GICOFF-Information - 1974 No 4

Magazine Overview

This issue of GICOFF INFORMATION, Volume 5, Number 4 from 1974, is published by the Göteborgs Informations Center för Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål (GICOFF) in Sweden. The cover prominently features a dramatic illustration of a UFO over a stormy sea, with the headline "KOM TEFATET UPP UR HAVET? Svensk familj berättar" (Did the saucer come up from the sea? Swedish family tells their story), and a smaller headline about a "Mini-UFO inspects a room."

Editorial and Staff

The magazine is edited by Sven-Olof Fredrikson, with Björn Högman as the deputy editor and Bertil Nilsson as the editorial secretary. The editorial team includes several other individuals responsible for various sections like information, PR, and photography. The publication is based in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is published six times a year.

Key Articles and Reports

The Spanish Encounter: Mini-UFO Inspects a Room

This article details a remarkable experience of Javier Bosque, a 20-year-old Spanish theological student, on the night of June 22, 1972. While reading in his room in Logroño, Spain, Bosque witnessed an intense light entering through his window. He described a silent, luminous, egg-shaped object, approximately 50 cm long and 32-34 cm wide, that hovered silently about 40 cm above the floor. The object emitted a light beam that investigated his transistor radio and tape recorder. Bosque managed to record the signals emitted by his radio during the event, which he considered his only proof. The object then ascended to about two meters, paused, and exited through the window, disappearing rapidly. Bosque described the object as metallic, smooth, and silent, with precise movements.

The Jönsson Family's UFO Observations

This section presents a series of observations by the Jönsson family in Varberg, Sweden, spanning from February 7 to March 6, 1973.

• February 7, 1973: Kerstin Jönsson reported seeing a very bright light over the sea, which she initially mistook for a rocket launch. Using binoculars, she identified it as a disc-shaped object with a silver underside and black top. The object ascended, paused, then turned on its edge, emitting a blue-green light from its underside, described as star-like with illuminated points. Her husband, Roland Jönsson, also witnessed parts of the event.
• February 27, 1973: The Jönssons observed another similar phenomenon. Roland Jönsson, initially skeptical, was convinced by this sighting. He described the object as a bright star to the naked eye, but through binoculars, he saw a circular underside with a star-shaped pattern of illuminated points, some of which emitted a sharp red light. This observation lasted for a brief period.
• March 6, 1973: Kerstin Jönsson reported seeing the phenomenon again.

The magazine's investigation into these sightings involved contacting local authorities and military units, none of whom had registered similar phenomena or could provide an explanation. The report notes the presence of a helicopter during one of the observations, but its identity and connection to the UFO remain unclear.

Apollo 16: Eleven Missions with Apollo

This article, part 8 of a series by Tony Ericsson, focuses on the Apollo 16 mission, which launched on April 16, 1972. It details the crew: John Young (commander), Charles Duke (lunar module pilot), and Thomas Mattingly (command module pilot). The article recounts the mission's journey to the Moon, the landing of the lunar module on April 20, and a brief issue with the service capsule's rocket motor that caused concern in Houston. The problem was resolved, and Young and Duke successfully landed on the Moon, though their mission was shortened by a day. The article includes a humorous exchange between Young and Neil Armstrong.

Nuclear Physics: Secrets of the Atomic Nucleus

This article delves into the world of subatomic particles, referencing an article from "Forskning och Framsteg." It discusses the historical understanding of atoms, the discovery of the nucleus by Rutherford, and the composition of protons and neutrons. The article introduces the concept of elementary particles and the ongoing research into their structure, mentioning quarks as potential constituents of protons and mesons. It outlines the four fundamental forces: gravity, electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear force, along with their properties and mediating particles. The complexity of particle physics is highlighted, noting that it is still in its early stages.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of GICOFF INFORMATION strongly emphasizes witness testimony and detailed case studies of UFO sightings, particularly the Spanish and Swedish family reports. The editorial section, written by Sven-Olof Fredrikson, discusses the involvement of UFO-Sverige in a project for UFO identification and analysis, highlighting the importance of collaboration. It also touches upon alternative theories for UFO phenomena, such as those proposed by John Keel and Jacques Vallée, suggesting that 'tefats' might originate from an unseen parallel dimension. The magazine maintains a serious approach to investigating these phenomena, presenting detailed accounts and attempting to verify them through interviews and inquiries, while acknowledging the challenges and the need for open-mindedness. The inclusion of articles on space exploration and fundamental physics suggests a broader interest in scientific inquiry and the unknown.

Title: MINI-VÅGEN 1972
Issue: Del 5
Date: November/December 1972
Publisher: Flying Saucer Review
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of MINI-VÅGEN 1972, a Swedish publication focusing on UFOs and unexplained phenomena, delves into several intriguing cases. It features a prominent article on a 'flying ghost' sighting in Natal, South Africa, alongside reports on space exploration and other unexplained aerial phenomena.

"Det flygande spöket" i Natal

The main feature details an unusual encounter in Natal, South Africa, which occurred during a period of UFO activity. The article focuses on two primary locations: Mayville (Durban) and Roosboom near Colenso.

Roosboom Incident

On August 22, 1972, around 4:30 AM, Doris Muthwa, a mother of five, and her 12-year-old daughter Joyce were fetching water when they encountered a tall figure in white. Doris described it as a man in white, initially appearing to smoke a cigarette, but then emitting a bright, reddish-blue light from its chest. The figure was estimated to be about 3.5 meters tall. Doris's employer, Mrs. N. E. Harding, vouched for Doris's honesty, stating the figure seemed to emit electricity, causing a vibration similar to touching an electric iron. The entity then ascended rapidly and disappeared. The encounter terrified both Doris and Joyce, with Joyce biting her mother in fear.

Mayville Incident

A similar 'ghost' was reported in Mayville, Durban, on the evening of August 19, 1972, and on two previous occasions. The most significant sighting occurred on a cultivated patch of land behind Mrs. Thelma Hansen's house. Mrs. Hansen was particularly disturbed by the entity's head, describing it as emitting fire from its eyes and being square-shaped, like a machine part. Jane Classen, who was with Mrs. Hansen's daughter Ingrid, also witnessed the event and described it as terrifying and not human. Dr. Carl van Vlierden from Westville interviewed Mrs. Hansen and other witnesses. He noted that Mrs. Hansen and seven others suffered from after-effects like headaches and leg pain, possibly due to the encounter. Witnesses reported feeling a 'hypnotic effect' drawing them towards the phenomenon. Dr. van Vlierden asked the witnesses to draw the entity, and their sketches were remarkably similar, resembling a science-fiction monster. The eyes were described as the most striking feature. The lower part of the entity was about a meter above the ground, and it ascended slightly before sliding sideways and disappearing.

Further Sightings and Analysis

An article in The Natal Mercury on August 23, 1972, followed up on the Roosboom incident. Elias Khosa reported seeing a similar figure on August 16 while walking home. The figure turned towards him, but its head was indistinct, though small flames were seen around its feet. Elias offered the entity a drink, but it turned and rapidly flew away, emitting flames and smoke. Elias's employer, Suleman Sager, stated he had never seen anything like it in his 44 years in the area. The latest report indicated that Doris Muthwa remained fearful of going down to the river.

Apollo - The Lunar Missions

The issue also includes a section on the Apollo missions, detailing the lunar excursions. It recounts John Young's and Charles Duke's activities on the Moon, including the deployment of scientific instruments and the lunar rover. Young humorously noted the rover's speed, comparing it to a 'cat,' but later had to admit its damaged state after a rally-like drive, causing parts of the vehicle to break.

During their final moonwalk, the astronauts collected geological samples, including 110 kg of lunar regolith and a 16 kg stone, the heaviest ever brought back from the Moon. The return journey involved the ascent stage of the lunar module being jettisoned. The astronauts, including Mattingly, landed in the Pacific Ocean on April 25, 1974, and were recovered by helicopters near the aircraft carrier Ticonderoga.

Undervattensbaser för flygande tefat?

This section discusses the theory of underwater bases for flying saucers, citing Antonio Las Heras, president of the Argentinean Society for Study of the Unexplained. Las Heras claims that evidence for such bases in the San Matias and San Jorge gulfs was observed on August 14, 1968, when about 100 witnesses saw five elliptical objects lift from San Matias Gulf and dive into San Jorge Gulf.

Jupiter, meteor, ballong, satellit....

This article investigates a series of sightings in Sweden, including reports from Skövde, Lidköping, Torslanda, and F7 at Såtenäs. The phenomenon was observed for over four hours and photographed. Ing. Tage Eriksson from FOA suggested it was a research balloon, but the interpretation was met with skepticism, especially given the public's exposure to science fiction films like 'The Phantom from Mars.'

Kinnekulle Sighting

A more detailed account focuses on a sighting near Kinnekulle, Sweden, reported by traveling salesman Sven-Erik Asklund. While driving, he heard police radio reports of bright, exploding orbs leaving light trails. He drove to Kinnekulle and observed a bright light in the southeast, accompanied by small, bright points he described as 'windows.' He speculated it might be a mothership, possibly cigar-shaped. Police officers also observed the light and the 'windows.' The phenomenon moved slightly back and forth and was visible for over four hours, with its color described as yellow to white-yellow. The light's altitude was estimated at 20-25 degrees above the horizon. The last police report was from Götene at 1:30 AM. The article notes that no witness reported seeing a bright star in that direction, but it aligns with the position of Jupiter, which is known to be bright and has visible moons through binoculars.

UFO-Litteratur

A small advertisement promotes UFO literature, including books and magazines on fortean research, parapsychology, and occultism, available from Valby Antikvariat & Bogimport in Denmark.

GIGOFF-inf.

A preview for the next issue highlights a story about numerous police officers witnessing UFOs, with people calling the police and observing the phenomena themselves. This material was reportedly sent from Sven-Arthur Wiman in the USA and compiled by Alf Tollhag.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, humanoid encounters, and unexplained aerial phenomena, often drawing from international sources like Flying Saucer Review. There's a clear interest in detailed witness accounts, scientific analysis (or lack thereof), and the broader implications of these events for our understanding of reality. The inclusion of space exploration news, like the Apollo missions, provides a contrast and context to the unexplained phenomena discussed. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting evidence and witness testimonies without necessarily offering definitive explanations, encouraging readers to consider the possibilities.