Los Identificados- No 14

Magazine Overview

Title: LOS IDENTIFICADOS
Issue: XIV
Date: May 1950 (raw date)
Content Focus: UFO incidents with occupants in Argentina.

The General Acha Incident: A Crashed Saucer in Argentina?

The issue delves into the historical accounts of crashed UFOs, noting that such stories emerged as early as 1947 in the United States, with rumors of secret examinations of crashed discs and alien occupants. Frank Scully's 1950 book, 'Behind the Flying Saucers,' sensationalized claims of crashed discs and alien bodies in New Mexico, though it was later denounced as a fabrication. Despite the lack of concrete evidence and the prevalence of speculation, the legend persisted, leading to similar reports outside North America.

One such case, considered among the earliest reports of UFO crashes outside the US, is the incident allegedly occurring near General Acha, La Pampa province, Argentina. The account stems from an Italian architect who, while driving, encountered a landed saucer-shaped craft approximately 50 meters from the road. He reportedly entered the craft and found three small, seemingly lifeless humanoid beings.

The following day, upon returning with friends, the craft was gone, leaving only a pile of ashes. During this second visit, they observed a cigar-shaped craft and two smaller discs flying overhead, managing to capture photographs.

This event was published five years later, on May 7, 1955, in the Caracas newspaper 'El Universal.' However, the original report lacked specific dates and locations, referring to the witness as an 'Italian architect residing in Venezuela.' The article notes that while the case gained traction in the US and Europe, it received little attention in Argentina. Translations of the report into English, French, and Portuguese were published in the 1950s.

Variations and Investigations

Several publications and ufologists have referenced this incident, including 'The APRO Bulletin' and 'Le Courrier Interplanétaire.' Different versions attribute the witness's name as Enrico Bossa, Enrico Carotenuto Bossa, or even variations like Botta or Bessa. The witness is described as an Italian national, a former war pilot, an architect, and holding a doctorate in aeronautical engineering, working for a company in Caracas.

Contradictions and inconsistencies are noted across these various accounts. A letter written directly by E. Carotenuto Bossa to the Swiss magazine 'Le Courrier Interplanétaire' is considered a potentially more reliable source, despite its own potential for errors or omissions due to translation.

The Witness's Account

In his letter, dated around April-May 1950, the witness, Enrico Carotenuto Bossa, describes being in Bahía Blanca, La Pampa, for construction work. He recounts taking long excursions in his vehicle, covering distances of 300-400 km over three days. On May 15, 1950, after driving 280 km from Bahía Blanca, near 68° west longitude and 37° south latitude, under a clear sky, he noticed a silver object on the ground about 300 meters to his left.

As he approached, he observed details like skylights and a translucent dome. Stopping about 50 meters away, he initially thought it was wreckage from a downed plane but was deterred by its unusual shape. At 10 meters, he realized it was a 'saucer.'

He describes the object as approximately 10 meters in diameter and 4 meters in height, composed of two parts: an inverted saucer-like base (campana) and a cylindrical upper section (torre) topped by a dome. It had rectangular vents and was tilted about 20 degrees on the ground. The object had a magnificent chrome finish, appearing inert and silent.

Finding an open door, he entered. Inside, he found a circular cabin about 2.10 meters high. The floor was a platform that seemed to sink under his weight. Around the walls were thick, transparent-covered windows. In the center of the cabin, approximately 3.50 meters in diameter, was a seat occupied by a small humanoid figure, about 1.20 to 1.40 meters tall, wearing a gray suit. The being's head was bowed, its hands were tobacco-colored, and its eyes were large, dilated, and glassy. The body appeared human-like.

He noted two other identical men lying on seats against the wall, also seemingly deceased. A third seat was empty, raising concerns about a missing crew member. He also observed two rectangular rulers on the floor and a transparent disc above the control panel, resembling Saturn as seen through a telescope, which he speculated might be a latitude calculator.

Overwhelmed by the scene, he felt a sense of panic but regained his composure and exited the craft. Upon returning to his car, he experienced difficulty starting it, which normalized as he drove away.

He contacted friends in General Acha, and the following day, they returned to the site with a Kodak Retina 2 camera. They found a pile of red-colored ashes, about 2 meters high and 5 meters in diameter, still warm (around 40°C). At that moment, they observed a similar 'saucer' hovering at an estimated altitude of 600 meters. They also saw another identical object and a stationary 'cigar-shaped' craft higher up. The two discs ascended towards the cigar, changing from silver to pink as they accelerated, and then disappeared into the cigar, which then departed at an estimated speed of 12,000 km/h.

Post-Incident Details and Further Investigations

Enrico Bossa, identified as a 44-year-old Italian architect, requested his primary name (Carotenuto) not be used due to past negative experiences in Argentina and Venezuela, including losing a job for believing in UFOs.

Other versions mention that during interviews, the witness experienced feverishness and skin blisters. He consulted specialists who could not diagnose his condition. He also reported a red mark around his eyes from wearing glasses inside the disc, and a doctor reportedly tested him for radiation exposure without finding any.

Richard W. Heiden of Wisconsin has been researching the case since 1981. Ufologists like Willy Smith and Bruno A. Molon have also commented on the case, often relying on information from Leonard Stringfield. The article notes that the case shares similarities with many other reported incidents.

The authors of this article attempted to re-examine the case, comparing versions from Lorenzen, Stringfield (via González Ganteaume), and Flachaire (via Carotenuto Bossa). They found that most investigators held a favorable opinion of the case, believing in extraterrestrial visitation. Only David Wightman of 'Uranus' magazine pointed out apparent discrepancies and questioned the story's credibility.

The article highlights significant geographical and political inconsistencies in Carotenuto Bossa's account. He incorrectly identifies Bahía Blanca as the capital of La Pampa province and places it within La Pampa, when it belongs to Buenos Aires province. He also describes mountainous terrain, which is not characteristic of the generally flat La Pampa region. Furthermore, his stated coordinates and distances traveled do not align with the actual geography of the area, nor with the route described by L. Stringfield.

Despite these discrepancies, the article acknowledges that Carotenuto Bossa's description of the landscape, while omitting essential details, shows some concordance with the region. However, the authors conclude that precisely locating the incident does not confirm its authenticity, but it is possible Carotenuto Bossa was familiar with the area, despite his omissions and contradictions.

Date Discrepancies

The date of the encounter also varies among sources. Lorenzen suggests April 1950, Stringfield points to May 10, and Flachaire's publication cites May 15, 1950. The article leans towards the latter dates, aligning with the witness's description of the weather conditions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the historical phenomenon of UFO crashes and encounters with alleged extraterrestrial occupants. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical examination, presenting the witness's account in detail while meticulously dissecting its inconsistencies and geographical inaccuracies. The magazine seems to aim for a thorough investigation, acknowledging the allure of such stories while maintaining a skeptical approach to their veracity, particularly concerning the lack of corroborating evidence from the location of the alleged incident in Argentina.

This issue of Revista UFO, dated May 1998, focuses on the alleged 1950 flying saucer incident involving Enrico Carotenuto Bossa, an architect residing in Venezuela who was visiting Argentina.

The Carotenuto Bossa Case

The central narrative revolves around Carotenuto Bossa's account of encountering a flying saucer in La Pampa, Argentina, in May 1950. He claimed that the craft landed, and he, along with two anonymous friends, entered it. Bossa stated that he photographed the saucer while it was in flight and later found a pile of reddish-silver ashes at the landing site, approximately 2 meters high and 5 meters in diameter. The article notes that the weather at the time was unstable and rainy, with specific rainfall amounts reported for General Acha and Macachin.

Meteorological Context

Information from local newspapers indicates that a widespread rain began on May 14th, affecting a large part of Argentina. By the night of May 15th, the rain was intermittent, and by the morning of May 16th, it had ceased in some areas. General Acha and Macachin registered 3 mm of rainfall, while other areas recorded up to 26 mm. Based on these conditions and Carotenuto's account, the article suggests that Monday, May 15th, is the most plausible date for the event.

Newspaper Coverage and Lack of Evidence

Despite the extraordinary nature of the event, a review of La Pampa newspapers from the period yielded no information about the flying saucer itself, only insignificant pieces like a car handle or a wheel rim. The article highlights that 1950 was a prolific year for UFO sightings in Argentina, partly due to the visibility of the planet Venus.

Related Sightings in La Pampa

Three other reports from La Pampa during that period are mentioned:

• March 30th: Several people in Colonia Devoto, near Quchuć, Dpto. Utracán, saw a bright disc hover for a few minutes before speeding northwest.
• March 30th (night): In Ceballos, Dpto. Chapeleufu, a strange object in the sky attracted the attention of many residents.
• April 14th: In Telén, Dpto. Loventue, estancia owners Angel and Salvador Erastorza reported seeing a flying saucer.

These incidents are noted as having no apparent connection to the Carotenuto case.

The Lago Argentino Incident

An account from Wilfredo Arévalo in Lago Argentino, who reportedly saw a flying saucer with occupants on March 18th, is also mentioned. However, the investigation revealed this to be a probable journalistic fabrication.

Carotenuto's Actions and Skepticism

Following his experience, Carotenuto Bossa, described as an educated person who initially suspected an aeronautical accident, did not immediately report the incident to health or police authorities in General Acha. This inaction, along with the lack of material evidence, raises questions. The article points out that while Carotenuto had friends with him, they remain anonymous, and he has not presented any verifiable proof of the ashes or photographs.

The Photographs

Carotenuto claimed to have taken 5 or 6 photographs with a Kodak Retina 2 camera. He stated that only two showed the object with some clarity, and none provided landscape references. The objects were described as a cigar-shaped craft at high altitude and two smaller, disc-shaped objects. One disc reportedly circled the witnesses at about 600 meters. After the witnesses were observed, the two discs joined the cigar-shaped object and ascended vertically at an estimated speed of 12,000 km/h.

Photographic Analysis and Comparisons

A negative and two reproductions of the photos were sent to the organization APRO. In 1955, APRO declared the photograph "genuine." However, in 1983, ufologist Richard Heiden expressed doubts about the quality of the photograph, noting a background texture that suggested it might have been staged or copied from a matte reproduction. The article notes the striking similarity of the image to famous photos taken by George Adamski, particularly his "Venusian craft" photo from 1952.

Ufological Context and Influences

The article places Carotenuto's case within the broader context of the UFO phenomenon in the 1950s. It discusses the influence of authors like George Adamski and Frank Scully. Adamski's book "Flying Saucers Have Landed" (1953) and Scully's "Behind the Flying Saucers" (1950) are cited as potentially influential. Scully's book detailed a story about three crashed saucers with dead occupants, a narrative that bears resemblance to Carotenuto's account, particularly regarding fallen craft and small humanoids.

Carotenuto Bossa, however, claimed his experience occurred in May 1950, predating the widespread dissemination of Adamski's and Scully's works. The article questions this timeline, noting that Carotenuto's story did not become widely known until after these books were published, and he provided no evidence that his experience was revealed prior to 1954.

Conclusion and Critical Analysis

The author concludes that it is plausible Carotenuto Bossa was inspired by the works of Adamski and Scully, recreating fantastic images and narratives. The article emphasizes the lack of concrete evidence, such as first-generation photographs or samples of the ashes, to support Bossa's claims. The investigation highlights several inconsistencies and a lack of essential data, contrasting with an abundance of minor details. The author points out the unlikelihood of no one passing by the alleged accident site for hours, especially given its proximity to a road, and the fact that no one reported seeing the saucers or their wreckage.

The similarity to Adamski's craft and Scully's accounts is noted as significant. The article suggests that Carotenuto's case combines the popular image of the flying saucer (popularized by Adamski and used in other hoaxes) with a sensational UFO report from the 1950s. While Carotenuto aimed to place his incident in May 1950, before the public knowledge of Adamski's claims and Scully's revelations, the lack of evidence for his story being revealed earlier than 1954 weakens his position.

References and Sources

The article lists numerous references, including newspaper articles from Venezuela, The APRO Bulletin, and various books and journals on UFO phenomena from different countries. It also details the extensive research undertaken to reconstruct the geographical situation, consulting atlases, historical archives, and municipal records. Several individuals are acknowledged for providing historical and geographical information, including Néstor Ayola, Amado Rodriguez, Raúl Suárez, and Walter Cazenave. Ufologist Richard W. Heiden is also credited for his contribution to compiling articles and references.

Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance appears to be one of critical investigation. While acknowledging the existence of UFO phenomena and presenting witness accounts, the article consistently seeks verifiable evidence and contextualizes claims within existing literature and potential hoaxes. The conclusion leans towards skepticism regarding the Carotenuto Bossa case, suggesting it may have been influenced by or even fabricated based on popular UFO narratives of the time, due to the lack of corroborating evidence and the potential for inspiration from published works.