Interplanetary News Service - 1962 vol 1 no 4

Magazine Overview

Title: INTERPLANETARY NEWS SERVICE
Issue: Vol. 1 No. 4
Date: January 1963 (implied by book release date)
Publisher: Universal Publications
Editor: Timothy Green Beckley

This issue of the Interplanetary News Service, Volume 1, Number 4, is dedicated to Advisory Board member Gray Barker. The publication, produced by Universal Publications, features a cover illustration depicting a spaceman, a car, and two flying saucers. The editorial highlights a significant number of UFO sighting reports in this issue and solicits feedback from readers on their preference for reports versus articles. It also announces the upcoming release of a book titled 'Inside the Saucers 1962' in January 1963, with a price of $1.50 in the US and Canada, and $2.00 for foreign editions.

The editor addresses a poke taken by Al Katz, editor of the Cosmic Researcher, and hints at an upcoming article exposing Katz and CORAP. The newsletter is seeking more articles from its members, noting that some readers are good writers. It also announces that Assistant Editor Jerome Clark will begin a column in the next issue discussing UFO researchers and personalities.

Contents and Articles

UFOlogy News Shorts (Page 2): This section provides brief updates on various UFO-related events. It mentions two color photos of UFOs taken in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California. Professor Ivan Troeng of the UFO Research Society of Sweden has reportedly persuaded military authorities to release UFO files to civilian investigators following a wave of sightings in Sweden. George Adamski lectured at the first meeting of the British UFO Association. Reports suggest the Air Force has 'bagged saucers' and spent over $250 million investigating them. A secret source indicated important events would unfold before the end of 1962. The AVRO 'sanner' is mentioned as being in storage in California. The Air Force has stated that radar targets are caused by ice jumbles. A scientist commented on the possibility of life on Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Charles Fort's book, 'The Book of the Damned,' has been reissued. Oradell, New Jersey, is experiencing significant UFO activity with over 30 sightings reported in the past month. James W. Moseley is reportedly on another trip to South America, expected to produce a new book. Max B. Miller is also planning a new UFO publication.

The Little Men in the Saucers: Fact or Fiction? by Dale Rettig (Page 3-4): This article explores numerous stories of 'little men' seen emerging from or inside saucers since 1947. It recounts the case of Marius Dewilde in Quarouble, France, on September 10, 1954. Dewilde was awakened by his dogs and saw two short, wide creatures, about three feet tall, dressed in what appeared to be diving suits, emerge from a dark mass on the railroad tracks. The creatures entered the mass, which then ascended vertically, emitting a reddish luminosity. The case was investigated by police and the Air Force, who found five impressions on wooden ties, each about an inch and a half square, suggesting a weight of thirty tons. Brittle stones at the site indicated high temperatures. The event was corroborated by two people who saw a reddish glow in the sky. Another case from France involves Dr. Henri Robert, a veterinarian near Dieppe, who on October 16, 1954, saw four circular objects. One descended, and as it landed, Dr. Robert felt an electric shock, his car engine died, and his headlights went out. A small creature, just over three feet tall, emerged from the object. Dr. Robert reported the incident despite potential damage to his reputation.

UFO Sightings (Page 5-6): This section details a sighting from November 7, 1957, in Meridian, Mississippi. Driver Malvan Stevens reported being stopped by a large, light-gray egg-shaped object. Two men and a woman, about four feet tall with grey clothing and 'pesty white' faces, emerged and spoke with a 'chattering sound.' The object then ascended rapidly. Stevens' company confirmed his stop, and an 8-year-old girl also reported seeing a moving ball of light. The article notes that Stevens refused to appear on TV. Several 'creature' stories from Venezuela in November and December 1954 are also mentioned, noting the first reports of violence. In one incident on December 9, 1954, Lorenzo Florea and Jesus Gomez encountered four small beings, about three feet tall, emerging from a nine-foot diameter object. The beings attempted to drag Gomez into the object, and during a struggle, Flores used his shotgun, which broke upon hitting one of the beings. The beings then retreated into the craft as a car approached. Police found signs of a struggle, including a machete and a broken shotgun. The boys were initially detained but later released.

Highlights of my UFO Research by Robert L. Dobbins (Page 7-8): This section, presented as a letter from Armand Laprade, discusses fragments that fell in Hartford, Connecticut, on Labor Day, 1960, and in Goodbridge on September 14, 1960. These fused metallic fragments were light in weight and coated with an alloy subjected to tremendous heat. Professor Robert L. Brown of Southern Connecticut State College declared them to be from the Soviet satellite Sputnik IV. The fragments lost weight while retaining their bulk, and even a glass container holding them began to lose weight. The letter mentions attempts to get further information from the 'Evening Register' and Professor Brown without success, but Willy Ley did respond. Willy Ley suggests the pieces could be from a satellite or rocket case that burned up on re-entry, but doubts they are from Sputnik IV, providing re-entry dates for various components of Sputnik IV and Epsilon satellites.

Letters to the Editor (Page 7-9):

• Edward J. Babcock, Jr. expresses satisfaction with the INS bulletin and respect for Mr. Fawcett's articles. He questions the magazine's shift in focus and suggests that UFOs might be hostile, citing Mrs. Coral Lorenzen's book. He criticizes the reporting as poor, particularly regarding Captain Gordon Pendleton's plane's altitude. He also praises Mr. Kusick's and Gene Muplantier's articles and questions the definition of 'contactees,' referencing Aime Michel's work on orthoteny and the 1954 French sighting wave.
• The Editor apologizes to George D. Fawcett for past doubts and agrees that saucers may be hostile. He explains that they avoid printing widely covered sightings and are looking for exceptional cases. He clarifies that Harry Siebert's article was not a reprint and that Dale Rettig's article covers 'little men' encounters.
• Bill Dunn, Jr. thanks Tim for the prompt return and for appointing him Florida District Representative. He discusses sightings in Florida, attributing some to thunderstorms and lightning, and dismissing a 'U.S. Senator' story as a hoax. He suggests a sighting might have been a weather balloon, though the pilots were unsure. He notes the balloon was reportedly 25 times the weight of an equal volume of air, raising questions about its movement relative to clouds. He also mentions the possibility of optical illusions at high altitudes or a 'power-driver craft.'
• The Editor thanks Bill Dunn for his report and agrees it was likely a balloon, though some members might disagree. He encourages further reports.

The Moon Is Inhabited! (Page 10): This is a brief mention of a 129-page book by Columba Krebs, described as science-fiction but with hints of telepathic reception. It includes four illustrations by the author and costs $3.00, available from Symbolart Company. The INS headquarters recommends it for 'gullible readers.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed accounts of UFO sightings, particularly those involving 'little men' or creatures, and the potential hostility of UFOs. The magazine appears to lean towards the belief that UFOs are not benign, citing evidence and expert opinions. There is a strong emphasis on witness testimony and the investigation of these cases, even when they involve potentially damaging personal risks. The publication also shows interest in the scientific aspects, such as the analysis of satellite fragments. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, encouraging reader participation and the sharing of information, while also expressing a clear bias towards the more sensational and mysterious aspects of the UFO phenomenon. The editor actively seeks out unique and exceptional reports to distinguish the publication from others.

This issue of "UFO SIGHTINGS" from 1962, published by the Interplanetary News Service, compiles ten distinct reports of unexplained aerial phenomena from various locations. The magazine presents a collection of eyewitness accounts, investigations, and observations related to UFO activity.

Report #1: Star-Like Object Invades Georgia Skics

Reported in Columbus, Georgia, on August 12, 1962, this incident details numerous calls to a local newspaper about star-like UFOs moving through the city's skies. Despite investigations by the county airport and Lawson Army Air Field, no explanation was found. Some evidence suggested the object could have been Russian cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev's space capsule, but the sightings predated his orbit.

Report #2: Seattle Object Mystery

On September 8, 1962, in Seattle, Washington, an 18-inch long object made of a ceramic material was discovered on a country road. An Air Force spokesman stated they had "no ideas as to its significance or source." A photo of the object was distributed by the Associated Press, and it was sent to Wright Paterson Air Force Base for analysis. Speculation included it being part of an unidentified satellite or related to a recent UFO "flap" in Seattle.

Report #3: Object Sighted in Northern Georgia

On Saturday, September 2, 1962, at 9:30 p.m., amateur astronomer Tim Duncan observed an object in Habersham County, Georgia. Initially thought to be a meteor, it traveled slower than average, starting in the southwest and moving east for approximately 15 seconds. The object, initially of first magnitude, faded to second magnitude, and fragments were seen breaking off. Its color was reported as blue, and it exhibited a slight fuzziness and made no sound.

Report #4: Tiny Rocket Hits Suburb; Air Force Probing

On August 10, 1962, in Des Plains, Illinois, Edward and Alice Hogan heard a "whooshing sound, ending with a loud thud." They found a 12-inch long rocket, resembling stainless steel with four fins, in their backyard. The object smelled of burning sulfur. Des Plains police contacted the Air Force, and Dale Mensching noted it "doesn't look home-made."

Report #5: Mystery Red Light Early Morning Sight

On August 7, 1962, dozens of residents in the Baldwin Hills and southern Hollywood area of Los Angeles reported seeing unidentified flying objects. Accounts varied, with some describing a large red light, while others reported the object changing color from red to white to blue to green. Some observed it hovering, while others noted it moved at great speed. The Federal Aviation Agency stated it had no official report and would not attempt identification.

Report #6: Three Landed Saucers Witnessed by Nine Persons

In late July 1962, in the Everglades National Park, Florida, three rangers and six visitors observed three landed saucers in a clearing. The saucers, described as 18 feet in diameter and 6 feet in depth, levitated slowly and sped off vertically with a low roar and a shrill whistle. A geiger counter brought in the next day "screamed," suggesting a nuclear component.

Report #7: Riddle of the Thing in the Midnight Sky

On September 15, 1962, the Daily Mirror reported an incident in England where Mrs. Myra Jones described a grey luminous object, bigger than her husband's car and domed on top, hovering over their car during a midnight drive on the Leicestershire-Derbyshire border. The object appeared to be revolving and tilted, and then disappeared with a swishing noise. Her husband, Mr. W.G. Jones, did not see the object.

Report #8: UFO Observed by Great Meadows Residents

On the evening of Tuesday, August 21, 1962, John D. Billows and his daughters observed a silvery, metallic, circular object in the sky near Great Meadows, New Jersey. It was estimated to be about the size of a penny held at arm's length and appeared to be flying, lowering slightly over ten minutes.

Report #9: The Bat Man Cometh

On October 10, 1962, the San Francisco Examiner reported on sightings in Tracy, California, where residents claimed to have seen a plane resembling a military jet release two parachutes and a large object resembling a "bat man." This figure was said to glide at high speed over Tracy before disappearing. Despite investigations by local law enforcement and four major Air Force bases in northern California, no information was found.

Report #10: Flying Saucer Hits Car Fender

On August 21, 1962, in Storm Lake, Iowa, Gus Goettsch reported that his car was struck by an object described as a flying saucer while he was traveling on a gravel road. The object, about the size of a paper plate, was seen spinning alongside his car, with sparks dropping from it. It struck the rear fender and disappeared, leaving no mark.

Most Popular Publications

The magazine solicits reader input for their favorite UFO zines, with the top ten to be listed in the January issue. It also requests clippings and personal reports for future publication.

Inside the Saucers (1962)

This section announces a forthcoming 8x11 book, "Inside the Saucers," edited by Timothy Green Beckley, to be released in January 1963. The book promises to reveal "the inside story of the saucers" from the perspective of the Director of Interplanetary News Service, including stories about the Bender Mystery and "men in black." It also touches upon why the Air Force might be sending up mysterious satellites and the government's handling of news regarding fake Russian photos of the Moon's dark side. The book is priced at $1.50 in the US and Canada, and $2.00 for a foreign edition.

Advertisement: The United Federal Observers Research Committee and The UFOlogy Foundation of Ohio

These two organizations have merged to form "The United Saucer Council of Ohio." They aim to investigate UFO sightings thoroughly, both locally and nationally. The announcement provides contact information for their Northern Ohio branch (The Urology Foundation of Ohio) and Central Ohio branch (The United Federal Observers Research Committee). They also announce the upcoming publication of a 16-32 page "PRINTED MAGAZINE" in early 1963, with a subscription and associate membership costing $4.50 per year, including a special pamphlet on recent UFO activity for those who pay in advance.

Highlights of My UFO Research by Robert L. Dobbins

Robert L. Dobbins presents highlights from his sixteen years of UFO research. He recounts interviewing an airport attendant in 1946 about a circular splotch of grass left by a disc-shaped object. In the summer of 1947, he claims to have seen an extraterrestrial space craft hover near Sunray, Texas, describing it as similar in shape and size to those pictured by Adamski. In 1952, he interviewed an F-94 radar observer who scrambled to intercept an object that turned out to be a flying saucer, which outmaneuvered them at high speed. In the spring of 1953, he witnessed disc-shaped objects moving rapidly across the sky in Shreveport, Louisiana, making sharp turns. In the summer of 1956, as part of a moonwatch team in Kilgore, Texas, he observed a large cigar-shaped craft crossing the Moon's surface. He also mentions Roswell, New Mexico, citizens observing a cigar-shaped object in 1958, and an interview with a woman who saw two men walking five feet in midair. He recounts an incident in September 1959 where three saucers stopped three cars in Amarillo, Texas, leaving ground cables in ashes. He also describes a cigar-shaped craft passing over Dalo Dora Canyon and north of Lubbock, Texas. In late 1959, he observed a large cigar-shaped object emerge from a cloud near Morgan City, Louisiana, witnessed by a boat crew. He also mentions a church organist in Louisiana frightened by a hovering UFO and an interview with a boy who saw a disc-shaped object behind his Jaguar. Dobbins notes that the Magdalena and New Mexico areas have had visible activity, including a rancher who saw a saucer pass very close in 1951. He concludes by stating that the U.S. Army is frequently launching missiles in New Mexico, which is becoming a hub for rocketry and space experimentation.

Coming in future issues of the INS Report

Future issues will feature a new contactee story and a fifteen-year summary of flying saucers.

Copies of the first report

Copies of the first report are available for $.25, while issues 2 and 3 are sold out.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across different geographical locations and the consistent reporting of unusual aerial objects with non-conventional flight characteristics. There is a clear focus on documenting these events, often with eyewitness accounts and, where possible, official or semi-official involvement (e.g., Air Force, FAA). The editorial stance appears to be one of serious reporting and investigation into UFO phenomena, presenting these accounts as credible events worthy of attention, even if explanations are lacking. The publication also actively seeks reader contributions and promotes related books and organizations, indicating a commitment to fostering a community around UFO research.