Ground Saucer Watch Bulletin - 1980 12 - December

Magazine Overview

Title: GSW NEWS BULLETIN
Issue: DEC '80
Date: December 1980
Publisher: Ground Saucer Watch (Civilian Aerial Phenomena Research Organization)
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA

This issue of the GSW News Bulletin, dated December 1980, delves into critical aspects of UFO research, featuring an editorial on the future of the field, a detailed critique of a prominent UFO case, and statistical data on reported sightings.

Directly Speaking: Where is UFO Research Going in the Eighties?

William H. Spaulding, Director of Ground Saucer Watch, addresses the challenges facing UFO research as the 1980s begin. He notes that many are asking about the next steps, especially after the government's effective halting of FOIA requests related to UFOs. Spaulding observes two main beliefs: that new information will surface through major incidents or government leaks, or that continued data collection will merely add to existing reports without proving anything new. He highlights the cyclical nature of public and media interest in UFOs, influenced by popular culture like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "Star Wars." However, he notes a decline in interest and reports in 1980, attributing it to recurring patterns and possibly public apathy, suggesting that sensationalized stories and disclaimers are no longer sufficient. Spaulding points to recent news about crashed saucer cases and reports from Switzerland (referring to the Meier incident) as examples of how serious research efforts can be regressed, especially with the rise of anti-ufologists who, while not necessarily having superior facts, are well-organized. He concludes that UFO research is heading "nowhere but down" but sees hope if fundamental steps are taken. He suggests a united position on contact cases, proposing a white paper on such reports. He also advocates for more researchers to investigate crashed saucer cases and to publish detailed data. Spaulding proposes a shift in focus, suggesting that if the government is unwilling to release UFO reports, researchers could pursue FOIA requests related to military/intelligence experimentation, advanced aircraft, special projects, rocket testing, or germ warfare as a backdoor approach. GSW intends to actively pursue these areas.

Regarding the Federal Hypothesis

A letter from Val Parks expresses fascination with Spaulding's "Directly Speaking" article, calling it a fresh approach. Parks suggests that if governments possess "flying" apparatus that appear to be UFOs, then either they are real or made to appear so. He believes that investigating the technology supporting these craft could lead to revelations. Parks questions the expense of rocket propulsion systems for weaponry and space travel if flying saucers are a Federal decoy, posing frightening possibilities for the future.

Map of Sightings

This section presents a map of the United States showing the number of sightings logged by GSW-East & West. It clarifies that not all sightings constitute "real" UFOs. The data indicates:

• 300 called-in reports of UFOs.
• 39 hard copy reports received.
• An unknown rate of 2.0 percent from August to November 1980.
• Arizona numbers do not include local advertisement airplanes (5 sightings).
• The sightings cover the period from August to November 1980.
• 400 sightings were attributed to bright stars, the planet Venus, and other celestial or conventional misinterpretations.
• Numerous reports from Arizona during a rocket launching from Vandenberg AFB in September 1980 are also mentioned.

Additional data shows: All Others - 13, Mexico - 8, Canada - 5.

The Meier Incident - The Most Infamous Hoax in UFOLOGY! (Critique)

By Kal K. Korff, Director of Research UFOlogy & Parapsychology Departments at the Institute of Paranormal Science and GSW researcher.

Introduction:
Korff introduces the Billy Meier case based on the book "UFO...Contact From The Pleiades," which details Meier's alleged over 130 contacts with aliens, extensive notes, and clear photographs of their craft. The book claims an investigation by Wendelle Stevens and others validated Meier's claims. Korff states that if true, it would be a remarkable occurrence, but he intends to show that the events cannot withstand scientific scrutiny.

The Experiences - The Claims:
According to the book, Meier's first extraterrestrial experiences began on January 28, 1975. However, articles in Argosy UFO Magazine suggest his first sighting was on June 2, 1942, at age five. Meier also claimed to have ridden a pear-shaped UFO with an "old man" in the same year. Korff notes that Jim Lorenzen of APRO, initially quoted as endorsing the book, actually considered the Meier photographs "art," not science.

Analysis of Evidence:
Wendelle C. Stevens, a partner in Genesis III Productions (the book's publisher), claimed Meier sought no publicity, yet documentation shows Meier planned a book as early as 1977. Genesis III described Meier as someone who "gets great satisfaction out of fooling authorities." The book alleges computer analysis by De Anza Systems showed Meier's pictures to be authentic. However, Wayne Heppler of De Anza Systems categorically denied performing an analysis, stating they only enhanced a picture to make parts stand out, which was then photographed by Meier's associates (Jim Dilettoso and Thomas Welch) who never returned. Heppler confirmed De Anza Systems lacked the capability for such an analysis. An unpublished paper by Wendelle Stevens mentioned an analysis by Neil Davis of Design Technology in Poway, California. A check with Design Technology revealed their analysis was inconclusive and did not prove the validity of the photographs. The book claims Meier photographed a Swiss fighter attacking a UFO, but Korff points out there's no visible evidence of this in the photos. Genesis III's explanation that the pilot only tracked it on radar, not saw it, is questioned by Korff.

Further Claims and Criticisms:
Korff disputes Meier's claim of numerous witnesses, noting the book provides no statements or descriptions from them. He also finds Meier's claim that aliens originated from the Pleiades illogical, as "Pleiades" is an Earth term, and the star cluster is too young and unstable to support life. Meier's camera allegedly being jammed for years, hampering focus, is questioned; Korff wonders why it wasn't repaired if he had so many contacts. The "wisdom" allegedly imparted by aliens is described as basic, pseudo-religious quotes advocating reincarnation and pantheism. Dr. James Hurtak, who read Meier's writings, called the correspondence "latter day patchwork" and a "spirited allusion" rather than genuine ancient knowledge, noting it offered no quantum jump over ancestral knowledge.

Materials and Conclusion:
The Pleiadeans supposedly gave Meier unique crystals, four metal samples, and one biological sample. Dr. Marcel Vogel tested these samples and found only the first unique (aluminum, silver, thulium); the others were ordinary crystals like quartz and amethyst, not of extraterrestrial origin. Nuclear Physicist Stanton T. Friedman found Meier's spacecraft sketches unimpressive and "aerodynamically stupid," comparing the "Variation Type-5 Craft" to the Jupiter II from "Lost in Space." The book's final pages connect the Pyramids, Temple of Hathor, Parthenon, and Devil's Tower to the Pleiades, which Korff deems pseudo-religious archaeology with little relevance to Meier's experiences.

Summary and Conclusion:
Korff concludes that the Meier case is a hoax, lacking any evidence. He quotes Wendelle Stevens in a letter to Jim Lorenzen: "As you well know, Jim, the book was never designed to present any hard facts..." The article highlights that GSW researcher Kal Korff, with assistance from Al Reed, detailed the "unknown facts" surrounding this hoaxed incident. An 80-page expose on the Meier case is available from GSW for $7.50.

Why UFO Research Will Fail

BY: William H. Spaulding

Spaulding reiterates his concerns about the future of UFO research, stating it will "fail very soon" due to the shortcomings of those involved. He laments that after over thirty years of investigation, little data has been obtained, and there is no unified policy on the phenomenon's origin. He believes UFO researchers have harmed their own cause more than media sensationalism or hoaxes. Outsiders often perceive ufologists as sincere but lacking answers. Spaulding identifies several key problem areas:

1. Slipping Popularity: Public and media apathy towards UFOs is noticeable. UFOs are a temperamental news item, dependent on the volume of quality incidents or sensational reports, often exploited for monetary gain.
2. Lack of United Front: UFO researchers and organizations fail to present a united front regarding their goals, objectives, or analyses. Media interviews often feature conflicting viewpoints from different organizations or experts, confusing the public.
3. Contrasting Goals: Major UFO organizations have divergent goals – some focus on extraterrestrial origins, others on abductions or the paranormal, while some simply maintain it's a mystery. A common issue is the lack of communication and data dissemination between organizations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes a critical and analytical approach to UFO phenomena. The editorial stance, particularly in Spaulding's articles, is one of concern over the lack of progress and professionalism in the field, advocating for more rigorous research methods and a unified approach. The critique of the Billy Meier case highlights a skepticism towards sensational claims and a demand for verifiable evidence. The publication appears to prioritize factual investigation and debunking unsubstantiated claims, while also acknowledging the ongoing mystery of UFOs and the need for continued, albeit improved, research. The inclusion of a map of sightings and a discussion on the challenges of research suggests a commitment to data collection and analysis, even amidst skepticism.

This document, likely a compilation of articles and correspondence related to UFOlogy, includes content from a GSW December Lecture, internal memos, and a FOIA document. The primary focus is on the challenges and potential solutions for UFO research, government involvement, and specific sighting reports.

GSW December Lecture: "UFO's - The Proper Perspective"

Presented by GSW, Inc. on December 5, 1980, in Phoenix, Arizona, this lecture, the tenth in an annual series, featured William Spaulding as the speaker. The presentation aimed to provide "The Proper Perspective" on UFOs, incorporating updated information from Freedom of Information Act requests and an ongoing lawsuit against the CIA. Over 2500 pages of analyzed classified material were to be presented, along with a new visual show including photographs and documents. A key element of the lecture was a new theory detailing the possibility that the UFO phenomenon has been used by the government for political or psychological reasons. Evidence suggested that 'crashed saucer' reports might be government cover-ups for clandestine testing of rocket firings, rather than evidence of alien visitation.

Challenges and Recommendations for UFO Research

Several points highlight the difficulties within the UFO research community:

• Limited Active Researchers: There are fewer than five hundred active ufologists in the country, pursuing research on a non-hobby basis.
• Organizational Fragmentation: Most researchers belong to multiple organizations, leading to mixed priorities and political issues between groups. A lack of a clear cure for this fragmentation is noted, as organizations depend on membership dues.
• Lack of Scientific Breakthroughs: Despite decades of sightings, there has been little scientific advancement in technology, techniques, or analysis methods.
• Incomplete Data: A vast database of UFO reports exists, but most are incomplete or lack crucial information for realistic evaluation.
• Poor Communication and Data Sharing: There is minimal communication and data sharing between UFO organizations, hindering the dissemination of reports and the generation of new interpretations.
• Lack of Absolute Proof: UFO researchers lack substantial material offering absolute proof, beyond evidence of government cover-ups, bonafide sightings with supportive evidence, and the existence of an unknown phenomenon.
• Ineffective Conferences: Major UFO conferences have not yielded workable solutions, with well-presented papers often lacking proposals for future action or processing of data.
• Philosophical Differences: A significant problem is the philosophical divide between 'believers' (focusing on contact cases, abduction syndrome, and extraterrestrial hypotheses) and 'non-believers' (explaining sightings as hoaxes, misinterpretations, or mental issues).

To address these issues, the document proposes several recommendations:

1. Incorporate Splinter Group Ideas: Dissatisfied researchers' ideas should be heard and evaluated by major organizations and implemented if sound.
2. Define Research Categories: Major research categories should be defined, with assigned groups evaluating their importance to finding solutions (e.g., the value of studying abduction cases, UFO photographs, hoaxed incidents, and scientifically verifiable cases).
3. Elect Spokespersons: A team of spokespersons should represent UFO research at major press conferences, including both prominent figures and field investigators.
4. Standardize Techniques: Field investigative techniques should be standardized through a UFO handbook covering investigations, photo evaluation, witness interrogation, and equipment usage.
5. Centralize Data: Data should be disseminated to a central clearinghouse or provided to major organizations to facilitate comments and address overlooked information.
6. Find Common Cause: Researchers should unite on common goals, potentially involving lawsuits against the government for information, objective studies of trace cases, or evaluations of UFO report prerequisites.
7. Assemble Key Reports: Two dozen of the 'best' UFO reports should be assembled and presented to anti-UFO groups and the scientific community to challenge negative assessments based on witness profiles.
8. Investigate All Hypotheses: Major hypotheses of UFO origin should be investigated and formally reported on, rather than being dismissed as ambiguous or obscure.
9. Issue Assignments with Timeframes: Assignments should be given realistic Julian time frames for completion, with findings published in UFO journals or as special joint reports.

The author expresses optimism that new approaches will surface and hopes these thoughts will be discussed, warning that a lack of new ideas and methods will lead to frustration and the departure of valuable researchers.

Geo-Magnetics and UFOs: A Canadian Perspective

A memorandum from the Department of Transport, dated November 21, 1950, discusses research into geo-magnetics and its potential connection to UFOs. The investigations into radio wave propagation led to studies of aurora, cosmic radiation, and geo-magnetism. A crude experimental unit successfully abstracted energy from the earth's field, demonstrating basic principles. A self-sustaining unit was designed, potentially leading to a new technology. The memo notes that investigations into flying saucers, particularly those discussed in books like "Behind the Flying Saucer" and "The Flying Saucers are Real," suggest they operate on unknown magnetic principles. The author believes their work in geo-magnetics might be the link to understanding saucer technology. Discreet inquiries through the Canadian Embassy in Washington revealed that the subject is highly classified by the U.S. government, even more so than the H-bomb, and that "Flying saucers exist!" A small group headed by Doctor Vannevar Bush is making a concentrated effort, and the matter is considered of tremendous significance. The U.S. authorities are investigating various lines, including mental phenomena, and expressed interest in discussing geo-magnetics with Canadians. The author feels their geo-magnetic theory aligns closely with available saucer information and proposes a "PROJECT MAGNET" within their organization to study magnetic phenomena, with coordination maintained under security regulations and reports classified.

"Hangar #18" Movie and Government Information

This section addresses inquiries about a movie titled "Hangar #18," produced by Schick Sunn Classic Productions (later Taft International Pictures, Inc.), concerning 'crashed saucer' incidents. GSW is printing two letters to clarify the movie's perspective. One letter from Julia J. Mair requests information on government UFO investigations and "Wright-Patterson's infamous Hangar 18," noting that while original Hangar 18 stories were hoaxes, a top-secret intelligence installation existed at Wright-Patterson during the 40s-50s, purportedly where spacecraft and alien bodies were brought after a 1949 crash in Aztec, New Mexico. The letter states their film is fiction but seeks material surrounding the legend. Inquiries to the Defense Department, CIA, Pentagon, Air Force, and National Archives yielded no information, but a Lt. Col. Delimitros confirmed JANAP-146 E was in effect. A second letter from Melanie J. Morrison states that Taft International Pictures understands Ground Saucer Watch does not necessarily endorse the views presented in the film.

Suggested Reading and GSW Publications

The document lists recommended publications for UFOlogists, including those from the Center For UFO Studies (CUFOS), The Australian UFO Bulletin, Retrievals of the Third Kind by Len Stringfield, MUFON's Symposium Proceedings and UFO Journal, and JUST CAUSE. It also details the GSW News Bulletin, published three times annually, featuring "Directly Speaking" by William H. Spaulding, organization news, and articles on UFOlogy. Subscription information is provided.

Unidentified Flying Objects Over Algeria (FOIA Document)

A FOIA document from the U.S. Embassy in Algiers, dated March 7, 1975, reports on sightings of unidentified flying objects over Algeria. The sightings began in January 1975, shortly after the appearance of three American journalists in Bechar, who were reportedly there to cover a balloon launch. The objects were seen near military installations by responsible people and were described as strange "machines" with a very bright light that obscured their shape. They maneuvered, were seen to land, and had been observed five times, usually around 7:00-7:30 PM. Sightings occurred near Oran, in the center of the country, near Bechar, and off the coast on March 6. The document notes that the Algerians asked the U.S. Embassy for information due to the timing of the sightings relative to the journalists' presence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are the challenges and disorganization within the UFO research community, the potential for government secrecy and manipulation of information regarding UFO phenomena, and the exploration of scientific and technological aspects, particularly geo-magnetics, as a potential explanation for UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical analysis of the current state of UFO research, advocating for more structured, scientific, and collaborative approaches, while also acknowledging the possibility of genuine, unexplained phenomena and government involvement. The GSW organization positions itself as a source of information and a platform for discussing new theories and research directions.

This document is a page from a publication identified as 'GSW', specifically page -19-, suggesting it is part of a larger issue. The content focuses on reports of unidentified aerial phenomena, primarily a mysterious balloon sighted in Algeria, and includes a holiday message from the GSW staff.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The page details a sighting that occurred at approximately 1930, initially detected by radar and then visually. The object was observed at an altitude of about 15,000 meters, with other occasions noting an altitude of 2,000 meters. A key point emphasized is that the object was always seen by more than one person, ruling out hallucination. The observer did not seem worried but took the reports seriously.

A significant portion of the text discusses a previous interaction where Algerians had inquired about a mysterious balloon, but their queries had elicited no information. This new sighting is presented as another instance. The Algerians, following the deployment of the sixth fleet, wondered if these sightings were a result of fleet maneuvers. The GSW representative stated that while it was possible for a phenomenon off the coast to be produced by the fleet, no American aircraft, machines, balloons, or anything else were using Algerian airspace without explicit permission. Nevertheless, a message was to be sent to appropriate civilian and military authorities to inquire about relevant information.

Another report, 'our 2447', mentioned a mysterious balloon sighted by Algerians near Oran on January 25. This is believed to be the first sighting referred to in the current conversation. While no other data on times is available, it is assumed the Algerians can provide more information if interested. The GSW's assessment is that the Algerian military is generally matter-of-fact, and they likely saw something. However, they suspect it might be a natural phenomenon that has caused mild hysteria and repeated reports. Despite this, given the level at which the query was made, the GSW must take it seriously.

An action request is made for any addressees to shed light on the matter, particularly concerning an alleged radar sighting on March 6-7. The sender notes that 'Parker' has already rejected theories that the object was a satellite or a searchlight bouncing off clouds.

Holiday Message

The page concludes with a 'HOLIDAY MESSAGE' from the entire GSW staff. They extend warm holiday greetings to all members and supporters, expressing genuine appreciation for their contributions during the past year. The message anticipates that continued efforts during 1981 will add a significant contribution towards UFO research and the organization's overall goal. It concludes with wishes for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme is the investigation of unidentified aerial phenomena, specifically focusing on a series of balloon-like sightings in Algeria. The GSW appears to adopt a serious and investigative stance, attempting to gather information from official sources and encouraging contributions from its readership. While acknowledging the possibility of natural explanations and 'mild hysteria,' the organization commits to taking reports seriously and pursuing research. The holiday message indicates a forward-looking perspective, emphasizing the importance of member support for ongoing UFO research.