GICOFF-Information - 1973 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: GICOFF INFORMATION
Issue: Nr 1, Årgång 4
Date: 1973
Publisher: Göteborgs Informations Center för Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål (GICOFF)
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of GICOFF INFORMATION, the official publication of the Göteborgs Informations Center for Unidentified Flying Objects, delves into several compelling UFO cases and related phenomena. The cover prominently features the headline "VAD HÄNDER I SMÅLANDS LUFTRUM?" (What is happening in the airspace of Småland?), accompanied by a dramatic photograph of a potential UFO sighting and a story about a policeman allegedly taken aboard a craft. The magazine also includes sections on the organization itself, its editorial staff, and international correspondents.

Editorial and Foreword

The issue opens with a foreword by Sven-Olof Fredrikson, the editor-in-chief. He expresses optimism for 1973, anticipating new UFO literature in Swedish and increased media attention from major newspapers like Dagens Nyheter and Expressen. Fredrikson notes the growing public interest in UFOs, particularly following events in Norrland, Dalarna, and Småland. He also references J. Allen Hyneks book "The UFO Experience" and its review in the journal Science, seeing it as a potential step towards scientific acceptance of UFO phenomena. A cautionary note is struck regarding UFO hoaxes, exemplified by the debunked Alex Birch photograph, emphasizing GICOFF's commitment to rigorous investigation and skepticism.

Fredrikson also introduces GICOFF's new symbol, designed by artist Tage Jonsson, and addresses the growing workload for the Göteborg-based team due to increased membership, apologizing for potential delays in correspondence.

Key Articles and Reports

The Herbert Schirmer Case: A Police Officer Taken Aboard

This extensive report details the extraordinary experience of Police Constable Herbert Schirmer in Ashland, Nebraska, USA, on December 3, 1967. Schirmer, initially a skeptic, reported seeing a strange round object hovering over the road. Upon approaching, he was hit by paralyzing beams. The article describes how Schirmer was subsequently interviewed by the Condon Committee and underwent hypnosis sessions with Dr. Leo Sprinkle. Under hypnosis, Schirmer recounted details of being invited aboard the craft, learning about its construction, navigation, and propulsion systems. The report highlights that the missing half-hour of his memory was recovered through these sessions, which were later corroborated by truth serum and lie detector tests. Schirmer's account includes descriptions of the beings and the craft's technology, emphasizing the reality of his experience despite its unbelievable nature.

UFOs in Småland's Airspace

This section presents a series of UFO observations from the Småland region of Sweden during the autumn of 1972. The reports are numbered and mapped, indicating a cluster of sightings within a relatively short period.

Report 1 (October 21, 1972): Tomas and Lucia Aulander reported seeing a red and green pulsating light that changed color and behavior, appearing to circle and descend before disappearing among trees. They described a strange, peppery smell at the suspected landing site.

Report 2 (October 24, 1972): An anonymous witness observed two bright, ball-like lights, described as "strong spotlights," descending slowly near Traneberga.

Report 3 (October 24, 1972): Olof Bolling reported seeing a bright light that made a sharp course change, initially mistaken for a satellite.

Report 4 (October 24, 1972): Sten Häger and Karl Gustav Ekstrand observed two yellowish-orange spheres near Malmslätt that emitted heat and left a thin layer of soot on their car.

Report 5 (December 6, 1972): Bengt Karlsson reported hearing a loud, sharp sound and seeing two connected violet lights hovering over a hill near Eksjö.

Report 6 (October 24, 1972): Margaretha Lindgren, a night-time driver, reported seeing two large, intensely glowing spherical objects in the northwest, which she feared were approaching her, causing her to stop her car and run to her house.

Report 7 (October 25, 1972): Night watchman Gunnar Lundell at Gullringshus industrial area reported seeing a bright, pulsating light between trees, followed by a loud noise and another light that ascended rapidly. This incident was investigated by local police and military authorities.

Report 8 (November 9, 1972): A yellowish-red light was observed flaring between clouds over Gislaved.

The magazine includes witness drawings and commentary, attempting to analyze the phenomena. While some aspects, like the light observed by Lundell, remain unexplained, others, such as the light seen by Bolling, are tentatively attributed to Venus.

Police Investigation Report (Gullringen Case)

This section includes a photocopy of a police report concerning the Gullringshus incident. The report details the observations of night watchman Hans Erik Gunnar Lundell, who described a bright, pulsating object and a loud noise. The report notes that Lundell was interviewed by Chief Inspector Sture Hazard, who found Lundell to be a credible witness whose experience had left a significant impression on him.

Organization and Membership Information

Pages 2 and 3 provide detailed contact information for GICOFF's board members, regional representatives (Gothenburg, Stockholm), and foreign correspondents (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and other countries). It also outlines membership details, stating that the magazine is distributed only to members and that membership costs 39 Swedish kronor per year or 21.50 for half a year, payable via postgiro.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of UFO sightings, the importance of witness testimony, and the challenge of distinguishing between genuine phenomena and hoaxes. GICOFF adopts a skeptical yet open-minded approach, emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation and evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting serious study of UFOs while cautioning against unfounded claims, as demonstrated by the analysis of the Schirmer case and the debunking of the Alex Birch photograph. The magazine aims to inform its members and the public about UFO phenomena, particularly those occurring in Sweden, and to encourage further research and reporting.

Title: UFO-Aktuellt
Issue: 9
Volume: 1973
Date: 1973
Publisher: UFO-Sverige
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0345-7044
Price: kr 3:50

This issue of UFO-Aktuellt focuses on a detailed account of a UFO sighting in Sweden, a pilot's encounter in Brazil, and a review of a prominent UFO-related book.

"Jag såg hur farkosten sände ut tre lysande 'bollar'"

This article details an encounter experienced by Fru Margit Johansson and her 13-year-old daughter Mia early on the morning of November 10, 1972. While the weather was poor with heavy rain and a completely overcast sky, Margit Johansson observed a luminous object in the northwest. Initially mistaking it for the moon, she quickly realized its unusual nature due to its size and shape. The object was described as being more than twice as wide as the moon, oval, and cigar-shaped, emitting an intense yellow-white light with a visible corona. During the observation, one of her two golden retrievers, Katja, became extremely agitated, pacing, whining, and pawing at the floor.

The object remained stationary for a period, then began to sway back and forth. Between approximately 05:30 and 06:00, the 'cigar' emitted a red, round object that shot off rapidly to the northeast. Margit Johansson woke her daughter Mia to witness the event. Shortly after, a second red sphere was ejected, followed about fifteen minutes later by a third, this time yellow-white, which moved slightly downwards. The witnesses could see beams of light descending from the object towards the ground, but could not determine where they struck.

After the third light departed, the main cigar-shaped object began to move away slowly, becoming fainter until it disappeared completely around 06:45. Mia suggested they drive out to follow the light, but Margit Johansson was hesitant due to fear. The estimated distance to the object was about 200 meters. Margit Johansson had received training as an aerial observer in the Swedish Air Force. The other dog remained asleep throughout the event. The cigar was intermittently obscured by clouds, and the witnesses noted how clouds passed in front of it. The third light was accompanied by smaller, luminous puffs.

The article includes drawings by Fru Johanssons and her daughter, illustrating the 'cigar' and the emitted lights. An accompanying illustration, based on the witnesses' descriptions, depicts the scene. A map shows the location of the house and the direction from which the object was observed.

Sources and Investigation:

The report notes that the witness provided an honest and straightforward account, documented by investigator Boris Jungkvist via telephone and Sven-Olof Fredrikson through an on-site investigation in December. Results from two separate investigations were nearly identical, supporting the witness's story. Several other individuals reportedly observed a light at the same time but wished to remain anonymous. The article concludes that no reasonable natural explanation could be found, deeming it a UFO. Sources cited include Värnamo Nyheter, Boris Jungkvist, and Sven-Olof Fredrikson's visit.

VÄRLDENS MEST OTROLIGA UFO-KONTAKT (The World's Most Incredible UFO Contact)

This section continues a story from page 7, detailing a highly unusual encounter. The narrator describes being approached by beings from a spacecraft. The experience is disorienting, with the narrator unsure if they are dreaming or awake. The beings ask if the narrator is a watchman and inquire about local power stations and water reserves. The narrator feels a strange touch on their shoulder and is told they are not dreaming.

The narrator is asked if they intended to shoot at the spacecraft, to which they reply no. They are then invited aboard the spacecraft. The beings explain their propulsion system uses 'reversible electromagnetism' and mention concepts like gravity. The narrator observes another being examining their patrol vehicle with great interest. The lights and engines are described as still functioning.

Inside the spacecraft, the ladder feels cold. The interior is described as approximately 9x7 meters, containing two strangely shaped chairs and machines resembling computers. Red lights are present. The narrator begins to feel a stinging sensation and hears tape recorders. The beings communicate telepathically, stating their 'brain is working at high pressure' and it hurts.

The narrator learns they are on an 'observation ship' with a four-person crew. The beings have been observing Earth for a long time and have bases on planets like Venus. They claim to be vulnerable to human weapons but state that nothing can harm them within their spacecraft. The beings then activate controls, and the narrator feels a sensation of being mentally probed or having memories implanted. The beings mention that Earth must prepare for 'invasion' but clarify it is not for conquest, but to 'show us to them'.

This story is continued in the next issue. It is attributed to Roy Norton and translated from UFO-ASPEKT, June 1972.

-Jorden Runt- (-Around the World-)

"Jag har aldrig sett något liknande under min tid som pilot" ("I have never seen anything like it in my time as a pilot")

This article, translated from a Sao Paulo newspaper dated August 10, 1971, recounts an experience of pilot Vicente Lopes Buona. Buona, a pilot with 24 years of experience, described an unidentified flying object (UFO) that resembled two bowls, one above the other, emitting an intense orange light. The UFO followed his plane for 20 minutes on a flight from Belo Horizonte to Uberaba.

Buona spotted the object 50 minutes before reaching Uberaba. It was flying at an altitude of 2,400 meters, approximately 10 kilometers from his aircraft. He attempted to contact Brasilia Air Base but was instead connected to the Uberaba airport. Air traffic controller Sergeant Falcão instructed Buona to continue observing the 'machine'. At 09:00, between Pratinka and Sacramento, Buona tried to approach the object, but it maintained a constant distance. As they flew over Barragem do Estreito, about 10 km from Uberaba, the object accelerated at an astonishing speed and disappeared.

Buona stated, "I have never seen anything like it in my time as a pilot." He provided a report to Sergeant Silvio Motta, chief of the Brazilian Air Force base in Uberaba. The source is cited as FSR nr 6/1972.

GICOFF-inf. I nästa nummer bla: (GICOFF-info. In the next issue, among others:)

This section previews upcoming content:

• SVERIGE (Sweden): PILOT-OBSERVATION - A description of an intense light suddenly appearing and accelerating with tremendous speed.
• SKÅNE (Scania): A description of an object hovering and vibrating, resembling a saucer with a dome and corona.
• BOHUSLÄN: A mention of a light show that was "not of this world."

The section also includes a call to subscribe to GICOFF-Inf. for 1973.

Bokmalen: RECENSION AV FRANK EDWARDS BOK STRANGE WORLD (Bookworm: Review of Frank Edwards' Book Strange World)

This section features member reviews of books. This review is by Alf Tollhag.

• Book Details:
• Title: Strange World
• Original Publisher: Bantam Books, Inc., New York 1969 (earlier published by Lyle Stuart Inc., New York 1964)

The review notes that due to Swedish being a less common language for UFO literature, English dominates the field, particularly in the USA and England, where interest is high. Frank Edwards (d. 1967) is highlighted as a significant contributor to this interest.

Content of 'Strange World':

The book contains a wealth of UFO material but also covers other mysterious topics. The reviewer states that even the non-UFO related content is exciting. The book is unsystematic, comprising 118 accounts of mysterious and seemingly inexplicable events, ranging from prophetic dreams to giant sea monsters and 'ghost lights', fireballs, and objects falling from the sky. Specific UFO-related cases mentioned include the "Llandovery Castle" steamship's encounter with a giant UFO.

Reviewer's Assessment:

The reviewer suggests the book is not the result of serious research but stems from a passionate interest in the unexplained. Some of the short commentaries accompanying the cases are considered somewhat uncritical. Despite this, the book is described as captivating and recommended for those seeking a broad overview of strange occurrences. Frank Edwards also authored "Stranger than science," "Flying saucers here and now," and "Flying saucers serious business."

Foreword (Continued from page 3):

This part of the magazine thanks members for their 1973 subscriptions and contributions, expressing hope for continued support. It emphasizes the goal of expanding the UFO field in 1973, acknowledging the increased responsibilities and commitment required.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, pilot encounters with unexplained aerial phenomena, and the broader study of the unexplained. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting witness testimonies and expert accounts while acknowledging the lack of definitive natural explanations for many reported events. The magazine actively encourages reader participation through book reviews and previews of future content, fostering a community interested in UFO research.