SIGAP Bulletin - No 22 1969 03

Magazine Overview

Title: SIGAP BULLETIN
Issue: No. 22
Volume/Date: March 1969
Publisher: SURREY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA (SIGAP)
Price: 1/-

This issue of the SIGAP Bulletin focuses heavily on UFO activity, particularly reports from Norway in 1968, and includes a survey on the interaction between dogs and UFOs.

Norwegian UFO Sightings in 1968

The lead story highlights "AT LEAST 40 GLOWING PHENOMENA HAVE BEEN SEEN IN THE NORWEGIAN SKY DURING 1968." This report, based on an article in the "Tonsberg Blad" newspaper, details numerous sightings. Wilhelm S. Simonsen, Chairman of the "Popular Scientific Association," confirms that Scandinavia, and Norway in particular, is a region where UFOs are seen regularly. His association registered 40 separate sightings in 1968, with over 100 Norwegians having witnessed UFOs.

Simonsen acknowledges the difficulty in obtaining a complete picture due to multiple reporting groups. He states that while scientists often offer natural explanations like Venus, stars, or satellites, his association finds that only a few reports fit these categories. The bulletin notes that the "balloon satellite Echo II" caused many reports but looked like a strong star. Unlike meteors and satellites, observed UFOs are reported to have changed course and speed, stood still, and behaved in ways inconsistent with known celestial or atmospheric phenomena.

Several specific reports from Norway are detailed:

• December 1968 (Tonsberg area): Light phenomena were seen, with scientists suggesting Venus, a star, or a satellite as explanations.
• December 17, 1968 (Tonsberg): A glowing object was seen near a canal bridge, followed a car towards Tenvik, disappeared, and reappeared. It was described as a ball of light hovering at about 100 meters, moving at 50-60 km/h, and making no sound.
• December 14, 1968 (Notteroy): Six people reported seeing a glowing object, described as a ball of light, at about 300 meters over Teie, which later hovered over Teiehoyden and then settled at about 100 meters. It moved at approximately 50-60 km/h and disappeared towards the west before reappearing near Borgheim.
• December 14, 1968 (Crossroads near Tonsberg): A man saw a bright glowing "thing" about 400 meters away and 200-300 meters up, moving towards Gipe at normal car speed. It was described as white and flat.
• December 14, 1968 (Ekenes crossroads): A glowing object was seen moving slowly across the sky towards Notteroy church.
• December 14, 1968 (Teie): A schoolboy saw a round ball of fire descend over the mountains towards Teie and then turn towards Notteroy, estimated to be no more than 100 meters over the roofs.
• December 14, 1968 (East of Norway): A couple saw a bright ball come in from the west at slow speed and disappear in the east, thought to be a plane.
• December 14, 1968 (Notteroy): Two men reported seeing a shining ball from an upstairs window, which flew off towards the west.
• December 14, 1968 (Slagenstangen): A man saw a glowing thing moving slowly, like a plane coming in to land, with a green shimmering colour, moving from Notteroy towards Horten.

These reports were translated for SIGAP by a Norwegian woman. The "Tonsberg Blad" also contacted astrophysical organizations, but the Astrophysical Institute at Blindern stated that natural phenomena could not account for the object seen over Notteroy. The Observatory mentioned receiving many UFO reports but lacked the time to examine them seriously, often explaining them away as weather balloons, aircraft, or satellites lit by the sun, and stated they had never had any reports they believed in, often attributing them to the planet Venus.

Dog Encounters with UFOs: A Brief Survey (Part III)

This section, by Dan Butcher, continues a survey of cases involving dogs and UFOs.

• Doddrige County, USA (November 1966): A dog exhibited extreme fright, with its "hair stood straight up," when two red reflectors were seen. The dog ran into a field and was not seen again.
• Argentina (June 16, 1967): Dogs panicked and fled when a hideous rumble was heard overhead and mysterious glaring lights emanated from the sky.
• Tully, Queensland, Australia: In a case of "U.F.O. nests" (circular depressions in swamps), a witness' dog suddenly went mad and bounded off into the swamp.
• Betty and Barney Hill case: Their dog showed severe fright, trembling at the end of the contact experience.
• Ohio, USA: John Keel reports a shepherd dog crushed to death, with every bone broken, in a field where the grass was flattened in a perfect circle, similar to "U.F.O. nests."
• Maury Island, USA (June 1947): A witness' dog was killed by slag falling from a UFO.
• Argentina (July 1968): A dog was paralysed during the Oscar Iriart incident.
• West Virginia and Ohio (1967): Disappearances of dogs in the vicinities of UFO sightings were common, according to John Keel.
• Florida: Encounters between dogs and "errant hairy monsters" have been reported, with dogs sometimes refusing to pursue and other times being the aggressor. One dog returned with a chunk out of a monster's hide.
• Hexham, North Wales (1904): Charles Fort mentioned a wolf or large dog that ravaged sheep, and bloodhounds and foxhounds could not pick up its trail. This occurred during a period of mysterious lights.
• Texas County, Missouri (March 5, 1955): Buck Nelson claimed to have seen a UFO from which emerged three men and a huge dog.
• Chalais, France (November 1954): A dog belonging to Charles Garreau was patted by UFO entities.
• Buck Nelson: His dog allegedly made a space trip with him, while Howard Menger's dog had to wait outside the UFO.

The article provides a list of 41 references for those interested in further research.

Other Reports and SIGAP Activities

• Mr. K. Clements (Wallington, Surrey): Reported seeing a "flying-saucer" on Christmas Eve while travelling by train from Princes Risborough to Marylebone. He described it as silver, with three legs and a red light on top, moving north.
• Norman Oliver: Gave a talk on contact cases at a SIGAP meeting on February 11.
• New Members: Mrs. B. S. Blundell, Mr. Richard Harrison, Mr. Timothy Binstead, and Mr. K. Clements have joined SIGAP.
• Important Notice: Group Secretary Dick Beet is moving on April 1, and correspondence should be redirected.
• Forthcoming SIGAP Meetings:
• April 15: UFORUM with a guest speaker and discussion.
• May 6: SIGAP's Annual Meeting, with Editor Ron Toft speaking on "The Moon and its Mysteries" and election of officers.
• Mid-June: National Skywatch.

The bulletin also solicits preferences for SIGAP meeting days, which are usually held on Tuesdays at the Plastic Coatings Factory in Guildford.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The SIGAP Bulletin consistently reports on UFO sightings and related phenomena, emphasizing witness testimony and the need for investigation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, acknowledging the existence of unexplained aerial phenomena while also presenting various witness accounts and potential explanations. There is a clear effort to document cases thoroughly, as evidenced by the extensive reference list in the "Dog Meets UFO" survey. The organization actively engages its members through meetings, talks, and skywatch events, fostering a community dedicated to the study of ufology. The bulletin also highlights the challenges in gaining official recognition or serious scientific attention for UFO reports, as indicated by the Observatory's comments.