NJAAP Bulletin - 1963 11 - Vol 2 No 2

Magazine Overview

This issue of The NJAAP Bulletin, dated November 27, 1963, is Volume II, Number 2, published by The New Jersey Association on Aerial Phenomena (NJAAP). The cover headline focuses on UFOs seen over Philadelphia and detected by radar, with a sub-headline indicating a 'Cover-Up of Reports'. The issue includes articles on UFO sightings, radar detection, alleged official suppression of information, and a special article examining mysterious craters in Great Britain.

Philadelphia Sighting, July 31, 1963

The lead article details a significant UFO sighting that occurred early on the morning of July 31, 1963, over Philadelphia. Sightings were reported by numerous residents and observers at the Philadelphia International Airport Tower. Crucially, radar contacts were made by both the International Airport and McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. Despite the multiple confirmations, the incident allegedly received little publicity, and what little there was tended to promote the impression that the sighting was caused by a celestial body like Arcturus.

NJAAP investigators conducted interviews with key, anonymous individuals involved in the sighting. The first reports described a strange reddish UFO hanging in the western sky at an estimated altitude of 450 feet. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported a 'flashing red and white object' that mystified midnight sky watchers. However, the Philadelphia Bulletin presented a contradictory story, quoting 'towermen andweathermen' identifying the object as a star.

Dr. I.M. Levitt, Director of Fols Planetarium, later identified Arcturus as the culprit, stating it was visible at 45 degrees above the horizon around midnight. However, this claim was contradicted by a Weather Bureau official who stated no UFO reports were received that evening. The article suggests that if the UFO was observed at 10:00 PM, it remained visible for a considerable time, as UFO reports were frequent after midnight.

The sighting climaxed around 2:00 AM when radar operators at the International Airport noticed three unexplained blips that moved off into the northeast quadrant. Simultaneously, observers in the Tower saw three mysterious white lights in the northeast sky. Pilots of a small private plane, guided by radar, visually contacted an object described as a '12:00 position' object, a white light low on the horizon. Despite attempts to follow the objects, they only managed a glimpse of another UFO and were unable to get closer. The chase ended around 3:30 AM.

The article notes that official denials came from McGuire AFB and the International Airport. Captain John W. Goodson of McGuire AFB stated that no lights were picked up by McGuire radar units. The suppression of facts is attributed to a mutual agreement among radarmen and towermen, who feared being viewed unfavorably by superiors if they reported UFOs on their radarscopes, rather than a high-level Air Force cover-up.

Other Sightings and Incidents

Philadelphia Sighting, October 6, 1963

At approximately 7:00 PM on October 6, 1963, a UFO described as being like a 'bonfire' was observed over Philadelphia by Michael R. Freedman, an 18-year-old student. Freedman described a large yellow-orange object with four to six whitish areas along its center, appearing oval. It was traveling eastward (ENE) and then changed to a northwesterly course (NNW), vanishing within about 20 seconds. Freedman ruled out common explanations like optical illusion, hallucination, aircraft, balloon, meteor, or reflection of sunlight, suggesting optical illusion or meteor as the most plausible, though still unlikely, explanations. He emphasized that the object was unlike anything natural he had ever seen.

Philadelphia Sighting, August 4, 1963

The issue briefly mentions several sightings over Philadelphia on the night of August 4, 1963, reported in the Philadelphia Daily News. These included an object described as red, white, and blue, resembling the top of a maypole, and another reported as a cross in the sky. Experts suggested these might be caused by starlight reflecting on upper atmospheric dust or smog.

Orlando Sighting, July 22, 1963

A separate incident, the Orlando sighting, occurred on July 22, 1963. Mr. Orlando observed a red ball with a green tail crossing the sky. This was identified as an unusually brilliant fireball meteor.

Special Article: An Examination of the Recent Crater 'Epidemic' in Great Britain

This section details at least five craters of mysterious origin discovered in England and Scotland in late June and early July, 1963. The most publicized was a 'mysterious hole' found on a farm at Charlton, Wiltshire. Additional data has multiplied the significance of this mystery, suggesting a pattern that could be one of the most significant UFO events of the 1960s.

The first crater came to public attention on July 10, discovered by Roy Blanchard on his farm in Charlton. Constable Anthony Penny reported seeing an orange object flash through the sky on the same date. A dairyman on the farm heard a blast before the crater was found.

Charles Stickland, B.Sc., inspected the site and described a small hole in the center of a shallow circular depression. The hole was about two inches in diameter and three feet deep, containing loose rocks. Potato plants had disappeared from the area, apparently sucked up. Four ill-defined trench-like depressions radiated from the hole, with three continuing into an adjoining barley field, where the barley had also been sucked up.

Stickland discovered three other locations on the farm with mysteriously disturbed crops. The article notes that the Charlton crater was about two inches in diameter and about three feet deep, with loose rocks inside. The crater was situated in the center of a shallow circular depression with an overall diameter of about eight feet.

The article also mentions the Flameborough Head Crater.

Editorial

The editorial section addresses the nature of UFO publications and research. The editors express a desire to avoid tedious editorials but feel it necessary to make some general observations. They lament that many UFO researchers have lost sight of the true goals of UFOlogy, getting sidetracked by superfluous and often nonsensical controversy. The editorial criticizes UFO publications that degenerate into 'gossip shoots' and focus on scandal, particularly those produced by 'teen-agers'.

The editors believe that the attraction to gossip, especially involving personalities, leads readers to such content. They state that while this is natural, it must be suppressed when dealing with UFOs, comparing it to the difference between tabloids and serious historical reporting.

This bulletin explicitly refuses to engage in the 'petty and childish feuds' and 'senseless attacks' upon organizations like NICAP. It will also avoid topics such as metaphysics, religion, or politics, citing the negative impact these can have on UFO journals, referencing the decline of Norbert Garioty's S.P.A.C.E.

Instead, the bulletin aims to present the best first-hand reports, thoroughly investigated, and to provide interpretations of UFO events in factual articles. The ultimate objective is to solve the UFO mystery. The editorial concludes with the instruction: 'Read -- and THINK.'

Publication of NICAP Report Assured

This section announces that NICAP (the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena) is finally publishing its long-awaited report, 'The UFO Evidence', after a six-year struggle. The report, delayed due to printing issues, is described as a complete, fully documented history of UFOs and Air Force censorship. It is expected to create a significant impact, be distributed to members of Congress and newspapers, and potentially end official secrecy. The report is available to members for $3.95, and NICAP is temporarily not accepting new members, though membership is expected to reopen soon. Dues for the bi-monthly journal are $5.00.

Orthotenic Corrections

This section provides corrections to a previous article on 1952 orthoteny. It corrects the tentative identification of Lynnville, Indiana, with Lynn, Indiana, stating that Lynnville is actually a small town northeast of Evansville. It also revises the proposed River Edge-Carmel-Charlton Flats alignment, discovering a new one from Charlton Flats through Carmel to Washington. The article notes that the study of orthoteny during the 'Big Flap' is ongoing and requests more sightings from June and July 1952.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, particularly those involving radar detection and alleged official cover-ups, as exemplified by the Philadelphia sightings. There is a strong emphasis on factual reporting and thorough investigation, contrasting with the sensationalism and gossip found in other UFO publications. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, urging readers to 'think' and to rely on documented evidence rather than speculation. The issue also touches upon unexplained physical phenomena, such as craters in Great Britain, and the scientific concept of orthoteny, suggesting a broad approach to investigating anomalous events. The publication aims to present a serious, evidence-based perspective on UFOlogy, free from the controversies and personal feuds that plague the field.

This issue of Flying Saucer Review, dated November-December 1963, focuses on the phenomenon of mysterious craters discovered in Britain and elsewhere, exploring potential UFO involvement and patterns.

The Charlton Crater and Similar Discoveries

The article begins by detailing a disturbed area in a barley field near Charlton, Wiltshire, described as resembling a hand with a pointing finger. This area, along with a nearby hole approximately six feet in diameter and six feet deep, was investigated. A piece of 'iron-pan' was unearthed, initially touted as a meteorite but later identified as indigenous soil. The report notes the existence of other craters discovered in recent days.

Two twin holes were found on Middle Monynut Farm in East Lothian, Scotland, each sixteen feet in diameter and three feet deep, with radiating channels. Another pair of craters was discovered on Dufton Fell, Westmorland, featuring large circular holes with extending channels. The article also mentions a crater at Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, and three craters near Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, noting similarities in their formation.

Parallels with Previous UFO Incidents

Writing in 'The Shadow of the Unknown,' the authors previously highlighted three cases that paralleled the Charlton mystery. These cases, recounted by Aime Michel in 'Flying Saucers and the Straight-Line Mystery,' include:

• Chabeuil, France (September 26): A UFO took off from trees, flattening wheat in radiating lines.
• Poncey-sur-l'Ignon, France (October 4): A luminous, orange, egg-shaped object hovered low, creating a hole by sucking up earth.
• Po di Gnocca, Italy (October 15): A large disk landed and took off, sucking up earth and leaving a crater, carbonizing nearby trees.

The article suggests that the Charlton crater's formation, particularly the 'finger' and bent barley stalks, resembles the marks in the wheat at Chabeuil.

Further Crater Discoveries and Analysis

The issue details additional crater discoveries:

• Flamborough Head, Yorkshire: A crater noted for cracks radiating from its edges.
• Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire: Three craters similar to those in East Lothian.
• South Carolina, USA (1953): Two circular craters, one over sixty feet across and another nine feet across, possibly created by suction.
• Georgetown, USA: Four similar circular craters, fifteen feet across, with soil scattered around them.
• Sayreville, New Jersey: An enormous oblong crater, 1,570 feet long and 780 feet wide, estimated to contain 1,800,000 cubic yards of fill dirt, likely formed by heavy earth-moving equipment.
• Carthage, South Dakota (Spring 1955): A hole two feet in diameter and 18 feet deep.
• Montville, Ohio (November 6, 1957): Two holes three feet deep, described as perfect and possibly formed by a cylindrical core borer.

The article posits that many of these craters were formed by the suction created by UFO force fields, contrasting this with earlier, more sporadic soil sample collection.

The Orthotenic Pattern

A key element of the analysis is the concept of 'orthoteny,' introduced by Aime Michel, which describes UFO sightings aligning along straight lines. The authors, with the help of Mr. Haythornthwaite and Alexander D. Mebane, plotted the locations of the British craters and discovered a significant geographical alignment. The Charlton-Dufton Fell-East Lothian alignment runs almost north-south, bisecting the southern coast of England.

Extending this alignment and considering other crater locations like Sanquhar and Flamborough Head, a larger pattern emerges. The article postulates a hypothetical point of origination in the Orkney Islands, from which lines to Sanquhar and Flamborough Head form a pattern that encompasses much of the British Isles. This pattern is described as an 'equiangular triangle' with a vertex in the north.

Interpretation and Implications

The authors suggest that this pattern is not coincidental but indicates a deliberate, organized, and systematic study of Earth by UFOs. They propose that the craters represent a new phase of UFO reconnaissance, possibly involving soil collection, which has been observed in various 'little men' cases throughout the years. The article notes that while UFOs have collected soil samples before, the 1963 crater epidemic marks a discernible pattern.

Historical Context and UFO Hostility

The issue touches upon Mrs. Coral E. Lorenzen's work, which suggests a shift in UFO activity from general observation to an interest in terrestrial defenses around 1952. It also references Dr. Olavo T. Fontes' controversial thesis that UFOs are hostile and that their activities, including orthotenic surveys, might be preparation for an invasion.

Conclusion

The article concludes that the British craters, along with similar incidents worldwide, are likely the result of a systematic UFO survey. The precise purpose remains speculative, but the evidence points towards a deliberate and organized extraterrestrial interest in Earth's geology and possibly its defenses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the analysis of unexplained physical phenomena (craters), the search for patterns in UFO activity (orthoteny), and the interpretation of these patterns as evidence of extraterrestrial reconnaissance or potential hostility. The editorial stance is one of serious investigation, attempting to find logical explanations for these events, even if they point towards advanced and potentially threatening extraterrestrial intelligence. The authors emphasize that while speculative, their deductions are based on observable data and logical extrapolation.

This document is page 21 of a magazine titled "UFO," focusing on UFO phenomena and research. The content discusses shifts in UFO activity, the implications of certain sightings, and the involvement of scientific experts in UFO investigation.

UFO Activity and Interpretations

The text details a period of increased UFO activity, peaking in late 1962, particularly in South America and to some extent in the United States, with specific mention of sightings in Oradell, New Jersey. Following a period of less remarkable sightings, a new phase emerged, termed the "British crater epidemic." This phase was characterized by a primary concern with soil samples, which the author interprets as potentially ominous. Citing Mrs. Lorenzen, the text suggests this interest in soil samples might relate to extraterrestrial plans for establishing a base on Earth and bringing their own agriculture, implying a long-term intention to "stay a long while."

However, the document cautions against succumbing to fear and emphasizes that these interpretations are hypotheses. It notes that the case for UFO hostility often rests on pure hypothesis and warns against a false sense of security that could leave humanity vulnerable to invasion. The importance of thorough, meticulous, and scientific study of the UFO situation is stressed, urging immediate action.

NJAAP Panel of Special Advisors

The magazine announces the formation of a "Panel of Special Advisors" by NJAAP (New Jersey Association of UFO Photographers, or similar, though not explicitly stated) to assist in studying and evaluating UFO data. The panel aims to include top UFO investigators but will primarily consist of individuals with specialties in scientific fields such as physics, meteorology, and electronics. Membership on the panel does not necessarily imply endorsement of NJAAP's opinions on UFOs, including belief or disbelief in their reality. The opinions of each advisor will be individually presented.

Ivan T. Sanderson Joins NJAAP Panel

Famed author and naturalist Ivan T. Sanderson is highlighted as a new member of the NJAAP Panel. Sanderson's impressive credentials include a graduation from Eton, Cambridge, and the University of London, with degrees in Zoology, Geology, and Botany. He is a Fellow of prestigious societies like the Linnean Society of London and the Royal Geographical Society of London. Sanderson has extensive travel experience, regular radio and television appearances, and has authored sixteen books on zoology and related subjects. He is currently the Science Editor for Chilton Books in Philadelphia.

Sanderson's perspective on UFOs is that while many are extraterrestrial vehicles, the term "UFO" broadly covers a heterogeneous group of objects and phenomena, comparable in diversity to life forms found in the North Atlantic. NJAAP expresses its fortune in having Sanderson's assistance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this excerpt are the evolving nature of UFO phenomena, the need for scientific rigor in their study, and the importance of expert opinion. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious urgency, advocating for serious scientific investigation while acknowledging the speculative nature of some interpretations and warning against both excessive fear and complacency. The involvement of a respected naturalist like Ivan T. Sanderson suggests an effort to bring a more interdisciplinary and scientific approach to the field.