Northern UFO Network Case Summaries - No 1 - 1982 01 - Rendlesham

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Northern UFO Network's "Case Histories" series, titled "No: ONE" and dated January 1982, focuses on "The Rendlesham Forest Mystery." The publication aims to discuss current UFO cases in depth, bringing back a concept previously produced by FSR. Jenny Randles, the editor, welcomes ideas for future issues and notes that this case, while not in the immediate NUFON area, is particularly fascinating and important.

Introduction: A Review

The section begins with a review of Charles Berlitz's book, "The Roswell Incident," co-authored with William Moore. Berlitz is described as a notorious writer known for provocative and sensationalist books. The review touches upon the alleged UFO crash in New Mexico in July 1947, the recovery of a UFO, and 3-foot-tall occupants. The reviewer notes that while the story is not new, it is better documented than others. A key point of contention is the anonymity of "scientists" or "officials" who fear a "great conspiracy." The reviewer expresses frustration with the lack of serious consideration for such events, particularly noting that most alleged crashes occur in America and in deserts, and have not happened in recent years, contrasting this with conservative Britain.

HERE THERE'S SMOKE THERE'S FIRE (OR MORE SMOKE)

This section details the initial stages of the Rendlesham Forest investigation. In February 1981, Paul Begg, an author known for his skeptical examination of vanishings, contacted Jenny Randles about an incident reportedly occurring a few weeks prior (around December 30, 1980). A man working at a civil radar establishment in East Anglia reported tracking an unusual target heading towards Suffolk and Ipswich. Although not on duty, his friend provided the information. The target was uncorrelated by other radar systems and military checks. The witness was left in doubt about the UFO's status when the US Air Force later collected the radar tapes. The witness's identity is protected due to the Official Secrets Act. Paul Begg, along with NUFON members Kevin McClure and Peter Warrington, verified the story. The witness was led to believe the anomaly had landed near Woodbridge Air Force Base, possibly on the base itself, and that a metallic craft with entities was encountered, along with electromagnetic effects on a military jeep.

THE WONDER OF WOODBRIDGE

Norman Oliver, editor of BUFORA JOURNAL, received a garbled account from the USA about a significant event at Woodbridge around the turn of the year, from a US serviceman who felt freer to talk. This corroborated the earlier rumour. Meanwhile, Bob Easton, a local UFOIN member, informed Jenny Randles that local BUFORA investigators, Brenda Butler and Dot Street, were also looking into the matter. Brenda Butler, based in Leiston, and Dot Street, in Lowestoft, covered a large rural area. The article notes that Suffolk's low population density has historically generated few investigators, despite intriguing UFO sightings, suggesting a correlation between close encounters and low population density. The Lakenheath case of August 1956, involving radar/visual sightings and Bentwaters USAF base, is mentioned as a significant precedent.

Brenda and Dot were independently chasing leads and their combined efforts, along with the Begg and Oliver rumours, suggested something substantial was occurring. Despite the incredible nature of the information, the media showed little interest, which the authors found baffling. A local BBC interview with Brenda and a London Standard reference were the only notable media mentions.

SCENE-SET FOR AN ENCOUNTER

Rendlesham Forest is described as a large, wooded area north-east of Ipswich, near the coast, with few surrounding habitations except the village of Woodbridge. The USAF bases are located north of the forest. The area is noted for its potential for UFO landings due to open spots within the woods for cover and desolate surroundings that minimize witnesses.

THE DISCOVERY OF SUBSTANCE BEHIND THE SHADOW

Brenda Butler and Dot Street's local follow-up was crucial. Brenda prepared a 6-page report in March 1981, which was circulated. The report, though somewhat confused, detailed witness accounts. Brenda had previously received UFO information from a high-ranking USAF base officer, who confided in her about UFOs and special missions. He had advised her not to discuss the matter publicly. She began to investigate further when other sources confirmed the rumours and the existence of the Begg and Oliver reports.

The primary witness, the USAF officer, claimed this was not the first significant incident near the base, but it was the most impressive due to contact. He stated that on December 30th, a farmer reported an aircraft crash in the forest. Base police confirmed "there's a UFO in the woods!" A base newspaper reporter filmed the object on the ground. The base commander ordered a high-level team, including himself and the chief of security police, to the site. The commander forbade weapons and confiscated cameras, demanding a news blackout. The officer claimed the commander spoke with the aliens, who were repairing their damaged craft. The object was on the ground for four hours before hovering over treetops and departing at high speed. The next day, an A10 aircraft searched for radiation traces, finding some. Base personnel were instructed not to discuss the affair publicly. The informant refused to answer specific questions about the craft's shape and the content of his conversation with the aliens.

RELATED ANOMALIES?

Around the same time, Brenda learned of possibly related anomalies. A man who performed major electrical repairs at the base was called in because the runway lights had gone out mysteriously. He was escorted by armed guards and noted the unusual treatment. Brenda also discovered through her local information network that forestry workers had reported scorched treetops in Rendlesham Forest and were told to keep it quiet.

On February 12, 1981, mystery bangs were allegedly heard in the forest area. A forestry worker was told they were due to unexploded bombs being detonated offshore. Brenda's check with the police yielded no confirmation. Three bangs, separated by 20 minutes, were reportedly heard. The informant was asked about a crashing object and confirmed hearing about an "aircraft," but found it hard to believe due to the lack of press coverage.

AN INVESTIGATION IS MOUNTED

In response to coalescing rumours, Brenda decided to act. She contacted Dot Street, and together they arranged an appointment with the base commander on February 18th, seven weeks after the alleged crash. The commander refused to answer their specific questions but inquired about their UFO knowledge. They were advised to contact the Ministry of Defence, implying the MOD received UFO reports. The MOD, when contacted, denied knowledge of the incident and advised them to contact the base commander again.

The primary witness (the USAF officer) reported that the commander held a meeting to find out who leaked the story. A respected officer was allegedly transferred back to the USA, suspected of being an informant. This reinforced Brenda's decision to protect her sources' anonymity.

Brenda and Dot then went to the forest, driving towards the alleged landing area. Brenda described a curious incident where their car suddenly vibrated and accelerated uncontrollably, reaching 60-70 mph. Her dog in the back seat became distressed. After about half a mile, the car stopped, and the dog calmed down. Brenda's dog had a history of heart conditions, which the author notes might be relevant but is not in their report.

While Brenda checked the car, Dot visited a nearby house. They spoke with two elderly gentlemen who reported significant military activity in the woods during the previous month, with their house lights flashing and TV reception poor. They knew nothing of a UFO or crash.

A FLOOD OF WITNESSES

Investigators sought further information and found several "nameless" individuals who shared what they knew. These accounts largely corroborated previous stories but sometimes differed in detail, possibly due to constant retelling and imagination. Brenda attributed the sharing of these tales to the MOD and security associations.

• Key aspects from these accounts included:
• A farmer reporting the incident.
• The commander and high-ranking officers investigating.
• A crashed UFO being repaired by entities.
• Radiation and heat counts revealing traces the next day.
• Marks left on trees at the site.

• Differences noted:
• The UFO glowed with intense heat before taking off.
• The UFO had three legs separated by 30 feet.
• The area was cordoned off for days, with inquiries told an aircraft had crashed.
• About two weeks later, the farmer reported his cattle acting up and lights flashing, and was told it was an aircraft crash.

One contact insisted "there were no aircraft up that night."

The article suggests that details beyond the aircraft crash story might be unsubstantiated or fantasy, but a core aspect of the story appears consistent. The "EM effects on the jeep" feature, mentioned by officers who took the radar tapes, was not confirmed in the base stories.

A RETURN TO THE WOODS

Brenda and Dot returned to Rendlesham Forest to examine the landing site, which had been confirmed by another base contact. The site was in a "restricted area," possibly owned by the base. They encountered two forestry officers who knew some details but not all aspects of the rumour. They mentioned the farmer's cattle acting up and commented that the UFO was brightly lit and erratic on takeoff. Permission was given to visit the site, but it was under snow, so they postponed it. They also searched for the farmer who reported the event.

At a smallholding, the farmer denied seeing anything but said he heard a UFO had come down on Woodbridge land. He also mentioned two men had visited him soon after the incident looking for the reporting farmer. The farmer's wife stated only one man visited. The forestry officials had previously told Brenda and Dot that one man had been asking questions and searching for the farmer just two days after the "crash" (New Year's Day 1981). The farmer and his wife said they told the men/man they just heard a noise, and the men never returned.

AFTERMATH

The investigators found the farmer, who refused to talk but "eyed the car closely" as they drove off. Through other sources, ufologists followed up reports of IITS (Unidentified Terrestrial Sightings) in the Leiston area between December 27 and 30. One man reported seeing a bright light over Rendlesham Forest for 20 minutes, initially assuming it was an aircraft but puzzled by its stationary duration.

Ipswich and Woodbridge police were contacted, but they were uncooperative, directing inquiries to the base commander and stating "we can't tell you anything." Attempts to interest the local paper were also met with resistance, with the Leiston office reportedly told to "Leave it!" Brenda and Dot believe press coverage was prevented by pressure from official sources.

Brenda and Dot's second visit to the forest was on February 24th. On March 9th, they spoke again with a forestry officer who was abrupt and denied all knowledge of the incident. Access to the site was denied, with the reason given being that the area had suddenly been burnt to the ground for no obvious reason on February 26th, two days after their visit to the Forestry Commission offices.

Paul Begg reported encountering a "brickwall of denials" when trying to check things out in London in October 1981. Bob Easton, the BUFORA Coordinator for Brenda and Dot's region, also met with numerous denials and evasions, stating, "I think something genuinely did happen...but beyond that I can't say." He and Andy Collins planned to visit the area for further investigation.

WHAT IS THE EXPLANATION?

The author expresses empathy for Berlitz and Len Stringfield, acknowledging the truthfulness of Brenda and Dot's accounts and respecting their decision to protect witness anonymity. The article poses the question: Did a UFO crash?

An honest assessment suggests a good possibility that the essence of the story is true, despite its incredible nature. The narrative holds together well, and there is little doubt that something unusual occurred that night, which officialdom is actively trying to suppress. The authors find it improbable that the entire story is mere rumour, given the number of people allegedly involved and the consistency of accounts. They question why, if it were rumour, it wouldn't be denounced, and why civilian radar tapes would be obtained.

A cover-story of a plane crash appears to have emerged, possibly seeded to deflect interest. However, the article questions the logic of covering up a plane crash in woodland and the subsequent removal of radar tapes. The authors doubt the ethics of a scenario where a UFO story was seeded to hide a crash, suggesting the opposite is more likely: the plane crash rumour was spread to farmers and foresters, while the UFO rumour was confined to restricted sources. Realistically, a UFO crash is presented as a more plausible explanation.

The article concludes by stating that Brenda Butler's assessment – "We must have an open mind. It may have been a UFO...or a secret experiment of some sort" – is fair. The investigation is ongoing, with Lord Clancarty examining the government angle and Lawyer Harry Harris probing the legality of the alleged cover-up. Brenda and Dot are continuing their efforts to uncover what really happened.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of specific UFO incidents, particularly the Rendlesham Forest Mystery, and the exploration of potential government cover-ups and secrecy surrounding these events. The editorial stance is one of open-mindedness, acknowledging the possibility of UFOs or secret experiments, while also maintaining a critical and investigative approach. The publication emphasizes the importance of collating information, verifying witness testimony, and challenging official narratives when inconsistencies arise. There is a clear commitment to pursuing the truth, even in the face of official obstruction and a lack of media interest.