GICOFF-Information - 1973 No 6

Magazine Overview

This issue of GICOFF Information, volume 4, number 6, from 1973, is published by Göteborgs Informations Center för Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål. The cover prominently features the headline "UFO - våg över Amerika" (UFO - wave over America) and an illustration depicting an alien encounter. The magazine delves into a significant wave of UFO sightings across the United States, alongside reports from other parts of the world and a detailed account of the Apollo 12 mission.

Redaktionellt (Editorial)

In the editorial, Sven-Olof Fredrikson addresses potential delays in the issue's arrival due to the holiday season. He discusses the challenge of balancing Swedish and international UFO material, noting that the current issue leans heavily on US reports due to a "flap" (a surge in sightings) there. Fredrikson then engages in a polemic against an article titled "Datorerna löser inga UFO-gåtor" (Computers solve no UFO riddles) published in "UFO-Information" issue 5/1973. He criticizes the author, "Jonzon," for a perceived lack of understanding regarding the role of computers in UFO data analysis and for unfairly characterizing the "Projekt URD" (Project URD) as a "big ego-trip" that will "burst." Fredrikson defends Project URD, explaining it's not just a data project but an effort to improve the poor state of UFO investigation in Sweden. He argues that systematic data processing is essential and that computers are a tool for codifying, registering, and processing vast amounts of information, not for solving the UFO mystery itself. He refutes the idea that a single person can process all necessary calculations in a day, emphasizing the complexity of the task. The editorial concludes with a holiday greeting to GICOFF members.

UFO - Våg över Amerika (UFO - Wave Over America)

This section details a series of UFO sightings primarily in the southeastern United States during September and October 1973.

• September 5, 1973 - Corpus Christi, Texas: A large fireball was observed in the sky. Sheriff Harry Brelsford reported numerous sightings of objects descending near the town.
• September 9, 1973 - Griffin, Georgia: Authorities were inundated with reports of strange, brightly colored flying objects. This was part of a larger wave affecting South Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida, with reports from civilians, military, and police.
• September 10, 1973 - Albany, Georgia: Silent, colorful UFOs were reported, with objects changing colors from blue to yellow and green. Police in several towns reported these sightings.
• September 11, 1973 - Griffin, Georgia: A man reported seeing a "golden egg"-shaped object fall from the sky, creating a hole and leaving behind high ground temperatures. A nearby agricultural research station measured ground temperatures of approximately 150 degrees Celsius.
• September 13, 1973 - Georgia: Governor Jimmy Carter publicly stated that he and friends had seen a saucer-shaped object years earlier, admitting he no longer dismisses such claims.
• September 23, 1973 - Shelby, Georgia: A sheriff reported seeing an unidentified blinking object that disappeared with a humming sound.
• October 5, 1973 - Unknown Location: A truck driver's glasses were destroyed by direct heat from a UFO encounter. The driver, Eddie Webb, was temporarily blinded.
• October 10, 1973 - Dayton, Ohio: At least 15 people reported seeing flying objects with red, green, and blue lights. The objects moved at high speed or hovered. Military personnel could not explain the sightings.
• October 11, 1973 - Pascagoula, Mississippi: Two shipyard workers, Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker, reported being taken aboard a shiny, blue, "fish-shaped" spaceship by three alien beings with wrinkled, silver skin. They were examined by an instrument resembling a large eye. Hypnotic regression conducted by Dr. James Harder and Dr. Allen Hynek reportedly confirmed their accounts, stating they were telling the truth.
• October 15, 1973 - Louisiana: Police pursued five orange-red objects flying over pine forests.
• October 16, 1973 - Soviet Union: Soviet news agency Tass reported that scientists had received strange, unintelligible "voices" from space.
• October 16, 1973 - Unknown Location: A radar operator reported an object moving faster than a helicopter, which then stopped and ascended rapidly, causing the radar screen to go blank.

"Ufonauter" bötfälls ("Ufonauts" Fined)

• October 21, 1973 - Wellington, South Africa: Two men in Arkansas were fined for wearing aluminum foil suits and causing UFO reports, apparently as a prank.

Lysande trianglar (Shining Triangles)

• October 25, 1973 - Los Angeles, Hilo, and Corvallis (West Coast, USA): Hundreds reported seeing triangular, luminous objects moving slowly across the sky. Authorities later explained these as research balloons, though the magazine notes the case's interest due to similar past reports.

Färgbilder tagna av två lysande skivor (Color photos taken of two luminous discs)

• October 29, 1973 - Delta, Utah: Two men reported seeing three luminous discs moving slowly and silently. The objects ascended and disappeared. Weather stations confirmed no balloons were launched, and the objects remained visible for too long to be jet planes.

Ljusfenomen fotograferat (Light Phenomena Photographed)

• October 20, 1973 - Columbus, Ohio: An article in G-P with a photo showed strange lights in the sky, photographed after police received over 150 calls about UFOs. Governor John Gilligan also reported observing unusual light phenomena.

Arméhelikopter nära kollidera med ett stort metalliknande föremål (Army helicopter nearly collides with a large metallic object)

• November 3, 1973 - Cleveland, USA: An army helicopter pilot reported a near-collision with a large, cigar-shaped metallic object with a red light at the nose and green light at the rear. The object was estimated to be 60 feet long and moved at high speed.

Kustbevakningen jagade under en timmes tid ett lysande föremål som befann sig under vattnet (Coast Guard chased a luminous object underwater for an hour)

• November 6, 1973 - Pascagoula, Mississippi: A luminous object was observed underwater in the Pascagoula River. The Coast Guard reported it as a USIO (unidentified submerged illuminating object), approximately 4-6 knots, emitting a strong amber light.

"Ufonauter" bötfälls ("Ufonauts" Fined)

• October 21, 1973 - Wellington, South Africa: Two men in Arkansas were fined for wearing aluminum foil suits and causing UFO reports, apparently as a prank.

Lysande trianglar (Shining Triangles)

• October 25, 1973 - Los Angeles, Hilo, and Corvallis (West Coast, USA): Hundreds reported seeing triangular, luminous objects moving slowly across the sky. Authorities later explained these as research balloons, though the magazine notes the case's interest due to similar past reports.

Färgbilder tagna av två lysande skivor (Color photos taken of two luminous discs)

• October 29, 1973 - Delta, Utah: Two men reported seeing three luminous discs moving slowly and silently. The objects ascended and disappeared. Weather stations confirmed no balloons were launched, and the objects remained visible for too long to be jet planes.

Ljusfenomen fotograferat (Light Phenomena Photographed)

• October 20, 1973 - Columbus, Ohio: An article in G-P with a photo showed strange lights in the sky, photographed after police received over 150 calls about UFOs. Governor John Gilligan also reported observing unusual light phenomena.

Arméhelikopter nära kollidera med ett stort metalliknande föremål (Army helicopter nearly collides with a large metallic object)

• November 3, 1973 - Cleveland, USA: An army helicopter pilot reported a near-collision with a large, cigar-shaped metallic object with a red light at the nose and green light at the rear. The object was estimated to be 60 feet long and moved at high speed.

Kustbevakningen jagade under en timmes tid ett lysande föremål som befann sig under vattnet (Coast Guard chased a luminous object underwater for an hour)

• November 6, 1973 - Pascagoula, Mississippi: A luminous object was observed underwater in the Pascagoula River. The Coast Guard reported it as a USIO (unidentified submerged illuminating object), approximately 4-6 knots, emitting a strong amber light.

Radarobservation i norra Italien (Radar Observation in Northern Italy)

• December 4, 1973 - Turin, Italy: Thousands of residents and airport radar systems detected a mysterious flying object hovering over the city. Police confirmed an unidentified object was in the airspace. The object suddenly accelerated upwards and disappeared.

Såg blinkande flygande tefat (Saw blinking flying saucer)

• December 10, 1973 - Bilbao, Spain: Several people reported seeing a red, blinking disc-shaped object, about one meter wide, flying over the city.

Den Sydafrikanska Mini-Vågen 1972 (The South African Mini-Wave 1972)

This section, written by Charles Bowen, details UFO sightings in South Africa during 1972, referred to as a "mini-wave."

• July 1, 1972 - Wellington, Cape Province: A clear, orange object was seen hovering above a children's home, described as being the size of a coffee table. It moved towards Paarl and then towards Worcester, changing color to white. No sound was heard.
• July 1, 1972 - Constantia, Cape Province: A round, white light with a "tail" was observed hovering behind trees. It ascended and flew towards the Constantiaberg lighthouse, resembling a golden star. The astronomical society suggested it might have been the star Canopus.
• July 3 & 4, 1972 - Durban, Natal: An unusual, flickering but clear object was seen over the sea. It was described as "bone-shaped" with a wedge-shaped part, pulsating and resembling a ring of diamonds. It flashed like a cluster of stars. On the second sighting, it appeared square and without the flashing, with pieces seemingly breaking off.
• July 5, 1972 - Kraankuil and Witput Stations, Orange River: Three station managers reported seeing a UFO described as a "fireball" changing color from blue to green. It was estimated to be 25 cm in diameter and appeared to have "life" within it. It moved in a semicircle and was later seen by a station manager at Orange River, described as amber-colored and the size of a plate. It returned later, appearing larger.
• June 22, 1972 - Pietermaritzburg, Natal: A businessman and pilot reported seeing an object, estimated to be the size of a cricket ball, moving at high speed and altitude. It was described as clear and blue-green. Later, the pilot estimated its size to be comparable to a bus.
• July 6, 1972 - Johannesburg: Dozens of people witnessed a bright object flying across the sky at fantastic speed for ten minutes.
• July 7, 1972 - Port Elizabeth, Cape Province: A reader reported seeing an object, the size of a tennis ball, changing color from yellow to white. It hovered for at least 15 minutes. A journalist and photographer observed a blinking object moving in the opposite direction.

Apollo 12: Månen utforskas vetenskapligt (Apollo 12: The Moon is Explored Scientifically)

This is part 4 of a series on space research, focusing on the Apollo 12 mission.

• Launch: Apollo 12 launched on November 14, 1969, with Commander Charles Conrad, Lunar Module Pilot Alan Bean, and Command Module Pilot Richard Gordon. The mission's flight plan was scientifically oriented, featuring the ALSEP station with instruments like a seismometer and magnetometer, powered by a mini-nuclear reactor.
• Ascent: Despite rain, the launch proceeded on time. An early report indicated a failure in the capsule's electrical system, but the astronauts quickly switched to a backup system. Lightning strikes during ascent were absorbed by the rocket's outer shell.
• Lunar Orbit and Landing: The mission entered Earth orbit and then proceeded to lunar orbit. The astronauts successfully fired the third stage engine to reach the Moon. On November 18, Apollo 12 entered lunar orbit. The lunar module, "Intrepid," separated from the command module, "Yankee Clipper," and landed successfully in the "Sea of Storms" on November 19, near the Surveyor 3 probe.
• Lunar Surface Activities: Charles Conrad became the third human to walk on the Moon. Alan Bean joined him shortly after. Their primary scientific tasks included deploying the ALSEP station and retrieving the TV camera from Surveyor 3. The astronauts collected lunar samples, including rocks and dust. They described the lunar surface as "snowy in black and gray" and were fascinated by the "sparkling glass beads," shadows, and craters.
• Challenges: A mishap occurred when the TV camera's lens was accidentally pointed at the sun, rendering it unusable for transmitting live images to Houston. Conrad had difficulty extracting the plutonium rod for the ALSEP station's power source.
• Return Journey: After spending approximately four hours on the lunar surface, the astronauts returned to the Intrepid. The lunar module was later intentionally crashed onto the Moon, and seismic vibrations were recorded.
• Re-entry and Landing: The return journey to Earth began on November 21. The crew landed safely on November 24, approximately 4.5 km from the intended landing point.

Svenska instrument i sovjetisk satellit (Swedish instruments in Soviet satellite)

Swedish optical and electronic instruments will be installed on a Soviet satellite in the Interkosmos series in 1975. The project aims to study the polarization of lines in the sun's ultraviolet spectrum. This marks the first time Soviet and Swedish scientists are collaborating on a concrete space research project. Docent Jan Olof Stenflo from Lund Observatory will lead the Swedish experiment, with Jungner Instrument responsible for optical design and Saab-Scania for electronics. The Swedish equipment, weighing about six kilograms and valued at two to three million kronor, will be delivered to the Soviet Union in the spring of 1975.

-Jorden Runt- (Around the World)

This section presents a series of UFO reports from various locations.

• Fort Beaufort, South Africa: The article details an incident where local farm workers alerted Bennie Smith to a fire in the bush. Police officers Van Rensburg and Kitching investigated and observed a glowing, egg-shaped object hovering in the air. The object was described as approximately three meters long, bluish-black, metallic, and later turned red. It emitted a star-like light. When the workers approached, the object descended out of sight. After the police left, Smith saw the object fly away. The police later found three three-point imprints in the moist soil, suggesting landing gear.
• Radar Observation in Northern Italy: On December 4, 1973, thousands in Turin witnessed a mysterious flying object. Airport radar also detected it. Police confirmed an unidentified object was present. The object hovered for several minutes, rotated, then suddenly accelerated upwards and disappeared.
• Saw Blinking Flying Saucer: On December 10, 1973, in Bilbao, Spain, several people reported seeing a red, blinking disc-shaped object, about one meter wide.

Den Sydafrikanska Mini-Vågen 1972 (The South African Mini-Wave 1972)

This section, written by Charles Bowen, details UFO sightings in South Africa during 1972, referred to as a "mini-wave."

• July 1, 1972 - Wellington, Cape Province: A clear, orange object was seen hovering above a children's home, described as being the size of a coffee table. It moved towards Paarl and then towards Worcester, changing color to white. No sound was heard.
• July 1, 1972 - Constantia, Cape Province: A round, white light with a "tail" was observed hovering behind trees. It ascended and flew towards the Constantiaberg lighthouse, resembling a golden star. The astronomical society suggested it might have been the star Canopus.
• July 3 & 4, 1972 - Durban, Natal: An unusual, flickering but clear object was seen over the sea. It was described as "bone-shaped" with a wedge-shaped part, pulsating and resembling a ring of diamonds. It flashed like a cluster of stars. On the second sighting, it appeared square and without the flashing, with pieces seemingly breaking off.
• July 5, 1972 - Kraankuil and Witput Stations, Orange River: Three station managers reported seeing a UFO described as a "fireball" changing color from blue to green. It was estimated to be 25 cm in diameter and appeared to have "life" within it. It moved in a semicircle and was later seen by a station manager at Orange River, described as amber-colored and the size of a plate. It returned later, appearing larger.
• June 22, 1972 - Pietermaritzburg, Natal: A businessman and pilot reported seeing an object, estimated to be the size of a cricket ball, moving at high speed and altitude. It was described as clear and blue-green. Later, the pilot estimated its size to be comparable to a bus.
• July 6, 1972 - Johannesburg: Dozens of people witnessed a bright object flying across the sky at fantastic speed for ten minutes.
• July 7, 1972 - Port Elizabeth, Cape Province: A reader reported seeing an object, the size of a tennis ball, changing color from yellow to white. It hovered for at least 15 minutes. A journalist and photographer observed a blinking object moving in the opposite direction.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread UFO sightings in the US during 1973, the ongoing exploration of space through the Apollo program, and the persistent investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance, as expressed by Sven-Olof Fredrikson, is one of advocating for a systematic and scientific approach to UFO research, criticizing sensationalism and unfounded skepticism. The magazine aims to provide detailed accounts of sightings and investigations, encouraging members to contribute their own observations and participate in the collective effort to understand these phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on presenting evidence and witness testimony, while also engaging in critical analysis of existing theories and publications within the UFO community.

This issue of UFO-NYT, dated July 1972, focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena, with a significant portion dedicated to events in South Africa and a speculative piece on the cause of a mid-air collision.

South African Sightings

The magazine details several incidents from South Africa:

• Port Elizabeth (July 7, 1972): Several photographs were taken of a moon-shaped object, referred to as a "mother ship," with a smaller "reconnaissance craft" that appeared to be moving jerkily. The object emitted red, white, and green lights and seemed to break into two parts before disappearing. The South African Air Force stated there were no night exercises at the time, and no other aircraft were in the area. Meteorologists confirmed no weather balloons were launched.
• Queenstown (July 2, 1972): Mr. R. P. Golding reported seeing an object resembling two stars joined together, with red light below and green light above, hovering over the airport. His radio reportedly became "strange" during the sighting. The object ascended and descended several times before disappearing behind a house. No other residents reported radio interference.
• Fish River (July 5, 1972): Truck driver Mitchell Struwig and his assistant Thys Breed observed a half-moon shaped, luminous red object in the sky. It was described as having an irregular pattern like a net or rope and was estimated to be about 100 meters in diameter, darker red than the light it emitted. Struwig noted a sudden, intense cold inside the vehicle during the sighting.
• Natal (Week ending July 9, 1972): The captain and crew of a South African Airways Boeing 727 reported seeing a fast-flying object that chased their aircraft for a while before veering off southwest. The UFO was observed at an altitude of 2,743 meters. Air traffic control confirmed the object was not a known aircraft. The pilots also noted that the object was a clear light and that ground control was agitated.
• En route to Cape Town (July 5, 1972): A brown object passed beneath a Boeing 727. Air traffic control in Cape Town was unaware of any other aircraft in the vicinity.

International Incidents and Speculation

• France (August 1972): A Boeing 720 passenger plane carrying 170 Scandinavian tourists collided with an unknown object at an altitude of 12,000 meters over France. The cockpit window was shattered, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing at Le Bourget, Paris. Captain Kobold stated they could not guess what they hit, ruling out birds due to the altitude. The possibility of meteorites or "space debris" was considered unlikely.

Research and Photography

• USA: Professor Harley D Rutledge of Southeastern Missouri State University led an expedition that photographed approximately 70 unexplained lights in the sky over a seven-month period. While some lights were identified as aircraft or car lights, 70 cases remained unexplained. Professor Rutledge stated, "There is something here that cannot be explained."

Argentine Sightings

• Buenos Aires (November 3): Six marines reported observing a UFO for twenty minutes, stating it was not an aircraft or satellite.
• Near Bahia Blanca: A truck driver reported seeing a blinding white light and encountering three beings with large eyes who emerged from a strange vehicle. He was touched on the shoulder and hit by a white flash, after which he lost consciousness.
• Near Bahia Blanca (June): A woman reported being visited five times by a person wearing a silver lamé flight suit, described as having large eyes.

Commentary and Analysis

The magazine includes commentary questioning the sanity of American citizens or the possibility of mass psychosis, while acknowledging a pattern in UFO reports. It notes similarities between some cases and Swedish sightings. The issue also touches upon mysterious radio signals from Cygnus X3 in September, speculating about extraterrestrial contact or energy transmission for UFO propulsion.

Book Review: UFO-GATAN

Alf Tollhag reviews the book "UFO-GATAN" by Håkansson. The review highlights the book's attempt to confront authorities and its description of an interview with Tage Eriksson from FOA, which Håkansson found evasive. The reviewer is critical of the book's "diffuse anonymity" in reported cases but praises its presentation of a joint ufology research program and its discussion of psychological aspects of ufology. The book is described as "perplexing" but filling a gap in Swedish UFO literature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs/UAPs), eyewitness accounts, photographic evidence, and the speculative nature of understanding these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various reports and research while acknowledging the lack of definitive explanations, encouraging further investigation and the collection of facts.