PROJECT RED BOOK

Magazine Overview

Title: PROJECT RED BOOK
Issue: Vol.4 # 12
Date: June 2001
Publisher: YORKSHIRE UFO SOCIETY
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £1:50

This issue of Project Red Book, published by the Yorkshire UFO Society, presents a diverse range of articles exploring UFO phenomena, historical accounts, and contemporary sightings.

Articles

THE PHANTOM MENACE: UFOS IN WW1 (Part One)

Dr. David Clarke examines the "Phantom Airships Scare" of World War One. He argues that these sightings were not UFO waves in the modern sense but rather rumour-inspired social panics, fueled by the escalating tensions with Germany and fears of aerial bombardment. Clarke highlights how the media and politicians amplified these fears, leading to widespread reports of unidentified aircraft. He notes that during the six-year period beginning in 1908, there was a perceived threat of war, and the idea of aerial attack became a significant concern. The article details how reports of "phantom Zeppelins" poured into military headquarters from the outset of the war. The image of the Zeppelin became a "folk devil," comparable to earlier fears of invasion. Persistent reports of airships and airplanes flying secret night missions reached the War Office, particularly from northwest England and the Scottish borders. The article cites specific incidents, such as the alleged overflight of Sheerness Naval dockyard by a Zeppelin in 1912, which he suggests was a rumour concocted by politicians. He also discusses the airship raids on Norfolk in January 1915, noting that while real raids occurred, there were also claims of numerous unidentified aircraft and "floating lights" attributed to spies. The article points out that investigations by military intelligence concluded that the vast majority of reported sightings of unidentified aircraft and moving lights were "false" and generated by rumour alone. It concludes that similar underlying human factors contribute to both historical "phantom airship" scares and modern UFO reports.

UFO CENTRAL

Jon Slater reports on two distinct UFO sightings. The first occurred in Birmingham on Pershore Street, where the witness observed a dark, squarish object floating over a police station on an Easter Monday morning. Initially mistaken for a bag, more objects appeared, and the witness counted 26 altogether. The objects were described as floating, bobbing, and some with a golden yellow color. They moved at a steady pace. The witness contacted the police and civil aviation authority, but they were not interested. The second sighting, reported by Phil Richardson from the Scottish Highlands, describes a dull glowing light, about the size of a tennis ball, travelling parallel to the ground at a speed of around fifteen mph. The object was observed for some distance before disappearing.

THE DISCLOSURE PROJECT: A STEP BACKWARDS?

Dave Baker critically examines Steven Greer's "Disclosure Project," which held a press conference on May 10, 2001, aiming to reveal information about extraterrestrial life and a government cover-up. Greer, director of CSETI, claims to have gathered testimonies from around 400 individuals, including military and government personnel. The project aimed to persuade the US Congress to hold open hearings. Baker highlights the claims made at the conference, such as intercepted UFOs, crash-retrieval teams, and alien technology. He mentions key speakers like John Callahan, who recounted a 1986 incident involving a Japanese Airlines 747 being trailed by a UFO. Other witnesses included retired military personnel like Lt. Col. Charles L. Brown and Capt. Robert Salas, who reported sightings of UFOs and their effects on military operations. The article also touches upon claims regarding Werner Von Braun's warnings about controlling space and the potential threat from hostile extraterrestrials. A significant point of contention is the inclusion of Clifford Stone, a retired U.S. Army sergeant, whose extensive claims about alien species and black operations are met with skepticism by UFO researchers like Kevin Randle and Don Ecker. Randle questions Stone's military service record and suggests that many of Greer's "insiders" may not be credible. Baker concludes that the project may have inadvertently damaged the credibility of UFO research by presenting unverified claims, potentially hindering future serious investigations.

UFOS-IS THIS THE BEST PROOF YET?

This article, originally from the London Daily Star, reports on a video footage of a UFO captured by housewife Sharon Rowlands in Derbyshire. The object is described as a three-mile-wide UFO hovering over the countryside for six minutes. The footage reportedly stunned American space scientists, and NASA requested to examine it. Rowlands, initially a disbeliever, was convinced by her own eyes. The UFO was described as a giant disc with a bite taken out, covered with yellow, orange, and blue lights, and a darker center, beaming pulses of light before disappearing in a red flash. The Met Office confirmed no freak weather conditions. The village of Bonsall is now considered a UFO hotspot with numerous sightings.

LAPIS CONFERENCE REVIEW

This section reviews the LAPIS conference, attended by YUFOS. It asks what Adam Bradley thought of the events.

FROM AROUND THE WORLD...

• This section provides a collection of brief reports from various locations:
• Monster eludes Loch hunt: A report about a search for a monster in Loch.
• Sonic Boom mystery continues: An ongoing mystery related to sonic booms.
• Black Cat in Australia: A report about a black cat sighting in Australia.
• Rain of Fish on Golf Course: An unusual event where fish rained on a golf course.
• Ripping Yam: A brief, unclear mention.

THE GREEN CHILDREN OF WOOLPIT

Dr. Karl Shuker discusses one of England's oldest "fortean" legends, the tale of the Green Children of Woolpit.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of historical events and UFO phenomena, often questioning official narratives and highlighting the role of rumour and social psychology in shaping perceptions. There is a critical stance towards sensationalism, particularly evident in the review of "The Disclosure Project," where skepticism towards unverified claims is voiced. The publication appears to favor rigorous investigation and a balanced perspective, while still embracing the mystery and intrigue of unexplained events. The editorial stance seems to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging readers to question and consider various explanations for anomalous phenomena.

Title: PRB
Issue: Vol. 4, #12
Date: June 2001
Publisher: PRB
Country: UK

LAPIS - Review of Saturday's events

This section, written by Adam Bradley (YUFOS), reviews the LAPIS convention held on Saturday, May 6th, 2001. The convention took place at a university building in Preston and featured various speakers.

Graham Birdsall's Address

UFO Magazine's Graham Birdsall expressed his displeasure with a recent tabloid article that claimed the field of UFO study was dead. He argued that sightings were actually up and that a prominent UFO organization was not disbanded as reported.

Dr Dave Clarke: The Phantom Menace

Dr. Dave Clarke presented a talk on First World War UFO sightings. He discussed reports of nocturnal lights and cigar-shaped objects seen in the UK before the war, which were often interpreted as German airships. He also investigated the disappearance of 266 officers in Gallipoli, initially attributed to a paranormal event but later explained as a military misidentification and likely ambush.

Andy Roberts: Foo-Fighters

Andy Roberts discussed 'foo-fighters', strange aerial phenomena from the Second World War believed to be precursors to UFOs. He described them as bright lights capable of incredible agility that followed fighter planes. Roberts presented cases, including one from Martin Caiden's book 'Black Thursday', where metallic disks paced a bomber. He also discussed a case of a large cylindrical object pacing a bomber at night, suggesting it could be an unknown meteorological phenomenon.

Russell Callaghan: NASA Footage

Russell Callaghan presented footage from NASA, including unknown objects in space and a metal rod experiment from the Mir Space Station. He also showed footage of lights in the sky and an advert for an internet website disguised as a UFO sighting. Callaghan recounted a visit to Mexico with Graham Birdsall and noted the lack of British media interest in the Preston Conference.

Jon Downes: Cryptozoology and the Chupacabras

Jon Downes, a cryptozoologist, discussed his research into the Chupacabras. He initially believed it to be a legend but became convinced of its existence after filming an incident in Puerto Rico. He linked paranormal activity to socio-political unrest and dismissed the alien hypothesis. Downes described the Chupacabras' characteristics and a case involving a chicken autopsy.

From Around the World...And Beyond!!!

This section compiles various paranormal and Fortean events.

Monster Eludes Loch Hunt

The latest expedition to find the Loch Ness Monster ended in disappointment, with sonar equipment and a Nessie trap yielding no results.

Boom Mystery as Plane and a Quake Ruled Out

RAF investigators denied military aircraft caused a sonic boom in Scarborough in February 2001. Experts believe it was a sonic boom, possibly caused by a meteorite or a Russian satellite breaking up.

Wanted Alive: Big Black Cat That Was Caught on Camera

Wildlife authorities in Australia are investigating a mystery big black cat caught on video camera in the Blue Mountains. Concerns exist about killing a creature considered long extinct.

Fish Rain Down on Golf Course

A torrential downpour of goldfish and Koi carp amazed golfers on a Wiltshire golf course, likely caused by a mini-whirlwind.

Ripping Yarn: Jack the Ripper

Two British researchers propose that Colonel Claude Conder, an archeologist, was Jack the Ripper. They cite cryptic messages and Conder's background in British Intelligence.

Legendary Beast Attracts Reward

A monster-hunting club is offering a reward for the capture of the Cadborosaurus, a serpent-like sea creature reported along the Pacific coast.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena, paranormal events, and cryptozoology, often presenting skeptical viewpoints alongside more credulous accounts. There is a clear interest in investigating unexplained events and challenging mainstream scientific explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into a wide range of anomalous phenomena, with a focus on detailed reporting and personal accounts from researchers and witnesses.

This article, titled "THE GREEN CHILDREN OF WOOLPIT," is a feature story published in FATE Magazine in May 2001 (Volume 4, Issue 12). It is authored by Dr. Karl P. N. Shuker, a cryptozoologist based in West Bromwich, England, and author of "Mysteries of Planet Earth." The article delves into the historical enigma of the green children of Woolpit, a tale from 12th-century England.

The Legend of the Green Children

The story is set in the small Suffolk village of Woolpit during the reign of either King Stephen (1135-54) or King Henry II (1154-1189). Villagers discovered two unusually dressed children, a boy and a girl, crawling out of a deep trench. They spoke an unintelligible language, and most strikingly, their skin was green. The children were taken in by Sir Richard de Calne, a local landowner. The boy fell ill and died within a year, but the girl survived. As she grew older, her skin's green hue faded. She eventually learned English and married a man from King's Lynn, becoming known as Agnes Barre.

Agnes recounted that she and her brother came from a place called "St Martin's Land," a Christian land of perpetual twilight where everything was green, separated by a wide river from a sunnier place. While tending their father's flocks, they were led by the sound of church bells into an underground realm and then found themselves in Woolpit.

Interpretations and Theories

This peculiar account has inspired numerous interpretations:

• Folklore/Faerie Lore: Dr. Katharine Briggs, in "A Dictionary of Fairies" (1976), noted themes prevalent in Faerie lore, such as the color green, a twilit land, and subterranean worlds, suggesting the story might be a legend of elves or fairies visiting mankind.
• Alien Origin: In 1997, astronomer Duncan Lunan proposed at a Fortean Times conference that the children were aliens accidentally transported to Earth from another planet via a malfunctioning matter transmitter.
• Hollow Earth Theory: One theory suggests that Earth is hollow and the children emerged from a hidden world within its interior.
• Immigrants from Scandinavia: Another possibility is that they were immigrants from northern Scandinavia, a region with less light than sunny Suffolk.
• Personification of Nature: They could be seen as personifications of Nature, akin to the Green Man or Jack-in-the-Green.
• "Babes in the Wood" Scenario: A traditional Woolpit belief posits they were abandoned children, victims of an evil uncle seeking inheritance.

Paul Harris's Comprehensive Theory

The article highlights the research of Paul Harris, published in "Fortean Studies" in 1998. Harris proposed a more straightforward, local explanation:

• Flemish Origin: Prior to Henry II's reign (around 1173), eastern England saw an influx of Flemish merchants and weavers. After Henry II became king, these immigrants faced persecution.
• Escape and Malnutrition: Harris suggested the green children were of Flemish parentage, possibly from Fornham St. Martin (explaining "St Martin's Land"), near Woolpit. Their parents may have been killed, and the children escaped into Thetford Forest. The forest's dimness might have seemed like twilight. Prolonged lack of food could have led to malnutrition, specifically chlorosis, a condition that causes the skin to turn gradually green.
• Wandering to Woolpit: Following church bells, they might have wandered through underground mine passages associated with Thetford, ultimately leading to Woolpit. Their disoriented state, starvation-induced pallor, unfamiliar clothing, and Flemish dialect would have made them a strange spectacle.

Harris's theory is praised for providing convincing explanations for the story's enigmatic aspects.

Legacy and Modern Connections

Today, the memory of the green children lives on in Woolpit through a village sign and a church banner. The article also notes a potential modern connection: Duncan Lunan was contacted by an American who claimed descent from Agnes Barre, suggesting the saga might still hold surprises.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The article explores themes of historical mystery, folklore, and the intersection of legend with potential historical events. It presents multiple theories, from the supernatural and extraterrestrial to a grounded, historical explanation, without definitively endorsing one over the others. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, characteristic of FATE Magazine.