GICOFF-Information - 1972 No 2

Magazine Overview

This issue of GICOFF INFORMATION, published by the Göteborgs Informations Center för Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål (GICOFF), is the second issue of 1972, covering the period March-April. The magazine serves as a member's publication, distributed six times a year.

Cover Story

The cover features a dramatic illustration of three bright lights in a forest setting, accompanied by the headline: "'Den' rörde sig framför berget i dalen. Splittrat ryskt raketsteg." (It moved in front of the mountain in the valley. Shattered Russian rocket stage.). This suggests a focus on sightings that might be explained as falling rocket debris.

Editorial and Foreword

The "Förord" (Foreword) section, written by S-O Fredrikson, addresses several points. It notes the occurrence of numerous UFO observations on April 1st, coinciding with Easter Eve and a UFO-Sweden congress, suggesting that some sightings might have been mistaken due to the date. The foreword also mentions ongoing debates about the "New Year's night lights" and presents 8 points raised by Anders Liljegren of UFO-Sweden that challenge the rocket theory. The editorial acknowledges criticism regarding articles on humanoids, stating that GICOFF does not vouch for their accuracy but published them based on GEPA's material. It also announces that Professor Allen Hynek's book, "The UFO-Experience," has been ordered and will be reviewed in a future issue.

"8 besvärliga fakta" (8 Troublesome Facts)

This section, attributed to Anders Liljegren, presents arguments against the rocket stage theory for the New Year's lights. The points discussed include:

1. Geometric Formations: Liljegren questions how rocket stages could form geometric patterns. The response suggests that formations might appear geometric due to poor order or unconscious correction by witnesses.
2. Inter-object Movement: The ability of objects to move relative to each other is discussed. The explanation offered is that smaller particles have less friction and can move faster, or that larger particles might split.
3. Stopping Ability: Liljegren points out that objects reportedly stopped. The response states that this is unlikely for rocket stages and would require extensive investigation, noting that most reports describe continuous movement.
4. Directional Variation: The claim that objects did not always move southeast is noted. The response emphasizes that witnesses are often poor at judging cardinal directions.
5. Horizontal Course and Ascending: The response suggests that satellite entries often appear horizontal and that perceived ascent might be due to the slope of the horizon.
6. Unusual Formations: The response acknowledges that if formations are truly unusual, they might not be rocket stages, but stresses the need for thorough investigation.
7. Low Altitude Movement: The difficulty in judging distance is highlighted, and it's noted that rocket stages entering at high altitudes (12-15 miles) could appear lower.
8. Stopping a Car: The claim that an object stopped a car is dismissed as impossible for a rocket stage, but the response suggests it doesn't invalidate the rocket theory entirely and could be a natural phenomenon or misinterpretation.

The section concludes by summarizing that while some observations might not be rocket stages, a large majority of the New Year's night reports likely pertain to the Kosmos 453 rocket stage, given its known trajectory and the clear weather conditions.

"Splittrat ryskt raketsteg" (Shattered Russian Rocket Stage)

This article details reports of luminous objects seen in Dalarna and Härjedalen on March 16, 1972, which were predicted by "satellite expert" Björn Gimle as potential fragments from a Russian rocket. The article quotes witness Rolf Nilsson from Herrö, who described seeing multiple luminous objects, some blinking and moving in different directions. Gimle confirms that the fragments were from rocket stage 71 106, designated Z, S, U, AA, and AC, which had an orbital inclination of 62° and had likely broken up shortly after launch on December 3, 1971. The predicted impact dates were March 16-18, 1972. Nilsson's account of a third, blinking object moving in a different path (SW to NO) is noted as unusual.

Press Clippings

Several press clippings from various Swedish newspapers are included:

• "Var det ett 'flygande tefat'?" (Was it a 'flying saucer'?) from Karlskoga Tidning (Feb 25, 1972) describes a mysterious blinking object seen over Storfors and Nykroppa on February 22nd. Witnesses reported a triangular object with red, blue, green, and yellow lights, moving slowly southwest. Some speculated it was a weather satellite or ice reflection, while others believed it was a "flying saucer."
• "Vad var det?" (What was it?) from Karlskoga Tidning (Feb 25, 1972) reports a round object with a white blinking light observed over Björneborg on February 22nd. Helga Karlsson described it as a round plate hovering for an hour.
• "'Tefat' över Arboga?" ('Saucer' over Arboga?) from Arboga Tidning (Feb 24, 1972) details sightings of a strange object over Arboga and Kungsör on February 22nd-23rd. Witnesses described a round, large, shining object with a sharp blue-white light, and later a red and green glowing object moving southwest. The objects were observed for about 20 minutes.
• "Var det en satellit?" (Was it a satellite?) from Kronobergaren (Feb 24, 1972) recounts an experience of Valborg Johansson and Eivor Lindahl near Lenhovda, who observed a light following their car. They contacted the police and military, who suggested it might be a satellite.
• "'Tefat' över Simsjön?" ('Saucer' over Simsjön?) from Skövde Nyheter (Feb 28, 1972) describes an unusual luminous sphere with a yellow core and pink halo observed over Simsjön.
• "Egendomligt fenomen på himlen" (Peculiar phenomenon in the sky) from Dala-Demokraten (Feb 25, 1972) reports on an object observed by Tage Fridberg in Falun on February 24th. It was described as egg-shaped, changing color from yellow-white to red, and moving very slowly.
• "Vad var det?" (What was it?) from Länstidningen Östersund (March 4, 1972) reports a mysterious round object emitting violet light over Östersund on March 2nd. It hovered, moved in circles, and then disappeared.
• "OBJEKT LANDADE" (OBJECT LANDED) is a report from a girl who wished to remain anonymous, describing an object that landed in November 1970. The object emitted a sharp light, ascended, and flew away at high speed.
• "Se upp!" (Watch out!) by Ivan Troëng predicts a high frequency of UFO observations between May 7th and June 24th, with a peak around May 28th to June 24th, based on statistical data and theories about Venus's position relative to Earth.

UFO-nytt Sverige (UFO News Sweden)

• "Föremålets sken lyste upp skogen" (The object's glow lit up the forest) from Östersunds-Posten (Feb 15, 1972) details an observation by Rune Aslund near Åsarna on February 14th. He saw a bright white object moving erratically, then stopping and illuminating the forest below. The object was described as smaller than half the full moon, with a constant white light and a yellowish glow around it, resembling a tail when moving.
• "Röda ljus förbryllar" (Red lights perplex) is a letter from Ina Pilblad describing observations of three similar red blinking objects on January 5th, one of which separated into a smaller part.
• "Avtryck i snön" (Imprint in the snow) from Piteå-Tidningen (Dec 22, 1971) reports a large spiral imprint found in the snow near Kopparnäs, made before the snowfall. Sten-Sture Ceder confirmed no tracks led to the spiral.
• "Ordet är fritt" (The word is free) features a letter from Sten Sundqvist and a response from Klas Sefastsson, discussing an accusation and defending the right to debate.

UFO-nytt Finland (UFO News Finland)

• "HUNDRATALS BILDER" (Hundreds of pictures) reports on Ahti Karivieri, an engineer and ufologist from Uleåborg, Finland, who claims to have hundreds of photos of UFOs, with ten being particularly clear.
• "SATURNUS - LIKNANDE OBJEKT" (Saturn-like object) details an observation by Fru G Silvander and others in Jakobstad, Finland, on March 4, 1972. They saw an oval, egg-shaped object, about one-third the size of the moon, with colors ranging from fiery red to green and red-yellow, and a green tail. The object moved slowly and then disappeared.

UFO-nytt Jorden runt (UFO News Around the World)

• "POLISER VITTNEN: -VI SAG RYMDSKEPP" (POLICE WITNESSES: -WE SAW SPACESHIPS) from Göteborgs-Tidningen (March 19, 1972) reports on a sighting in Newton, North Carolina, USA, on the previous afternoon. Police officers observed a fast-moving, round, blinking green-blue object. The object reportedly hovered over the business district and then moved slowly.
• "'TEFAT' LANDADE" ('SAUCER' LANDED) from Göteborgs-Posten (March 20, 1972) describes reports from France of flying saucers being seen and one landing in a field in Normandy. The farmer's car lost all power when the object took off. The craft was described as illuminated and landed and took off silently.

UFO Fotografert (UFO Photographed)

This section details an account by Brian Arthur Georg from Poole, Dorset, UK, who photographed a luminous object on April 15, 1971. Georg initially saw a large white light moving slowly, which he photographed through an open window using a flash. The object appeared to be self-luminous. The article includes photographs (A, B, C, D) of the object, with commentary from Andrew Lovell, who translated the report from "Flying Saucer Review Case Histories Supplement 7 October 1971." Lovell notes that Brian George and his family have had other UFO experiences and that some family members may possess ESP abilities.

UFO-OBSERVATION VID LOCH NESS (UFO Observation at Loch Ness)

Jan-Ove Sundberg from Finspång reports an experience in Scotland on September 16, 1971, near Loch Ness. He observed a cigar-shaped craft, about 10 meters long and 4 meters high, with a sliding hatch. Three humanoid figures in green, frog-like suits, approximately 1.75-1.80 meters tall, emerged from the craft and then re-entered it before it flew south. The report includes a diagram of the location and the craft, and mentions a nearby power plant, a common feature in UFO reports.

MÖTE med UFO (Encounter with UFO)

This section contains a drawing by Rickard based on the testimony of Stephen Michalak from Falcon Lake, Manitoba, Canada, dated May 20, 1967. The drawing depicts a UFO encounter involving a frightened flock of geese, two approaching objects, and a figure interacting with a craft. The text describes Stephen Michalak's geological survey near Whiteshell, Canada, when he heard voices from an open craft and felt a hot air current that set his shirt on fire. He also observed burn marks on his chest and the craft's surface.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed witness testimonies of unidentified aerial phenomena, photographic evidence, and attempts to explain sightings through known phenomena like rocket debris or satellites. The magazine maintains an open stance towards UFO reports, publishing accounts from various sources and encouraging members to contribute their observations. There is a clear effort to analyze and, where possible, debunk or explain sightings, but also to present intriguing cases that remain unexplained. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UFO phenomena, while acknowledging the skepticism and the need for rigorous analysis.

This issue of UFO-Investigator, dated July-August 1971, focuses on a sensational report from Bolivia and a review of a book on unexplained phenomena. The cover story, "UFONAUT DÖDADE 34 FÅR" (Ufonaut Killed 34 Sheep), details a bizarre encounter in Otoco, Bolivia.

UFONAUT DÖDADE 34 FÅR (Ufonaut Killed 34 Sheep)

The main article recounts an incident from late 1968, received via a press clipping from a Bolivian newspaper 'Critica'. The event occurred in Otoco, a small village near Uyuni in southwestern Bolivia. Valentina Flores was gathering her sheep and lambs when she discovered a creature, approximately 1.10 meters tall, inside the enclosure. The creature was using a hooked, tube-like instrument to kill the sheep. When Señora Flores attempted to drive the creature away, it used the instrument, which acted like a boomerang, to inflict wounds on her arms. The creature then retrieved a plastic-like material that had covered the sheep, and using extensions from a 'backpack', ascended into the sky with a strong noise.

Following the incident, the local population was alarmed. Colonel Rogelio Ayala, along with his son Pablo, Lieutenant Alfredo Ampuero, Lieutenant Carlos Coso, Dr. Jean Sea, and Señor Jesús Pereira from the local police headquarters, initiated an official investigation. They conducted a thorough cross-examination of Señora Flores. Their findings indicated that 34 sheep were dead, with parts of their digestive organs removed. The investigators concluded that Señora Flores was an honest witness who had likely encountered something unusual. Colonel Ayala's son created a sketch of the creature based on her description, which was published in 'Critica'.

The article includes commentary questioning the credibility of the story, pondering if Señora Flores could have killed her own sheep to gain publicity, or if a wild animal or a neighbor was responsible. It dismisses these possibilities, suggesting that the precise nature of the wounds and the removal of organs point to something beyond ordinary explanations. The commentator notes that if accepted, it would imply Señora Flores possesses an extraordinary imagination, comparable to science fiction.

The source for this report is cited as 'ufo-nyt nr 4' from July-August 1971, with translation by Lars Ingvar Nilsson.

TEFATI-NAA TOM (Flying Saucer)

This section reports on an observation made on February 8, 1951, over the Atlantic Ocean, near the northern tip of Terre Neuves. The observation was made by the crew of an R5D, a four-engine transport aircraft belonging to the US Navy.

Initially, the observers saw light points, which they thought belonged to a ship. As they approached, these lights disappeared and transformed into a 'light glory' that moved towards the aircraft at incredible speed, nearly causing a collision.

The 'light glory' then accompanied the aircraft on its starboard side for a while. It was described as an object between 60 and 100 meters in diameter. The pilot who reported the incident stated that most passengers had also observed the object, and its speed was estimated to be over 2,400 km/h.

When asked, a Dr. M. from the US Navy confirmed seeing the object but dismissed it as a 'flying saucer', stating he didn't believe in such things. The source is cited as "Phénoménes spatiaux" Nr. 27, March 1971, and UFO-Investigator, NICAP, September-October 1970, translated by Freddy Cevey.

HUMANOIDER (Humanoids)

This section continues a classification of humanoid types based on reported sightings. It details several types:

• Type 4: Characterized by wrinkled or rough skin. This type is further divided:
• Variant 1 (1 fall): Varels are 1.70 meters tall, with short blond hair. One female was described with longer hair. They had expressionless faces with slits for eyes, a pointed nose, and a slit-like mouth. Their skin was wrinkled as if burned. They wore grey-green shirts and pants and a flat cap. Their attitude was described as observant, with no attempts at communication or use of weapons.
• Variant 2 (4 falls): Small in stature, ranging from 0.90 to 1.20 meters. They had normal but bald heads, full faces, round eyes, slit-like mouths, and large ears. Their skin was wrinkled and yellowish or white. The body was normal or strong. They wore tight-fitting suits, grey or green, sometimes with a beret. Their attitude was friendly or hostile, with one instance of attempted abduction. Communication in English was noted in one case.
• Variant 3 (5 falls): Distinguished by large heads relative to their bodies, ranging from 0.90 to 1.20 meters. They had wrinkled skin, almost round eyes, and sometimes a thin beard. The skin was generally black, but one instance reported red skin. They had long arms and short legs. Their suits were two-part, green-grey, sometimes with a hood or cap. Their attitude was evasive, with no use of weapons or attempts at conversation. These were observed in Canada, USA, France, and Brazil.

• Type 5: Characterized by an abnormally large head relative to the body. This type is also divided:
• Variant 1 (4 falls): Eyes were normal in size and appearance. Body length ranged from 0.85 to 1.20 meters. They had large, bald heads, pointed chins, prominent cheekbones, and normal eyes and noses. In one case, the mouth was reduced to a large hole. They had large torsos and short legs, with pale skin. They wore grey-green overalls and their attitude was friendly or evasive. One case involved a weapon that caused paralysis. No communication occurred.
• Variant 2 (7 falls): Large, round eyes. Body length from 0.90 to 1.40 meters. Large, bald heads, pointed noses, and a V-shaped mouth. Skin was normal or dark. They wore overalls with a band across the chest and thick-soled shoes. Their attitude could be friendly or hostile. Some instances involved attempts to abduct witnesses or the use of tubes that caused paralysis. Conversations in Spanish were reported. These were observed in Venezuela, Italy, France, Spain, and Sweden.

• Type 6: Characterized by being hairy. Body length from 0.90 to 1.20 meters. Faces were hairy, with large eyes. The body was hairy. One instance described a garment resembling a priest's robe; others were likely naked. Their attitude was mostly compliant, but sometimes hostile. They sometimes carried weapons described as tubes that emitted a blinding light. They spoke in an unknown language on two occasions. All observations of this type occurred in 1954, with 4 cases in France and 3 in Venezuela.

The source for the humanoid classification is GEPA, nr 24-25 of 1970.

Bokmalen: (Book Review)

This section reviews Robert Charroux's book "På jakt efter det oförklarliga" (On the Hunt for the Unexplained), written by Staffan Stigsjöö.

Stigsjöö compares Charroux's work to Erich von Däniken's books, stating that Charroux discusses the same topic – ancient astronauts visiting Earth – but does so less effectively than Däniken. The reviewer found Däniken's books more enjoyable.

A significant concern raised is the difficulty in determining if authors like Charroux are frauds. Charroux has written other books, including one where he seriously proposes that the USA sent manned spacecraft to Venus but has not disclosed this information. The reviewer questions whether Charroux is a fraud based on such claims.

An interesting, though potentially fabricated, detail from Charroux's book is the claim that a rocket was launched from Hermannstadt in 1555, leaving Earth's atmosphere and traveling into space.

Stigsjöö criticizes Charroux's handling of the topic of UFOs, stating it is worse than that of another author, Khuon. He quotes the Soviet Academy of Sciences dismissing UFO research as unscientific and claiming that astronomers observe nothing mysterious. Stigsjöö asserts that this Soviet statement is a lie, and that professional astronomers in the Soviet Union also observe UFOs.

Another of Charroux's theories questioned is the idea that apes could once speak but have forgotten how. Charroux also claims that 4,000 years ago, Europeans saw flying rams, Assyrians saw flying bulls, and Phoenicians saw flying snakes, while Chinese saw dragons.

Stigsjöö recommends Charroux's book for entertaining reading and science fiction, but strongly advises readers not to believe its content, stating, "One must be careful not to believe what Charroux says."

I NÄSTA NUMMER BL A: (In the Next Issue, Among Other Things:)

• "Det landade här på åkern." (UFO landing outside Örebro?)
• "Jag trodde jag skulle bli dödad." (Sensational "tefats" observation from the Finnish border.)
• Bermuda Triangle. (NASA man reveals: We have proof of UFO existence.)

Back Matter

The back page contains contact information for KOPIA, a company offering copying and reprographic services, including light copying, microfilm, and offset printing. The address is Box 53138, Storgatan 53, 400 15 GÖTEBORG 53. Phone numbers listed are 110354, 116604, and 110266.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features reports of alleged UFO sightings and encounters with extraterrestrial beings, often presented as factual accounts requiring investigation. There is a clear interest in classifying different types of humanoids and UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, while also maintaining a critical perspective, as seen in the book review where the author is cautioned against blindly accepting Charroux's claims. The magazine aims to inform readers about UFO-related events and theories, drawing from various international sources and investigations.