Inforespace - No 48 - 1979

Magazine Overview

Title: Inforespace
Issue: No. 48
Volume: 8th year
Date: November 1979
Publisher: SOBEPS (Société Belge d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux)
Country: Belgium
Language: French

This issue of Inforespace, the Belgian bimonthly magazine dedicated to ufology and spatial phenomena, marks the end of its 8th year with issue number 48. The cover prominently features the magazine's title and the main themes of ufology and spatial phenomena.

Editorial

The editorial, written by President Michel Bougard, reflects on the past year as being particularly fertile for SOBEPS, marked by significant modifications, deep reorganizations, and ambitious projects. These include the establishment of a sky observation network, the creation of a new slide collection, and the organization of a 'first forum for parallel research' in collaboration with KADATH. The editorial also highlights a significant development: the exclusive French translation rights for J. Allen Hynek's 'International UFO Reporter'. Starting in 1980, this new publication will complement Inforespace, offering monthly, high-quality ufological information. Bougard expresses gratitude for the collaboration with J.A. Hynek and his team, emphasizing the need for reader support through subscriptions to the 'International UFO Reporter' to ensure the success of this international venture. He also announces the introduction of a membership card in the coming year and special 'honorary member' cards for those who provide a support contribution. The editorial concludes with a plea for timely renewal of subscriptions, as they are crucial for the continuation of SOBEPS's work, and extends best wishes for the upcoming year.

Key Articles and Features

Roundtable with Dr. Hynek

This section details a conversation with Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a prominent ufologist, held in London and continued in Brussels. Hynek discusses the primary concern of CUFOS (Center for UFO Studies) being the need for funds to continue its work, which could lead to reduced public information if not secured. He mentions efforts to make the 'International UFO Reporter' more attractive, though he fears a potential loss of quality. Regarding the scientific community's perception of UFOs, Hynek notes a mixed response: a significant percentage of researchers believe UFOs exist, and many find the Condon report's conclusions inconclusive. However, he acknowledges that UFOs have not yet achieved full scientific acceptance due to the anecdotal nature of most reports. He also touches upon the challenges of classifying UFO reports, referencing his earlier system and David Saunders' Ufocat, which contains around 50,000 reports. Hynek explains that Ufocat is primarily a catalog to trace primary sources.

When asked about the existence of genuine UFO reports, Hynek cites an example of a misidentified advertising plane described as a circular object with a dome and 'telepathic contact' with occupants, suggesting that ufology can reveal much about human perception. He asserts that the consistency of reports describing similar phenomena worldwide, even bizarre ones, warrants scientific interest. He also points out that serious reports exhibit internal coherence and that the continuous influx of reports, despite official dismissals, supports their persistence. Hynek refutes Philip Klass's theory that social anxiety fuels UFO sightings, citing the lack of a post-Spielberg film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' UFO wave as evidence.

He notes that the most unusual cases in the US occur in sparsely populated areas, a contrast to Belgium's high population density. Hynek also clarifies that he did not visit witness Marius Dewilde as described in a French magazine article, nor did he offer to accompany him to the US or Lebanon.

Regarding L. Stringfield's book, Hynek states that he cannot verify the identities of sources due to confidentiality issues, suggesting that the secrecy might be to hide ignorance rather than knowledge. He praises Raymond Fowler as an excellent investigator. On Jacques Vallée's 'Messengers of Deception', Hynek, considering Vallée a friend, believes he overemphasizes the cultist aspect of the UFO phenomenon from a sociological viewpoint.

Hynek's current ideas for advancing ufology include continuing to collect reports, treating it as a serious scientific endeavor, and moving beyond amateur involvement to allow for professional collaboration, though financial constraints are a major hurdle. He stresses the need for more thorough investigations, quantifying data, and specifying the presence or absence of information, emphasizing that reports with only one witness are of little value.

Our Investigations: Three Lights in a Triangle

This section presents a compilation of eight distinct sightings of a triangular formation of three luminous sources, primarily from Belgium, spanning from 1959 to 1972. The reports consistently describe objects of similar characteristics, often noted for their lack of sound and unusual movement patterns. The earliest cases, predating the SOBEPS investigation network, are summarized briefly. Subsequent detailed accounts include:

• April 3, 1959, Kapellen: Three orange objects in a V-formation moving west.
• December 18, 1966, Anvers: Three non-scintillating 'stars' in a triangle, moving N.-W.
• April 21, 1968, Laeken: Three 'large stars' in a triangle at 50° elevation, disappearing into clouds.
• July 1969, Corbion: Three lights formed a triangle, stopped, and then departed in different directions at varying speeds.
• October 20, 1971, Deurne: Three immobile red lights in a triangle moved E.-O.
• October 1971, Yvoz-Ramet: Three white lights in a triangle formation moved at 50° elevation, leaving a white trail.
• January 6, 1972, Berchem-Ste-Agathe: Three golden, fire-colored lights in a triangle with a faint downward beam. Witnesses included M. M. Van den Abbeel and M. Füssen, who described the lights as oval with diffuse edges and a smaller apparent diameter than the full moon. The formation moved at a constant speed, estimated at 300m altitude, and disappeared like a turned-off television screen. The event also involved a brief interaction with a passing motorist and two women observing from a window.

The investigation notes that the phenomenon was not accompanied by any sound and did not cause public lighting disturbances. The duration of the observation was estimated at 30 seconds. The witness M. Van den Abbeel was deeply impressed, describing a sensation of becoming 'lighter'.

Service Librairie de la SOBEPS

This section lists books available for purchase from SOBEPS, including:

• 'Des Soucoupes Volantes aux OVNI' by Michel Bougard (SOBEPS edition) - FB 380
• 'La Chronique des OVNI' by Michel Bougard (J-P Delarge edition) - FB 460
• 'A Identifier et le Cas Adamski' by Jean-Gérard Dohmen (Travox edition) - FB 490

• 'Mystérieux Objets Célestes' by Aimé Michel (Seghers edition) - FB 440

Payments for books and subscriptions are to be made to the SOBEPS CCP account or bank account.

Subscription Information

Details are provided for subscription rates for the year 1980, with options for ordinary, student, and support subscriptions, listed for Belgium, France, and other countries. The magazine is published six times a year, with 36-40 pages per issue, plus a special issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes a scientific and rational approach to ufology, as advocated by Dr. J. Allen Hynek and promoted by SOBEPS. The magazine seeks to collect and analyze reports objectively, distinguishing between genuine phenomena and misidentifications or hoaxes. There is a clear commitment to providing comprehensive and quality information to the public, evidenced by the collaboration with the 'International UFO Reporter'. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, encouraging reader participation and contributions while maintaining a critical and evidence-based perspective. The recurring theme of detailed investigation is exemplified by the 'three lights in a triangle' case study, showcasing the meticulous work of the SOBEPS network.

This issue of Inforespace, published in French and focusing on UFO phenomena, features a collection of international reports and an in-depth discussion on the nature and methodology of ufology. The cover headline, "Et si l'ufologie n'existait pas ..." (What if ufology didn't exist...), sets a critical tone for the editorial content.

UFO Sightings

The magazine details several UFO sightings, primarily from Belgium in 1972 and a notable incident in Italy in 1977.

Belgian Sightings (July 1972):

• July 4, 1972 (Faymonville, Liège): A single bright white light was observed at high altitude, followed by three white lights in a triangle formation over Lamonriville. Later, 45 witnesses in Lamonriville saw three white lights in a triangle moving silently from southeast to northwest.
• Lambermont (near Verviers): Three luminous spheres flew slowly east to west, describing a wide arc.
• Liège: Several people saw three very luminous spheres flying slowly east to west.
• Grâce-Hollogne: Three young boys observed three luminous points in a triangle formation moving east-west for five minutes. An isolated observer confirmed this.
• Flawinne (Namur): M. Marcel Philippe distinctly observed three luminous sources.
• Spy (Namur): A couple saw a formation of three white points moving east-west.
• Ath (Hainaut): Three luminous discs with blurred contours moved from east-southeast to west-northwest.
• Ellezelles (Hainaut): A young farmer witnessed three blueish light beams descending from a luminous cloud in a triangle formation around him.

Other Belgian Sightings:

• January 1972 (Laeken, Brussels): An 18-year-old witness saw a "big star" zig-zagging at low altitude, which resolved into three distinct points in a triangle formation before disappearing.
• July 8, 1972 (Lamonriville, Liège): A group of witnesses observed a triangular formation of three white taches progressing silently south.
• July 14, 1972 (Liège): Three luminous points in a triangle formation moved from northwest to southeast, then accelerated and ascended.
• July 16-19, 1972 (Duinbergen, West Flanders): M. Roger Pauwels observed three luminous spheres moving slowly and silently over the sea, disappearing abruptly.
• August 24, 1972 (Irchonwelz, Hainaut): Mme F.D. observed three white luminous points in a triangle near the moon, moving rectilinearly from southwest to northeast at 70° elevation, disappearing rapidly.

Italian Sighting (August 31, 1977):

• Sturno (Avellino): MM. Rocco Cirullo and Michele Giovanniello, driving near Sturno, observed a red light, then a green light, and two white lights. They then saw an articulated silhouette resembling a humanoid with silver-white reflections, moving a few steps towards them. They returned with others, including Antonio Pascucci, Amalio Capobianco, and Arturo d'Ambrosio. The humanoid creature was observed again, gesticulating and pointing to the sky. A bright white light emanated from its head, illuminating the surroundings. The creature was estimated to be over 2 meters tall, wearing a metallic suit. Traces, including impact marks forming a triangle and footprints, were found at the site. Analysis of rock samples revealed calcium carbonate, magnesium, iron, and quartz. The witnesses were later hypnotically regressed, with Mario Sisto examined by a psychiatrist and Michele Riefoli by another.
• Gesualdo (near Sturno): Other witnesses reported observing a strange "shooting star" for several days, a red ball that stopped and projected a red light towards the ground, then disappeared. They described it as a "sign of the devil."

Ufology Debate: "Et si l'ufologie n'existait pas..."

Jean-Luc Vertongen critically examines the field of ufology. He notes the shift from "flying saucers" to "OVNI" (UFO), suggesting it was a way to distance the subject from ridicule and gain a semblance of scientific legitimacy. However, he argues that "ufology" as a discipline is still nascent and suffers from a lack of scientific rigor.

Key Arguments:

• Terminology: The term "OVNI" is ambiguous, encompassing objects that might be explainable and those that are truly anomalous. The author prefers to focus on "unexplained aerial phenomena" (PHANEX).
• Lack of Scientific Method: Many "ufologists" jump to conclusions without proper investigation. The author emphasizes the importance of a scientific method: observation, data compilation, identification, experimentation, synthesis, and generalization.
• Quality of Research: Much of the existing research is poorly conducted, with investigators lacking competence and relying on anecdotal evidence rather than systematic analysis. The author highlights the need for better training of investigators and systematic cross-checking of information.
• Critique of "Official Science": Vertongen dismisses the idea of a monolithic "official science" that suppresses UFO information. He argues against paranoia and the myth of a secret cover-up, suggesting it plays into the hands of detractors.
• Role of Private Groups: He believes that private groups, like SOBEPS, are best positioned to conduct this research independently, free from the constraints and potential compromises of governmental or academic institutions.
• Focus on Data: The author advocates for a statistical analysis of available data to identify significant characteristics and potentially reveal underlying patterns, citing Claude Poher's work on the duration of phenomena and studies on solar activity correlation.
• Humility and Doubt: Essential qualities for researchers are honesty and doubt, the willingness to question everything and progress based on evidence.

Vertongen concludes that ufology, as a distinct scientific field, does not yet exist. He stresses the need for rigorous, patient, and humble investigation, focusing on the phenomena themselves rather than preconceived notions or the pursuit of "respectability."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the need for a rigorous, scientific approach to the study of unexplained aerial phenomena. It critiques the sensationalism and lack of methodology often found in ufology, advocating instead for careful data collection, analysis, and hypothesis testing. The magazine highlights the importance of witness testimony but stresses the necessity of verifying such accounts through systematic investigation. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, seeking to advance the understanding of these phenomena through disciplined research rather than speculation or unfounded theories.

Events and Publications

The issue also announces upcoming events, including a forum organized by SOBEPS in collaboration with KADATH, featuring conferences on UFOs and archaeology. It mentions presentations by Jean-Claude Bourret on "OVNI: THE ARMY-LE," Jacques Victoor on "THE BALLET OF THE GIANTS" (Stonehenge), and a film on "ETUDE D'UN CADAVRE DATANT DE 200 ANS A.C."

This issue of "Vagues d'OVNI et inquiétudes" (UFO Waves and Anxieties), part 2, delves into a critical analysis of the relationship between UFO sightings and societal conditions, primarily focusing on economic factors and psychological influences. The content is predominantly textual, featuring in-depth arguments and critiques, with a few illustrative graphs and figures.

Article 1: Turin Hypnosis Case

The issue opens with an account from August 31, 1977, detailing a hypnosis session involving two individuals who claimed to have witnessed a UFO. The session, conducted by neurologist Franco Granone, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Turin, took place on January 30, 1978. Professor Granone confirmed that the individuals were deeply hypnotized and recounted their experiences, stating their sincerity and the reality of their perceived event. He suggested that only extensive brainwashing could produce similar results, and even then, it would leave detectable traces.

Article 2: Analysis of Viéroudy's Thesis

The core of the issue is a detailed critique of P. Viéroudy's work, which posits a correlation between economic crises and UFO waves. The author systematically dismantles Viéroudy's arguments, pointing out several flaws:

Viéroudy's Methodology and Data

• Limited Timeframe: Viéroudy's statistics on economic activity stop in 1960, despite claiming to cover the period up to 1974. The author offers to provide additional titles for the later period.
• Contested Economic Criteria: Viéroudy's reliance on short-term interest rates as an indicator of economic activity is questioned. The author suggests using more comprehensive indices like industrial and agricultural production, commercial balance, and price indices.
• Inconsistent Correlations: Viéroudy's assertion that UFO waves coincide with economic crises is challenged. The author notes that the 1957 UFO wave does not fit this pattern and is instead attributed by Viéroudy to the launch of artificial satellites, a claim the author finds astonishing, especially when contrasted with the lack of a UFO wave during the 1969 moon landing.
• Geographical Selectivity: The article questions why only certain countries (e.g., France and Spain) experienced UFO waves during periods of alleged global economic crisis, while others did not.
• French Economic Data: The author presents data to refute the claim of an economic crisis in France during certain periods, citing increases in GNP and stable prices.
• Stock Market Indices: Viéroudy's use of stock market indices is also critiqued, with data showing significant progression during periods of alleged crisis.

Critique of Viéroudy's Specific Waves

• 1947 Wave (USA): Viéroudy attributes this wave to economic crisis, but the author argues that US economic indicators show rapid progression, not crisis.
• 1952 Wave: The author notes that interest rates were high in all three states (USA, France, England), contradicting Viéroudy's crisis explanation.
• 1954 Wave: This wave is noted to have primarily affected France and Spain, again questioning the global economic crisis theory.
• 1959 Wave: Viéroudy dismisses this wave due to a lack of extensive archives, a tactic the author finds convenient for explaining away inconvenient data.

Psychological Triggers and 'Snowball Effect'

Viéroudy also proposes a theory of psychological triggers, suggesting that a prominent press-covered UFO sighting can initiate a public psychosis, leading to a wave of reports. The author refutes this by citing the Kenneth Arnold case, where numerous earlier sightings existed before Arnold's.

For the 1973-1974 wave, Viéroudy links it to the Turin sighting, but the author points out that the peak of the wave occurred months later, questioning the direct trigger effect. The article also references J.C. Bourret's findings that a publicized UFO observation night yielded no significant results, suggesting that media sensitization does not necessarily increase genuine sightings.

Critique of Viéroudy's Conclusions

The author concludes that Viéroudy's demonstration is selective, incomplete, subjective, and historically erroneous. Viéroudy's theory that UFO waves are both psychological and physical, induced by collective anxiety, is deemed untenable because the state of anxiety is not consistently proven, and the theory cannot be applied globally across time and geography.

Article 3: Unemployment as a Trigger

Viéroudy later shifts his focus to unemployment as a generator of anxiety. The article scrutinizes Viéroudy's proposed correlations between unemployment figures and UFO waves in France and Spain.

Flawed Data and Graphs

• Inaccurate Statistics: The author points out discrepancies in unemployment figures provided by Viéroudy, particularly for France in 1962, 1963, and 1964, where Viéroudy's numbers differ significantly from official Ministry of Labor figures.
• Manipulated Graphs: The article claims that Viéroudy's graphs are inaccurate. For France, the year 1973 is allegedly omitted, distorting the unemployment curve and the corresponding UFO observations. Similar errors are found in the Spanish graph, where reported UFO numbers do not align with the visual representation of the curve.

Critiques of Unemployment Argument

• Persistent Unemployment: The article notes that unemployment has not decreased since 1974, yet UFO waves have not become constant, contradicting the idea of a direct link.
• Lack of Evidence: It is questioned whether the unemployed experience more unusual celestial phenomena than other social groups.
• Selective 'Escamotage' (Omission): The author accuses Viéroudy of selectively omitting data, such as periods of high unemployment that did not coincide with UFO waves (e.g., 1949-1950, 1953, 1959, 1962-1963) and periods of low unemployment that did coincide with waves (e.g., 1952, 1965).
• Spanish Data: Spanish data is presented to show a lack of correlation, with low unemployment in 1959 coinciding with a significant number of UFO sightings.

Article 4: Defining Public Anxiety

To counter Viéroudy's narrow focus on economic crises, the author proposes a broader framework for understanding public anxiety, identifying six main categories:

1. Wars: Fear of defeat, loss of loved ones, economic disruption, suppression of liberties.
2. Natural Calamities: Routine events (earthquakes, volcanoes) leading to habituation, and accidental events (floods, climate disruptions, epidemics) causing greater anxiety.
3. Serious Political Crises: Threats to state stability, such as unstable regimes, coups d'état, dictatorships.
4. Major Economic Crises: Beyond cyclical downturns, including financial crises (devaluation, capital flight), stock market crashes, supply shortages, overproduction, poor harvests, and unemployment.
5. Societal Crises: Moral and psychological issues, including questioning traditional values (family, religion), anti-parliamentarianism, terrorism, and a rejection of materialism.
6. Fear of the Future: Anxiety about the year 2000, pollution, nuclear war, societal collapse.

The author argues that immediate post-war periods (e.g., 1919-1922 in Europe) often combine multiple crisis criteria, leading to significant public anxiety.

Conclusion on Anxiety and UFOs

The article concludes that it is futile to focus on a single criterion of anxiety, especially a narrow one like economic indices. It asserts that while public anxiety can manifest in various ways (suicide, emigration, revolution, drug use, etc.), it does not typically manifest as UFO sightings. The author suggests that a more rigorous and comprehensive approach is needed to study the phenomenon of UFO waves and their potential connection to societal conditions.

Erratum

A correction is noted for previous errors in an article by Jacques Scornaux regarding P. Méheust's views on UFO hypotheses and a phrase about catching flies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the critical examination of ufological theories, particularly those attempting to link UFO phenomena to socio-economic factors. The editorial stance is clearly rationalist and skeptical of unsubstantiated claims, advocating for rigorous methodology, comprehensive data analysis, and a critical approach to interpreting evidence. The article strongly refutes the idea that economic crises or unemployment are direct causes of UFO waves, emphasizing the need for a broader understanding of societal anxiety and the limitations of selective data analysis.

This issue of "Les grands cas mondiaux" (The Great World Cases) focuses on the phenomenon of UFO occupants, with a primary emphasis on the detailed account of the "Kelly" incident, presented as the first part of a larger report. The magazine issue is dated March 1978 and is a synthesis of a larger dossier compiled by Robert J. Stevens for the Center of UFO Studies, directed by J. Allen Hynek.

The History of UFO Occupant Reports

The article begins by tracing the history of reports concerning UFO occupants, noting that in 1947, during the initial wave of UFO sightings, the topic of occupants was largely ignored or dismissed. It was generally assumed that UFOs were secret American aircraft, and the idea of extraterrestrial origin was confined to sensationalist journalism. However, the text points out that reports mentioning occupants did exist in 1947, citing three specific examples from local newspapers:

1. Webster, Massachusetts (June 19, 1947): A woman observed an object the size of the moon passing by, with a slender figure inside wearing what resembled a Navy uniform.
2. Tacoma, Washington (July 7, 1947): During a period of intense sightings, witnesses saw several objects, some landing on rooftops. They reportedly saw "little men" who vanished upon the arrival of journalists.
3. Texas (July 8, 1947): A merchant marine from Acres Home, near Houston, witnessed a silver saucer land. A small pilot, about 60 cm tall with a large, round head, emerged, saluted the witness, re-entered the craft, and took off.

The author notes that these accounts, particularly the last one, were often written with irony and not taken seriously, as the public and press were already troubled by the "flying saucer" phenomenon and hesitant to add the enigma of "little men with big heads." These stories remained local and were not picked up by major news agencies.

The article then draws a parallel to the 1897 wave of "aerial navigators," whose observations remain enigmatic. It also mentions the "phantom rockets" of Scandinavia in the summer of 1946, which included two reported cases of occupants:

• Ängelholm, Sweden (1946): A man observed a disk on two crutches with an empennage in a wooded area. Around it were eleven human-like beings of both sexes, dressed in white overalls and spherical helmets. When the man approached, one being signaled him to stop. He observed the disk take off rapidly, and traces were found.
• Oklahoma City, USA (late August 1946): An employee saw a large, vertically oriented disk. Behind its windows, she perceived occupants with round, bald heads. The disk then leveled, ascended, and disappeared quickly.

The first widely reported sighting of occupants in the American press occurred on August 19, 1949, in Death Valley, California. Two prospectors saw a 7-meter diameter disk fly past them at high speed (around 500 km/h) and crash. Two dwarfs with human-like features emerged and fled upon seeing the witnesses, who pursued them in vain.

Around the same time, retired Major Donald E. Keyhoe of the US Marines was investigating pilots' accounts. His findings were published in the January 1950 issue of "True" magazine under the title "Flying Saucers Are Real." This publication was a significant presentation of the extraterrestrial hypothesis, although Keyhoe himself did not explicitly discuss occupants, their presence was implied by the extraterrestrial vehicles. The article notes that the topic later acquired a "most unfortunate reputation."

The first book specifically on UFO occupants was Frank Scully's "Behind the Flying Saucers," which described a fantastic account of chocolate-colored humanoids found dead in crashed saucers in the southwestern United States. The author states that this poorly written and demonstrated book caused serious researchers to tend to reject all humanoid reports.

The 1950s and the Humanoid Phenomenon

During the March-April 1950 wave, several reports of humanoids seen through saucer windows emerged. One notable case involved a man named Thompson near Morton, Washington, who reported seeing a large saucer surrounded by about 45 occupants dressed in "Adam's attire" who claimed to be from Venus and invited him to join them. Thompson claimed to have spent forty hours in their company.

Reports of occupants decreased in 1951 but reappeared later, often describing humanoids seen inside flying or hovering saucers. An account from Oskar Linke, an East German mayor who fled to the West, described his daughter and him seeing an object on the ground near Hasselblad on June 17, 1950. Two small beings in shiny, one-piece aluminum suits emerged, entered their craft, and took off.

In 1953, the case of Brush Creek, California, received significant publicity. A man named Black encountered a small humanoid pumping water. Given previous saucer sightings in the area, a large gathering of people expected a new visit on July 20, but nothing occurred, leading to the witnesses being labeled as hoaxers.

The article criticizes the publication of Leslie and Adamski's book, "Flying Saucers Have Landed," which described personal encounters and telepathic conversations with idealized Venusians delivering noble messages. This "best-seller" spawned a genre of "contactees" and their literature. The author attributes the negative perception of the humanoid issue largely to Scully and Adamski, noting that serious researchers became wary, especially since occupant reports were fewer than general UFO sightings and often lacked thorough investigation. At the time, there was no extensive network of competent investigators.

The text then examines six inconsistent reports from 1954 in the US and Canada:

• Chicago, Illinois (April 8, 1954): A woman saw a bright object over Lake Michigan. A small being in green attire emerged from the object. The object then returned to hover over the lake and disappeared.
• Garson, Ontario (July 2, 1954): A man encountered tall, six-armed beings who hypnotized him.
• Hemmingford, Quebec (August 7, 1954): Two adolescents saw a spherical object land, from which a tall being in a black jumpsuit emerged and pursued them.
• Oklahoma (mid-August 1954): A Native American woman encountered a "space man" with dark skin and long hair who predicted terrible disasters.
• Coldwater, Kansas (September 2, 1954): A 12-year-old boy saw a "little man" fly to his hovering saucer, leaving footprints in a plowed field.
• Dearborn, Michigan (September 30, 1954): A man saw a disk-shaped object with a crew of 14 small men dressed in green.

The author posits that if UFOs are extraterrestrial, some must be occupied, and it's probable occupants would leave their craft. However, the difficulty in distinguishing truth from falsehood in these reports led researchers to remain non-committal. This stance was reinforced by numerous extraordinary stories from Europe in late 1954.

South American and US Reports of the 1950s

In early 1955, reports of alien encounters began to arrive from South America, which were harder to dismiss. Six impressive encounters in Venezuela in November and December 1954 involved small, hairy humanoids with luminous eyes and prodigious strength, emerging from or entering hovering objects. In three cases, these beings exhibited hostile behavior. These reports contained detailed and realistic circumstances.

In the summer of 1955, humanoid reports also emerged from the United States, but with a key difference: while foreign reports directly linked humanoids to saucers, US reports often had an uncertain or missing connection. However, these beings shared traits with their foreign counterparts: small stature, large luminous eyes, and clawed hands. Notably, no 1955 American reports described the tight-fitting suits frequently mentioned in France and Italy. These reports prompted serious, firsthand investigations.

The year 1955 marked a turning point for ufologists regarding the occupant problem. Convincing European and American reports led to the recognition that the issue warranted systematic, firsthand research. Investigations conducted in the summer of 1956 on American cases concluded that witnesses reported real perceptions, and the described beings could not be confused with terrestrial creatures.

The Kelly, Kentucky Encounter (August 1955)

One of the strangest encounters, the "little men" of Kelly, Kentucky, was subjected to extensive investigation by Bud Ledwith and Isabel Davis. This case forms the first part of the current report.

Background: Hopkinsville is a city in southwestern Kentucky. Kelly is a small farming community nearby. The incident occurred on the farm of the Sutton family.

The Event: On the evening of Sunday, August 21, 1955, the Sutton farm was occupied by eight adults and three children. Around 7 PM, Billy Taylor reported seeing a "flying saucer" descend into a nearby ravine. Later, around 9:30 PM, the family dog began barking violently. Lucky Sutton and Billy Taylor went to investigate and saw a "little man" approaching the house. The creature was about 1.05 meters tall, with a large, round head, and enormous, claw-like hands. Its eyes were large, phosphorescent yellow, and set wide apart. The being emitted a strange, metallic light.

The Confrontation: The men, armed with shotguns, fired at the creature. It recoiled but quickly recovered and disappeared into the darkness. Another being appeared at a side window, and they fired again, seemingly hitting it. When the men went outside, they encountered more beings. Lucky Sutton fired at close range at one creature that turned the corner of the house, and another being was seen floating down from the roof after being shot.

Witnesses and Descriptions: The primary witnesses were members of the Sutton family and their guests: Mrs. Glennie Lankford, Lucky Sutton, Vera Sutton, J.C. Sutton, Alene Sutton, Lonnie Lankford, Charlton Lankford, Mary Lankford, Billy Ray Taylor, June Taylor, and O.P. Baker. Mrs. Lankford, described as a strong, honest woman, was particularly adamant about the reality of the event. The beings were described as having metallic bodies, phosphorescent in the dark, with no visible sexual characteristics or odor. They moved with unusual speed and agility, sometimes appearing to "float." They did not exhibit overt hostility but seemed curious, observing the house through windows and doors. The beings were described as having large, clawed hands and thin legs that seemed to serve only for balance. Their bodies were uniformly phosphorescent, but appeared matte metallic in light.

The Investigation: The police chief of Hopkinsville, Russel Greenwell, who had previously witnessed a UFO, was involved. The investigation involved detailed interviews and examination of the site. The report notes the difficulty in determining the exact number of shots fired and the precise sequence of events, as the beings seemed to reappear after being seemingly driven off. The encounter lasted for several hours, with the beings reportedly returning multiple times.

Escalation and Conclusion of the Night: As the night wore on, the women and children became increasingly terrified. Around 11 PM, everyone piled into cars to seek help in Hopkinsville. The article concludes this part of the report by stating that the investigation was thorough and the witnesses' accounts were considered credible, despite the bizarre nature of the events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFOs and associated phenomena as serious subjects worthy of investigation. The editorial stance appears to favor the extraterrestrial hypothesis, or at least the idea that these phenomena are not easily explained by conventional means. The detailed reporting of cases like Kelly, along with the inclusion of historical context and references to various books and researchers, suggests a commitment to exploring the UFO mystery comprehensively. The magazine also serves as a platform for promoting related literature, as evidenced by the extensive bibliography of UFO books at the end of the issue.