JUFOF - Issue 105 - 1996 03

Magazine Overview

This issue of the German journal "JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG" (Issue 105, May/June 1996, Volume 17) is published by the Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Phänomens (GEP) e.V. The cover prominently features "UFO-BEOBACHTUNGEN" (UFO Sightings) and highlights articles on UFO investigations, a critical look at MUFON-CES, and the debunking of the "Santilli Alien UFO Crash Site" claim. The magazine focuses on detailed case analyses, witness testimonies, and critiques of UFO research organizations.

Featured Articles and Content

Bibliography Update

A notice announces the updated 1996 edition of a bibliography covering over 800 titles on "Extraterrestrial Life, UFOs, and Pre-Astronautics" from 1703 to 1995. This expanded edition includes explanations, abbreviations, systematic and chronological overviews, a pseudonym index, and lists of specialized journals and international bibliographies. It is available as GEP-Sonderheft 10 for DM 20.00 (DM 16.00 for GEP members).

Editorial: "Liebe Leser!"

Gerald Mosbleck opens the editorial with a sarcastic tone, referencing a new UFO novel by MUFON-CES affiliates. He strongly criticizes MUFON-CES and its leader, Illobrand von Ludwiger, for their polemical attacks, personal insults, and pseudoscientific claims. Mosbleck highlights MUFON-CES's recent legal setback, where their case against Rudolf Henke was dismissed, suggesting it exposed their incompetence. He also touches upon the Roswell autopsy case, noting a dermatologist's claim that the body was a girl with progeria, a conclusion Mosbleck finds questionable.

UFO Sightings - Documentations and Evaluations

This section presents detailed analyses of several UFO sightings:

• Case 19940902 A (Duisburg-Wedau, Germany, 1994-09-02): Two witnesses reported a large, round, bright orange object with black protrusions and blinking yellow lights hovering near the autobahn. The object was filmed, but the film quality was poor. The investigation concluded that a "balloon cluster" is the most probable explanation, classifying it as a "NEAR IFO" (Identified Flying Object).
• Case 19921019 A (Bielefeld, Germany, 1992-10-19): A witness described a large, round light with a black strip and blinking red and green lights moving silently. The GEP's evaluation suggests this was likely the landing lights of an aircraft seen through clouds, classifying it as "NL/IFO" (Not Classified/Identified Flying Object).
• Case 19921101 B (Schwemsal, Germany, 1992-11-01): Witnesses reported a long, matte black, cigar-shaped object with no wings, emitting black-orange smoke, that accelerated rapidly. The investigation, based on limited information, suggests it could be an aircraft with condensation trails, classifying it as "DD/IFO" (Data Deficient/Identified Flying Object).
• Case 19950831 B (Kalbe, Germany, 1995-08-31): Multiple witnesses reported seeing mysterious lights in the sky during fireworks. The investigation identified this as a "light effect device" used for a festival, classifying it as "NL/IFO".
• Case 19930101 D (Eckental, Germany, 1993-01-01): Witnesses observed a strange object during New Year's fireworks. The GEP concluded it was likely a "model hot-air balloon" based on its appearance and behavior, classifying it as "NL/IFO".
• Case 1989 (Frankfurt-Zeilsheim, Germany, approx. 1989-00-00): Two witnesses reported seeing a large, U-boat-shaped object with lights. The investigation found conflicting details and insufficient data, classifying it as "NL/IFO".

"UFO" Causes Commotion in Kalbe

This news report from the "Altmark Zeitung" describes an incident in Kalbe where a bright, hovering light caused excitement among residents who believed it was an extraterrestrial landing. The phenomenon was later identified as a "light effect device" from a local festival.

UFO-Grüße aus dem Jenseits? (UFO Greetings from the Beyond?)

• CE-1 Case from Lajen, South Tyrol, Italy (October 1993): Manfred H. and his wife, along with another couple and the innkeeper Gertraud S.-H., independently witnessed a bright light. The investigation, led by Rudolf Henke, involved comparing witness testimonies. While the initial witnesses described a brief light, the innkeeper reported a longer duration and a red, fiery appearance. The GEP suggests the phenomenon could be a "Near IFO" (Scheinwerfer + Modell-Heißluftballon), noting discrepancies in witness accounts and potential influence from discussions.

MUFON-CES Blames Itself in Court

Gerald Mosbleck details the legal battle initiated by MUFON-CES against Rudolf Henke. MUFON-CES accused Henke of defamation for his critical statements regarding their methods and organization. The article outlines MUFON-CES's arguments, including their use of questionable definitions, pseudoscientific classifications, and cult-like structures. The court questioned MUFON-CES's legal standing as an unincorporated association. Ultimately, MUFON-CES withdrew the lawsuit, incurring significant legal costs and facing public embarrassment. The article criticizes MUFON-CES's attempt to silence critics through legal means.

Information from Socorro: The "Santilli Alien UFO Crash Site" is a Flop!

Uli Thieme reports on the debunking of the alleged discovery of the "Santilli Alien UFO Crash Site" in New Mexico. The claim was made by Michael Hesemann, Johannes von Buttlar, and his wife, who purportedly found the site in 1995. The article suggests this claim, like the Santilli film itself, is likely fabricated.

Short Notes (Kurz Notiert)

• Johannes von Buttlar purchased a "Dr. rer. nat." title, leading to a legal case for title misuse.
• A mention of military UFO encounters and contact cases in Germany.
• A literature recommendation: "Worauf warten wir noch? - Sie kamen vom Mond" (CD-ROM Extreme Phänomena).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently adopts a critical and analytical stance towards UFO phenomena and organizations. There is a strong emphasis on rigorous investigation, evidence-based evaluation, and debunking of unsubstantiated claims. The GEP positions itself as a serious scientific research body, contrasting its methods with what it perceives as pseudoscientific or sensationalist approaches, particularly those of MUFON-CES. The editorial tone is often skeptical but open to genuine unexplained phenomena, prioritizing rational explanations while acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge. The magazine serves as a platform for detailed case studies, critical reviews of literature and organizations, and a forum for discussion within the German UFO research community.

This issue of the "JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG" (Journal for UFO Research), issue 105 from March 1996, focuses on critical investigations into UFO phenomena, particularly a controversial alleged UFO crash in New Mexico, and reviews various UFO-related literature and media.

Michael Hesemann's Socorro UFO Crash Investigation

The main article, "Michael Hesemann an der Absturzstelle heute" (Michael Hesemann at the crash site today), details Hesemann's investigation into a claimed UFO crash near Socorro, New Mexico. He describes finding a site with melted and vitrified sand, suggesting an object had emitted intense heat. Hesemann was led to the location by details from a cameraman, purportedly involved in recovering the object.

However, the journal presents a skeptical counterpoint through correspondence with the New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources. Geologist Dr. Richard M. Chamberlin, responding to Hesemann's claims, disputes the location and the interpretation of the evidence. Chamberlin states the alleged crash site is in an old riverbed, not a dry lake, and that there are no signs of unnatural earth movements or a cover-up operation. He also points out discrepancies in Hesemann's reported distances and timelines, suggesting a lack of rigorous research.

Robert Eveleth, a mining engineer familiar with the Socorro region, is cited as stating that local newspapers from the period of the alleged crash (1947) made no mention of such an event.

Buff Ledge UFO Case History

Another significant case detailed is "ENCOUNTER AT BUFF LEDGE: A UFO Case History" by Walter N. Webb. This section describes a double abduction of two teenagers in August 1968 near Buff Ledge, Vermont. Webb's investigation, spanning over five years, involved detailed witness interviews and hypnosis sessions. A key aspect highlighted is that the two witnesses did not communicate about the event for 11 years, making collusion unlikely and lending credibility to their independent accounts.

Literature and Media Reviews

The issue includes several reviews of books and software related to UFOs and the paranormal:

• "WORAUF WARTEN WIR NOCH? Begegnungen der Dritten Art: Gestern - Heute - Morgen" by Alfred Buberl: Reviewed critically by Hans-Werner Peiniger (hwp), who finds the book to be a redundant collection of known ufological phenomena without adding new insights. Peiniger criticizes the author's uncritical acceptance of claims, such as those by Adamski and Billy Meier, and his superficial treatment of topics like crop circles.
• "DAS EWIGE LEBEN IM JENSEITS: Die naturwissenschaftliche Lösung aller Menschheits-Rätsel" by W. Ahrheit-Volle: Also reviewed by hwp, this book proposes a new physical worldview suggesting the afterlife is a wave-based realm and that UFOs are holographic projections from this realm. hwp expresses skepticism, finding more plausible explanations for UFO phenomena.
• "SIE KAMEN VOM MOND: Das neue Bild unserer Vorgeschichte" by Walter Closs: This review discusses Closs's interpretation of myths suggesting ancient knowledge of space travel and extraterrestrial contact, including a theory about the moon being captured by Earth. The reviewer questions the astrophysical plausibility of the author's theories.
• "Simon und die außerirdischen Raumschiffe" by Dieter Wiergowski: A children's novel reviewed by hwp, which introduces UFO themes and esoteric concepts. The reviewer expresses concern that such books might present uncritical esoteric ideas to children.
• "EXTREME PHÄNOMENE: Das Unerklärliche im Kosmos" (CD-ROM) by Wilhelm Ziehr: Reviewed by hwp, this CD-ROM covers UFO phenomena and parapsychology. While generally factual and critical, hwp notes some commentary is superficial and suggests audio testimonials would have been beneficial.
• "CD-PLANETARIUM: Sternenhimmel am PC": A review of astronomy software, noting its utility for reconstructing UFO sighting scenarios but finding it less comprehensive than other professional programs.
• "UNKNOWN REALITY: DIE WELT DES UNERKLÄRLICHEN": A publication offering news and topics from ufology and pre-astronautics.

Other Articles and Sections

• "UFOS IM ALLTAG" by Hans-Werner Peiniger: This section highlights how UFO themes appear in everyday life through advertising (e.g., a 'Millimax' alien for milk), television (VIVA channel), and products like glow-in-the-dark UFO stickers.
• "Militärische UFO-Begegnung und Kontaktfall in Deutschland?": A brief report about a claimed sighting in Löhne, Germany, in 1987, involving a UFO and a German Air Force jet.
• LESERBRIEF (Letters to the Editor): Gerhard Cerven writes a strongly critical letter to Michael Hesemann, accusing him of lying about magazine circulation figures, financial mismanagement of events, and promoting questionable items like 'mummified alien fingers'.
• "Lebensentstehung im All möglich": A short piece reporting the detection of the amino acid glycine in the Sagittarius B2 dark cloud, suggesting that the chemistry of life on Earth might not be unique in the galaxy.
• ""UFOs" FROM THE VOLCANOES" by Egon W. Bach: This book proposes that UFOs are volcanic objects that travel vast distances. The reviewer notes the author's unconventional theory and the book's accompanying photographic evidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently adopts a critical and investigative stance towards UFO phenomena. While presenting various cases and theories, it often includes skeptical analysis and expert opinions to question sensational claims. The reviews of literature and media demonstrate an effort to contextualize UFO reports within broader scientific and psychological frameworks, often highlighting the importance of rigorous research and critical thinking. The editorial stance appears to favor evidence-based analysis over unsubstantiated speculation, as evidenced by the detailed debunking of the Socorro crash claim and the critical reviews of several books.