GICOFF-Information - 1977 No 5 No 6

Magazine Overview

This issue of GICOFF Information, volume 8, number 5-6 from 1977, is published by GICOFF, the Göteborgs Informations Center för Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål. The cover prominently features a successful UFO film release in Sweden and a dramatic headline about a UFO landing that shocked schoolboys. The magazine covers a variety of UFO-related incidents, scientific discussions, and historical perspectives.

Editorial and Staff

The editorial team acknowledges a challenging year for GICOFF Information, with some members having to leave due to personal reasons, increasing the workload for the remaining staff: Björn Högman (material, ideas, layout, marketing), Jörgen Karlsson (administration, distribution, information), Leif Nilsson (general tasks), and Bertil Nilsson (space, technology, proofreading, ideas). This has resulted in fewer issues, though some have been expanded to 32 pages from the usual 24.

Cover Story: UFO Landing and Film Release

The cover highlights a successful UFO film being released in Sweden in February/March. The main story, titled "UFO landar, chockar skolpojkar!" (UFO lands, shocks schoolboys!), details an incident in Norway. Two 14-year-old boys, Johnny Myhr and Frank Sverre Mandt, from Holmestrand and Prestfoss, Norway, reported seeing a UFO land in a field near their school in Åsbygda on the evening of October 25, 1977. The object, described as light green with windows, landed on a freshly plowed field, leaving three distinct marks. The boys were frightened and ran to the school. The object then took off and disappeared over a hill. The school's recreation leader, who was on duty, also witnessed a bright, round object moving over the trees. The school principal, Per Björndal, stated that while the event was fantastic, it was clearly something unknown. He also recalled seeing a similar cigar-shaped object with a strong light the previous summer.

Further accounts from Norway include a witness in Vesetrad who saw a bright light moving at high speed from south to north, and a witness in Steinsåsen who observed a light ascending vertically and then moving horizontally. Another report from Odli describes a bright light moving southwest, and a witness in Vikersund saw a yellow, round light moving silently over Tyrifjorden. On November 5, a witness reported seeing five luminous spheres moving in formation over Tyrifjorden.

UFO Incidents in the USA

The magazine also reports on UFO sightings in the United States. One article details an incident in Danbury, Connecticut, on August 30, 1976, where at least six police officers and a hundred townspeople witnessed a bright, flashing object that moved erratically for two hours. Police officers Robert Paust and Peter Winter, along with others, observed the object, which was described as a luminous horseshoe-shaped object. Officer Winter took several photos of the phenomenon. Another report from Eastern Tennessee on January 11, 1977, describes police officers observing a silent, glowing UFO with red, white, and blue lights, and an amber steady light, estimated to be at an altitude of 500 meters.

The Chilean Soldier Case

A particularly unusual case is presented concerning a Chilean soldier, Corporal Armando Valdes, who reportedly disappeared for 15 minutes in a violet light near a secret army post on April 25, near the Bolivian border. When he returned, his watch indicated five days had passed, and he had a five-day-old beard. He claimed to have been called by the light and experienced a form of communication. The military government in Chile has reportedly forbidden further interviews with the soldier. The incident was investigated by 'The Enquirer', and witnesses corroborated the soldier's altered appearance and state of shock.

Space Exploration and Science

An article titled ""Rymdåldern" 20-årsjubilerar!" ("The Space Age" Celebrates 20th Anniversary!) commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Soviet Union launching Sputnik in October 1957. It recounts the early space race between the Soviet Union and the USA, mentioning key figures like Yuri Gagarin and John Glenn, and the differing approaches to astronaut landings. The article also touches upon the historical development of rocketry, referencing Jules Verne, Soliokovskij, Robert Goddard, and Wernher von Braun, and the role of V1 and V2 rockets in military research.

Another section discusses the search for organic molecules in space, with British researchers Fred Hoyle and N.C. Wickramasinghe finding complex substances like formalin, hydrogen cyanide, and alcohol radicals in nebulae, suggesting the potential for life's building blocks to exist beyond Earth.

A brief article, "Inget nosande på Halley" (No sniffing at Halley), discusses the potential cancellation of a mission to meet Halley's Comet in 1986 due to high costs, despite the comet's historical significance and predictable appearances.

Other Phenomena

The magazine also includes reports on other unexplained phenomena:

• "Livets byggstenar i rymden" (Life's Building Blocks in Space): Discusses the discovery of complex organic molecules in nebulae.
• "Vem ska äga rymden?" (Who Shall Own Space?): Addresses territorial claims over space by equatorial countries and the utilization of space by industrialized nations.
• "Är utbrott från vulkaner under vattnet en förklaring till "dödens trianglar"?" (Are Underwater Volcanic Eruptions an Explanation for the "Death Triangles"?): Proposes underwater volcanic activity as a possible cause for mysterious disappearances in oceanic areas, referencing a Soviet study of underwater mountain ranges with active volcanoes.
• "Kvark spårad?" (Quark Tracked?): Reports on the potential discovery of a new elementary particle at Fermi-lab, possibly a quark, a theoretical concept from physics.
• "Ljusfenomen i tvättställ" (Light Phenomenon in Washbasins): Describes a recurring light phenomenon in washbasins during thunderstorms in Strycksele, northern Västerbotten, which has no clear scientific explanation.
• "KAKTUS SNEDTÄNDE!" (Cactus Catches Fire!): Details an incident where a cactus in Jämshög suddenly caught fire, with static electricity and greenhouse heat suggested as possible causes.

Film Review: "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

An article titled ""Närkontakt av tredje graden"" (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) announces the Swedish premiere of Steven Spielberg's film in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö in February/March 1978. It highlights the film's potential to break box office records, surpassing even Spielberg's previous hit, "Jaws" (Hajen). The article clarifies that "Close Encounters" is not a sequel to "Star Wars" but was planned and filmed earlier. It emphasizes the film's exploration of the question of whether humanity is alone in the universe and the existence of advanced life forms.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, landings, and encounters, alongside scientific exploration of space and unexplained phenomena. GICOFF Information maintains a stance of investigating and reporting on these topics with a degree of seriousness, often citing witness accounts, police reports, and scientific inquiries. The magazine aims to inform its readers about UFO phenomena and related scientific and speculative subjects, encouraging engagement and information sharing, as indicated by the call for help to promote the "Close Encounters" film.

This issue of GICOFF INFORMATION, dated 1978 and part of Volume 9, Issue 1, focuses on UFO phenomena, featuring a detailed report on a purported alien abduction case in Brazil and numerous sighting reports from Sweden. The magazine's cover highlights a sensational UFO landing on the Canary Islands, promising a fuller report.

The Sidney Walker Abduction Case

The central story details the disappearance and alleged abduction of Sidney Walker, a 33-year-old man from Sao Goncalo, Brazil, on June 14, 1976. Walker reportedly left his home to buy cigarettes and was seen being enveloped by a light beam from a UFO. The cafe owner, Vasco de Freitas, witnessed this and was paralyzed by an unknown force. Walker's family initiated a search, and his disappearance was reported in the newspaper 'O Dia'. His brother, Edson, who was in the Brazilian Army, tried to find him. After days of fruitless searching, Edson placed an advertisement. Other investigation agencies, police, and the army were also involved. Sidney's mother suffered a stroke upon hearing of his disappearance.

Days later, a letter dated July 8, 1976, arrived from Sidney, postmarked July 12, and received on July 14. It was addressed to his mother, Dona Lidia da Cunha Walker, and written from Natal in the north. In the letter, Sidney assured his family he was safe and asked about their well-being, mentioning his son Adriano. He also instructed his father to take care of his tools and his wife, Lidia, to continue union payments.

Another letter, addressed to his brother Edson, requested 700 Cruzeiros for a ticket home, describing his suffering and loneliness. He urged Edson to ask their father and grandmother for the money, emphasizing it was for Adriano's sake.

Edson, upon receiving the letters, contacted federal police, who eventually located Sidney in Alecrim, Natal. He was found living in a hut with an elderly couple. Sidney was disoriented and could not fully explain his experience. He was taken to an INPS medical center where doctors noted symptoms of partial amnesia, alternating with moments of clarity. He was advised to be hospitalized in Rio de Janeiro upon his return.

Edson reunited with Sidney at the medical center, a tearful reunion. Sidney, still confused, recounted being pulled upwards by an unknown force, losing consciousness, and waking up among coconut trees. He was helped by an elderly couple who provided him with food (manioc, olive oil, coconuts) and shelter in their hut. He eventually decided to contact his family for help.

Sidney underwent medical treatment at ASPEG Hospital, where he had numerous red circular marks on his body, approximately 2 cm in diameter, attributed to suction. The report notes these marks were smaller than those from cupping glasses but more numerous.

Further reports from 'O Dia' indicated that other witnesses in Bairro do Gradim also saw three flying saucers in the sky around the time of Sidney's disappearance. Two witnesses, Martinaldo de Castro and Joao Cavalcanti de Albuquerque, claimed they saw three flying saucers pass overhead just before Sidney was reportedly taken up by one of them. They expressed fear and later connected the event to Sidney's disappearance.

Despite attempts by his family, Sidney could not recall the details of his experience beyond buying cigarettes, feeling pulled upwards, losing consciousness, and waking up in Alecrim. He was unable to remember the date or how he got there. The report mentions that his date-indicator watch had moved forward five days, suggesting he might have been taken aboard a craft with a different time zone.

UFO Observations in Sweden

The magazine also features several UFO sighting reports from Sweden:

• Sätila, September 18, 1971: Benny Johansson, an amateur astronomer, observed a luminous object about 30 degrees above the horizon for 2-3 seconds. He described it as resembling a crescent moon but brighter and with a yellow color, similar to the moon but distinct from it. He ruled out misidentification with the moon, meteors, Mars, or car headlights.
• Sweden (undated, circa 1970): Benny Johansson also reported a strange light phenomenon captured on a black and white film using a Kodak Brownie camera with a 30-minute exposure. The photograph showed a bright streak, possibly Capella, but the phenomenon appeared and disappeared inexplicably.
• Hässleholm, September 14, 1977: The Falk family observed a red, clear, and bright object near their home that moved in waves, spinning and changing direction. They estimated its size to be 2-5 meters in diameter.
• Dingle, September 13, 1977: An oblong, brightly shining object was seen moving east-west, emitting yellow and red light and beams of light before disappearing.
• Stenungsund, September 15, 1977: Two students reported an unexplained bright light over Lake Hällungen, described as a large, oblong mirror illuminated by a strong spotlight.
• Floda and Mockfjärd, September 14, 1977: Several people witnessed a bright, clear point of light, larger than a star, with a yellow tail, moving over the forest.
• Kramfors, September 14-17, 1977: Residents reported seeing a yellow-green orb moving back and forth over the paper mill.
• Bal, September 20, 1977: A strong light was observed in the sky, originating from a bright point that moved horizontally and changed speed.
• Öland, September 8, 1977: A woman reported seeing a bright, blinding blue-violet light that turned orange and yellow before disappearing.

Other Content

The issue also includes a review of the book "UFO En fantastisk verklighet" (UFO An Amazing Reality) by Boris Jungkvist, which takes a pro-extraterrestrial stance on UFO phenomena. It also mentions the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and its scientific advisor, Professor J. Allen Hynek. A section on "UFO Observations Over Sweden" provides brief reports from various locations. The magazine also features information on subscribing to GICOFF INFORMATION and ordering back issues.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alleged alien abductions, and unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting witness testimonies and reports from various sources, including newspapers and personal accounts. The magazine seems to favor the extraterrestrial hypothesis for many UFO events, as indicated by the book review and the overall tone of the articles. There is an emphasis on collecting and disseminating information on UFOs, encouraging readers to share their own experiences and to subscribe for more information.