GICOFF-Information - 1973 No 5

Magazine Overview

Title: GICOFF INFORMATION
Issue: Nr 5, Årgång 4
Date: 1973
Publisher: Göteborgs Informations Center för Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål (GICOFF)
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of GICOFF INFORMATION, a Swedish magazine dedicated to unidentified flying objects, delves into a variety of topics including photographic evidence, space exploration, and recent sightings. The magazine highlights the challenges faced by UFO research organizations in Sweden, emphasizing their reliance on volunteer work and limited resources.

Cover Story: UFO Film from Australia

The cover prominently features a dramatic headline: "FOR-BLUFFANDE BILDER FRÅN UFO-FILM TAGEN I AUSTRALIEN" (Astonishing Pictures from UFO Film Taken in Australia). The accompanying image depicts a man looking at a film strip, suggesting a focus on photographic evidence. The lead story details an incident involving Ellis E Mathews from Alberton, Australia, who in May/June 1967, while trying to 'run out' the film in his camera on a dark night, captured footage of what he initially believed to be a star. Upon closer examination of the 8mm film, magnified significantly, the object revealed itself to be something highly unusual – an apparent UFO.

Mathews, a building contractor, had left his camera on a veranda table. He decided to use the remaining film to discharge the spring mechanism. He aimed the camera towards what he thought was a bright star. Months later, when viewing the developed film, he noticed an anomaly. The object on the film was not a star; it was ring-shaped and emitted a blue light, appearing stationary. The investigation into this film involved several experts, including Bruce L Cathie from New Zealand and Colman VonKeviczky, leader of ICUFON (Intercontinental UFO Research & Analytic Network) in New York. The film was subjected to extensive analysis, including high-magnification photography, to rule out hoaxes or known phenomena. The conclusion from the investigation suggested that Mathews was not technically adept enough to create such a scene with special effects, and the object did not appear to be a meteor, weather balloon, or satellite.

Apollo Program: A Giant Leap for Mankind

Complementing the UFO content, the magazine dedicates significant space to the Apollo space program, particularly the Apollo 11 mission. It recounts the events leading up to the launch on July 16, 1969, from Cape Kennedy, describing the atmosphere of anticipation among the crowds. The article details the journey to the moon, the separation of the Lunar Module 'Eagle' from the Command Module 'Columbia', and the historic landing in the Sea of Tranquility on July 20, 1969. The iconic quote from Neil Armstrong upon taking the first step on the moon, "Det var ett litet steg för en människa, men ett väldigt kliv för mänskligheten" (It was a small step for a man, but a giant leap for mankind), is prominently featured. The issue also touches upon the return journey and the astronauts' safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969.

Swedish UFO Sightings

The magazine also reports on recent UFO sightings within Sweden:

• Eksjö and Vetlanda (March 9, 1973): Two separate but similar observations were made. In Eksjö, Ronnie Fridolfsson reported seeing three self-luminous, round objects flying in formation at high speed across the sky. Later the same day, a similar sighting occurred in Vetlanda.
• Femtsjön, Malung (February 15, 1973): Henry Larsson, a hunter, observed a bright object in the northern sky. He described it as moving slowly, stopping, and then pulsing with colors ranging from copper-red to greenish. The object appeared to rotate and was compared in size to the moon. After remaining stationary for about 10 minutes, it moved away slowly, ascending at an angle.

Editorial and Organizational Matters

An editorial by Sven-Olof Fredrikson addresses the magazine's current size and financial constraints, noting that despite having ample material for a larger issue, economic limitations restrict its length. He emphasizes the dedication of volunteers within Swedish UFO organizations and the ongoing challenges they face. The editorial also mentions the formation of an 'Arbetsgruppen för UFO-identifiering' (Working Group for UFO Identification) in Stockholm, which organized a meeting in September 1973 to improve UFO collaboration in Sweden. This group is developing a data system called 'Projekt U.R.D.' (UFO Rapporterings- och Datasystem) to better process UFO reports.

A section on the magazine's staff lists the editorial team, including Fredrikson as editor-in-chief and Björn Högman as chairman. Contact information for various departments and regional representatives is provided. The magazine also includes a section on membership, detailing the annual fee and payment methods.

Astronomy and Other Features

Beyond UFOs and space missions, the issue includes an article about an upcoming comet, "Kohoutek's comet," expected to be visible around New Year's. It provides astronomical details and visibility predictions, with information contributed by Björn Hedvall.

There is also a section titled "RYMDPRYLAR" (Space Gear), advertising various space-themed merchandise such as embroidered patches, vinyl decals, and films related to NASA and space missions. A book review or advertisement for "Tefatsfolket ser oss" (Flying Saucers See Us) by Staffan Stigsjoo is also present.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and investigations, photographic evidence of UFOs, and the broader context of space exploration and astronomy. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, seeking to present evidence and analysis while acknowledging the difficulties and resource limitations faced by researchers. The magazine also serves as a platform for reporting on significant events in space exploration, such as the Apollo missions, and for engaging its readership through news, organizational updates, and merchandise offerings. There is a clear emphasis on scientific investigation and the potential for natural explanations, while also leaving room for the possibility of genuinely unexplained phenomena.

Title: Jorden Runt
Issue: October
Year: 1973 (implied by context of book publication)
Publisher: Nybloms Förlag
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of "Jorden Runt" features a significant article detailing UFO photographs from Umkomaas and a police report from Durban, South Africa, both from the summer of 1972. The magazine also includes a review of books by Henry Kjellson concerning ancient technology.

UFO-Fotografier från Umkomaas - och en polisrapport från Durban

This section, authored by Philipp J. Human, a correspondent for Flying Saucer Review in South Africa, presents two compelling UFO incidents.

The Umkomaas Sighting

The article begins by introducing a series of UFO events in South Africa during the summer and autumn of 1972, as reported by the English magazine "Flying Saucer Review." The quality of the photographs is noted as being suboptimal due to being photocopies.

On July 23, 1972, at approximately 4 AM, Eridanio di Marco, an inspector at Saiccors chemical laboratory, was driving home from work in Umkomaas, Natal, South Africa. He noticed a very bright light about 30 degrees above the horizon, flying from north to south and moving left to right and up and down at a steady speed.

He rushed home, woke his wife Marina, and took his camera to the balcony. His wife also saw the object. It was a slightly hazy, dark morning. To avoid light from a nearby hotel, he had to hold the camera at an angle. He then realized he hadn't loaded the camera and quickly went to do so. His wife also observed the object.

Using binoculars, di Marco was surprised to see that the object resembled a neon tube with rounded ends, approximately the size of his thumb when his arm was extended. He found it difficult to estimate its speed and the distance it traveled. No sound was heard. The object continued its course until it was the size of a pinhead and then disappeared completely around 5 AM.

Di Marco developed the film at Saiccors laboratory the following week but did not mention the incident to avoid ridicule. A week later, he made copies, hoping they would be better than the originals. The author learned about the observation through someone who saw a copy in the darkroom. He persuaded di Marco to recount the event.

Di Marco provided the best copies to "Flying Saucer Review" for publication and offered to send the negatives for examination. When asked about veiled white marks in the foreground of the pictures, he did not know what they were. He noted that several large stars were visible in the sky when the photos were taken.

The Durban Harbor Sighting

The article then shifts to an event that occurred just three days before the Umkomaas sighting.

On the morning of July 20, a UFO was observed by police officers over the harbor in Durban. The incident was reported on the radio station Port Natal at 6:30 AM. The author contacted the news announcer to request the report be repeated in English.

His wife recorded the news report, which began with, "And now I have something for all the star gazers." A more detailed account appeared in the Natal Mercury on July 21 under the headline: "RADVILLA POLICE OFFICERS SEE UFO OVER BAY."

The object was first seen at 3:30 AM. The newspaper article stated that police officers at the radio station were astonished to see a UFO hovering over Durban's harbor area for more than an hour. A police officer from Tongaat later reported seeing a similar object.

The police switchboard was inundated with calls from people who claimed to have seen the UFO. An Indian official from Chatsworth station reported being able to see the object.

Nine officers at the radio station saw the object, which shifted in color from red to green. It moved from the Chatsworth area to Wentworth before departing north at "incredible speed."

The observation was logged in the station's protocol. At 5 AM, an extraordinary official, Chris de Wet, was at home when he was called by an Indian official from Tongaat station who reported a UFO sighting near the beach.

De Wet drove to a slope overlooking the beach and could clearly see the object, which had a shape and size similar to an airplane's searchlight. It shifted from red to green at regular intervals of about one second. He estimated it hovered about 200 meters above the sea, near the beach. He observed it through binoculars for more than half an hour.

That evening, the police headquarters were again flooded with calls from people claiming to have seen UFOs. Mrs. Jooste and her family, visiting from Johannesburg, reported seeing the object through binoculars from their hotel room on the sixteenth floor, which had a view of the beach.

FSR Editorial Notes and Commentary

The FSR editorial notes state that the two photo negatives were immediately collected by Philipp Human and sent to FSR's photo expert, Percy Hennell, for examination. The enlargements used in the article are Hennell's.

Percy Hennell commented on the Umkomaas photographs, stating that they appear to be genuine photographs of a luminous object and show no signs of forgery, but are typical of "fake" photographs.

Book Reviews: Ancient Technology

Bokmalen: Reviews of "Forntidens Teknik" and "Försvunnen Teknik"

Bertil Nilsson reviews two books by Henry Kjellson: "Forntidens Teknik" (Ancient Technology) and "Försvunnen Teknik" (Lost Technology).

Kjellson, a Swedish researcher and aeronautical engineer (1891-1962), was interested in what ancient finds and writings could reveal about the technical knowledge of past eras. His books present numerous examples of ancient technical knowledge and offer sharp commentary.

Kjellson was a skilled technician, credited with creating several aircraft designs and qualified for a professorship at the Royal Institute of Technology. During World War II, he reconstructed the first German V-weapon from thousands of fragments, earning him the British Imperial Order.

The books do not mention UFOs but are considered to contain a wealth of information for UFO enthusiasts. Kjellson's theories suggest that advanced ancient cultures might not necessarily be explained by extraterrestrial visits, as proposed by authors like Erich von Däniken.

Kjellson's books are described as more factual than von Däniken's but equally interesting. While they propose bold ideas, the reasoning is not considered speculative. The articles highlight the relevance of Kjellson's work in the space age, noting his early insights into technical commentaries on subjects previously reserved for humanists and theologians.

Examples from Kjellson's Books:

• Ancient Electricity: Questions are raised about whether electricity existed thousands of years ago, if Egyptians had powerful drills with diamond bits for pyramid construction, and if radium was present in Moses' Ark of the Covenant.
• Ancient Mechanisms: The existence of intricate clockwork and high-precision navigation instruments from our era's beginning is explored.
• Lost Cultures: The possibility that many advanced cultures perished in global catastrophes like floods is considered.
• Dendera Temple: Images from the Dendera temple are described as bizarre, enigmatic, and inexplicable. Modern viewers might interpret them as large light bulbs, while an electrician would recognize components like bulbs, cables, insulators, and batteries. The figures in the images have double outlines, possibly indicating protective suits.
• "Power line workers": A depiction interpreted as such, with text suggesting they "protect the house from fire," possibly referring to an ancient lightning rod.
• Antikythera Mechanism: The discovery of a mechanism over 2,000 years old, initially mistaken for a clay statue, is mentioned.
• Ancient Joints: The use of diamond cutters for drilling and milling ancient stone blocks is suggested, with some drills requiring tons of pressure.
• Incredible Joints: The skill in applying thin cement films in minimal gaps between pyramid blocks is considered beyond modern technical capabilities.

Other Works by Kjellson

"Mellan fantasi och verklighet" (Between Fantasy and Reality), published in 1957, is mentioned as still available from the publisher. Kjellson is described as a non-Darwinist who was skeptical of mimicry theory and viewed phenomena in the animal and plant kingdoms in his own way.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs) and the exploration of ancient technologies and lost civilizations. The magazine appears to present evidence and reports from credible sources, such as police officers and photographic experts, while also delving into speculative but well-researched theories about the past. The editorial stance seems to favor a serious and analytical approach to these subjects, distinguishing itself from more sensationalist theories by presenting a more grounded perspective, as exemplified by the comparison between Kjellson's work and that of Erich von Däniken.