SIGAP Bulletin No 20 - 1969-01

Magazine Overview

The SIGAP Bulletin, Issue No. 20, dated January 1969, is a monthly publication from the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena. Edited by RON TOFT, with OMAR FOWLER as Chairman and RICHARD BEET as Secretary, the bulletin covers UFO sightings and related investigations. The cover prominently features the headline '10,000 PEOPLE VISIT U.F.O. STAND IN ONE DAY.', highlighting a successful exhibition.

UFO Exhibition at Olympia

The issue details the significant public interest generated by a B.U.F.O.R.A. stand at the New Year Show in Olympia. On Friday, January 3rd, over 1500 people per hour visited the stand, with an estimated total of 10,000 visitors by the end of the day. The exhibition showcased 'saucer' photographs and UFO detecting equipment. The SIGAP group contributed paintings by Dan Butchers and statistical graphs by Dick Beet. The exhibition resulted in new sighting reports and is expected to boost B.U.F.O.R.A. membership.

The Captain Mantell Case Revisited

A visitor to the Olympia exhibition shared personal knowledge of the Captain Mantell case, a well-known UFO incident from January 7th, 1948, in the USA. The visitor, who had connections with the U.S.A.A.F. at the time, stated that marks had been found on the crashed aircraft, including lines of equally spaced holes, and that Captain Mantell's body had not been recovered. This information, according to the bulletin, adds to the mystery surrounding the incident, and SIGAP intends to interview the visitor further.

Captain Mantell was one of the pilots scrambled in P.51 Mustang fighters, not equipped with oxygen, to chase a disc-shaped object. While other pilots turned back as the object ascended, Mantell pursued. His aircraft subsequently crashed. Theories for the cause included a 'Skyhook' balloon and lack of oxygen, or an encounter with a UFO, with mention of strange marks and aircraft remains.

UFO Activity in Norway

Exciting news from Norway, specifically the Tonsberg area, is reported. The local paper 'Tønsberg Blad' mentioned glowing balls, approximately 2 feet in diameter, seen chasing a car and hovering over a house. A water taxi driver reported seeing a light near a local island, which turned out to be a UFO that moved towards him, prompting a hasty retreat.

The magazine 'Norsk Ukeblad' also detailed UFO activity in Norway and Denmark, referencing transparent balls that follow people. These phenomena were compared to 'Foo Fighters' observed during World War II, known for their ability to fly into aircraft.

Local UFO Scene

Several local sightings are documented:

• S.138: On Monday, December 2nd, David Chaloner, a pupil at Royal Grammar School Guildford, observed a star-like object near the moon around 6:15 pm. The object moved in a wavering motion towards the North, then changed course to the North East. The report notes it could have been a satellite.
• S.130: Mr. R. Amos of Guildford reported a bright pink light flickering near the Cathedral, moving North or North East. The light varied in height and vanished behind trees after about 30 seconds. Local aircraft noise prevented determination of any sound.

Aerial Phenomena Investigation and Research Group (A.P.I.R.G.) Reports

The bulletin notes receiving sighting reports from A.P.I.R.G., a youth society. While the reports sometimes lack detail, they are considered interesting. An example, S.133, describes two lights shining down from a dark, shadowy object near Ragge Hill, Tatsfield, Surrey, about 4-5 years prior. The lights resembled car headlights but were closer together and moved opposite to the witness. The incident lasted about five minutes. Mr. C.A. Ward, Chairman of A.P.I.R.G., investigated and vouched for the witness's reliability. He noted that while a night-flying aircraft is a possibility, factors like the lights being 70° to the horizontal (instead of the usual 30°) and the absence of sound at an estimated height of 2,000-3,000 ft. argue against it.

New Members

A list of new members joining in December 1968 is provided, including individuals from Purley, Leatherhead, Dorking, Tatsfield, and Guildford.

Dog Meets UFO: A Brief Survey

Part 1 of a survey by D.G. Butcher, drawing from 'Flying Saucer Review' and Aime Michel's 'Flying Saucers and the Straight Line Mystery', explores encounters between dogs and UFOs. The survey categorizes these encounters into four main headings:

1. Cases of fright: (a) Mild alarm (barking/howling drawing attention) and (b) Severe fright.
2. Cases of defiance: (a) Fear shown by UFO entities towards dogs, and (b) Defensive action by UFO occupants against dogs.
3. Attempted abduction of dogs by UFO occupants.
4. Traces of a giant dog in the vicinity of a UFO sighting.

The survey provides several typical examples:

• Poncey-sur-l'Ignon, France (Oct 2, 1954): Dogs baying at a 'great cloud cigar'.
• Premanon, France (Sep 27, 1954): A barking dog alerted children to a UFO entity.
• St. Alexis de Montcalm, Canada (Nov 1964): A dog awakened a witness who saw a luminous ball.
• Florida, USA (1966?): Dogs awakened a man in a swamp; a lighted object was seen, and the man was knocked unconscious when trying to communicate.
• Paris, Texas, USA (1896-7): A dog howled at the famous 'airship'.
• Near Sydney, Australia (Aug 1965): Howling dogs awakened boys on two consecutive mornings when UFOs were seen.
• Clifton Hampden, UK (1966): Dogs whined and made a 'dreadful noise' as a UFO appeared.
• Cappoquin, Ireland (Sep 9, 1965): A dog sat down and refused to move while its owner saw 'two headlamps' in the sky.
• Weston near Runcorn, UK (1967?): A dog's hair stood on end when something was seen in the sky.
• Morriston, South Wales, UK (Aug 25, 1965): A neighbor's dog became frightened by a bright light and refused to go out.
• Quarouble, France (Sep 10, 1954): A dog howled loudly while a UFO was seen on railway lines, then crawled to its owner and barked.

The survey is marked 'To be continued', with references to be printed later.

Late UFO Report

Mrs D. Withall of New Haw reported seeing two grey, saucer-shaped objects with white domes flying low over Grange School on a Friday morning at 10 am. She initially thought she was seeing things, noting they seemed to be following each other and travelling very fast. SIGAP planned to follow up this report, which was mentioned in the 'Surrey Herald' on 13/12/68.

Satellite News (Decays)

The bulletin includes a section on satellite decays, warning aircraft pilots. The Volunteer Flight Network provided information on satellites re-entering Earth's atmosphere. A short list of decays is given, including:

• 13th Jan 1968: USA 1963/3a FTV Payload, and 1965/82np USA Titan debris.
• 16th Jan 1968: USSR Cosmos245 Payload.
• 17th Jan 1965: 1965/82by USA Titan 3 c4 debris.
• 23 Jan 1965: 1965/82op USA Titan 3 c4 debris.

Editorial Note

An editorial note states that the Newsletter was produced by O. Fowler, as Ron Toft was away on a short course.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The SIGAP Bulletin consistently focuses on UFO sightings and investigations, aiming to document and analyze phenomena reported by the public and through various media. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting reported incidents with a degree of skepticism where appropriate (e.g., suggesting a satellite for the Guildford sighting) but also acknowledging unexplained aspects and the need for further investigation (e.g., the Captain Mantell case). The inclusion of a detailed survey on dog reactions to UFOs suggests an interest in the broader impact and observable effects of these phenomena. The publication also serves as a communication channel for the group, listing new members and providing contact information for reporting sightings.