Klipprunden - 1985 10 31

Magazine Overview

This issue of Tønsberg Blad, dated October 31, 1985, is a collection of articles primarily focusing on UFO sightings, paranormal phenomena, and a literary debut. The magazine presents a variety of reports from different parts of Norway, detailing unusual aerial observations.

UFO Sightings and Phenomena

The issue prominently features several accounts of unidentified flying objects and light phenomena. A striking report describes an intense light observed over Tønsberg on the night of October 23-24, 1985, by first officer Oddbjørn Gaski and matros Roar Mortensen aboard the tanker 'Esso Slagen.' Gaski described the light as so powerful that it made him fantasize about an atomic explosion. The phenomenon was also seen by fishermen in Ytre Oslofjord. The light was described as growing stronger, forming rings, and lasting for approximately half an hour.

Another significant sighting occurred over Steigen on Thursday, October 24, 1985. Odd Svein Hakvåg and his wife observed a cigar-shaped, grayish object with no wings flying along a mountainside. They noted its ability to hover without visible propulsion and its erratic movements before it disappeared. The Hakvågs expressed surprise at the object's sustained flight without wings or apparent engines.

On the same day, near Apenes, a woman and her daughter witnessed a luminous object hovering silently in the sky. They described it as neon-colored, brighter at the top and darker in the middle, and it later turned a strange red before vanishing abruptly. This sighting is presented as the third UFO phenomenon in the district within 14 days, prompting speculation about an increase in UFO activity in the Oslofjord area.

Further reports include a sighting over Undrumsdal church on Saturday evening, October 26, 1985, where a family observed a large, red, luminous, spherical object that changed brightness and color. Similar observations were reported from Vadsø, where four luminous objects were seen in the sky, and from Hvaler and Tune, describing unusual lights and flashes.

A woman from Greåker reported seeing a luminous object resembling a halo moving across the sky, which she followed until it disappeared.

UFO Theories and Explanations

The magazine explores potential explanations for these phenomena. The light observed over Tønsberg is speculated to be an attempt by the USA or the Soviet Union to create artificial aurora borealis, or possibly related to the 'Orioniden' meteor shower. Associate Professor Asgeir Brekke suggests that barium gas ejected from satellites, when exposed to sunlight, can become ionized and move along Earth's magnetic lines, potentially explaining the observed circles. He also notes that collisions between satellites are unlikely given the duration of the phenomenon.

Regarding the Steigen sighting, the observers were baffled by the object's ability to fly without wings. The article questions whether it could have been a plane, but the lack of wings and visible propulsion makes this unlikely.

UFO Activity in Horten

An article titled 'Increased UFO Activity over Horten in the Fall' highlights a credible observation from Apenes. A woman, her daughter, and husband witnessed a luminous object hovering silently in the sky. The object's unusual light and behavior, described as 'neon-colored' and changing, led to speculation about increased UFO activity in the Oslofjord region.

UFO Over Varangerfjorden

On October 1, 1985, multiple witnesses, including journalists and airport personnel, observed four luminous objects in the sky over Varangerfjorden. The objects were seen from Krampenes and disappeared into the sea after about ten minutes. The Forsvarets Overkommando (Norwegian Armed Forces Command) in Bodø was unaware of the observation, but the chief of the Luftforsvaret (Air Force) station in Vardø confirmed that the phenomena were observed on radar.

Plane Crash Scare

A separate incident involved a reported plane crash in Holsfjorden on October 23, 1985. Witnesses Mona Monsen and Anders Rensvold claimed to have seen a plane crash into the fjord. A search operation involving the police, a helicopter from Norsk Luftambulanse, a military helicopter from Rygge, and boats was initiated. However, no signs of a crash were found, and no aircraft were reported missing. The police suggested it might have been a visual illusion or misidentification, possibly of a plane taking off from Fornebu.

Literary Debut: Morten Harry Olsen

The issue features an in-depth profile of Morten Harry Olsen, a 25-year-old debut author from Narvik. His collection of short stories, "For alt hva vi er verdt" (For all that we are worth), is highlighted. Olsen's background is described, including his early interest in singing, his involvement with UFO organizations in Narvik, and his studies in philosophy, criminology, and theater science in Oslo. He has also worked on film manuscripts and is currently a scholarship holder at the National Theatre, where he is involved in the staging of a Vaclav Havel play and is tasked with writing a theater piece himself. The article notes his unique ability to capture American-style dialogue and settings in his stories, attributing this to his extensive reading of American literature and a past stay in Kansas.

Prophecies and World Wars

An article titled 'The Lebesbymannen and a Third World War' discusses the prophecies of Anton Johansen, known as the Lebesbymannen. The author, Rolf Solberg, references interpretations by Inge Stoltenberg, who analyzed Johansen's visions from 1907. Stoltenberg's interpretation suggests that Johansen foresaw not only World War I and II but also a third world war. These prophecies include a conflict between Norway and Sweden against the Soviet Union and France, and the use of atomic bombs, with specific cities like New York, Washington, Chicago, and Minneapolis being mentioned as targets.

Solberg agrees with Stoltenberg's approach of interpreting rather than dismissing these prophecies, noting that while Johansen spoke of one world war, later visions expanded on this. The article also touches upon a prophecy that the Soviets would take Norway to Lyngenfjorden, which did not materialize as expected.

Other Sections

The magazine includes a section called 'Ordet Fritt' (The Word is Free), featuring a letter from Jan S. Krogh of Norsk Institutt for Vitenskapelig Forskning og Opplysning (NIVFO). This letter addresses a previous criticism regarding an offer for individuals with paranormal abilities to undergo tests for a substantial reward. Krogh emphasizes the seriousness of their investigation into paranormal claims, aiming to verify such abilities under stringent conditions and to shed light on the reliability of psychic predictions.

There are also smaller, humorous or anecdotal pieces, such as the 'OL-VITS' (Olympic Joke) about Yugoslavia canceling the Olympics due to too many Russian skiers, and a brief mention of the 'Stansefabrikken stanser ikke' (The Stamping Factory Does Not Stop) with a reference to Agderposten.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the possibility of extraterrestrial or unknown aerial phenomena, and the exploration of prophecies and their potential fulfillment. There is a clear interest in documenting and investigating these occurrences, with a willingness to consider even extraordinary explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness and a desire to explore the unexplained, while also maintaining a degree of skepticism and seeking verifiable evidence, as seen in the 'Ordet Fritt' section and the discussion of UFO theories. The inclusion of a literary debut suggests a broader interest in cultural and creative endeavors alongside the paranormal and speculative topics.

Title: Ovre Smaalenene
Issue Date: October 18, 1985 (with a cover date of October 15, 1935, for the main story, and other clippings dated October 21, 1985).
Publisher: ARGUS A-S BYRÅET FOR AVISUTKLIPP
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of Ovre Smaalenene, a publication from the Argus press clipping bureau, features several reports on unusual aerial phenomena and UFO sightings from Norway and Sweden.

Peder Englund's UFO Encounter

The main story, dated October 15, 1935, recounts an extraordinary experience of Peder Englund, a 63-year-old "ex-totning" (a term possibly referring to a former railway worker or someone with a specific profession) from Fossheim in Ytre Enebakk, Norway. Englund, who commutes daily to Oslo, reported being pursued by a luminous sphere for several kilometers. The phenomenon began when a strong light from the sphere shone through his car's side window as he was driving towards Gran in Ytre Enebakk. This light caused the car's electrical system to fail, cutting power and leading to engine malfunction. Englund's car, which was traveling at approximately 70 kilometers per hour, was reduced to a crawl, forcing him to stay on the right side of the road to allow other traffic to pass. The luminous sphere maintained a distance of about 20 meters from his car, following him from Engergarasjen at Gran to Sværsvann, a distance of approximately 6-7 kilometers. Suddenly, the light disappeared, and the car's engine and lights returned to normal operation. The article notes that Englund, despite his usual skepticism, was so affected by the incident that he sold his Lada 1300 and purchased a Toyota Carina, incurring a cost of nearly 50,000 (currency not specified, but likely NOK given the context and date). The reporter for this story is Gar Egil Garåsen.

Other UFO Sightings and Reports

Multiple Witnesses in Enebakk

A follow-up report, dated October 18, 1985, by Kjartan Knapp Haraldsen, mentions that other individuals in Ytre Enebakk also heard about Peder Englund's experience. One woman, who lives in Enebakk, reported waking up in the middle of the night to a humming sound and a strange light. She concluded that it was likely a UFO. She had not reflected further on the sound until she read about Englund's case in Ovre Smaalenene. She stated that it was definitely not a plane or helicopter.

UFO in Sweden

An article from Simrishamn, dated October 21, 1985, reports that Swedish military forces, along with police and the home guard, were searching for an unknown flying object that entered from the sea over the southeastern part of Skåne. A spokesperson for the Swedish defense stated that the object's speed suggested it was a helicopter. The craft was detected on radar shortly after midnight, flying at a low altitude over the Baltic Sea towards the Swedish coast before disappearing from radar. Extensive search efforts were conducted in the area, including Kivik in Skåne, but nothing was found. Jan Tuningen, editor of the Swedish defense staff, described it as a very strange story. Swedish military experts noted that if a helicopter had been dropping off refugees in Sweden, it would have been detected on radar on its way out over the Baltic Sea.

Strange Lights Over Meløy

A report from Nordlandsposten in Bodø, dated October 15, 1985, details reports from several people in the Meløy area who claimed to have seen strange luminous objects flying silently from the northeast over the night sky. These lights were sometimes visible against the mountains, and in overcast weather, large, strange lights were observed in the clouds. One observer noted a very bright light moving slowly across the sky towards Bodø. The observers, accustomed to seeing planes and helicopters, were convinced that these phenomena were something else entirely. These observations occurred in the preceding weeks.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings and unexplained aerial phenomena, presenting these accounts with a degree of seriousness, often quoting witnesses directly and including details about the circumstances of the sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these events, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while implicitly acknowledging the unusual nature of the reported incidents. The inclusion of reports from different regions and the follow-up on local sightings suggest an interest in compiling a comprehensive record of such phenomena.