Pre-1947 UFO Bulletin

Magazine Overview

Title: Pre-1947 UFO Bulletin
Issue: 5
Date: June 1981

This issue features a review of H. G. Wells' 1908 novel, 'The War In The Air'. The reviewer, N. Watson, finds Wells' work both entertaining and thought-provoking, exploring multiple levels of interpretation within the novel.

Review of 'The War In The Air'

The review focuses on the novel's exploration of themes such as the impact of science and technology on individual lives, the dangers of imperialism and nationalism, and the profound changes brought about by aerial navigation. Watson highlights how the Smallways family's life-styles are irrevocably altered, often for the worse, by these advancements. The reviewer quotes Wells on the 'evil-spirited press' and the potential for societal collapse, referencing pages 229 and 230 of the Penguin paperback edition.

Wells' depiction of aerial warfare is a central theme. The novel describes the secret testing of aerial machines and the disappearance of aviation pioneers, implying government or foreign agent abduction for security reasons. The review details the Germans' attack on America using a fleet of airships and 'Drachenflieger' aircraft, which bomb American shipping with devastating effect. A specific passage (pages 113-114) describes airships dropping bombs on an American fleet, and later, the same craft bomb New York.

Watson elaborates on Wells' observations regarding aerial warfare:

• Hollow Victory: Bombarding New York proved a hollow victory as the Germans could not control the surrendered population without occupying troops, leading to an uneasy stalemate.
• Aerial Dogfights: The novel depicts aerial combat, including dogfights (pages 175-182), and the counter-attacks on civilian populations.
• Elimination of Fronts: Aerial warfare techniques eliminate traditional 'fronts,' making combat 'enormously destructive and entirely indecisive' (page 165).

Wells concluded that aerial warfare was an inevitable catalyst for social disintegration and degeneration. The reviewer notes that the power of these aerial contraptions might have been over-stated, and the role of aircraft in World War I was minor compared to the anxieties fueled by writers like Wells.

Parallels to UFO Phenomena

Watson draws a significant parallel between Wells' 1907 analysis and contemporary concerns, suggesting that the 'nuclear deterrent' might serve as the modern equivalent of the 'ultimate disaster' instrument. The reviewer posits that Wells' work, along with other writings, may have prepared the ground for spontaneous public reactions, citing the British 1909 'airship' scare as an example.

The reviewer encourages readers to obtain a copy of 'The War In The Air' to compare Wells' portrayal of impending doom with the worries of present-day UFO contactees. Comments and feedback are invited, with contact information provided for N. Watson.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the examination of science fiction literature, specifically H.G. Wells' 'The War In The Air,' through the lens of potential societal collapse and its connection to modern anxieties, particularly those surrounding UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical analysis, drawing historical literary parallels to contemporary concerns about potential disasters, whether technological, military, or unexplained aerial phenomena.