Saucer News - Whole Number 30 - Vol 05 No 03 - 1958 04-05

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER NEWS
Issue: VOLUME 5, NUMBER 3 (Whole Number 30)
Date: APRIL-MAY 1958
Publisher: Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of SAUCER NEWS delves into the origins of flying saucers, presenting a terrestrial explanation rooted in advanced German rocket technology from World War II. It features a prominent photo of astronomer Luther Hawthorne pointing to holes in his observatory dome, allegedly made by mysterious fireballs.

Letters to the Editor

The issue opens with reader correspondence. Bernice T. Umland finds an article by ibn Aharon fascinating and informative. Richard Hall critically analyzes Aharon's article, questioning the proof of Chaldaic literature and the scientific basis for claims about 'magic devices' and the 'Golden Rod,' suggesting Aharon conflates factual language with conjecture and personal experience with objective proof.

Ruth Netherton expresses strong skepticism towards articles in SAUCER NEWS, particularly those discussing the 'earth theory' and 'de-contamination of the atmosphere theory,' viewing them as absurd and potentially motivated by profit. William W. Suther, Jr., of the Interplanetary Fellowship, objects to the republishing of 'expose sheets' on members of his organization, such as Williamson and Adamski, without permission, considering it a scandal and demanding editorial cooperation.

James W. Moseley, the editor, responds to Suther by stating that SAUCER NEWS does not take orders regarding publication and that the Adamski Expose has already been reprinted. John Ketalawich congratulates the magazine for its special issue on Adamski, believing it contributes to a more scientific foundation for saucer research.

Feature Articles

The German Saucer Story

This article, translated from Spanish and edited by James W. Moseley, presents a theory by Ulbricht Von Rittner, a former German army officer, that flying saucers are terrestrial in origin, specifically advanced German rocket technology. The article details how, after WWII, the Joint Intelligence Objective Committee gathered 1,500 tons of German scientific files and approximately 400 scientists, including prominent figures like Werner Von Braun, who now work in the US. The USSR also acquired German scientists and technology, reportedly gaining more than the US. The article notes that German rockets like the V-1 and V-2 were highly advanced, and projects like the V-8 and V-9, which had a round, saucer-like shape, were in development before the destruction of Peenemunde. The author suggests that American rockets are descendants of these German designs. The article discusses the estimated size and speed of saucers, arguing that while extraterrestrial origins are possible, a terrestrial explanation involving advanced, possibly remotely controlled, missiles is more plausible. It posits that the 'saucer psychosis' might have been deliberately fostered by American authorities as a smoke screen for their own advanced rocket research, possibly to mislead Soviet espionage.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Hunrath and Wilkinson

This article by James W. Moseley recounts the disappearance of Karl Hunrath and Jack Wilkinson in November 1953, an event that has generated significant controversy and is considered one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in Saucerdom. The account is based on an interview with Jerrold Baker, a saucer researcher who knew the missing men. Baker met Hunrath at George Adamski's home in 1952, where Hunrath, an electrical engineer, was involved in forming the Adamski Foundation. Hunrath had been experimenting with an electro-magnetic machine called 'Bosco,' intended to create a magnetic fault to bring down saucers. However, the Adamski Foundation shifted focus to metaphysical research, leading to alleged 'space messages' received by Williamson. In January 1953, Hunrath, Williamson, and Baker had a falling out with Adamski and left Palomar Gardens. Hunrath found technical work, while Williamson and Baker struggled. Later, Williamson returned to his wife, and Baker and Hunrath moved to Los Angeles. In August 1953, Jack Wilkinson joined Baker and Hunrath, having previously worked with Hunrath.

Other Content

Book Review

A review of 'Flying Saucer Pilgrimage' by Reeve, authored by James W. Moseley, is listed.

Contents of This Issue

The table of contents lists "Letters to the Editor," "Recent News Stories," a book review, and two feature articles: "The German Saucer Story" and "The Mysterious Disappearance of Hunrath and Wilkinson."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the phenomenon of flying saucers, with a notable leaning towards terrestrial explanations, particularly those involving advanced rocket technology. The editorial stance appears to be critical of unsubstantiated claims and encourages a more scientific approach to UFO research, as evidenced by the editor's responses to reader letters and the inclusion of articles that dissect potential technological origins rather than solely focusing on extraterrestrial hypotheses. The magazine also engages with the controversial aspects of the UFO community, such as the Adamski case and unexplained disappearances.

Title: SAUCER NEWS
Issue: Vol. 1, No. 12
Date: February-March 1958
Publisher: SAUCER NEWS
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of SAUCER NEWS focuses heavily on the mysterious disappearance of two individuals, Hunrath and Wilkinson, in November 1953, while also presenting a collection of recent UFO sighting reports from various locations across the United States. It also includes a book review and commentary on a controversial television program.

The Hunrath and Wilkinson Disappearance

The central narrative of this issue revolves around the disappearance of Hunrath and Wilkinson. The article details how these men, influenced by figures like Adamski, became deeply involved in subjective saucer research, even adopting 'space names' like Markon and Mark III. They developed a belief that they would be taken to Mars by flying saucers. Baker, a friend and associate, recounts his interactions with them, including their conviction that they were 'Space Men'.

Wilkinson's wife and children had joined him in California, and Hunrath was living separately. While Baker was away visiting his ill mother, Wilkinson wrote to him about a planned rendezvous with a saucer to fly to Mars. Although this letter was never mailed, Mrs. Wilkinson later informed Baker about it.

Baker did not return in time for the supposed rendezvous. On his way east, he met with Al Bailey and Laimon Streeter in Winslow, Arizona, who had co-authored "The Saucers Speak" based on ham radio experiments. It was from Streeter that Baker learned Hunrath and Wilkinson had disappeared a few days earlier while flying in a rented plane towards their supposed saucer rendezvous.

An FBI investigation followed, but Baker was not allowed to be present during interviews with Bailey and Streeter. In Los Angeles, Baker spoke with Mrs. Wilkinson, who provided what information she could. Newspapers reported the disappearance, noting mysterious symbols found on the walls of Wilkinson's home and Hunrath's room, which the men claimed to have seen mentally. Baker assisted Mrs. Wilkinson in disposing of her husband's property, which included mechanical apparatus and saucer material. Hunrath's personal effects were auctioned due to unpaid rent.

Further details emerge about their final days: Hunrath and Wilkinson had quit their jobs and rented a plane from Gardina County Airport. They had phoned several people, hinting at their trip and even inviting them along, which Baker now interprets as a sign of their extreme mental state.

Despite conflicting rumors, no definitive evidence of their fate has emerged. One rumor suggests the plane was spotted from the air, but never located by ground expeditions. Baker himself claims to have moved past his 'Space Man' ideas and returned to reality, though he still believes Hunrath and Wilkinson might be alive on Mars if they didn't crash.

Several other facts are presented to heighten the mystery: the airport from which they rented their plane was destroyed by fire shortly after their disappearance, and three other individuals connected to the case died within four years: Mr. Detwiler (photographer), Hal Nelson (Civil Service Investigator), and Laimon Streeter (ham radio operator).

Baker is convinced that if Hunrath and Wilkinson were still alive, they would be openly pursuing their saucer research. Objectively, the evidence leans towards them being dead, as Hunrath was not an experienced pilot and they were flying over a desolate, unexplored region.

Recent News Stories: UFO Sightings

This section compiles various UFO sighting reports from late 1957 and early 1958:

• Pennsylvania: Miss Frances Stichler reported a flat, bowl-shaped object with a man in a light gray suit on its rim, seen near Milford in May 1957.
• Montana: The Air Force investigated a mystery object that crashed near Giant Springs. It was cone-shaped, charred, and smelled of gunpowder.
• Ohio: Mrs. Richard Goff and her brother saw a bed pan-shaped object with bright lights near Tiro on November 22nd, which changed shape and color.
• Wisconsin: Several motorists reported a saucer-shaped object, orange in color, traveling at 50 mph near Ellsworth on December 11th.
• New Jersey: Paul Paster and his wife saw three UFOs in formation speed toward New York City on January 4th.
• Wisconsin: Michael Hammes reported a fast-moving brilliant object, about 3 feet long, explode in the western sky on December 13th.
• Louisiana: Mrs. Mary Louise Tobin reported a UFO resembling the rising sun, which caused a smoking car to emit intense heat, burning its occupants.
• South Dakota: Howard Hendricksen reported a large saucer, estimated at half-mile in diameter, passing directly over his car near Chamberlain on December 18th.
• Michigan: Jack Wiedman observed five UFOs circling his farm for over an hour on January 8th.

Other News and Features

• Abominable Snowman in Russia: A report from Moscow details A. G. Pronin's sighting of a 'yeti' in the Pamir Mountains.
• Saucer News Editor on Radio: James W. Moseley appeared on the "Long John Party Line" radio program to discuss his "Adamski Expose Issue" of SAUCER NEWS.
• Major Keyhoe "Silenced" on TV: Major Donald Keyhoe's segment on the Armstrong Circle Theatre was limited to five minutes, and the audio was cut off during his talk, reportedly due to script deviations.
• Book Review: "Flying Saucer Pilgrimage": Reviewed by James Moseley, the book is described as a diary of a couple's experiences with UFO believers. While well-written and enthusiastic, it is deemed "practically valueless" for factual information about saucers, similar to "They Rode in Space Ships."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings and related phenomena, often highlighting mysterious disappearances and potential cover-ups. There is a clear skepticism towards sensationalism and a desire for factual, unvarnished truth, as evidenced by the book review and the critique of the television program's handling of the UFO topic. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs, while maintaining a critical eye on unsubstantiated claims and propaganda. The magazine seems to cater to an audience actively seeking information beyond mainstream explanations.