Just Cause - 1992 06 - No 32 - New Series

Magazine Overview

Title: JUST CAUSE
Issue: 32
Date: June 1992
Publisher: Lawrence Fawcett
Editor: Barry Greenwood
Address: CAUS, P.O. Box 218, Coventry, CT. 06238
Rates: $15 US, $20 Foreign

This issue of JUST CAUSE focuses on the discovery of official records pertaining to the World War II phenomenon known as 'Foo-Fighters.' The magazine presents evidence and accounts that shed light on these mysterious aerial objects, alongside other historical UFO-related incidents.

First Official Foo-Fighter Records Discovered

The lead article details CAUS's effort, launched in January 1992, to locate documentation on Foo-Fighters from World War II. These phenomena were reported by pilots on both Allied and Axis sides during bombing and air defense missions in the European and Pacific theaters. Described as balls of light, about a foot in diameter, bright, of varying colors, and capable of easy maneuverability, they were generally a nuisance rather than a threat.

The press became aware of Foo-Fighters in December 1944, with widespread coverage on January 2, 1945, initially assuming they were Nazi secret weapons. Activity abated by the end of January 1945. The term 'Foo-Fighters' was a nickname given by pilots of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, derived from the comic strip 'Smokey Stover.'

Clues to wartime records emerged from declassified Air Force Intelligence files from 1947 and 1952. Former bomber crew members had contacted the Air Force about their Foo-Fighter experiences, hoping it would illuminate the flying saucer sightings of those years. A 1952 letter from Lt. Col. W.W. Ottinger of the Directorate of Intelligence's Evaluation Division stated that an evaluation of Foo-Fighters was conducted at the war's end, concluding there was nothing to the phenomenon, though the study was never made public.

The article highlights the 415th Night Fighter Squadron's role, whose mission was to intercept Nazi aircraft. Their unit history, found on microfilm roll frame 1515, briefly documented Foo-Fighter sightings. A summary noted an 'outstanding feature' in late October when Captain Edward Schlueter and Lt. Don Myers encountered 'Foo Fighters' in the Rhine Valley, initially doubting their combat fatigue until other crews reported similar sightings, establishing the phenomenon.

The 'War Diary' of the 415th NFS provided day-by-day accounts. Entries detail encounters: on November 27, Lt. Schlueter reported a red light near Pt. A. On December 15, an operations report from Ochey Air Base, France, described a brilliant red light moving at 200 MPH near Ernstein. On December 18, in the Rastatt area, pilots named the phenomena 'Foo-Fighters' after sighting red and green lights.

Further encounters are detailed from frame 1614: on December 23, near Hagenau, two lights approached an aircraft, flew on its tail, and then disappeared; an 8th mission reported two orange lights. On December 24, a pilot observed a glowing red object that shot upward and disappeared. On December 28, two sets of red and white lights were seen, followed by orange lights appearing singly and in pairs.

The article notes that the intensity of activity in December 1944 likely contributed to the press leak in January 1945. A final entry from January 30, 1945, described amber lights sighted between Wissenbourg and Langau.

Regarding the nature of Foo-Fighters, the official records offered no definitive explanation, only that they were not a threat. Theories included hallucinations, alien ships, or natural phenomena. A 1952 letter from Albert Rosenthal of Washington, D.C., who was a fighter controller with the 64th Fighter Wing, mentioned repeated reports of similar phenomena from Beaufighter crews, theorizing 'St Elmo's Fire,' barrage balloons, meteors, gremlins, or a new secret weapon.

A previously unknown account from Connecticut resident Louis Kiss, a Staff Sergeant and tail gunner on a B-17, described an odd-looking, basketball-sized, shimmery gold sphere encountered in late 1943 over central Germany. The object hovered near the aircraft's wings before disappearing. Kiss reported it to intelligence, and his account parallels some Foo-Fighter descriptions, particularly the lights climbing from below mentioned in the 415th's War Diary for December 23.

The magazine extracts a portion from the 390th Veterans Association Foundation Newsletter (Fall-Winter 1991) attesting to Louis Kiss's excellence as a combat flyer. The article suggests that Foo-Fighters might be a form of rare electrical phenomenon related to ball lightning, possibly attracted by earthquake activity or large aircraft formations. The lack of reports prior to 1944-45 is noted as peculiar.

Unidentified Flying Objects Overfly U.S./Canadian Border in 1915

This section reports on an earlier incident from 1915, predating the 1975 UFO overflights discussed in 'CLEAR INTENT.' The New York Times reported on February 15, 1915, that three or four 'aeroplanes' had crossed the U.S./Canadian border near Morristown, New York, heading northeast over Ontario. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft drop 'fireballs or light balls.' The Brockville mayor was among the witnesses. The lights were thought to be carried by aeroplanes. This caused concern in Ottawa, leading to a blackout of government buildings. Canadian authorities contacted Washington, D.C., without success.

Further details from the Montreal Daily Star (Feb. 15, 1915) described the first border crossing at 8:10 PM, with witnesses hearing machinery noise and seeing a searchlight. A second aircraft followed, flying low over Brockville. The objects disappeared but returned later, moving back towards the U.S. Additional reports from Syracuse, N.Y., mentioned four lights moving at intervals, carrying red lights and sending down searchlight beams.

An explanation emerged from reports of fire balloon launchings from Morristown, N.Y., intended to celebrate 100 years of peace between Canada and the U.S. Wreckage of two balloons was found. However, police and military officials in Ottawa discounted the fire balloon explanation, as the aircraft traveled northeast, contrary to prevailing winds that would have pushed balloons westward. Witnesses also reported the objects returning from the opposite direction.

The article concludes that the nature of the 1915 overflight remains uncertain but emphasizes that strange aerial objects alarming government officials are not unique to the post-Arnold UFO era.

Editorial

The editorial addresses recent dissatisfaction with UFO research, citing confusion, controversy, and 'bizarre politics.' It acknowledges that newcomers may find it difficult to navigate the convoluted history and comprehend the phenomenon and its researchers. The editorial offers suggestions for those interested in UFO research:

1. No 'UFO EXPERTS': It warns against anyone claiming to be a UFO expert, suggesting that true expertise is impossible given the unknowns. It advises judging UFO information by its logic and sensibility rather than the credentials or affiliations of the source. Flawed information can become ingrained through the force of personality.
2. Carve Your Own Niche: Researchers are encouraged to learn broadly about the world, as UFO interest can motivate self-education in various fields like astronomy, meteorology, and psychology. It argues that UFO interest doesn't necessarily lead to 'wrong pathways' but can channel individuals into serious, hard-knowledge fields.
3. You Are Not a 'Little Person': Newcomers with enthusiasm are encouraged not to be intimidated by prolific authors, 'Whirling-Dervish' investigators, or groupies. The editorial stresses building one's background slowly and patiently, regarding oneself as equal to others in pursuing UFOs. It advises respecting honest, truth-seeking individuals and disregarding untruth, chicanery, exaggeration, pretentiousness, pomposity, and greed.

The editorial concludes by welcoming newcomers to the UFO field and encouraging them to contribute to improving knowledge.

Update on a Belgian Story

This section revisits a 1987 UFO incident from an airliner over Belgium, previously covered in the March 1991 issue. Wim Van Utrecht, editor of the SVL Newsletter in Belgium, offers a possible explanation: the 'upright cylinder of very intense orange light' was likely a combustion flame from chemical works, with reflections on ice crystals creating the appearance of a pulsating light. He notes that a huge flame from petrochemical works in Antwerp six days prior had caused a stir. A weather report from January 1987 confirms a complex weather situation with an inversion layer, which can create ideal circumstances for such reflections. Van Utrecht also references an 1887 American Meteorological Journal article about 'Aerial Reflections Over Burning Gas Wells,' describing 'gas comets' as bright streaks of light.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on historical UFO and anomalous aerial phenomena, particularly those with military or official documentation. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, encouraging independent research, skepticism towards self-proclaimed experts, and a grounded approach to understanding the subject. There is a clear emphasis on presenting documented evidence, even if the conclusions are inconclusive or mundane explanations are proposed. The publication aims to inform and guide new researchers while critically examining the field's history and personalities. The issue highlights that unexplained aerial phenomena have a long history, predating modern UFO terminology and public awareness.