Saucers vol 4 no 2

Magazine Overview

'SAUCERS' is a magazine published quarterly by Flying Saucers International, a non-profit organization. This issue, Volume IV, No. 2, dated June 1956, features a cover headline about unidentified flying objects over Honolulu and includes a photograph of light trails. The issue is priced at 25¢ per copy.

Maj. Keyhoe's Eleven Unanswered Questions

This section presents a verbatim reproduction of a letter from Major Donald E. Keyhoe, a retired U.S. Marine Corps pilot and writer, to Senator Harry Flood Byrd. Keyhoe urges Senator Byrd to press the Air Force for public answers to eleven specific questions concerning the investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). He asserts that the Air Force has engaged in censorship and a misleading policy, citing official intelligence reports from 1947 and 1948 that allegedly confirmed the reality of flying saucers and even suggested they were interplanetary spacecraft. Keyhoe questions why the Air Force later dismissed these reports as hoaxes or hallucinations, and why it has concealed information, including a 1952 analysis of 'controlled motion' and recommendations from a 1953 panel of scientists to enlarge the investigation and inform the public. He also points to official orders (JANAP 146, AFR 200-2) that mandate reporting of UFO sightings and questions why armed jets chase these objects and why significant taxpayer money is spent on a global investigation if they are imaginary. Keyhoe highlights the discrepancy between Air Force statements and reports describing disc-shaped objects, and questions the Air Force's stance in light of General Douglas MacArthur's statement about potential extraterrestrial attack. He also challenges the Air Force's denial of information by referencing Edward J. Ruppelt, former head of Project Blue Book, who confirmed the existence of official documents. Keyhoe lists numerous credible witnesses, including military pilots and scientists, and concludes that either these observers are incompetent or the Air Force is hiding the truth. He argues that UFOs are not Earth-made, given their advanced capabilities, and that the public has a right to know what they may face.

The Air Force Answers Keyhoe

This section contains the official reply from the Department of the Air Force, Washington, dated May 1, 1956, addressed to the Chairman of the Committee on Finance. The Air Force acknowledges Major Keyhoe's letter and states its commitment to analyzing and answering such correspondence. It refers to a declassified special study, Project Bluebook, Report Number 14, which analyzed UFO reports from 1947 to May 1955. The report, prepared by a civilian scientific group, concluded that the number of 'unknowns' had been reduced to approximately 3%. The Air Force reiterates its conclusions: there is no evidence of inimical or hostile forces, interplanetary vehicles, or technological developments outside current scientific knowledge, nor do UFOs constitute a threat to national security. The Air Force assures continued study and public disclosure of facts.

Front Cover Photograph Data

This article details the photograph on the front cover, taken on March 5, 1956, by William L. Wannall in Honolulu, Hawaii. Wannall and his wife observed three large lights flying in formation at about 150 mph and 200 feet altitude. The objects were described as 'of solid composition' and silvery. Wannall captured the event with a Cannon 35mm camera. The photograph, in its original color, shows bright yellow light paths and a general aureole effect. The objects reportedly executed a tight turn in one-eighth of a second and vanished, traveling about 20 times their own length. The article notes it is unclear if they were separate craft or attached to a central body.

Pictorial Review: "Unidentified Flying Objects" (Movie)

This section presents a visual review of the movie "Unidentified Flying Objects," a Green-Rouse Production released by United Artists. It includes six captioned photographs depicting scenes from the film:
1. Al Chop (played by Tom Towers), as Press Chief, dismisses saucer reports as "unadulterated bunk" before being transferred to "Project Blue Book."
2. Nicholis Mariana describes two UFOs he photographed over Great Falls, Montana, to a USAF intelligence officer.
3. Chop and "Bluebook" staff view the Delbert C. Newhouse (Tremonton, Utah) saucer film, with an intelligence chief exclaiming, "How about that?" The official report concluded: "Not aircraft, not birds, not balloons, not faked."
4. Chop reacts to a startling morning headline about "AIR FORCE AFTER D.C. 'SAUCERS'."
5. Chop and top Air Force brass observe UFOs maneuvering on a Washington radar scope.
6. A simulated radar screen shows "Red Dog One" surrounded by six UFOs.

Signals from Mars?

This piece, presented as an "EDITOR'S NOTE," reproduces a newspaper account from The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, dated January 1, 1897. It discusses Sir Francis Gaulton's article in the London Fortnightly Review, which claimed that someone on Mars was signalling using dots and dashes of light, possibly via heliographs. The article describes a recording apparatus used by a European observatory to capture these signals, which consist of three distinct lengths of light flashes (dot, dash, and longest dash) with specific intervals. The article speculates on the potential for communication with "Mars folk" and notes the mathematical progression of possible words based on these signals. It also mentions a new German-language saucer journal, Weltraumbote, and recommends the British bi-monthly, Flying Saucer Review.

UFO NEWS (Sightings for '56)

• This section provides a compilation of recent UFO sightings reported in early 1956:
• Feb. 12, Noel, Missouri: Bob Sterling and his family observed two elliptical, silvery objects moving slowly southwest.
• Feb. 6, Salmon River, Calif.: Charles Brewster and E. "Doc" Goodwin reported a large object with bright lights that remained stationary for 30 minutes before moving north.
• Feb. 13, Clearwater, Fla.: B. C. McLean observed an aluminum-colored disc flying west at high speed.
• Feb. 14, Vallejo, Calif.: Rev. William Moore, O.P., saw a fiery red object flash across the sky, described as a large, red flash with a tail.
• Feb. 15, Vancouver, B.C., Canada: Mrs. Walter Pinkus sighted a bright red disc moving rapidly. Another witness reported a fast-moving silent light.

Book Notes, Books

This section briefly mentions a new German-language saucer journal, Weltraumbote ("Space Messenger"), with an initial print run of 15,000 copies, edited and published by J. Heinrich Ragaz in Zurich, Switzerland. It also recommends the British bi-monthly, Flying Saucer Review, available through a local agent.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the mystery and perceived secrecy surrounding UFO phenomena. The magazine strongly advocates for transparency and public disclosure of information by government agencies, particularly the Air Force. Major Keyhoe's detailed letter and the inclusion of the Air Force's response highlight the central conflict between those seeking open investigation and those maintaining a position of scientific skepticism and national security concerns. The inclusion of a pictorial review of a UFO movie, historical accounts of alleged extraterrestrial signals, and numerous sighting reports indicates a broad interest in all facets of the UFO phenomenon, from the mundane to the potentially extraordinary. The editorial stance, as evidenced by the prominence given to Keyhoe's letter and the critical tone towards the Air Force's policies, appears to favor a more open and less dismissive approach to UFO reports.

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue: June 1956
Publisher: Flying Saucers International
Country: USA
Price: 25¢

This issue of UFO NEWS, dated June 1956, presents a compilation of recent unidentified flying object (UFO) and unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) sightings reported by witnesses across the United States and Canada. The publication serves as a news bulletin, documenting these events with dates, locations, witness accounts, and source citations.

UFO Sightings Reports

The bulk of the magazine is dedicated to detailing individual sighting reports. These accounts span from February to early June 1956, showcasing a variety of phenomena:

• February 16, Santa Barbara, Calif.: Mrs. Jaroslav Brozik observed a large, vari-colored object that moved slowly, changed shape, and resembled a smoke ring or do-nut before disappearing behind a cloud.
• February 20, Fairfax, Okla.: Alex Tallchiefs viewed a 'strange sight' through a telescope, described as 'a crown with quite a bright glare' in the western sky.
• February 25, Chula Vista, Calif.: Mrs. R. T. Johnson reported a large object sailing across the sky trailed by a bright red fire, which appeared to descend into her neighborhood.
• March 19, Castro Valley (near Hayward), Calif.: Three residents, Mary C. Reide, Marty F. Montero, and Myrtle A. Moore, reported seeing a bright, glowing object passing through the sky and settling. Mrs. Reide noted it appeared to strike her house, and Mr. Montero heard a 'swishing' sound. Deputies found no burned brush.
• March 26, Traverse City & Leelanau County, Mich.: Reports from at least 10 locations described an 'unidentified object' between 10:30 and 11 p.m. Air Force Major Homer D. Champlin confirmed reports but stated no aircraft were in the vicinity and the object did not appear on radar. Witness James Wurm described it as an upright mushroom shape with a red-orange stem and white top, moving slowly for 15 minutes before disappearing rapidly westward. Other witnesses included Laverne Petroskey, August Sharnowski, and Pat Gardner. Lt. Warren Schiele noted one woman was attracted by her dog's barking and reported a faint sound.
• March 30, Selma, Calif.: Glenn Smart reported seeing a bright orange object in the northwest sky flying in a fast, wavy line at a high altitude, asserting it was not a plane.
• April 2, Coffeyville, Kan.: R. H. Smith observed an illuminated object gliding down toward a neighbor's home. He described it as shorter than a standard airplane with a wingspread of about 30 feet, hovering at an estimated 300 feet altitude before ascending and disappearing.
• April 4, Florida: A mysterious explosion or series of explosions shook buildings over 60 miles of the Florida West Coast, accompanied by reports of flashes of light in the sky. The phenomenon remained unexplained.
• April 7, Tallahassee, Fla.: Unidentified residents witnessed a 'strange-shaped light' that initially appeared bright but later resembled a balloon, continuously changing shape.
• April 8, Upstate New York: Airlines pilot Capt. Raymond E. Ryan, with 23 years of experience, described chasing a 'fantastic' bright light that was too intense to look at directly.
• April 11(?), Cumberland Beach (near Orilla), Ontario, Canada: Residents reported mysterious orange lights, larger than stars, seen near the beach. They remained stationary before shooting away at high speed.
• April 11, Baudette, Minn.: Pat Appel and Carolyn Clay observed a high-flying white, apparently metallic object moving westward at high speed, with no visible wings or propulsion.
• April 22, Coffeyville, Kan.: Richard Henry and the E. J. Mengels family spotted a 'spinning disc, giving off a bright red glow.' It moved slowly, sank below the horizon after about half an hour, and later appeared to have tiny lights on its surface.
• April 25, El Monte, Calif.: R. M. Grace described a half-egg-shaped object emitting no sound and appearing brilliant white, hovering about 1,000 feet above him before making an arc and heading eastward.
• April 29, Phoenix, Ariz.: Bud Pecaro and his family reported seeing a long, silver, cigar-shaped object with a dark spot in the center, possibly with windows or ports flashing light or flames. A smaller object reportedly shot out from its bottom, and the main object flared up and appeared farther away. The sighting lasted ten minutes.
• April 30, East Mansfield, Mass.: Mrs. Gilmore described a 'bonfire in the sky' that came whistling down and 'plummeted to the street' a few feet from her house. It was a ball of fire, the size of a basketball, which then shot upwards in a burst of orange flame, leaving behind fragments that burned and disappeared, along with a strange burnt smell.
• May 2-7, Pueblo, Colo.: The 4602d Air Intelligence Service Squadron revealed sightings of 'unidentified flying objects' for six successive nights. Sgt. Gilbert Nelson observed six flights of UFOs between 9 p.m. and midnight, described as dull, fluorescent glows, triangular or round, visible for only five or six seconds due to their speed.
• May 9, Glen Ellyn, Ill.: Gweneth Willner observed a brilliantly illuminated object, larger than any plane, hovering silently above the treetops after an electrical storm. Two other distant, similar objects also moved north and disappeared.
• Mid-May (?), El Toro Marine Air Station, Calif.: Aviation columnist Tom Towers reported a letter from Jack Swaney describing a small, circular object traveling overhead from west to east at an incredible speed, estimated to be around 20,000 feet and traveling at approximately 5000 miles per hour.
• May 18, El Cajon Valley, Calif.: Six reports described a bright UFO traveling from east to west. Witnesses described it as a bright ball of light moving fast, disappearing, and reappearing. It was described as a bright incandescent glow, and one witness compared its size to the moon, noting it gave off a light like an arc welder. Jets were observed following a similar flight pattern.
• June 1, Los Angeles: A brilliant meteor-like object, 'brighter than Venus,' was noticed at 8:39 p.m. Walter A. Feibelman, an amateur astronomer, described a reddish hue in its large head and a short, light blue trail. Other witnesses noted a bright blue tail that faded into other colors.

Book Notes and Publications

The issue includes a section titled "BOOK NOTES" which highlights recent UFO-related books published or soon to be published. These include:

• *The UFO Annual* by M. K. Jessup ($4.95), noted as an original American edition.
• *Flying Saucers and Common Sense* by Waveney Girvan ($3.50).
• *The Truth About Flying Saucers* by Aime Michel ($3.95), an American translation of the French edition *Lueurs sur les Soucoupes Volantes*. The publishers reportedly used the Civilian Saucer Intelligence (New York) for correction and revision, which the magazine's editors believe 'nearly completely collapses the inversion theory' proposed by Dr. Donald H. Menzel and explores the 'gravic-force-field propulsive application' theory.
• *Flying Saucers come from Another World* by Jimmy Guieu (forthcoming, $3.50).

A list of other available books is provided, including works by Edw. J. Ruppelt, Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe, Harold T. Wilkins, Orfeo Angelucci, Truman Bethurum, Leonard G. Cramp, Geo. H. Williamson, A. C. Bailey, Daniel W. Fry, Des. Leslie, Geo. Adamski, Frank Scully, and George W. Van Tassel. The prices range from $1.00 to $4.50.

Orders for these books, as well as back issues of "SAUCERS" magazine (priced at 25¢ each), can be placed with Flying Saucers International at P. O. Box 35034, Los Angeles 35, California. A 10% discount is offered on orders totaling $10.00 or more.

Astronomical Note

A brief note is included about the planet Mars being in its closest opposition to Earth in about 32 years, occurring September 7-10. It suggests that *Sky and Telescope* magazine is the primary source for information on this event, with a subscription cost of $5.00 per year in the US.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the documentation and dissemination of UFO/UAP sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious reporting and investigation of these phenomena, presenting witness testimonies and citing sources. The inclusion of book reviews and recommendations suggests an effort to provide readers with further resources and perspectives on the subject. The magazine aims to keep its readership informed about the latest developments and theories in the field of UFO research.