GICOFF-Information - 1973 No 3 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: GICOFF INFORMATION
Issue: Nr 3-4, Årgång 4
Date: 1973
Publisher: Göteborgs Informations Center för Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål

This issue of GICOFF INFORMATION, a Swedish publication focused on unidentified flying objects (UFOs), presents a collection of reports, analyses, and witness testimonies from 1973 and earlier. The magazine aims to document and investigate aerial phenomena, often with a critical and scientific approach.

Editorial and Foreword

Sven-Olof Fredrikson, the editor and responsible publisher, opens the issue with a foreword explaining the decision to publish a double issue due to workload constraints. He highlights the inclusion of several interesting Swedish observations and an increased amount of visual material. Fredrikson also addresses the controversial nature of UFOlogy, distinguishing between genuine scientific inquiry and pseudoscientific or commercially motivated approaches. He emphasizes GICOFF's commitment to thorough study and the refusal to consider any case closed, acknowledging the existence of fabricated observations.

Key Articles and Reports

Mystiskt himlafenomen fotograferat i Backe

This cover story details an event on April 3, 1973, where nine photographs were taken of a mysterious aerial phenomenon over Backe, Sweden. The most significant aspect is that the photos were taken with long exposure times, allowing the object's movement to be tracked. The article notes that the object's movements were clearly visible, suggesting it was not a stationary phenomenon.

"Killer-satellite" sprängde Kosmos 462

This section reports on the explosion of the Soviet satellite Kosmos 462, linking it to a potential 'killer-satellite' test. The event, occurring on December 3, 1971, is correlated with multiple visual observations in Denmark and Sweden around the same time. The article cites reports from UFO-NYT, Trelleborgs Allehanda, and Arbetet, detailing sightings of luminous orbs and flying saucers. Expert analysis by Sven Grahn suggests that the event was likely the destruction of Kosmos 462, possibly as a test of an anti-satellite weapon, resulting in 26 fragments. The article emphasizes that these sightings represent the only known visual observations of such a Soviet space experiment.

The Case of the Crippled Flying Saucer (By B. Ann Slate)

This multi-part article, translated from an English source, details two significant encounters by A. P. Wheeler, a machinist. The first incident occurred in February 1954 near Running Springs, California, where Wheeler encountered a disc-shaped object on a road. He described its appearance, including symbols on a hatch, and its subsequent takeoff, which caused gravel to be disturbed. The object was estimated to be about eight meters in diameter.

In a second encounter in 1956, also in Arizona, Wheeler witnessed a damaged UFO being assisted by another UFO. This event reportedly caused him lasting health problems, including a three-year bout of diarrhea. The article highlights Wheeler's background as a machinist, providing him with a technical perspective on the observed phenomena. It also notes that the symbols Wheeler described on the first craft were recognized by Betty Hill as similar to those seen on a UFO in the famous Barney and Betty Hill case.

UFO:t gled ned i gammalt grushål och upp igen (Unique Close Observation)

This article recounts an observation made on November 19, 1972, by Nils-Erik Lind, Paul Persson, and two other individuals near Rinkaby Flygfält, Kristianstad, Sweden. While driving, they spotted an unknown object hovering a few meters above a gravel pit. The object was described as disc-shaped with a dome, featuring colored lights in vertical windows. It moved slowly, following the terrain, and eventually descended into the gravel pit. The witnesses noted the object was silent and appeared to be in distress.

Elva färder med Apollo (Eleven Journeys with Apollo) - Part 2

This section, written by Tony Ericsson, focuses on the Apollo 9 mission, the second part of a series on Apollo flights. It details the mission's objective: to test the lunar module in Earth orbit before the actual lunar landing. The article describes the lunar module's specifications, including its size and weight, and the roles of the crew members: James Mc Divitt (commander), David Scott (command module pilot), and Russel Schweickart (lunar module pilot). The launch on March 3, 1969, and the subsequent maneuvers, including docking and undocking of the lunar module ('Spider') and the command module ('Gumdrop'), are described. The article also touches upon the astronauts' experiences, including Schweickart's bout of space sickness and the visual spectacle of Earth from orbit.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed witness testimonies of aerial phenomena, photographic evidence, and attempts to scientifically analyze and explain these sightings. The magazine maintains a stance that UFOs are a serious subject worthy of investigation, distinguishing itself from sensationalist or pseudoscientific approaches. There is a clear emphasis on credible witnesses, such as pilots and engineers, and on correlating observations with known or potential technological events, such as satellite activities. The publication also demonstrates an interest in international UFO reports, featuring contributions from correspondents in Denmark, Finland, and Norway, as well as drawing from foreign publications and experts.

This issue of UFO magazine, identified as issue 1/73, published in 1973, focuses on numerous UFO sightings reported in Sweden. The magazine presents detailed accounts from various witnesses, including their observations, estimations of object characteristics, and the circumstances surrounding the sightings. It also includes commentary from investigators and relevant background information.

Key Articles and Reports

UFO over Oskarshamn and Vimmerby

This section details an account from Fru Signe Jansson in Transjö, near Vimmerby. On January 9, 1973, at midnight, she was awakened by an unusual sound, described as a 'goaded goat's buzz.' She observed an object outside her window, which she sketched. She noted the object's speed was not high but was concerned about its proximity to the forest. She wondered if it was a 'being that controlled the mentioned craft.' The object's body or radiation was difficult to distinguish. The report also mentions a similar observation by Birgit Solberg and a male acquaintance on January 8, 1973, who saw a luminous object at least four times the size of the moon, coming from the east and lasting about a minute.

Vad Sågs Norr om Falun 10-19 Januari?

This section covers multiple sightings in the Falun area.

Fall 1-2: Fru Signe Jansson's observation is revisited with a sketch of the surrounding area. She observed the object for 15 seconds, estimating its height at 150-200 meters and its length as three times its width, similar to the moon's diameter. The weather was partly cloudy. The report notes similarities with an observation by Fru Birgit Solberg, who saw a luminous object at least four times the size of the moon, coming from the east and lasting about a minute, at an estimated height of 150-300 meters.

Fall 3: This section details several sightings near Falun on January 16, 1973. Witnesses included Jan Eriksson, Lars Åke Eklund, and Rune Bergström, who saw a red blinking light lifting from a military firing range. Rolf Sjur reported seeing a red, blinking object lift from the Finnbo firing range, estimating its size at 3 meters in diameter and its altitude at 50 meters, with a distance of 100 meters. He described the light as like a police car's rotating light but much stronger.

Fall 3 (continued): Further reports from the Falun area on January 16, 1973, include observations by Alrik Eriksson and others. Alrik Eriksson saw a bright red blinking light from his excavator, describing it as a dark, flying object with faint contours. Rune Bergström also reported seeing a red blinking light. The commentary suggests that the objects were moving in the prevailing wind direction and discusses various size and distance estimations, noting inconsistencies.

Fall 4: Elov Kvicker of Yttertänger reported seeing a disc-shaped object with a strong orange-red glow on January 19, 1973. He estimated its altitude at 25 degrees and its width at 25 cm at arm's length, with an estimated distance of several kilometers. The report notes that the color of the light was similar in all four cases and that the full moon could not be ruled out as a possible explanation.

Besättning på passagerarplan såg lysande objekt

This report details an observation made on January 30, 1973, by flight navigator Ulf Östholm and the pilot of a plane flying between Kalmar and Bromma. They observed a bright, stationary point of light about 5 degrees above the horizon, which shone more brightly than surrounding stars. They discussed possible explanations, concluding it was not a natural phenomenon. The light later turned reddish and reappeared. Stockholm Radar reported no echo on their screens. The report also mentions a similar incident where a SAS plane was followed by two luminous objects the week before.

Lysande objekt – norr om Ängelholm

A 14-year-old witness, who wished to remain anonymous, reported seeing a bright yellow-glowing object on February 8, 1973, near Ängelholm. The object moved silently at an estimated height of 35 degrees above the horizon and at a speed of approximately 100 km/h. The object's underside was straight, while the top was lumpy and sloped. It appeared to change shape and size.

Ljusboll fick långtradarchaufför att stanna

On February 20, 1973, truck driver Dag Kjellholm reported seeing a large, yellow-glowing ball of light while driving near Lake Öljaren. The object appeared to be about 50-100 meters above the road and about 200 meters away, with a brightness similar to the moon. It moved erratically, stopping and then moving again. Kjellholm stopped his truck to observe it. The object eventually disappeared behind a hill. He later contacted the Swedish Air Force base F 11 in Nyköping for an explanation but was referred to a UFO organization.

Mystiskt himlafenomen fotograferat i Backe

This section details an event on April 3, 1973, near Backe, where Sigvard Engholm and his wife observed a pulsating, multi-colored light. Their son, Bjärne Engholm, a photographer, managed to take nine photographs of the phenomenon using a Minolta camera with a 500mm telephoto lens and a Yashica camera. The object was described as moving in various patterns, including hovering, moving in a circle, and disappearing behind terrain. The report includes sketches based on witness descriptions and discusses the photographic evidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the consistent reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena across different regions of Sweden, often involving luminous objects with unusual characteristics and behaviors. The magazine adopts a stance of serious investigation, presenting witness testimonies with detailed descriptions and attempting to correlate sightings. While acknowledging the possibility of misidentification, the detailed accounts and the involvement of multiple witnesses, including those with professional observation skills (pilots, truck drivers), suggest a genuine interest in exploring the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting the evidence and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also highlighting the lack of conventional explanations for many of the reported events. The magazine emphasizes the credibility of witnesses and the need for further investigation into these phenomena.

This issue of GICOFF-Information, dated 1973, focuses on UFO phenomena with a strong emphasis on photographic analysis and witness testimonies. The cover prominently features the title "UFO EXISTERAR" (UFOs Exist) and an illustration connecting UFOs to the Bible, highlighting a review of Morris K Jessup's book.

Photographic Analysis of a Swedish UFO Sighting

The magazine presents a detailed analysis of a UFO sighting that occurred in Backe, Sweden. The primary evidence consists of a series of photographs taken by an unnamed photographer, with exposures ranging from 1/10 second to 30 seconds. These long exposure times are attributed to low light conditions and possibly the photographer's nervousness. The analysis, conducted by A-kopias laboratorium in Göteborg, involved significant enlargements of the negatives, some up to 55x or 83x magnification, revealing details such as the object being partially obscured by tree branches. The analysis concluded that the photographic material was authentic and did not show signs of manipulation.

Several specific negatives are described:

• BILD 1 (negativ 23): Shows the object making two maneuvers resembling a 90-degree turn, with sharp "petals" at the bottom, suggesting it was not round.
• BILD 2 (negativ 24): The object appears relatively stationary, with only slight turning.
• BILD 3 (negativ 25): Depicts a jerky, downward curve behind a tree line, with a sudden change in position.
• BILD 4 (negativ 26): Similar to BILD 3, but the object moves further right with a more pronounced downward motion.
• BILD 5 (negativ 27) & BILD 6 (negativ 28): These are considered the most interesting, showing a cloud-like object detaching from the main object and falling towards the ground. BILD 6 has an exposure time of 1/10 second.
• BILD 7 (negativ 29): After remaining still, the object makes a sudden, violent dive towards the ground. Reports suggest the object repeatedly dived behind the trees and reappeared.
• BILD 8 (negativ 30): Resembles BILD 1 but with less pronounced jerky movements and turns, possibly describing a circular path.
• BILD 9 (negativ 6 x 6): Taken in the final stages of the observation, this image shows the object diving behind the trees and reappearing. It also shows streaks from stars due to the long exposure.

The article notes that the object's movements might appear jerky due to the heavy 500mm telephoto lens, but the stationary background (trees) suggests the object's motion itself was real.

Witness Testimony and Distance Estimation

Sigvard Engholm's account is highlighted, and by correlating his observation with another from Fru Johansson in Rossön, a potential distance of approximately 2.5 km to the object is estimated. This aligns with witness estimations of around 2 km. Fru Johansson's observation being more diffuse is attributed to her being 15 km away. Sigvard Engholm's own estimate of 5 km is also mentioned.

Estimates of the object's size suggest a diameter of around 10 meters, though a rougher estimate based on covering a coin at arm's length could imply up to 96 meters. The object's altitude is estimated to be between 400 and 1200 meters above the ground, varying as it disappeared behind trees.

Analysis of Natural Explanations

The article dismisses several natural explanations. The balloon theory is rejected due to the object's directional movements. Satellite or bolide theories are also deemed unlikely due to the object's constant speed and erratic path. The absence of sound, combined with the jerky movements, rules out conventional aircraft like planes and helicopters.

The case is classified as a UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) report, with no natural explanation currently available.

Historical UFO Incidents in the Backe Area

The magazine recounts previous UFO-related events in the Backe region:

• December 30, 1970: A loud bang was heard near Bodumsjön, followed by the discovery of a large, circular hole (30-40 meters in diameter) in the ice, with ice blocks thrown outwards.
• December 31, 1970: Two women driving south of Backe reported being stopped by a luminous object hovering close to the ground.
• April 1969: A large ice hole (30x50 meters) was reported in Fjällsjön, similar to the Bodumsjön incident.

International UFO Reports

Colonel Harven G Wolfe, a former intelligence officer, is featured prominently. He claims to have personally witnessed UFOs and possesses evidence of others doing so. He recounts instances where unrelated individuals described similar experiences with UFOs, including landings and encounters with beings described as human-like, approximately 90-120 cm tall. Wolfe's own sightings include a cigar-shaped object in 1952 near Phoenix, Arizona, and a round object landing in eastern Colorado in 1967, leaving a scorched area and imprints.

Reports from Australia describe multiple UFO sightings in Victoria and Queensland in March and April 1973. A couple near Proston reported being pursued by a luminous object that caused their vehicle to shake violently. The Australian Air Force stated no aircraft were in the area at the time.

Public Opinion Poll

An American poll from August 1971 by the Detroit Free Press asked how people would react to a flying saucer landing: 74.3% voted to welcome it, while 25.7% voted to shoot at it. The magazine's commentary suggests the poll might not have been entirely serious.

Book Review: UFO och Bibeln

Alf Tollhag reviews Morris K Jessup's book "UFO och Bibeln" (UFO and Bible). The book attempts a scientific analysis of the relationship between UFO phenomena and religious texts, particularly the Bible. Jessup argues that biblical accounts should be interpreted as factual descriptions of events, suggesting that ancient, less technologically advanced societies may have encountered and described extraterrestrial visitors. The review notes that while Jessup's specific examples might not always be the most compelling, the sheer volume of hints in various texts suggests a common theme of extraterrestrial influence on human development. The review concludes that reading Jessup's book might lead readers to interpret biblical texts more literally.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for the existence of UFOs, presenting photographic evidence and witness accounts as credible. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, seeking natural explanations but acknowledging the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena. The inclusion of historical cases and the review of Jessup's book indicate a broader interest in the UFO phenomenon, its potential implications for understanding history and religion, and its presence across different cultures and time periods. The magazine aims to inform its readers about ongoing research and significant events in the field of ufology.