Scandinavian Newsletter - No 1-2 - 1971

Magazine Overview

Title: SCANDINAVIAN Newsletter
Issue: No. 1-2
Date: April 1971
Publisher: UFO-SWEDEN
Country: Sweden
Language: English
Editor: Anders Liljegren

This issue of the Scandinavian Newsletter, published by UFO-Sweden in collaboration with Norwegian UFO groups, aims to inform international UFO organizations about sightings and activities in Scandinavia. It is a continuation of the 'UFO-Sweden Newsletter' and features news from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.

Editorial

The editorial highlights the new joint Scandinavian Newsletter format, a result of cooperation with Norwegian UFO groups UFO-Informasjon Norge and Trondheim UFO-Förening. It also mentions developing contacts in Denmark and Finland, aiming for broader Scandinavian coverage. The newsletter is published on an exchange basis, with 2-4 issues per year anticipated, though regularity is challenging due to volunteer efforts. Correspondence and exchange material should be sent to UFO-Sweden in Motala.

Key Articles and Reports

The Lake Anten Affair

This report details an incident near Lake Anten, Västergötland, Sweden, on August 29-30, 1970. Approximately 20 ground spectators witnessed a brilliant, color-changing object described as 'oblong with indication of a cupola,' which illuminated trees and emitted a humming noise. The object appeared and disappeared multiple times. The following day, three circular depressions, about 40 cm in diameter and 5-7 cm deep, were found in an equilateral triangle formation approximately 31 meters from a farm-house. Experts estimated the weight required to create these depressions to be between 500 kilos and 5 tons per depression. Geiger counter measurements at the site yielded negative results.

An 'official investigation' by the Research Institute of National Defence, led by Dr Tage Eriksson, concluded the event was caused by youngsters playing with a hot air balloon and the depressions by burning methanol. This explanation was widely reported in the press. However, UFO-Sweden representatives, including engineer Lloyd Simu and Björn Lippold, strongly refute this, citing evidence such as the perfect triangular formation, charred grass (impossible with methanol), lack of ashes, and the fact that the accused youngsters were not present at the time. Lloyd Simu's investigation suggested the object's diameter was about 8.8 meters.

Lake Anten tests showed: Radioactivity!

Test soil from the Lake Anten site, analyzed by Chalmers Institute of Technology, revealed a small quantity of Cesium 137, which was not found in the reference soil. Cesium 137 is associated with nuclear reactors or nuclear bomb explosions.

A SURPRISING RESULT?

A study circle in Eskilstuna, Sweden, advertising for 'unexplained incidents,' received about 500 reports, with a significant concentration around Kjula and Ärla. Mr Nygren, headmaster of the organization, noted that many reports were of good quality and from educated individuals, but witnesses feared publicity. One report was strikingly similar to 'The Lake Anten Affair.'

UFO-SWEDEN RESEARCH PROPOSAL TO THE INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL DEFENCE

Carl-Axel Jonzon, chairman of UFO-Sweden, sent an open letter to the director-general of the Swedish Research Institute for National Defence, proposing cooperation. The letter highlighted 'hidden facts' in the UFO mystery and suggested that a joint research program could lead to more thorough field investigations, uncovering facts obscured by badly researched files within the Institute.

I Met a Flying Saucer

This article details an incident involving Reidar Salvesen near Helleland, Norway, on October 29, 1970. While driving, Salvesen encountered a dazzling, bright, circular object, described as nickel-plated and silent, hovering about 10 meters above his car. The object moved closer, then ascended rapidly, transforming into a fire-ball. During the encounter, Salvesen fell and sustained a wound on his hand, and his car's front pane was smashed. He made a sketch of the object.

An official explanation involving a 'mirage' or 'hot air balloon' was suggested by a local manager, but Salvesen insists he saw a manufactured object. His watch also behaved erratically afterward. The incident was investigated by police and specialists, who found no radioactivity. The case gained attention due to Salvesen's reputation for sobriety and trustworthiness. A witness, Sigrunn Skipstad, reported seeing a red car with a smashed front pane around the same time, though Salvesen stated it was not his car.

The Saapunki Landing

Reported in January 1971, this incident occurred in Saapungi, Kuusamo, Finland. Farmer Mauno Talala and his wife witnessed a bright, bluish light approaching their house at about 6:15 a.m. The light landed briefly on the snow, illuminating the area, and then flew away, accompanied by a momentary electricity cut. The landing left a triangular marking, about 4.7 x 2.7 meters, with a slight depression and melted snow in the center. The marking's color changed over time.

Subsequent investigation revealed the light was seen by other residents. Samples of the frozen snow from the marking were analyzed by Oulu O/Y and the University of Oulu, with results pending from Stockholm and London. Preliminary analysis by Oulu O/Y indicated the presence of Cesium 137.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Scandinavian Newsletter consistently presents witness testimony regarding UFO sightings and physical evidence, such as ground traces and potential radioactivity. The editorial stance appears to favor a thorough, research-based approach to UFO phenomena, often contrasting witness accounts and researcher findings with official, rationalizing explanations. There is a clear emphasis on documenting and investigating these events, even when official channels dismiss them. The publication also highlights the challenges of UFO research, including the fear of publicity among witnesses and the need for cooperation between civilian research groups and official institutions.

The Scandinavian Newsletter, No. 1-2, April 1971, is an English-language publication focusing on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) phenomena, with a particular emphasis on reports from Finland. The issue covers scientific analysis of alleged UFO evidence, detailed witness testimonies of sightings, and a review of a Finnish UFO book.

Oulu Incident Analysis

The issue begins with an analysis of a snow sample taken from an 'UFO-marking' near Oulu, Finland. The sample was primarily water with vegetarian residue. Comparison samples from nearby spots were also analyzed. The pH of the UFO-spot sample was 4.8, compared to 5.6-6.5 for the comparison samples. Electrical conductivity was 240 for the UFO-spot and 6.8-9.0 for the comparisons. The sediments obtained from the UFO-spot were 55.0 mg, significantly more than the cleaner comparison samples (1.5 mg) and the dirtiest (33.7 mg).

X-ray spectrography tests revealed potassium, silicon, iron, chlorine, titanium, and sodium. The silicon content was higher than normal. The absence of elements indicating normal sand or stone dust led to a suggestion that the titanium found might be related to the heating effect of the phenomenon. Residue of plant cells, starch grains, and vegetarian material were also found. The color could be antocyanium, which might have risen into the snow due to short-wave radiation heating the ground, causing evaporation and coloring the plant cells. Titanium was thought to have caused changes in pH, which in turn altered the color.

Chemical analysis indicated no burned residue, ruling out light flare bombs or machines with burning fuel. The phenomenon's movement against the wind also ruled out a gaseous blob. Steady and bright lights excluded meteorite, lightning, or satellite re-entry explanations. Witnesses reported seeing the phenomenon simultaneously from opposite directions during its approach and landing.

Dr. Birger Wiik, a Finnish scientist who had worked with NASA moon samples, became interested, initially considering a meteorite. However, upon receiving a snow sample, he described it as 'ordinary dish water' and stated that titanium is common. Spectrography showed no nickel, a common meteorite element. He suggested people mistook an icy spot on the snow for the light phenomenon and proposed a lightning flash as an explanation.

The newsletter's comments express skepticism towards Dr. Wiik's conclusion, suggesting that scientists are constrained by their 'scientific reputation' and research grants from drawing reasonable conclusions from facts, implying a lightning flash lasting 17 minutes was an unreasonable conclusion.

North Finnish UFO-Wave

Reports from the Kuusamo area in North Finland describe a 'UFO-wave' over the past few months. A governmental official reported sighting 16 very bright glowing UFOs over Kuusamo between 2:50 and 3:10 AM on January 10-11. They flew in an echelon formation, with lower objects at 300-400 meters. Higher objects appeared ball-shaped, while lower ones were elongated or flat balls. No sound was heard. The witness, who wished to remain anonymous due to his position, observed this with three family members.

Investigation at Perho

This section details an investigation by UFO-JakobSaari, a new Finnish UFO group formed in March 1971. The article is authored by Lillemor Emtö, daughter of the group's founder.

On March 25, 1971, a local newspaper published an article about a UFO case at Perho. The author and other investigators traveled to Perho to interview witnesses. They spoke with Matti Lassila, one of two youngsters who first saw the UFO on Tuesday, March 23. They were on their mopeds when they saw the UFO above the treetops, became scared, and sped up. The UFO followed them for about 1 km at a distance of approximately 200 meters. Frightened, they considered hiding in a ditch, but the UFO changed course and flew away. They then notified their parents and neighbors.

Jorma Vasala, the other boy, stated the UFO was about 3-5 meters in size and slow. He heard no sound, but the UFO radiated in all the colors of the rainbow. Mrs. Terttu Lassila, Matti's mother, used field-glasses to observe the UFO at a higher altitude. She noted it didn't move far sideways but seemed to move on the spot. She discerned windows from which came lights of green, yellow, red, and white.

Witnesses generally agreed that the UFO's movements were precise and sometimes repeated, indicating it was guided rather than moving randomly like a balloon.

Mr. Toivo Pirttikoski mentioned a power line near the sighting location and suggested the UFO might have used it. He described a lightning shot emanating from beneath the UFO whenever it changed position, which did not happen when it hovered. His description aligned with other witnesses.

Mr. Viljo Lassila was the only one who saw the UFO's 'front side' with field-glasses.

Kokkoneva Village Incident

An incident in the Kokkoneva village of Perho was witnessed by people from three farms and others living up to 10 km away. The event occurred on March 23, 1971. Witnesses described the object as something 'from another world,' initially mistaking it for the Evening Star. A farmer noticed a bright light near his stable, initially thinking his wife had left a light on or it was car headlights, but realized it was something else when the boys came to report the UFO. The UFO was observed for about two hours, approximately 200 meters above the ground. The author expresses belief in the witnesses' accounts, noting their shaken state and the unlikelihood of them having access to UFO literature in the remote Finnish 'desert'.

A few weeks later, another report from the Perho area was published in "Keskipohjanmaa" on April 4, 1971.

Another UFO Appearance at Perho

On Saturday morning, March 3, 1971, a strange red flaming light, described as barrel-shaped, was seen in the northern sky over Oksakoski, Perho. It was witnessed by two inhabitants and reminded them of a 'barrel' seen in Kokkoneva on March 23, 1971.

Mr. Nestori Peritalo first saw a flaming ball radiating a purple-red light through his window around 4 AM. Upon closer examination, he saw it resembled a 200-liter barrel in a vertical position, surrounded by a flaming red light. It moved vertically. He informed his wife, who had also been watching it. He considered calling neighbors but was advised against it to avoid rumors.

Constable Aho was contacted around 4:40 AM. He confirmed seeing the barrel-shaped object in the northern sky. Using field-glasses, he observed the light phenomenon in a vertical position, slightly above the treetops, in a northwesterly direction. It appeared stationary and began to fade before disappearing around 5 AM.

Radar Sighting in Finland

On November 29, 1970, between 19:50 and 20:05 hours, a Finnish passenger liner (Convair Metropolitan) en route from Helsinki to Kuopio was followed by a strange object. The object's description is unknown. It was detected on radar at Rissala airport by operator Kalle Linden. The unidentified flying object passed the airport at a height of 600 meters and 3 km from the control tower. Its speed was 100 km/h, and it disappeared from the radar screen over Kuopio.

Simultaneously, several people contacted the airport reporting light phenomena. A party of four in a car arriving at Kuopio sighted a strange flying object and attempted to photograph it, but the result is unknown.

UFO-Sweden contacted Mr. Lindèn on January 1, 1971, for more information. The International UFO Investigation Bureau of Turku, Finland, also contacted Finnish authorities. Sources for this report include Turun Sanomat (12.12.70) and the International UFO Investigation Bureau of Turku.

Book Review: "UFOja Suomen Taivaalla"

This section reviews a new Finnish UFO book titled "UFOs in the Finnish Sky" by Tapani Kuningas, a 24-year-old student from Lappeenranta and former chairman of the Finnish Interplanetists of Helsinki. The book is based on about 1,000 investigations into UFO phenomena, selecting 70 reports entirely from Finnish material. It covers UFO history from the 15th century to modern times, emphasizing that extraordinary events occur locally, making reports from distant countries less relevant. The book includes statistical sections with tabulations and diagrams. A notable piece of advice from the author, based on statistical analysis, is not to look for UFOs on a Tuesday if you live in Finland.

The book is only available in Finnish. Contact information is provided for the Finnish Interplanetists in Helsinki for more details.

Contact and Pen-Friend Information

The newsletter concludes with contact information for Jorma Antero Heinonen of NUFOF/UFO-Sweden for those with information for Scandinavian UFO groups. It also offers a pen-friend service for those interested in UFOs and related subjects.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed investigation of UFO sightings, the scientific analysis of physical evidence (even if inconclusive or leading to mundane explanations), and the collection of witness testimonies. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, with a critical eye towards official or conventional scientific explanations when they seem to dismiss evidence prematurely, as suggested in the comments on Dr. Wiik's assessment. There is a clear focus on documenting UFO activity within Finland and promoting the work of Finnish UFO research groups.