Probe Report Volume 3 Issue 4

Magazine Overview

The Probe Report - April 1983

This issue of The Probe Report, published in April 1983 as Volume 3, Number 4, is the official publication of the PROBE UFO Investigation Organisation. The cover prominently features George Adamski and his claim of "THE BIRTH OF THE UFO MYTH," alongside mentions of the "RENDLESHAM FOREST MYSTERY" and "SCUFORI REPORT." The editorial content highlights a critical perspective on UFO investigation and commentary.

Editorial: A Critical Look at UFOlogy and Officialdom

The editorial section begins by lamenting the retirement of Charles Bowen, the long-time editor of FLYING SAUCER REVIEW (FSR), due to ill health. However, it expresses strong disapproval of Gordon Creighton's appointment as the new editor of FSR, characterizing his views as belonging to an outdated era of UFO investigation where spaceships were naively blamed for sightings. The editorial criticizes Creighton for continuing to espouse "ludicrous tripe" and for his apparent belief that governments possess all the information on UFOs and have no need for public reports. This is contrasted with PROBE's recent receipt of detailed UFO sighting information from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in response to a written request concerning the September 1982 mini-flap.

The editorial also discusses the increasing difficulty in obtaining information from official organizations. The Cardiff Weather Centre requested a fee of £20 plus VAT for weather conditions during the 1982 sightings, and Bristol Airport asked for £50 to provide air traffic details. This financial barrier is presented as a significant obstacle to UFO investigation.

Letters to the Editor

Peter Tate (UFO INTERNATIONAL)

Peter Tate writes in response to a letter from Bob Boyd (PUFORG) in the previous issue. Tate deprecates personal innuendos and advocates for constructive discussion based on logical argument. He emphasizes that if one has proof of UFO existence, it should be used to argue the case. Tate states that while PROBE and UFO INTERNATIONAL may not always agree, they respect each other's integrity. He identifies a key problem in ufology as the degree of criticality, suggesting a need for objectivity between "true believers" and those who "explain it all away."

Eric Morris & M.N. Norrish (PUFOIC)

Morris and Norrish also address the alleged proof of UFOs at Warminster. They refer to an April 1981 case investigated by PUFOIC, which has now been completed. The witness's account showed differences from the original interview, leading PUFOIC to conclude the event was a fabrication. They express that this outcome, while disappointing, has provided PUFOIC with confidence and maturity. They also question if Mr. Boyd believes they are "sinister and devious" like he perceives others.

Perry Petrakis (A.E.S.V.)

Petrakis expresses interest in the "Mystery Circles - The Epilogue" article from a previous issue, relating it to similar phenomena encountered in the South of France in 1977 near Aix-en-Provence. An alleged UFO landing resulted in a photograph taken by members of the Association d'Étude sur les Souccupes Volantes (A.E.S.V.). Their investigation concluded that whirlwinds were responsible for the damage, not a UFO landing, despite the case receiving wide media coverage.

Thomas J. Dunford (Independant UFO Investigator)

Dunford writes about the "Raymond Smithers incident," suggesting it portrays significant intrigue. He questions the "MIB" stigma and advocates for a logical, scientific approach to ufology. He believes that if ufologists cannot accept criticism, their continued investigation is questionable. Dunford also shares personal experiences of harassment while investigating foreign CE11 and CE111 cases, attributing it to "WHIPS" (Very High Influencial People).

Cynthia Hind (Mutual UFO Network)

Hind writes in response to the article on Adamski and Klarer. She states she has known Elizabeth Klarer for 14 years and believes both Adamski and Klarer had some sort of experience. She finds Klarer to be intelligent and warm, though prone to embellishing facts. Hind questions if Klarer, from a "genteel" background, would invent a story that would lead to discredit. She notes Klarer has made little financial gain from her story and endures ridicule.

Editor's Note on PUFOIC/PUFORG and Adamski Evidence

The editor notes that PUFOIC and PUFORG are separate organizations. He also confirms that Bob Boyd of PUFORG has agreed to prepare an article detailing his experiences and photographs related to alleged UFOs at Warminster, to be published in a future issue.

The Birth of the UFO Myth - George Adamski

Steuart Campbell offers an in-depth analysis of George Adamski, widely considered responsible for popularizing the UFO myth. Campbell asserts that Adamski was a fraud, not the first to claim contact but the first to make it known globally. Adamski's claims are viewed with skepticism, stemming from his upbringing influenced by theosophy and his prior involvement in mystical cults and lectures. He was known as "Professor" and had a following.

Campbell suggests Adamski's proximity to the Mount Palomar observatory and the publicity surrounding the 1947 "flying saucer" reports influenced him. Adamski's desire to see a UFO land and speak to its pilot is noted. His 1949 account, "An Imaginary Trip to the Moon, Venus and Mars," was rewritten by a female writer, leading to the book "Pioneers in Space."

Adamski gained public notice in 1950 with a photograph published in FATE magazine. He became famous with the 1953 book "Flying Saucers Have Landed," co-authored with Desmond Leslie. Campbell points out inconsistencies in Adamski's narrative, such as his claims of space flights occurring before the book's dedication date. He also critiques Adamski's descriptions of a habitable Moon with snow-capped mountains and rivers, attributing them to outdated astronomical speculation.

Adamski's famous "Venusian Scout Craft" photograph, taken in 1952, is analyzed. While its location at Palomar Gardens is not doubted, the object's size and nature are questioned, with suggestions it could be a manufactured component like a patent bottle-cooling machine or a chicken brooder.

In his 1956 book, "Inside The Space Ships," Adamski detailed seven "contacts" with aliens, including space flights. Campbell argues that Adamski transferred his own philosophy to a fictional "Master," gaining a wider audience. The book's descriptions of the Moon are dismissed as defying credibility, likely influenced by speculative articles from the 1930s.

Campbell concludes that Adamski's stories were likely a product of his imagination, possibly influenced by ball lightning or other natural phenomena, rather than genuine extraterrestrial encounters. The article highlights the dangers of a little knowledge being dangerous and how a fabricated narrative can gain traction.

Rendlesham Forest Mystery

While not detailed in this excerpt, the cover indicates that the Rendlesham Forest Mystery is a topic covered in this issue, suggesting an investigation or report on this significant UFO event.

Scufori Report

Similarly, the "SCUFORI REPORT" is mentioned on the cover, implying a report or case study from the SCUFORI organization is included, likely detailing their investigative findings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The Probe Report demonstrates a strong commitment to critical analysis and evidence-based investigation within ufology. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of unsubstantiated claims, particularly those of contactees like George Adamski, and advocates for a scientific approach. The magazine highlights the challenges of obtaining information from official sources and contrasts its own methods with those perceived as less rigorous or more sensationalist. There is a recurring theme of debunking or critically examining well-known UFO cases and personalities, while also acknowledging the need for thorough investigation and the potential for genuine phenomena. The publication appears to position itself as a voice of reason and scientific inquiry in the often speculative field of UFO research.

This issue of Flying Saucer Review, Volume 3, Number 4, dated July-August 1984, is published by Flying Saucer Review Publications in the United Kingdom. The cover price is £1.50 and it features a prominent article titled "RENDLESHAM REVISITED" by Ian Mrzyglod & Martin Shipp. The issue delves into various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, including critical analyses of contactee claims, scientific investigations, and detailed case studies.

George Adamski: The Untold Story

The issue begins with a critical examination of George Adamski's claims, referencing his books "Flying Saucers Have Landed" and "Cosmic Philosophy." The author highlights Adamski's technical inaccuracies, such as his misunderstanding of gravity and his claims about Venusian life and Earth's appearance from space. Despite these flaws, Adamski achieved significant popularity, touring and selling many books. The article notes that while his later works did not achieve the same success, his initial story resonated with a public eager to believe, shifting ufology from science fiction to mythology. The review also touches upon Lou Zinsstag's contribution to "The Untold Story," detailing her time as Adamski's co-worker, and Timothy Good's analysis, which attempts to create a new picture of Adamski's concept by presenting witnesses to his spaceships and others who confirmed similar experiences.

Project Identification: The First Scientific Field Study of UFO Phenomena

This section reviews Harley D. Rutledge's book, "Project Identification." The book details a scientific field study initiated in southeast Missouri, USA, during a 'UFO flap' in 1973. Dr. Rutledge and his team established numerous viewing stations to observe and record UFO phenomena. The project aimed to identify lights, including natural and man-made phenomena, and recorded 157 sightings. The review praises the book's approach, noting Rutledge's method of measuring light speeds by timing their traverse across his field of vision rather than following them. However, it points out minor errors in photo captions. The review concludes that despite potential cynicism, the project's findings suggest that southeast Missouri was indeed treated to displays of unknown lights, and that these UFOs appeared to be intelligently controlled.

Bell-Like UFO From W.W.2.

This article, by Jenny Randles, details a case investigated by Mark Brown concerning an incident in November 1939 near Brockworth, Gloucestershire. Mr. F. Price, then 30 years old, reported seeing a peculiar, bell-shaped object hovering about 20 feet above a field. The object emitted a pale green light and a humming sound. The sighting lasted about three minutes. The object tilted and moved sideways before the green light faded. Mr. Price was frightened and drove away. He later reported a similar humming noise in 1958. Mark Brown's investigation found no viable explanation for the case, suggesting it might be a genuine material UFO with an intelligence behind it, and noted its common 'stereotype' shape. Randles also proposes initiating a 'Project Spinning-Top' to collect similar UFO reports.

Lights of Fancy

Steuart Campbell presents an alternative viewpoint on Paul Devereux's book "Earth Lights." Campbell critiques Devereux's theory that UFOs are a 'terrestrial discharge phenomenon' caused by stress in geological faults. Campbell argues that Devereux's evidence is flawed, citing a lack of correlation between UFO sightings and fault lines, and misinterpretations of data. He criticizes Devereux's methodology, the book's style, and printing errors. While acknowledging some potentially valuable insights, such as UFOs being protean phenomena and witnesses requiring counselling, Campbell ultimately dismisses Devereux's central thesis as ridiculous and a 'false trail.'

Rendlesham Revisited

This article by Ian Mrzyglod and Martin Shipp details an investigation into the Rendlesham Forest incident of December 1980. The SCUFORI investigators, assisted by Dot Street and Brenda Butler, visited the alleged landing site. They found an area devoid of life, but concluded this was likely due to tree felling rather than radiation from a crashed object. The article also addresses reports of 'men in black' visiting a local farmer, which the investigators found to be inconsistent with witness accounts. Further investigations into animal disturbances and car effects are also discussed, with the conclusion that the evidence did not support the UFO landing theory, suggesting that the barren site was a result of forestry operations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of UFO claims, particularly those of contactees like George Adamski, and the application of scientific methods to UFO investigation. There is a strong emphasis on rigorous investigation, data analysis, and the debunking of unsubstantiated claims. The magazine appears to maintain a stance that is skeptical yet open to genuine phenomena, encouraging detailed research and questioning established narratives. The editorial stance is one of thoroughness, seeking rational explanations while acknowledging the persistent mysteries within the UFO field.

This document is an issue of "THE PROBE REPORT," a publication likely from SCUFORI / PROBE Joint Production, focusing on UFO investigations. The primary content reviewed here is the SCUFORI report on the Rendlesham Forest incident of December 1980. The issue also includes advertisements for UFO-related books and publications.

SCUFORI Report on the Rendlesham Forest Incident

The SCUFORI investigation into the Rendlesham Forest incident aimed not to definitively prove a sighting, but to assess if the case warranted further detailed follow-up. The investigators, Shipp and Affleck, spent three days examining the area and interviewing witnesses.

Witness Testimony and Discrepancies

The report details interviews with witnesses, including a woman named Dot and Brenda, whose car allegedly experienced issues during the event. Their account of the car's behavior, including dashboard instrument readings and the car stopping without disengaging the clutch, was questioned for potential exaggeration or misinterpretation. The dog's reaction was also considered, with a heart condition being a possible explanation for its behavior.

SCUFORI investigators, having driven the same track, felt that the women's account might contain exaggeration. They also visited two brothers who reported television and electrical interference in January 1981, near RAF Woodbridge. These men stated that such disturbances were common due to their location in a dense forest, exacerbated by bad weather, and did not find the January events exceptional.

Analysis of the Case's Foundation

The core of the Rendlesham Forest case, as presented in other publications, reportedly hinges on information provided exclusively to Brenda Butler by airforce personnel. SCUFORI found this aspect unusual, questioning why military personnel would confide in an amateur investigator known for sharing information widely, rather than contacting national newspapers anonymously. Shipp and Affleck expressed dissatisfaction with how Brenda received this information, suggesting it might be suspect.

SCUFORI also identified five instances where reported events did not appear as described in previous accounts. While acknowledging that these events might have occurred, they found no evidence connecting them to an alleged UFO. The investigators noted that peripheral events, such as the cattle being disturbed or the electrical interference, might have been exaggerated out of proportion or were non-existent.

SCUFORI's Conclusions

SCUFORI concluded that the Rendlesham Forest case is suspect because its entire concept of a crashed UFO is based on the information obtained by one person, Brenda Butler. They found that the discrepancies unearthed cast doubts on the entire case and, in their opinion, it does not warrant further investigation. They suggest that the case, like many others involving military involvement in UFO events, will likely remain an enigma.

Other Investigations and Information

The report mentions that Paul Begg, author of "INTO THIN AIR," also received a story about a UFO tracked on radar heading for Suffolk, with military involvement in taking away radar tapes. Norman Oliver, editor of BUFORA'S BUFORA JOURNAL, received a message from a serviceman in America about a significant event at Woodbridge. These accounts, while indicating other sources of information, do not validate the core claims.

SCUFORI also explored potential landing sites and found areas that might have been cleared by felling, suggesting that some claims about 'peripheral' events could be explained by natural occurrences or exaggeration.

Advertisements and Publications

The issue also includes advertisements for:

• THE CATALOGUE OF UFO PERIODICALS: A comprehensive bibliography of UFO periodicals by Tom Lind, published by SAID OF SAUCERS Research Publication.
• SCUFORI / PROBE Joint Production: A handbook examining methods of investigating UFOs, titled "UFO/IFO: A PROCESS OF ELIMINATION."
• SS&S Publications: Offering their 1983 catalogue of books and special items.
• Bonnie Wheeler: Publishing a quarterly newsletter from the Cambridge UFO Research Group.
• JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG: The official journal of the German organization CEP.
• BACK ISSUE SERVICE: Offering back copies of "THE PROBE REPORT."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical analysis of UFO case evidence, particularly the Rendlesham Forest incident. The editorial stance, as represented by the SCUFORI report, is one of skepticism towards sensationalized accounts, emphasizing the need for verifiable evidence and cautioning against cases that rely heavily on single, uncorroborated testimonies. The publication appears to favor rigorous investigation and a discerning approach to ufology, as evidenced by its critical review of the Rendlesham case and its promotion of detailed research handbooks.