GICOFF-Information - 1975 No 6

Magazine Overview

This issue of GIGOFF INFORMATION, NR 6 1975 - ÅRGÅNG 6, published by GIGOFF, focuses on UFO phenomena with a prominent cover story detailing a remarkable car journey from Rhodesia to South Africa. The magazine is in Swedish and covers various aspects of ufology, including witness testimonies, research projects, and theoretical discussions.

Feature Article: Dream Journey by Car with UFO Escort from Rhodesia to South Africa

The main feature recounts the experience of Peter and his wife Frances during a night drive from Salisbury, Rhodesia, to Beit Bridge, South Africa, on May 31, 1974. The journey began with an encounter with a strangely dressed figure resembling a policeman, followed by a bright light that grew closer, identified as a UFO. The UFO's light shifted from blue to pulsating, and the car's headlights dimmed. Inside the car, the temperature dropped significantly, and the vehicle seemed to gain its own will, continuing at a steady 140 km/h despite Peter's attempts to slow down or stop. The radio continued to function perfectly.

As they approached Fort Victoria, the car seemed to be on autopilot, with no control over steering or brakes. Peter describes being terrified but unable to communicate this to Frances, who was on the verge of hysteria. Frances confirmed the feeling of being on autopilot. They passed three empty African buses with their lights on and engines running, which was unusual. The car's journey was inexplicably short, covering only 17 km from Fort Victoria to Beit Bridge according to the odometer, despite the actual distance being 288 km.

Upon reaching Beit Bridge, the UFOs disappeared. The experience left them with a sense of unreality, and they were the only people they encountered between Fort Victoria and the border, despite it being a busy travel time.

Witness Testimony: Lens-shaped UFO near a Motion Loop

Another account describes an event on January 15, 1975, involving Hans Bryggener (13) and his friend in Akersberga, Sweden. They observed a red, glowing object that rapidly approached, appearing to crash. The object then turned steel-gray, with a dark underside and a light metallic gray top, confirming it was not an airplane. It hovered, rocked, and then ascended rapidly behind a hill. The object was estimated to be about 5 meters in size and about 10 meters away. The boys experienced a strong gust of wind and an acrid smell, and Hans felt dizzy and unwell afterward.

Editorial: The Need for a Definition

In the editorial section, Sven-Olof Fredrikson discusses the challenges in defining UFOs, noting that different ufologists and groups use varying definitions, which hinders acceptance. He references Professor J. Allen Hynek's definition from "The UFO Experience" as a potential standard, though complex for popular use. The URD project aims to incorporate this definition into its statutes.

URD Project and International Collaboration

The URD project is presented as an effort to foster international UFO research, particularly with Nordic countries. Contact has been made with UFO groups in Norway, Denmark, and Finland. Bjarne Håkansson visited Finland to inform them about URD. Finnish UFO groups have expressed interest in collaboration and a joint Nordic conference.

Programmer Needed

Bjarne Håkansson is seeking individuals skilled in programming (Cobol and Fortram) for work on the URD project.

UFOs Outside Sweden

The URD project is designed for international participation. Collaboration with Nordic countries is a priority, with observations often occurring simultaneously in Sweden and Norway, and sometimes Denmark and Finland. Bjarne Håkansson has been active in informing Finnish ufologists about URD.

Hypnosis Session

A hypnosis session with Peter, conducted by Dr. Paul Obertik, is detailed. Under hypnosis, Peter described the UFO as having three levels: a power source, communication/living quarters, and a flight deck. He described beings that could alter their appearance and communicate telepathically, claiming they were from distant galaxies and traveled through time rather than space. They reportedly influenced events on Earth indirectly.

Other Sections

• Redaktionellt (Editorial): Sven-Olof Fredrikson reflects on 1975 as a year without major UFO events in Sweden but notes the strengthening of the URD project. He acknowledges financial difficulties and the need for greater professionalism and public acceptance of ufology.
• Föreningen (The Association): Lists the board members and contact information for GIGOFF.
• Tidningen (The Magazine): Details the editorial staff and publication frequency (6 issues per year).
• Prenumeration - Distribution: Information on membership fees and subscription costs.
• Elekromagnetism, Kyla (Electromagnetism, Cold): Discusses the dimming of car lights and the drop in temperature during the UFO encounter.
• Tomma Bussar (Empty Buses): Notes the unusual sight of empty buses during the night journey.
• Ljusstrålen (The Light Beam): Speculates on the nature of the light beam from the UFO.
• Två UFO:s - Soldrivna? (Two UFOs - Solar-Powered?): The witnesses wondered if the UFOs were absorbing sunlight.
• Genom Träsk (Through Swamps): Describes the unusual terrain encountered during the journey.
• Somnade Fjärrstyrda (Asleep Remote-Controlled): Reinforces the idea of the car being controlled remotely.
• Vid Gränsen (At the Border): Details the final moments of the journey and the lack of other vehicles.
• Inget Slitage (No Wear): Mentions that Peter and Frances's car tires showed no wear after the journey.
• Astralfärder (Astral Journeys): Peter discusses his past experiences with astral travel and its connection to the UFO encounter.
• Tidigare UFO (Previous UFO): Peter recalls a UFO sighting in 1964 where his car's electronic equipment was damaged.
• Rymd-Teknik-Forskning (Space-Technology-Research): Discusses extreme temperatures in the universe.
• Ytterligare forskaruttalanden (Further Researcher Statements): Features opinions from scientists like Ray Stanford and Ronald Bracewall on extraterrestrial intelligence.
• Magnetisk Vandring (Magnetic Wandering): Discusses theories about the shifting magnetic poles of the Earth.
• Nya framdrivningsmetoder (New Propulsion Methods): Touches upon magnetic levitation for trains.
• Ny komet dyker upp i mars (New Comet Appears in March): Announcement of a new comet sighting.
• Från Tekniker till Mystiker (From Technician to Mystic): Explores the psychological changes in astronauts, referencing Edgar Mitchell.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around direct UFO encounters, the unexplained phenomena associated with them, and the ongoing efforts to research and understand these events. The editorial stance, particularly from Sven-Olof Fredrikson, emphasizes the need for professionalism, rigorous investigation, and a more serious approach to ufology to gain public and governmental acceptance. There's a clear push for the URD project to become a more structured and effective organization, moving beyond anecdotal evidence to gather more concrete data. The magazine also highlights the potential for advanced extraterrestrial intelligence and the philosophical implications of such encounters.

This issue of "Jorden Runt" (Around the World), identified as issue number 4 and volume 4, published around 1970, delves into the enigmatic phenomenon of the Bermuda Triangle. The magazine presents a blend of personal accounts, scientific skepticism, and speculative theories, aiming to broaden the reader's worldview.

The Bermuda Triangle: A Pilot's Experience

Authored by Alf Tollhag, the section "LJUSSKEN" (The Light) details a harrowing experience of a charter pilot from Miami. While flying over the Bahamas after dark, the pilot encountered an intense, growing light that blinded him and caused his instruments, including the compass and fuel gauge, to malfunction. The autopilot suddenly initiated a sharp right turn, forcing the pilot to take manual control. The electrical instruments failed completely. The light, which seemed to emanate from the aircraft itself, persisted for about five minutes before everything slowly returned to normal. The pilot only later learned about the notoriety of the "Bermuda Triangle" from his colleagues.

"Natural" Explanations for the Mysteries

This section, featuring the headline "EGENDOMLIGA 'NATURLIGA' FÖRKLARINGAR" (Strange 'Natural' Explanations), presents the views of researcher Lawrence D. Kusche. Kusche, who has spent years investigating the Bermuda Triangle, dismisses its mysteries as a fabricated myth. He argues that while individual events may seem inexplicable, they all have natural explanations when viewed collectively. He provides examples, such as the disappearance of five bomber planes, which he attributes to bad weather and a lost pilot whose compass malfunctioned. He also mentions the "flying gas tank" aircraft, known for its leaky fuel lines, and a ship captain's testimony of a plane crashing into the sea in flames. Kusche also addresses the disappearance of the "Marine Sulphur Queen" in 1963, suggesting it was due to hurricane-force winds and the vessel's poor condition. He even claims to have evidence that the ship "Rosalie" never existed and that the disappearance of "Bella" in 1854 occurred far from the Bermuda Triangle. Kusche believes that the emphasis on the mystical aspects of these disappearances is driven more by commercial interests than by serious scientific inquiry. He is supported in his theories by Thomas M. Dinan of Lloyds in London.

Another theory presented for disappearances, particularly of yachts, suggests the area is frequented by drug smugglers who attack and board foreign-registered vessels, then dispose of the crews and smuggle narcotics ashore.

Theories and Speculations

The magazine explores various other theories regarding the Bermuda Triangle. One mentions the possible demise of industrial magnate J.P. Morgner and his family on their yacht "Cinderella" in 1972, found murdered and bound to an anchor. The article notes that many theories have emerged, including those involving sudden, severe storms affecting unseaworthy vessels or faulty aircraft. It also touches upon more speculative ideas, such as localized gravity anomalies or the impact of highly compressed matter, akin to black holes, from outer space. The Tunguska event in Siberia is mentioned as a potential, though unproven, example of such an impact. The theory of underwater bases and alien spacecraft abducting ships and planes is also discussed but deemed lacking in evidence. Charles Berlitz's theory, linking the disappearances to a giant solar crystal from sunken Atlantis that disrupts instruments and pulls vessels into the depths, is also presented. The article notes that a similar triangle phenomenon exists off the coast of Japan and will be discussed later.

Questioning Knowledge and Belief

Under the heading "Vad ska man tro om vetande?" (What should one believe about knowledge?), the magazine presents a critical perspective on scientific claims and popular beliefs. It references a 1975 warning from the American journal "Humanist," signed by 186 leading scientists, including 18 Nobel laureates, which questioned the scientific basis for claims like the sun and moon influencing human lives. The article satirically suggests that those who have experienced sunburn or enjoyed sunsets might have engaged in "guaranteed unscientific events." It poses the question of whether it is better to know one is a believer or to believe one is knowledgeable. Albert Einstein is quoted, expressing humble admiration for the "infinitely high spirit" revealed in the universe, forming his idea of God.

The Nature of Intelligence and Human Understanding

Discussing the possibility of advanced extraterrestrial intelligence, the text references a 1961 scientific report to NASA, suggesting that superior beings might choose minimal contact with humans. It also mentions a proposal by the Inter-American Bar Association for a "Magna Charta of Space," expressing hope for peaceful space policies. The article quotes Estonian physicist Gustav Naan, who wrote about "sound common sense," defining it as the sum of verified experiences and ignorance considered knowledge. The piece concludes by acknowledging the limitations of human intellect in the face of an infinite universe, emphasizing that all knowledge is merely a small part of a larger truth and that no single ideology can explain everything, but collective contributions can improve understanding.

Book Review: "Vid fjärran världars stränder" (Beyond Distant Worlds)

Authored by Bertil Nilsson, this review discusses Andrew Tomas's new book, "Vid fjärran världars stränder" (Beyond Distant Worlds), subtitled "Människan och universum" (Man and the Universe). The review highlights Tomas's previous work, "Vi var inte först" (We Were Not First), which presented evidence of advanced ancient knowledge. In his latest book, Tomas explores the concept of universal life and the possibility of ancient contacts with cosmic travelers. He questions why we should dismiss the idea of current contacts with advanced life forms, suggesting that planning for such encounters is necessary. The review notes that some astronomers, physicists, and biologists are already engaging in these discussions. The book is published by Nybloms förlag and priced at 45 kronor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around mystery, unexplained phenomena, and the search for rational explanations. The magazine seems to adopt a balanced approach, presenting both the sensational aspects of the Bermuda Triangle and the skeptical viewpoints of researchers like Kusche. It encourages readers to question established beliefs and consider broader possibilities, from natural causes to extraterrestrial intelligence and ancient wisdom. The editorial stance appears to be one of intellectual curiosity, urging readers to expand their understanding of the world and the universe, while also cautioning against unfounded beliefs and emphasizing the limitations of human knowledge.