PEGAP - 1980 no 03

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGAP INFORMATION
Issue: 3
Volume/Date: Mai '80 (May 1980)
Publisher: Privaten Erforschungsgruppe außergewöhnlicher Phänomene (Private Research Group for Extraordinary Phenomena)
Country: Germany
Language: German
Cover Headline: "Lubbock-Lichter"; Oktober 1951

This issue of PEGAP INFORMATION focuses on UFO phenomena, with a prominent feature on the "Lubbock Lights" from October 1951 and a detailed exposé of the Alex Birch case, which was later revealed to be a hoax. The magazine also includes reports from Scandinavia and the USA, a reader's letter section, and an astronomy section.

Leserbriefe (Reader Letters)

This section features letters from readers expressing their views on various topics. Bendt Brasser from Braunschweig discusses the possibility of intelligent life on other planets, referencing research on enzymes and the concept of nature finding similar solutions to problems. Klaus Trippel from Konstanz commends the magazine for printing reader letters and praises an interview with CENAP (Center for UFO Studies) in a previous issue. Hansjürgen Köhler from Mannheim offers feedback on the magazine's layout and typography, suggesting improvements.

"Schwindel mit Fliegenden Untertassen" (Deception with Flying Saucers)

This extensive article critically examines cases where readers of UFO literature are allegedly misled by sensationalized accounts, leading them to believe in constant alien visitations. The author highlights the lack of reporting on debunked cases. The primary example is the Alex Birch case from Sheffield, UK. In February 1962, 14-year-old Alex Birch, along with friends David Brownlow and Stuart Dixon, claimed to have seen and photographed five UFOs. The case gained significant attention, with the Sheffield Telegraph reporting on it and the Westfield Comprehensive School investigating the claims, finding no evidence of manipulation. However, on October 6, 1972, Alex Birch confessed on BBC-2 that the entire event was a hoax, a "school prank" where he painted five flying saucers on a glass pane and photographed them. His father was reportedly only informed of the deception shortly before the confession. Despite the confession, some UFO proponents, like Leonard G. Cramp, maintained their belief in UFOs. The article also mentions other related cases and critiques the tendency of UFOlogists to readily accept photographic evidence without rigorous scrutiny.

"UFO-Sichtungs-Wellen" (UFO Sighting Waves)

This is the second part of a series by Klaus Horn, focusing on UFO sightings in 1947, particularly in the USA. The author notes that 1947 was a year with many sightings and the origin of one of the first UFO photos, taken in Puerto Rico. He highlights the sighting by pilot Rankin on June 14, 1947, who reported seeing ten disc-shaped objects. The article then details the famous sighting by Captain Emil J. Smith of United Air-Lines on July 4, 1947, near Emmet, Idaho. Smith and his co-pilot observed several large, grey, saucer-shaped objects. The author questions why Kenneth Arnold's sighting is often considered the start of the "UFO era" when Rankin's occurred earlier, but acknowledges Arnold's description of "flying saucers" popularized the term. The article also briefly mentions other sightings from July 1947 and two incidents from July 2, 1948, including one involving a metallic cylinder and another with a UFO formation observed by Dannie Kelley.

CENAP Berichtet (CENAP Reports)

This section details a physical evidence case in Minnesota involving Deputy Sheriff Val Johnson. On August 27, 1979, Johnson's patrol car was allegedly attacked by a UFO. He reported a bright light, heard glass breaking, and was flooded with brilliant white light, losing consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, he reported the incident. An investigation by Allan Hendry, head of the Center for UFO Studies, is mentioned. The report details damage to the patrol car, including a shattered headlight, a dented hood, a broken windshield, and bent antennas. No other vehicles were found at the scene. The article notes that Johnson and Hendry discussed the incident on the ABC-TV program "Good Morning America."

Skandinavische Berichte (Scandinavian Reports)

This section presents several UFO sightings from Scandinavia on New Year's Day 1972. Gottfried Tande Petersen in Norway reported seeing a cigar-shaped object with illuminated hatches that emitted blue flames and moved at high speed. Gunnar Foss, also in Norway, observed two objects flying low and fast, leaving a luminous trail. The article also mentions sightings by staff at Bergen Airport and Captain Odmund Karlsson, who observed a formation of white-glowing objects from a charter jet. Hakun Berglun and Anders Hedberg in Sweden reported seeing similar objects that slowed down before accelerating and disappearing.

"Die Lubbock-Lichter" (The Lubbock Lights)

This article, authored by Roland M. Horn, PEGAP leader, provides an overview of the Lubbock Lights case based on UFO literature. Horn notes that hundreds of people witnessed the objects and photos were taken. He mentions that PEGAP plans to publish its own research findings, including a potential investigation into the Grass-Ellenbach case and the Soccorro case. The article describes the sighting on August 25, 1951, by Dr. W. I. Robinson and his colleagues, who observed a formation of lights in a semicircle emitting a dull blue light. The objects were described as flying in a V-shape, covering 120 degrees in 4 seconds. The author suggests that electrical discharges in the atmosphere might be a possible explanation, rather than attributing them to wild geese or alien spacecraft. He concludes that the case remains unexplained (UFO-UAP).

Astronomie (Astronomy)

This section announces a change in content, stating that a new astronomy report is omitted due to a lack of reader interest in a previous article on extraterrestrial life. Instead, the magazine provides a list of book recommendations on the topic of extraterrestrial life, compiled from a reader letter by Herr Brasser. The books cover various aspects, including cosmic life, beings never seen before, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, and neighbors in the cosmos. The magazine promises a future report on extraterrestrial life from Philipp Rederlechner, who is positively inclined towards the subject. The section concludes with a photograph of a solar eclipse.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings and related phenomena, often with a critical eye towards sensationalism and hoaxes. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, encouraging readers to submit information while also highlighting the importance of scientific scrutiny and debunking false claims. The publication aims to present both reported incidents and critical analyses, as seen in the detailed breakdown of the Alex Birch hoax and the questioning of easy explanations for phenomena like the Lubbock Lights. There is a clear interest in distinguishing between genuine unexplained events and fabricated ones.