The magazine actively debunks sensationalized or simplistic explanations, particularly those presented by popular media like Lektyr. GICOFF emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence, witness testimony, and scientific investigation. The recurring theme is the rigorous examination of UFO cases, aiming to separate fact from fiction and to provide a more accurate understanding of unexplained aerial phenomena. The magazine appears to champion a more serious and scientific approach to the subject, contrasting it with what they perceive as superficial or misleading reporting.

Title: UFO-nytt
Issue: 2
Volume: 1971
Date: January-February 1971
Publisher: GICOFF
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-nytt delves into several unexplained phenomena, primarily focusing on sightings and mysterious occurrences in Sweden and Norway during the early 1970s. The cover prominently features the headline "Cirklar i snö" (Circles in Snow), hinting at one of the main topics.

Pärlemormolnen (Mother-of-Pearl Clouds)

The magazine begins with an explanation of 'mother-of-pearl clouds,' which are described as appearing most often in late winter, formed by air currents over mountain ranges like those in Norway. These clouds require stratospheric temperatures below -80°C for condensation, and on average, winter temperatures around -70°C mean only a further cooling of about 10°C is needed. Theories about their composition include tiny water droplets, spherical ice crystals, or even frozen sulfuric acid particles coated in ice.

Sanningssökare: SÖKAREN Magazine

A brief advertisement promotes the magazine "SÖKAREN," which covers parapsychology, UFOs, various religions, philosophies, and wisdom. It is described as an independent, open, and versatile publication with 10 illustrated issues per year.

Cirklar i snö (Circles in Snow)

This section details two mysterious incidents involving circular patterns in snow.

Incident 1: Lillpite

Reported in the January-February issue of GICOFF, this event occurred on Saturday, February 27, 1971, in Lillpite. The witness, farmer Börje Bergqvist, noticed three circular patterns in the snow outside his barn. He described them as mysterious and unlike anything he had seen before. The circles remained visible for some time. An interview with editor Birger Johansson of GICOFF confirmed the event. Johansson stated the marks were about 3-4 meters from the barn, with the outermost circle being about 60 cm in diameter. The circles were equally marked all around, unlike patterns potentially made by a grass blade rotating in the sand. Bergqvist was adamant that he did not create the circles himself.

Incident 2: Remmenedal

This incident occurred on Thursday, March 11, 1971, in Skoghem, Remmenedal. Herr Josef Johansson and his wife observed three circles in the snow on their barn roof. Johansson expressed his belief that the marks must have come from the air, not from people. The circles on the roof were 56 cm in diameter, while the Lillpite circles were estimated at 60 cm. The report notes similarities between the two incidents, including the light impression of the circles and the lack of witnesses to their creation. The article also mentions that the police investigated the Anten case in Alingsås, suggesting a connection.

Jag fick se två farkoster över skogen (I Saw Two Craft Over the Forest)

This account, dated May 9, 1971, describes an observation made by an anonymous witness (referred to as 'M') near Mullsjö at 00:45 on the night of Sunday, May 9, 1971. The witness saw a light in the sky that grew closer, revealing two disc-shaped objects, one green and one orange. The orange craft appeared larger and was slightly behind the green one. Both had illuminated points around their edges. The witness compared the size of the largest disc to the full moon's apparent diameter. The objects had sharp contours, appeared to be solid, and were illuminated. The observation lasted about 4 minutes under a clear, moonlit sky.

Another report from Gravsjö, dated May 12, 1971, mentions that Roland Magnusson and his friend Bo Valtersson saw a luminous object in the sky at 00:45. The distance between Gravsjö and Mullsjö is 6 km.

Fotolabens kommentarer (Photo Lab Comments)

Several major photo labs in Gothenburg, including Kodak AB, Hultin foto, and Coloro-foto, examined photographs taken by Lars Thörn. They unanimously concluded that the images were not tampered with and were genuine. The labs could offer no plausible explanation for the images, simply shaking their heads.

Lars Thörn's camera was a Minolta 16 mm spy camera. Due to the time elapsed since the photos were taken, Thörn could not recall the specific camera settings. Hugo Abrahamsson also identified one of the photos as matching a craft he saw on April 30, 1971. The magazine reiterates that it was a fantastic, close-range observation by a credible witness.

Jag mötte ett flygande tefat (I Met a Flying Saucer)

This dramatic account from Helleland, Norway, describes an encounter by Reidar Salvesen on October 29, 1970. While driving home in heavy rain, Salvesen saw a bright, shining object above his car. The object, described as round and smooth like a mirror with a matte gold rim and vertical grooves, hovered silently. Salvesen stopped his car and began sketching the object. After about 50 seconds, the object ascended vertically at high speed, causing Salvesen to be thrown backward and his car's windshield to shatter. He described the object as having no doors, windows, or visible markings. The vertical grooves reminded him of corrugated metal. He also noted a strange sensation in his tongue, similar to dental anesthesia.

The Shattered Windshield Mystery

Sigrunn Skipstad from Egersund reported seeing a red car with a broken windshield on the road to Helleland around 5:00 PM on October 29, 1970. This sighting occurred shortly after Salvesen's encounter. Salvesen confirmed the red car was not his and could not explain the cause of his windshield's breakage. The article speculates whether a 'thermetic' pressure (stress due to large differences in altitude and temperature) could have caused the breakage, but notes that the weather conditions (10-12 degrees Celsius, cloudy, and rainy) did not support this theory. Police in Egersund collected glass fragments from the scene.

Professor James McDonald

The issue includes an obituary for Professor James McDonald, a respected UFO researcher. McDonald, born in 1920, earned a Ph.D. and held a professorship in atmospheric physics at the University of Arizona. His interest in UFOs grew significantly in his later years, and he made notable contributions through his presentations to the US Congress and the American Association for Advancement of Science. He is remembered as one of the great figures in UFO research.

Ytterligare undersökning av-och omkring L. Thörns första foto (Further Investigation of and Around L. Thörn's First Photo)

This article revisits the photographs taken by Lars Thörn. The authors, Björn Högman and Sven-Olof Fredrikson, visited the location where Thörn took his photos in western Småland. They took their own photos of the site. They found that previous distance estimates needed correction: the distance to the bunker was 11.5 meters, and its height was 2.25 meters. They estimate that an object at a distance of 200 meters would have a diameter of just under 10 meters. The bunker was situated high relative to its surroundings, with low bush vegetation behind it. The photos showed two reflections on the right side of the object, suggesting it was not aligned with the bunker, especially as the sun was in the south-southwest. The sun also illuminated Lars Thörn's 4-year-old son in one of the photos, further indicating the object's position.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are unexplained aerial phenomena, particularly UFO sightings and mysterious physical traces like snow circles. The magazine presents witness accounts, photographic evidence, and attempts to investigate these events, often highlighting the lack of conventional explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, giving credence to credible witnesses and acknowledging the limitations of current scientific understanding. The inclusion of Professor James McDonald's obituary underscores the magazine's commitment to serious UFO research.

This issue of UFO magazine, dated 1972 and identified as issue number 4 of volume 1972, is published by GICOFF and is in Swedish. It covers several UFO-related incidents from Norway, Finland, and the United Kingdom.

The Reidar Salvesen Case (Norway)

The magazine details an incident involving Reidar Salvesen in Kristiansand, Norway. After an encounter with a UFO, Salvesen experienced unusual physical symptoms. His hand's skin began to peel off as if he had been sunburnt, and his eyes became red, causing him to be sensitive to light for two weeks. His alarm clock also malfunctioned after the event. The police, including Constable Henry Aamo and Police Chief Eckhoff, investigated the case, with Eckhoff vouching for Salvesen's credibility and emphasizing the importance of public knowledge. Specialists from the Engineer Regiment and the Defense Research Institute examined Salvesen's car and glass fragments but found no evidence of radioactivity or anything remarkable.

UFOs and Electrical Installations

The article questions whether UFOs are interested in electrical power stations, noting that many UFO sightings in Norway occur near electrical installations or power plants. The Salvesen case is presented in this context, as the object was observed near a transformer.

Witness Accounts of UFOs

The magazine includes an anecdote from Sandnes, Norway, where a person approached Salvesen, stating they had also seen a UFO but were afraid to speak about it for fear of ridicule. This suggests a broader undercurrent of unreported sightings due to public skepticism.

Finnish UFO Incidents

Jet Plane Pursues Flying Saucers (Kuopio, Finland)

This section reports on an incident from April 12, 1968 or 1969, near the airbase in Kuopio, Eastern Finland. Pilot Jouka Kuronen, flying a Fouga Magister jet with an officer as a passenger, was instructed by air traffic control to observe approximately seven stationary objects resembling balloons. These objects were tracked by radar and were observed at an altitude of 1500-3000 meters. The objects were described as stationary, and the jet pilots were unable to catch them.

Flying Object Explodes Over Railway Station (Kouvola, Finland)

Reported from mid-July 1959, this incident describes a flying object that exploded over the railway station in Kouvola. Reino Pekkala, a driver, along with his assistant and three other men, witnessed the object flying at normal speed towards the station. After passing a refueling point, the object, described as a metallic ball with a bright front and a matte grey back, exploded about 30 meters from a steel tower. The explosion caused significant damage, including broken lamps, melted electrical cables, and structural damage to the tower. The force of the blast knocked one man over and caused two others to lose their hats. Pekkala himself lost his eyebrows and hair from his arms. Despite the dramatic event, Pekkala suffered no injuries other than temporary itching and arm soreness.

UK UFO Sighting (Staffordshire, England)

An article from the Daily Express, dated August 19, 1971, discusses a photograph of a mysterious object, referred to as "THE THING," that was seen in the sky over Staffordshire. Constable Leslie Leek and three colleagues observed the object for two hours. The police chief cautiously stated that no conclusions had been drawn. Constable Leek, however, was convinced it was a flying saucer, despite his previous skepticism. He and his colleagues believed it was not the planet Mars, as it moved rapidly eastward and turned orange before disappearing, unlike a stationary planet.

Call for Translators

The magazine includes a notice seeking members with time and desire to translate UFO literature from French, Spanish, and German into Swedish. Contact information for Sven-Olof Fredrikson and Boris Jungkvist is provided.

Flying Saucer Review

The issue recommends "Flying Saucer Review," a London-based publication edited by Charles Bowen, for those interested in UFO news worldwide. It lists several notable contributors, including Aimé Michel, Gordon Creighton, Bert-hold Schwarz, John Keel, and Jacques Vallée.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, physical effects on witnesses, the investigation of UFO sightings by authorities, and the reporting of international UFO cases. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting witness accounts and investigative findings without overt skepticism, and encouraging public engagement and information sharing. The inclusion of the "Flying Saucer Review" recommendation suggests an alignment with the broader UFO research community.