Saucer Smear - Vol 56 No 03 - 2009

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 56, No. 3 (Whole No. 419)
Date: March 25th, 2009
Publisher: Official Publication of the Saucer & Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of Saucer Smear, a publication dedicated to ufological journalism, covers a range of topics from recent UFO claims to historical cases and the legacies of prominent figures in the field.

Nick Pope's UFO Claims

The lead story highlights recent statements by Nick Pope, a former civilian employee of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) who worked on the 'saucer desk'. Pope claims that since the early 1980s, RAF pilots have, on occasion, attempted to shoot down UFOs perceived as a threat to national security. He outlined the 'rules of engagement', emphasizing that the decision rests on a pilot's judgment. Pope also stated that credible witness accounts have come from near-misses involving various aircraft and that future UFO-RAF encounters would be kept secret. He expressed belief that a UFO would eventually be brought down due to developing sophisticated weaponry. The MOD has reportedly refused to comment on these claims. The article notes that Pope later attempted to 'backtrack' on some of his statements. The editor offers a personal opinion that real flying saucers have not crashed and cannot be shot down.

UFO Disclosure Campaigns

The issue mentions an alleged 'UFO disclosure campaign' within the European Union (EU), with Denmark, England, and France having released their formerly secret files on unidentified flying objects. Other countries may follow, while the USA is noted as having no such intention. The Danish files were reportedly given directly to a civilian UFO investigative group.

Danish UFO Files and Historical Cases

Page 2 discusses the release of Danish UFO files, which comprise 329 pages covering cases from 1978 to 2002, including 'ghost rockets' from WWII. A routine case from the summer of 1982 in Denmark involved a 15-year-old boy who saw a bright object resembling stacked deep dishes, with five small humanoid figures nearby. The article questions the nature of such sightings, suggesting swamp gas, hallucination, or drug influence.

A significant UFO sighting over Germany on January 19th is detailed, where fighter pilots were put on 'red alert' due to a mystery object tracked across the country. German air traffic safety officials ruled out conventional explanations, describing the object as confusing to radar operators due to its flickering on and off the screen before vanishing. The object was last seen heading towards Grafenwoehr, an area used by American troops.

Another remarkable incident occurred over Athens, Greece, on October 11th, 2007. The captain of Olympic Airways flight 266 observed an 'unusual object' moving erratically, described as star-like but brighter and larger, with a shifting shape. This was corroborated by other pilots and confirmed by the Athens Airport control tower. The Greek Air Force also visually monitored the object, noting its 'incredible speed'. Two F-16s were dispatched to intercept, but the UFO eventually 'shot off at an amazing speed'. Official attempts were made to censor later reports of this incident.

Howard Menger: A Contactee's Legacy

The issue pays tribute to Howard Menger, a famed contactee from the 1950s, who passed away at age 87. Menger, known as 'The East Coast George Adamski', lived in Highbridge, New Jersey, and was a sign painter. His photographs of landed UFOs were often compared to paintings. He held several saucer conventions and was a frequent guest on Long John Nebel's radio show. Menger had numerous unique encounters with 'Space People'. The editor hosted a large UFO convention in 1967 where Menger was a speaker, maintaining a friendship despite not fully believing his accounts. Menger later moved to Vero Beach, Florida. Dr. Berthold Schwarz, a psychiatrist and friend, writes a letter of remembrance, describing Menger as charismatic, enigmatic, and a 'warm and gentle man' who left a significant mark.

Recent Sighting Reports from Pennsylvania

Two recent American sighting reports from Pennsylvania, vouched for by local researcher Stan Gordon, are presented.

The first occurred on October 31st in Mount Pleasant Township, involving a professional couple who saw a bright white light, 10 to 12 feet in diameter, descend towards their vehicle on a highway, passing just 5 to 6 feet away with no sound.

The second was a daylight sighting on January 3rd in Westmoreland County, near Greensburg. A UFO appeared at low altitude and stopped the driver's car. The object was described as bright metallic, cylindrical ('like a hot dog with a fin'), about 250 feet away and 250 feet above the ground. It inverted itself and appeared saucer-shaped with 10 to 12 evenly-spaced structures resembling windows. The craft was 15 to 20 feet in length and the sighting lasted about two minutes.

"UFO Hunters" and Area 51

The article discusses the TV show "UFO Hunters", noting that Stan Gordon appeared on an episode discussing the Kecksburg case. The show's investigation at the alleged crash site found only natural metal in the bedrock, yielding no new evidence. The program attempts to link various UFO cases, finding their commonality primarily in being seen in the air, with possibilities including military experiments or true unknowns.

Pennsylvania is suggested as a UFO capital, with over 40 sightings reported in Bucks County in July. The show "UFO Hunters" is also criticized for its coverage of "Area 51", the secretive air base in Nevada. The article mentions Bob Lazar, an engineer who claimed to have worked there and discussed 'Element 115', but whose claims have not been proven and whose educational references are questioned. The editor recounts a fruitless trip to photograph signs near Area 51 due to surveillance.

Alien Implants and the Betty & Barney Hill Case

The second hour of the "UFO Hunters" episode covered the Betty & Barney Hill abduction case and Dr. Roger Leir's work with 'alien implant' syndrome. Dr. Leir has operated on individuals who claim to have anomalous tiny objects under their skin, which they believe are linked to alien experiences. The article notes that while no one has disproven an alien link, the reason for the aliens' actions remains unexplained.

The Atlantis Myth and Dubai

Shifting focus, the magazine explores the myth of Atlantis, prompted by an article in "Archaeology Magazine" about the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai. This hotel features galleries dedicated to the legend, including displays of an 'ancient hangar' and 'Atlantean flying machines'. The article traces the myth back to Plato, who described a wealthy civilization that collapsed due to corruption. It notes various proposed locations for Atlantis, including the Atlantic Ocean, South America, Southeast Asia, and even Lake Titicaca in Bolivia. The issue also mentions the Atlantis Resort and Casino in the Bahamas, owned by the same developer as the Dubai hotel.

George Adamski and "Pioneers of Space"

The issue highlights a reprint of the 1949 science-fiction novel "Pioneers of Space: A Trip to the Moon, Mars and Venus" by George Adamski, now available through Timothy Green Beckley. Adamski, a prominent 1950s contactee, famously met a spaceman named Orthon in 1952. The article references a previous "Saucer News" expose issue by the editor that was critical of Adamski's claims. It suggests that Adamski's later book, "Inside the Spaceships", was similar to "Pioneers of Space", implying that science fiction eventually became reality for him.

Other Contributions and Notes

Jim Lynch writes in, plugging "Saucer Smear" on an online forum and quoting its scientific prestige. The editor recounts hearing about the Dellschau story from William Moore. A comic strip at the end depicts a conversation about doing 'the Lord's work' and atheism. A brief news item from China describes a man struck by lightning after swearing an oath.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently questions official narratives and sensational claims, often injecting skepticism and personal opinion. There's a focus on historical UFO cases, contactee accounts, and perceived government secrecy. The editor expresses a personal belief that UFOs cannot be shot down and that real flying saucers have not crashed. The publication also engages with contemporary UFO-related media like "UFO Hunters", offering critiques and alternative interpretations. The Atlantis myth is presented as a tangential but relevant topic, linking to potential ancient technology and flying machines. The overall tone is that of a dedicated, albeit sometimes contrarian, ufological journal.