MUFOB - New series - No 03

Magazine Overview

MUFOB, New Series 3, Summer 1976, is an informal journal devoted to ufology and related subjects. It is published independently and features a mix of articles, letters, and a catalogue of UFO reports.

Editorial Notes

The editorial section notes the favorable reception of the new format and a slightly improved financial position, emphasizing the need for paid subscriptions. It addresses the concept of 'experimental hoaxing,' stating that such methods have long been used in scientific disciplines, particularly social sciences, and are not a new concept devised to belittle UFO investigators. The Milgram Experiment is cited as a famous and controversial example of such a study.

The Strange Affair of APEN by Jenny Randles

This article discusses the complexities of the UFO phenomenon and the need to consider all potentially relevant information. It introduces the 'Ariel Phenomenon Enquiry Network' (APEN), an organization that claims to be a worldwide UFO body operating by invitation only. APEN is characterized by its secrecy, use of falsified names, and adherence to Nazi ideals, including official seals and trumpet calls in its communications. They have circulated an article from a German magazine titled 'Pfeilspitze' ('Spearhead'). Contact with APEN began in Spring 1974, primarily through letters, with no direct address ever provided. APEN claims to have contacted groups within the NUFON system and some individuals. The article details attempts by APEN to establish closer contact, including a document claiming to be a preliminary note on a contact and landing case in Wales, which contained requests for specific equipment like Landrovers and infrared sensors. APEN also sends cassette tapes with radio and TV broadcasts interspersed with appeals for unity and statements about UFO hostility, often featuring multi-lingual speakers.

Randles notes that while APEN might appear foolish, their actions are monitored by NUFON. The article explores possibilities for APEN's true nature: a disruption organization, a prank by someone with money and little sense, or a controlled experiment to study UFO organizations' reactions. NUFON's policy is to wait for APEN to reveal themselves openly, rather than actively pursuing them. The author concludes that most ufologists view APEN as ludicrous and pointless, though acknowledging some malicious acts. The article also mentions that Miss Randles is a BUFORA Council member and editor of Northern UFO News.

The Ghost in the Machine: Vehicle stoppages in folklore by Roger Sandell

This article examines the phenomenon of vehicles mysteriously stopping in the presence of UFOs, noting it as a strong piece of evidence for UFOs being mechanical devices during the 1950s and 1960s. The Condon Investigation also found these cases puzzling. However, Sandell traces the origins of such stories much further back, to the 16th century during the witch mania, with tales of carts becoming immobilized. These beliefs persisted into the 20th century, with traditions in areas like Canewdon, Essex, where it was considered unlucky to take wheeled vehicles into the village. The article also mentions beliefs about individuals with the ability to stop farm machines by looking at them.

With the decline of witchcraft beliefs, similar stories became associated with ghosts, such as the 'Screaming Skull' of Bettiscombe Manor, where a cart refused to move until the skull was removed. 'Boggarts' in Lancashire folklore were said to sit on carts, making them immovable. A notable ghost story concerns the 'Bell witch' poltergeist in Tennessee, where General Andrew Jackson's waggon became inexplicably halted until a voice commanded it to move.

Modern UFO vehicle stoppage stories began to appear during World War II, often involving 'secret weapon' rumors where cars would mysteriously halt and then restart after a soldier or policeman appeared. This shift reflects a need for explanations that were not explicitly supernatural but implied scientific reasons. In the 1950s, with the rise of nuclear fear and flying saucer stories, the vehicle stoppage myth became symbolic of a force more powerful than technology, capable of saving humanity. The 1952 film 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' is cited as an example, where an alien demonstrates power by stopping the world's machines.

The article concludes by questioning the future form of this myth, suggesting a return to explicitly supernatural stories or the integration of occultism. It also references a tale from Carlos Castaneda's 'A Separate Reality' where Don Juan allegedly stops a car's engine by applying his will to the spark plug.

Letters

One letter from J. Tomkinson expresses disappointment that MUFOB published an article by D.I. Simpson on 'Experimental UFO Hoaxing,' calling it misguided and arrogant. The writer asserts that there is ample scientific proof of flying saucers and that Simpson's work fails to disprove their existence.

Another letter from a reader discusses D.I. Simpson's article on the SIUFOP hoax, suggesting that the Warminster light might have been a grounded light and that Simpson and his colleagues engineered the hoax. The writer mentions having suggested this possibility shortly after the report's publication.

The Catalogue: An International Catalogue of Type I Reports

Compiled by Peter Rogerson, this section provides a detailed list of UFO sightings, primarily from October 1954. Each entry includes the date, time, location (mostly in France, with some from Algeria, Morocco, Iran, Lebanon, and Italy), and a brief description of the sighting. The reports detail various craft shapes (spherical, disc, ovoid, cigar, bell-shaped, mushroom, hemispherical), sizes, colors, and alleged occupants (dwarfs, beings in suits, little men). Many incidents involve vehicle stoppages, luminous emissions, and rapid vertical takeoffs. The compiler notes that the data is largely taken from newspaper accounts and that individual notes on date or witness variations are omitted unless otherwise stated, with Vallee's Magonia Catalogue being the primary source.

Books

Communication with Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (CETI) edited by Carl Sagan is reviewed. It covers the proceedings of a conference on the existence and detection of extraterrestrial civilizations, discussing factors like star formation, planetary systems, the origin of life, and communication techniques. The review highlights the difficulty in assessing the probability of life's emergence and the speculative nature of other factors in Drake's equation.

The Past is Human by Peter White is reviewed as a book refuting Erich von Däniken's theories. The reviewer finds the book's approach sober but disappointing, lacking the sensationalism that appeals to some readers. It emphasizes the continuity of human history through archaeology and demonstrates that 'mysteries' like pyramids and Nazca lines evolved naturally. The book is noted as an Australian production by a Lecturer in Pre-History at the University of Sydney.

The Great English Earthquake by Peter Haining is mentioned as a book detailing the 1884 earthquake in East Anglia, which also records instances of fire-balls preceding the event and Fortean coincidences. It is suggested as a potential borrowing rather than a direct purchase for ufologists.

Notes, Quotes & Queries

This section includes a brief mention of John Keel's 'Operation Trojan Horse' and other sources for airship data. It also notes a curious 'Mothman' type case in Cornwall reported by Fortean Times, and an upcoming article on winged creatures. A change of title for Bob Rickard's publication to 'Fortean Times' is announced. 'Nostalgia Corner' features an illustration of 'ASHTAR SHERAN, Commander in Chief of the Extraplanetary Space Fleet,' sent by an Italian correspondent.

Editorial continued

This continuation of the editorial discusses the evolution of ufology into the realm of social sciences and the need for experimental techniques. It emphasizes the importance of understanding how visual stimuli are interpreted and the challenges of verifying UFO phenomena. The author suggests that 'experimental hoaxing,' while controversial, is a valid technique in behavioral sciences and that ufologists should examine these methods to form a consensus on their use and ethical boundaries.

A Panorama of Ufological Visions by Peter Rogerson

This article reflects on the state of ufology since 1973, noting a shift from perceived innocence to a more complex and often disturbing landscape. Rogerson discusses correspondence with various ufologists and researchers, including encounters with individuals who believe in intellectual speculation being pointless, those who have faced Magonia, and those who feel there is an answer to the UFO phenomenon. He recounts experiences with a young woman who encountered a UFO and its occupants, and a man who believes disc jockeys are reading his mind. The article touches upon the influence of films like 'Earthquake,' 'Jaws,' and 'The Exorcist' in shaping a perception of chaos and the potential threat to Western rationalist tradition. It also references the phenomenon of Uri Geller and his impact, linking him to desires of omnipotence and the concept of a 'mad computer god.'

Rogerson argues that UFO researchers often engage in a false dichotomy by debating whether a story is 'true' or 'false,' suggesting that myths, dreams, and fiction can sometimes convey a higher truth than historical reality. He proposes that the appeal of figures like Geller and the effects of the myths they weave on culture are more important questions than mere factual verification. The author posits that the UFO serves as a symbol of the 'transcendence of opposites,' mediating between the conscious and unconscious aspects of the psyche, offering a way out of sterile scientific futures or a return to barbarism. He concludes by suggesting that subliminal rumors and experiences, such as those of children or seers, constitute a core of the phenomenon, and that perhaps 'a dream is dreaming us.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the analytical and critical aspects of ufology, questioning the nature of evidence, the role of belief, and the potential for deception or misinterpretation within the field. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, acknowledging the complexities of the UFO phenomenon while advocating for rigorous analysis and an open mind to diverse interpretations, including those found in folklore and mythology. The concept of 'experimental hoaxing' is presented as a legitimate research tool, and the magazine encourages a deeper understanding of the psychological and cultural dimensions of UFO beliefs.