PEGAP - 1980 no 04

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGAP INFORMATION
Issue: 4
Volume: 1
Date: June 1980

This issue of PEGAP INFORMATION, a German-language magazine focused on extraordinary phenomena in the Earth's atmosphere, presents a mix of detailed case studies, reader feedback, and scientific speculation.

Letters to the Editor (LESERBRIEFE)

Readers express positive feedback on the magazine's improved print quality and layout. Roland Rhyner from CH-Frutigen praises the "good print, even photos! Bravo!". Frank Gehrke from Rastede finds the magazine "very good". Jörg Buch from Völklingen notes the improved presentation and mentions the "Spirituskocher" (likely a reference to a previous article or topic) was "probably not the best".

Werner Walter from Mannheim highlights the improved print quality and the positive impact it could have on UFO investigation in Germany. He suggests that while the improved print offers optimal opportunities to find readers, spelling errors need to be corrected and the page count increased, which he believes will be possible with increased finances. He praises authors like Klaus Webner for maintaining a high standard and discusses the role of publicity in making UFO cases known, citing the "Arnold sighting" as an example.

Klaus Trippel from Konstanz also commends the current issue, stating it's "very well done, no comparison to the last issue" and that the print quality has "significantly improved." He suggests increasing the page count to around 20 pages, believing the magazine is on the right track to compete with others.

The editorial note confirms that the print quality will be maintained, but an increase in page count is not immediately feasible due to various reasons.

Imprint (IMPRESSUM)

PEGAP - INFORMATION 3 (formerly Private AP-Information) is published by the Private Research Group for Extraordinary Phenomena. The single issue price is DM 1.50, with subscription options for 3, 6, and 12 issues. The magazine has 12 pages, is printed using Kleinoffset, in DIN A-5 format, with an edition of 50 copies. It is published monthly. The editorial and letters address is Klaus Horn, Pfarrgasse 7, D-6120 Erbach/Odw. The printer is Uwe Draber, Postfach 1646, 3000 Hannover. Payment details for Roland M. Horn are also provided.

The Socorro Sighting (DIE SOCORRO SICHTUNG)

Foreword: The foreword discusses the phenomenon of UFO sighting waves, where one report can trigger others, often leading to misidentifications or hoaxes. It emphasizes the Socorro case as one that cannot be easily dismissed and aims to provide background information for readers unfamiliar with the "scene," including a translation by Werner Walter on NICAP's involvement.

Sighting: The main witness is Police Sergeant Lonnie Zamora of Socorro, New Mexico. On April 24, 1964, while on patrol, he saw a shiny object descend near a ravine, accompanied by a loud noise. He initially suspected an explosion and notified his station. Upon investigation, he found an oval object, about 150 meters into a ditch, standing on metallic legs. He noted a symbol on the object: a crescent moon, a line, and an arrow. Two small, human-like figures were seen near the object. As Zamora returned to his car, the object ascended with a deafening roar. Sergeant Sam Chavez arrived later, and together they found four deep impressions (about 12 cm deep) where the legs had been. Bushes nearby were scorched. The object was estimated to weigh several tons.

Investigation: The "White Sands" research station was notified. Photos of the landing site were taken the next morning. Zamora discussed the event with his superior, Police Chief Polo Pineda. APRO investigators Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzon, and an Air Force investigation team also looked into the case. Dr. Hynek was involved, and initial reports suggested the object might be a new Air Force apparatus called "SUPER-POGO," which was later dismissed as a press fabrication. Two years later, the Socorro observation remained unexplained, justifying its classification as a UFO/UAP.

Explanations: Most UFO literature interprets the Socorro case as the landing of an extraterrestrial spacecraft. An alternative theory, less publicized, suggests a plasma cloud was responsible.

Physical Evidence - Landing Reports (Physikalischer Beweis - Landungsberichte) - Part 1

This section details the physical evidence related to the Socorro sighting. Metal fragments, allegedly lost from the landing gear, were collected by NICAP member Ray Stanford. Zamora reported a stone being flattened by a part of the object, leaving a metallic trace. Stanford collected this stone. NICAP received information that Zamora heard a sound like a door slamming between seeing the figures and approaching the object. A NICAP and Air Force on-site investigation concluded that the object was seen by a credible witness and could not be identified as a known object or phenomenon. Dr. Hynek admitted to being "even more confused than before" after his investigation.

The incident began shortly before 6 PM MST on April 24, 1964. Initial investigators included Capt. Richard Holder (White Sands Missile Range), Major William Connor (Kirtland AFB), and T/Sgt. David Mody (Project Bluebook). They collected soil samples and checked for radiation. Dr. Hynek arrived on April 29th, interviewed witnesses, photographed the site, and reviewed possible explanations.

On June 8, 1964, the Air Force released an official statement acknowledging the case as unexplained but still open. NICAP member Stanford, present during Hynek's investigation, took detailed measurements and collected metal residue, which he sent to NICAP headquarters. The Air Force's serious approach to the sighting was evident in their statements, with Dr. Hynek calling it "one of the most credible reports in a long time," noting Zamora's straightforward account and lack of contradictions.

Maj. Maston Jacks, Project Bluebook Pentagon Speaker, stated that the facts ruled out any conventional aircraft. When asked about rotorcraft, he confirmed it was investigated but couldn't explain how such a machine could land silently. The Air Force report mentioned that the case continued to be "under investigation."

A UFO landing was reported about 36 hours later, near Madera, New Mexico, about 100 miles north of Socorro.

Reader's Opinion (Lesermeinung)

This section invites readers to share their opinions on the Socorro sighting and its theories. It also asks for any additional information readers might have about the case.

Further Socorro Sighting (Weitere Socorro-Sichtung)

Klaus Horn adds that the Socorro object was also observed by a couple and their three sons. They saw an egg-shaped object flying over their Cadillac. They described it as aluminum or magnesium-like. The driver complained about a reckless pilot, assuming it was the police car (Zamora's) chasing a traffic violator. At a gas station, the driver complained to the attendant about the "insolent pilot" and described the "strange aircraft." Horn notes that this source is not "100% reliable" but questions which source ever is. He also mentions a discrepancy in another source regarding the Cadillac driver's statement at the gas station, where he allegedly made a remark about a strange object flying over his car, but the witness was never found.

Sources

Cited sources include "The UFO-Investigator" (July-Aug 1964), "UFOs - They Are Real" by Johannes von Buttlar, and "UFOs - Are They Real?" by Edwards.

Internal Note (Internes)

An apology is extended to readers for the likely delay in this issue's publication, expected at the end of June instead of earlier.

The following pages will feature the second part of a translation by Roland M. Horn on Scandinavian UFO directions, with the first part published in the May issue.

UFO Scene in Switzerland (UFO SZENE IN DER SCHWEIZ)

Switzerland's UFO research scene was previously considered weak, with a focus on the superstitious. The article mentions the UFO-Klub Düdingen (now defunct), a UFO study group in Bern, and the controversial contactee BILLY/Eduard Meyer. However, positive developments are noted, with the former head of UFO-Klub Düdingen now engaged in serious research.

The group A.S.C.R.U. is introduced as an umbrella organization for various UFO research groups. The article highlights the youth group C.W.U.F.O. (Club in Winterthur for Unidentified Flying Objects), founded in November 1978. Key members include President Rolf Strasser, Vice-President Roger Frei, Treasurer Roman Horakek, and photographer Ronald Tatula. The group publishes a quarterly bulletin and participated in the "Schweizer Jugend forscht" (Swiss Youth Researches) competition. Planned projects include studying swamp gas and launching hot air balloons shaped like flying saucers to observe public reactions.

A Swiss PEGAP section has been established, led by Roland Rhyner in Frutigen. He, along with Jörg Kallen, collects UFO cases, particularly those occurring near Frutigen, to conduct direct witness interviews. The aim is to create a dense network of UFO research in Switzerland.

The article concludes that serious UFO research is gaining momentum in Switzerland.

Scandinavian Reports (SKANDINAVISCHE BERICHTE) - Part 2

This section continues a report on Scandinavian UFO sightings. Lennard Jonsson, a forest worker, reported observing a formation of three luminous, round objects moving rapidly from northwest to southeast over Lembacken, Varmland province, for three minutes. Similar reports came from Stockholm, Eskilstuna, Gavle, and Osthammar. The Swedish Air Force stated that neither NATO nor the Swedish Ministry of Defense registered any UFO radar reports during these sightings. However, Major Erling Hornven of the Norwegian government confirmed "20 reports with absolutely credible descriptions."

Witnesses estimated the objects' speed at 4800 km/h, significantly faster than terrestrial aircraft. Tage Erikson of the Swedish Defence Research Institute suggested that "atmospheric reflections, an aircraft, or a swarm of meteorites" might have caused the phenomena. The report notes that the Karlsson sighting and the Bergen airport sighting occurred around the same time, suggesting they might be the same formation, with a possible error in altitude reporting.

This section is translated by Roland M. Horn from the AFRO-Bulletin, January-February 1972.

Joseph Wanderka - A Modern Contact Case (JOSEPH WANDERKA - Ein moderner Kontaktfall)

This article, documented and analyzed by Klaus Horn, focuses on Joseph Wanderka, a contactee known for his UFO articles in German magazines. Born in Vienna in 1929, Wanderka spent his childhood in Hungary. The article quotes Wanderka's description of his mother's move to Austria after his father's death, viewing Austria as her homeland after it was incorporated into Nazi Germany. Wanderka states his personal attitude towards the former Nazi German territories remains one of "greatest possible reservation." He was an active member of an anti-fascist sabotage group from 1944 to 1945.

Wanderka claims that in late August or early September 1955, while cycling near Vienna, he encountered a metallic, disk-shaped craft (approx. 2.5 m high, 10-12 m wide) with a ramp. Inside, he met five to six beings, about 1.80 m tall, with child-like faces and overalls. They claimed to be from the "upper peak of Cassiopeia" and spoke perfect German, which they had learned. They discussed societal organization and urged Wanderka to change the "earthly system" to be like theirs, where there were no differences between citizens. Wanderka refused, and the beings allegedly cried before he left the UFO.

The article questions whether Wanderka's refusal was genuine or if he intended to persuade people that this "system" was ideal, leading them to think, "If it works so well for the extraterrestrials, why not for us?" The author asks if Wanderka is a communist. After two months, Wanderka responded that he became a communist due to his contact experience, which explained the "equally structured society, social and racial structure" of the beings. He states his worldview and activities align with the basic idea of a perfect human societal order, which he sees being implemented with great difficulty in socialist systems on Earth. However, he is not part of the Austrian Communist Party due to differing goals.

The author suggests that Wanderka might have invented the story to "communize" the world, considering it a plausible explanation.

A sketch of the alleged encounter, made by Wanderka on July 10, 1978, is presented, with notes indicating discrepancies from the original event, such as the length of the clearing and the position of the beings.

The Photos of Mr. Wanderka (Die Fotos des Herrn Wanderka)

In mid-March 1975, Wanderka and a female companion were in St. Corona am Wechsel, Lower Austria, when he noticed five luminous objects in the sky, which he photographed. His companion did not notice them. Wanderka stated the photos had not been examined by a photo expert. As he refused to hand over the negative, the prints and enlargements were sent to Klaus Webner. Webner concluded the photos had "no evidential value," stating the spots were too blurry to be considered high-flying objects and might simply be a "print exposure."

The article notes that while Joseph Wanderka had more sightings, these two (the contact case and the photo case) are considered the most important.

Astronomy - Life on Other Worlds (ASTRONOMIE - Leben auf anderen Welten) - Part 1: Mars People

This section, written by Philipp Rederlechner, discusses the possibility of life on other planets, starting with Mars. It references the 1938 radio broadcast of H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds" and the resulting mass hysteria. It then moves to the Viking landers in 1979, which sent back images of a desolate, red planet with no signs of plant or animal life.

However, the article explores another method for detecting life: a probe filling a Martian sample into a test chamber. Under the influence of light and water, any existing organisms would multiply and absorb radioactive carbon dioxide. This CO2 would be pumped out, and the sample heated to 700 degrees to kill any organisms. If CO2 is still measured, it must have originated from dead organisms.

Chemists and biologists disagreed on the findings. Initial experiments by chemists in Pasadena suggested that chemical processes, not life, were responsible for the results. Nobel laureate Joshua Lederberg sided with the chemists, stating, "The Martian surface boils with chemical activity." However, later Viking experiments led chemists to a different conclusion: similar to Earth, Mars exhibits "metabolism and photosynthesis" (conversion of CO2 and water into starch). Photosynthesis is considered a sure sign of plant life.

The article mentions that photosynthesis is found in the most primitive algae in cold, barren valleys, similar to the "Dry Valleys" in Antarctica, which were used as a test field by NASA. The Viking experiments were tested there first. The article concludes, "There is life on the desolate Martian surface!"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained aerial phenomena and alleged extraterrestrial encounters. The editorial stance appears to favor detailed investigation and presentation of evidence, while also acknowledging skepticism and alternative explanations. There is a clear interest in the scientific aspects of UFO research, as seen in the Mars section, and in the personal experiences of contactees. The magazine also seems to encourage reader participation and the sharing of information within the UFO community.