Mysteria - Issue 21 - 1980 10

Magazine Overview

MYSTERIA, Fachzeitschrift für UFO-Forschung und Prä-Astronautik (Magazine for UFO Research and Pre-Astronautics), issue number 10/80, is the second year of publication. It was published monthly, though delays were possible due to the part-time nature of its production. The cover features a dramatic illustration of flying saucers over a complex structure, with the headline "Alexander Kieland War ein UFO schuld" (Was a UFO responsible for Alexander Kieland?).

Table of Contents and Editorial Information

Page 2 lists the contents, including the cover story about the "Alexander Kieland" disaster (page 5), an article on "Mana is Tabu" concerning the Polynesians (page 6), and an examination of "Science-Fiction and UFO Reality" (page 9). It also includes editorial contact information for Axel Ertelt (Editor-in-Chief, Halver), Hans-Werner Sachmann (Dortmund), and Herbert Mohren (Düsseldorf). The editorial policy states that copyrights for signed articles belong to the authors, and for unsigned contributions, to the editorial team. Reprints require written permission and two sample copies. Unsolicited manuscripts are not accepted, and return of materials is only possible if publication is not intended and sufficient return postage is included. No payment or honorarium is provided, but a book prize is awarded annually to the best reader contribution.

MYSTERIA privat (Personal Column)

Herbert Mohren, writing in the "MYSTERIA privat" section (pages 3-4), reflects on the magazine's two-year journey since its re-establishment in 1979 by Axel Ertelt, Hans-Werner Sachmann, and himself. He recalls the magazine's earlier existence in a simple spirit-duplicating format. Mohren details his personal background, born in Düsseldorf in 1954, his training as a window dresser and graphic artist, and his early interest in astronomy and archaeology. His fascination with UFOs was sparked by a radio broadcast, leading him to immerse himself in UFO research and pre-astronautics, a passion that superseded his hobbies like playing guitar. He mentions his collaboration with Axel Ertelt on their first book, due to be published soon. Mohren outlines plans for MYSTERIA in 1981, including a commitment to monthly publication, increased informativeness, and the potential establishment of an annual MYSTERIA conference in Central Europe and local chapters. He emphasizes the need for reader contributions and new ideas supported by facts.

Leitartikel (Editorial): The "Alexander Kieland" Disaster

The lead article on page 5, "DIE KATASTROPHE DER BOHRINSEL 'ALEXANDER KIELAND'" (The Catastrophe of the Oil Rig 'Alexander Kieland'), by Axel Ertelt and Herbert Mohren, investigates the sinking of the oil rig on March 27, 1980, which resulted in the deaths of over 200 people. While official investigations cite environmental factors and material wear, the article posits that an Unidentified Submarine Object (USO) may have rammed the rig. It draws parallels between USOs and UFOs, noting their elusive nature. The article recounts an incident in March 1980 where an Italian fishing trawler found a 'U-boat' in its net, whose crew refused to assist in its liberation. It also mentions a Swedish warship, the 'Halland', pursuing an unidentified submarine on March 12, 1980, and a Norwegian freighter being rammed by an unknown ship near Ekofisk on March 27, 1980. Survivor accounts describe a sudden, powerful cracking sound and the platform tilting, with oxygen tanks flying around. The article questions whether the 'Alexander Kieland' was indeed rammed by a USO, highlighting the lack of other vessels nearby and the possibility of a damaged support pillar. It further questions the standard procedures for dealing with unidentified submarines, suggesting that if a vessel cannot be identified, it might be fired upon, leading to potential international conflict. The article concludes by referencing another incident in October where the 'Halland' again pursued an unidentified submarine, which vanished without a trace.

Mana ist Tabu: The Enigmatic Polynesians

Herbert Mohren's article on page 6, "MANA IST TABU: Die rätselhaften Polynesier" (Mana is Tabu: The Enigmatic Polynesians), explores the concepts of 'Mana' and 'Tabu' within Polynesian culture. It references George Sassoon and Rodney Dale's book "DIE MANA MASCHINE," which suggests a divinely provided, atom-powered machine that sustained the Israelites in the wilderness. Mohren proposes an alternative interpretation of 'Mana,' suggesting it might be a form of spiritual knowledge or universal wisdom, possibly of extraterrestrial origin, rather than a physical sustenance. He links this to the Polynesian myths of blond-haired gods and ancestors from a distant land in the west, possibly Hawaiki or Kahiki, described as having snow-capped mountains. The article presents three hypotheses for the origin of the Polynesians: descent from Indians (lacking anthropological basis), an Amerindian origin as suggested by Thor Heyerdahl (contradicting Polynesian traditions), or an origin in India with a migration from Asia to America. Mohren leans towards the idea of an intervention by an extraterrestrial race from the west. He notes that Polynesians, like Atlanteans and Mayans, possessed advanced knowledge of seafaring and cartography. He also mentions the existence of pyramid-like central sanctuaries in Polynesia, suggesting they might have served as landing sites for gods. The article emphasizes that 'Mana' is a concept of spiritual power, held by chieftains and priests through magic, and is not a physical food. It is a concept that can be lost but regained, and it dictates social status and customs, including dietary rules for those who possess it.

Pre-Astronautics / UFO-Forschung (Pre-Astronautics / UFO Research)

Pages 7-8 continue the discussion on pre-astronautics and Polynesian myths. Mohren questions the nature of 'Manna' described in the Bible and 'Mana' known to Polynesians, pondering if it relates to the knowledge of the Tree of Knowledge in paradise and if it represents a universal, extraterrestrial wisdom. He suggests this is an alternative perspective to existing theories.

Science-Fiction und die UFO-Realität (Science-Fiction and UFO Reality)

Axel Ertelt's article on page 9, "Science-Fiction und die UFO-Realität: Warum immer mehr Science-Fiction-Filme auf Szenen aus dem UFO-Alltag aufbauen" (Science-Fiction and UFO Reality: Why More and More Science-Fiction Films are Based on Scenes from Everyday UFO Life), explores the increasing overlap between science fiction and UFO phenomena. Ertelt notes that science fiction predates space travel and that while early SF novels existed, the wave of significant SF films began in the 1950s. He defines SF novels and films as future-oriented narratives, often utopian, where writers like Jules Verne accurately predicted future technologies. Ertelt observes that SF has evolved, incorporating contemporary themes, and that many fictional elements have become reality. While early SF focused on terrestrial mysteries like submarines and inner-earth exploration, contemporary SF predominantly features contact with extraterrestrial intelligences and galactic wars, citing "Battlestar Galactica" and "Star Wars" as examples. The article then discusses "UFOs in SF," tracing their origins in SF literature back to "Frau Luna" and "The Man in the Moon," and later to "little green men" from Mars. He highlights H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" and Orson Welles' radio adaptation, which caused a panic in the USA due to concurrent reports of UFO sightings.

Page 10 continues Ertelt's analysis, noting that UFOs became a significant theme in SF novels in the 1940s. He discusses the emergence of "contactees" in the 1950s who claimed to have met human-like beings from space, questioning whether these accounts were genuine or a new form of SF. A key point is that these "contactees" reported encounters with beings who looked human and spoke the local language, a communication challenge that SF authors had previously struggled to explain through complex technology. Ertelt draws a parallel to the current UFO research, where official bodies, like the air force, often dismiss or ridicule UFO phenomena, while secretly investigating it.

He further contrasts current space travel capabilities (limited to the Moon for manned missions, with probes reaching the outer solar system) with SF depictions of interstellar travel. Ertelt points out that SF films from the 1960s onwards increasingly focus on UFO phenomena, using the current technical state of Earth as a basis. He cites the TV series "UFO" and "Invasion von der Wega" (Invasion from Outer Space) as examples where characters involved in observing or dealing with UFOs were often labeled as fantasists or crackpots by authorities. This mirrors the real-world situation where government agencies deny the UFO phenomenon and often trivialize it, while conducting secret investigations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of MYSTERIA are UFOs and USOs (Unidentified Submarine Objects), their potential connection to unexplained events and disasters, and the exploration of ancient myths and their possible extraterrestrial origins. The magazine also examines the intersection of science fiction with UFO reality, suggesting that SF often reflects and anticipates actual UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, encouraging reader participation and presenting alternative theories, particularly those involving extraterrestrial influences. The magazine aims to be an informative and current publication, dedicated to exploring the unexplained from a pre-astronautic and UFO research perspective.

This issue of "UFO-Forschung" (UFO Research), identified as Volume 16, Issue 16 from 1980, published by TRIOS-Verlag, focuses on the perceived overlap between science fiction and UFO reality, the mysterious "Men in Black" phenomenon, and various UFO sightings. The cover headline highlights "Men in Black / Schlagzeilen" (Headlines).

Reality as Science Fiction

The magazine posits that "UFO-SF-Films" (UFO Science Fiction Films) often mirror actual UFO realities, particularly in the depiction of disc-shaped objects. It cites the 1979 film "Invasion der Raumschiffe" (Invasion of the Spaceships) as an example, noting its allusions to the "Betty Hill-Fall." The article details the 1961 encounter of Betty and Barney Hill, who claimed to have been abducted by aliens and subjected to a medical examination aboard a UFO. During a later hypnotic regression, Betty Hill drew a star map that, years later, was identified as representing the Zeta Reticuli system, a detail also mentioned in the film. The article also notes the film's depiction of sexual encounters between humans and aliens, suggesting that similar events have occurred in reality, citing hypnotic regression as evidence and referencing Professor Dr. Hans Holzer's book "The UFOnauts."

Steven Spielberg's film "Unheimliche Begegnung der Dritten Art" (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) is presented as another example of a successful UFO-themed film, with Spielberg reportedly consulting numerous eyewitnesses and Professor Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a prominent astronomer and UFO consultant, serving as an advisor.

The article explores two potential reasons for the increasing number of UFO-themed films: either screenwriters are genuinely interested in UFO reality and want to make it more accessible, or, more fantastically, such films are directly inspired by extraterrestrials to prepare humanity for their future official landing.

Regardless of the reason, the magazine asserts that UFOs are a reality, not just for believers but also for scientists and government agencies.

Does the Universe Really Keep Silent?

This section, authored by Axel Ertelt, critiques a 1980 German television broadcast titled "Science Fiction – Das Weltall schweigt" (Science Fiction – The Universe Keeps Silent). Ertelt notes that most authors and readers of science fiction novels do not believe in actual communication with extraterrestrial intelligences, and the broadcast concluded that there was no evidence of humanity being visited by alien civilizations.

Ertelt traces the historical shift in human understanding of the universe, from the geocentric model to the heliocentric one, and the subsequent speculation about life on other planets. He contrasts this with the resistance from medieval astronomy and the Church, which clung to outdated worldviews like the flat Earth and hollow Earth theories.

He argues that the recognition of the true structure of the universe led to questions about other inhabited planets, fueling wild speculation that later manifested as the myth of "little green men."

The Mars Canals

The alleged observation of canals on Mars at the beginning of the 20th century is mentioned as having fueled speculation about extraterrestrial life. However, the article states these canals are no longer observable and attributes their past observation to the limitations of optical observation technology and the resulting strain on observers, leading to hallucinations.

Despite this scientific explanation, the article raises points for consideration: photos from American Mars probes show lines similar to riverbeds, and other photos reveal rectangular ground structures reminiscent of ancient Maya cities. It suggests that planetary upheavals could have altered Mars's atmosphere, obscuring its surface. The author believes there is ample evidence that Mars once harbored intelligent life that was destroyed by a cosmic catastrophe, a view shared by author Walter Hain in his book "Wir vom Mars" (We from Mars).

Little Green Men

The myth of "little green men" from Mars persisted through the 19th century and into the 1950s. The article notes that in the early 1950s, reports of unidentified flying objects increased, leading to the theory that they were alien spacecraft. This theory gained global traction after Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting of nine UFOs over the Rocky Mountains. George Adamski, who claimed to have met an alien from Venus in 1952, brought this topic to public attention.

The Authenticity is Never to be Proven

This section questions the nature of UFO evidence, particularly photographs. It notes that even if a photograph is genuine, the object depicted might not be. A colleague of the author is reportedly developing a method to identify genuine UFOs in photographs by detecting specific, non-falsifiable effects.

The reliability of eyewitness testimony is also discussed. While witness accounts, especially those corroborated by hypnosis or polygraph tests, are considered strong evidence, the article acknowledges that some scientists believe these methods can be tricked. However, cases with multiple independent witnesses providing identical accounts, especially when supported by photographic evidence showing specific effects, are presented as highly convincing.

Condemned!

The author expresses frustration with scientists who, despite a wealth of evidence, continue to deny the existence of extraterrestrial visitors. He criticizes the scientific community for clinging to an outdated and demonstrably false worldview, particularly regarding humanity's place in the cosmos. He laments that some television professors dismiss UFOs without allowing opposing viewpoints to be heard, suggesting they rely on hearsay rather than genuine research.

The Current Book / Men in Black

This section reviews several books related to UFO research and the "Men in Black" phenomenon.

"DER FREMDE IM PENTAGON" (The Stranger in the Pentagon) by Rev. Dr. Frank E. Stranges

This book, published by TRIOS-Verlag, details Dr. Stranges's alleged contact with an alien named Val Thor since 1959. Val Thor reportedly lived at the Pentagon for three years and delivered messages to President Eisenhower. The book, co-authored by Val Thor, also includes a background report by Michael Hesemann, explaining Val's claims and offering documentation on US UFO secret policy.

The book reportedly answers questions about why UFOs come, their true nature, their origin, the appearance of their occupants, and with whom they have made contact.

"MIBs IN DUSSELDORF?"

This article investigates the presence of the mysterious "Men in Black" (MIBs) in Düsseldorf, Germany. It notes that America was the origin of many MIB reports, which have instilled fear in UFO researchers and witnesses. The article references Peter Krassa's book "PHANTOME DES SCHRECKENS! Die Herren in Schwarz manipulieren unsere Welt..." (Phantoms of Terror! The Men in Black Manipulate Our World...).

• Several incidents are recounted:
• An incident in Aachen where a "man in black" allegedly entered an apartment, took a baby, and fled when the mother intervened.
• The disappearance of Leutnand Davis in 1967 after being abducted by men in black into a black Cadillac.
• An incident in Hilden in 1979 where a man was hit by a black Mercedes and then forced into the car by two masked figures.
• A similar incident in Hochdahl where a severely injured man was put into a car by its driver.
• The discovery of a black Cadillac in 1980 with its steering wheel locked and license plates missing.

The article concludes that some UFO researchers have withdrawn from public life due to threats from "mysterious visitors," and one former UFO researcher had to move and change his residence after experiencing similar threats.

Headlines

Bullet Hole

A five-mark-sized bullet hole in a house wall is presented as evidence of an attack on a UFO researcher and writer. The researcher was sitting by an open window when a shot was fired from a car. The projectile was identified as an explosive round, and it's speculated that the target might have been the researcher's archive rather than the researcher himself.

Footprints in the Quarry

Massive dinosaur footprints, dating back 130 million years, were discovered in a quarry in Münchehagen, near Hannover, Germany. A 40-meter track with 20 footprints was found, with a similar track previously discovered only in Arizona, USA.

US Space Probe "Voyager 1" Discovers New Saturn Moons

The American space probe "Voyager 1" has discovered two previously unknown moons orbiting Saturn, confirming the existence of three additional Saturnian satellites. The probe, which was 20.6 million kilometers from Saturn, sent back images of these new moons, identified as the 13th and 14th moons of Saturn.

Creature in a Volcanic Lake

An unusual creature, described as resembling a large cow with a duck's bill, has been observed five times since August in a volcanic lake on the Chinese-Korean border. Reports of this creature have attracted scientific attention, with its movement creating waves similar to a boat.

UFOs: Green Spheres Pursued Seven Passenger Planes

On the evening of November 11, 1980, seven passenger planes over Spain were reportedly pursued by multiple UFOs. Pilots narrowly avoided collisions, with one Iberia Airlines flight having to perform a steep dive to avoid being rammed by a "green shimmering sphere." Pilots described the objects as trying to ram them and accelerating rapidly. The UFOs were not visible on the radar screens of the Barcelona air traffic control center, baffling the controllers who observed the passenger planes' unusual evasive maneuvers. Iberia Airlines reportedly imposed a gag order on its pilots.

Turtle's Shell from a Distant Star

Russian scientists examining a fossilized turtle shell from ancient times discovered an image of the northern star map on its carapace. While initially suspected as a forgery due to inaccuracies in star placement, a computer analysis confirmed its authenticity, noting that the discrepancies were due to the shift in the northern star map over the last 35,000 years—a calculation too complex for a forger. The article speculates that two large stars depicted in the Big Dipper area might represent the home of visitors who may have once visited Earth, possibly seeking refuge.

UFO Became Aggressive

Police in Oberelsaß, France, are investigating the aggressive behavior of an unidentified flying object (UFO). A 27-year-old woman reported that a "glowing sphere with rotating lights" blocked her path home, forcing her to turn back. Two other witnesses corroborated her account, having also seen the object, described as "as large as an airplane." The UFO reportedly disappeared without a trace minutes after the incident.

Police Seek UFO - UFO Alarm in the Allgäu!

In the Allgäu region of Germany, a couple reported observing a luminous sphere for ten minutes during their drive home. The object reportedly moved away silently. Police are planning to search for the UFO with a helicopter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently promotes the idea that UFOs are a real phenomenon, not mere fantasy or science fiction. It challenges the notion that the universe is silent regarding extraterrestrial life, arguing that evidence of past and present contact exists. The magazine appears to support the pre-astronautics movement and presents a critical view of mainstream science and media for their perceived dismissal of UFO evidence. The "Men in Black" section highlights a darker, more sinister aspect of the UFO phenomenon, suggesting a deliberate effort to suppress information and intimidate witnesses. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of investigating and acknowledging UFOs as a significant, albeit often controversial, reality.