SPACE - No 12 - 1957 12

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE
Issue: Bulletin No. 12
Date: December 1957
Publisher: Norbert F. Gariety
Focus: UFO phenomena, space travel, and government response.

November Saucer Flap a Lulu!!!!!!

The lead article, "NOVEMBER SAUCER FLAP A LULU!!!!!!", posits that mankind's entry into the Space Age, marked by the launch of Sputnik I and II, has brought the Flying Saucer mystery to a critical stage. The writer suggests that the subsequent surge in UFO sightings, which garnered significant media attention, was a psychological opportunity for the populace, serving as an 'escape valve' from the shock of Soviet technological advancement. The article implies that the 'powers that be' in the Pentagon are aware that the Space Age will inevitably force a conclusion to the UFO issue. The writer also notes that the White Sands Proving Ground report was made entirely by military personnel, suggesting a shift in official acknowledgment.

Flying Object Reported: Egg-Shaped, 200 Feet Long--Texans Say!

This section details a significant sighting in Levelland, Texas, on November 3rd. Three motorists reported seeing a terrifying flying object, described as egg-shaped and approximately 200 feet long, with lights. The object reportedly hovered over the road, then ascended rapidly. Crucially, the motorists' car lights went out and their motors died while the object was present, only to return to normal after it departed. Sheriff Weir Clem and his deputy Pat McCulloch corroborated seeing lights described as 'like a neon sign' and 'the color of a setting sun, a brilliant red.' Air Force officers from the Lubbock base questioned the witnesses but stated they had no knowledge of any aircraft in the vicinity.

"Phantom Egg" Seen Again, at Atom-Bomb Test Site

This report from White Sands Proving Grounds, New Mexico, describes two separate sightings by military police patrols of a huge oval object, nearly as bright as the sun, hovering near bunkers used in atomic bomb tests. One patrol saw a 'large bright light' about 50 feet above a bunker, which then ascended at a 45-degree angle, blinking on and off before disappearing. The other patrol described an object about 75 to 100 yards in diameter and shaped like an egg, which landed near the bunkers. The commanding officer initiated an effort to find physical evidence, but none was found.

"Flying Light" Seen in Gulf by the Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sebago reported spotting a brilliant flying object in the sky about 200 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River. The unidentified object was sighted at 5:10 a.m. and had radar contact intermittently until 5:27 a.m. It was visible to the naked eye for three seconds, described as resembling 'a brilliant planet' and traveling at a high rate of speed. The object reportedly traveled in concentric circles around the ship before heading northward toward the Louisiana coast.

Analysis and Official Explanations

The magazine critiques the official responses to these sightings. It notes that after the initial 'YES' shakes of heads in the Pentagon, a pattern emerged where the Air Force began explaining away the sightings. The Levelland sighting was attributed to thunderstorms and possibly 'ball lightning' or 'St. Elmo's fire,' with investigators finding only three witnesses who saw the 'big light' intermittently. The Coast Guard sightings were dismissed as false radar returns, with analyses suggesting speeds of 250 and 660 mph, which could be accounted for by aircraft. The magazine questions these explanations, particularly the visual sighting of a planet-like object by the Coast Guard crew.

Space Ship Visit in Nebraska Told by California Man

This section recounts the extraordinary story of Reinholt O. Schmidt, a grain buyer from Brawley, California, who claimed to have visited inside a space ship near Kearney, Nebraska. Schmidt described the ship as manned by four men and two women who spoke broken English and perfect High German. He was invited aboard after being stopped by a beam of light. Inside, he observed the occupants working on instruments and moving via a form of magnetic power. The occupants reportedly told him they meant no harm and that an announcement might be made in the future. Police Chief Thurston Nelson corroborated finding footprints that led to and from Schmidt's car, which then suddenly disappeared, suggesting an upward propulsion. A greenish greaselike fluid was also found at the scene and sent for analysis. Friends attested to Schmidt's reliability.

Space Ship Hoaxer Out of Institution

This follow-up report details that Reinholt O. Schmidt, initially branded a hoax by the U.S. Air Force and committed to the Hastings, Nebraska State Hospital, was released. The hospital superintendent stated there was no reason to keep him longer. The magazine frames this as a pattern of psychological warfare, where the initial commitment to a mental institution garners widespread publicity, while the subsequent release is downplayed, effectively discrediting the individual and their story.

Cost of Investigation and Government Policy

The article highlights a statement that investigating a major UFO sighting costs the Air Force approximately $10,000. The magazine questions this figure, suggesting that typical investigations by two officers would incur minimal expenses. It posits that this statement serves to redirect public ire away from the Air Force and towards individuals reporting sightings. The magazine also outlines a collection of reasons why governments are secretive about flying saucers, including fear of implications for sovereignty, potential military advantage, the desire to duplicate the technology, and a lack of sufficient knowledge to make official announcements. It suggests governments hope UFOs will simply disappear.

Other Reports and Opinions

The issue also includes brief mentions of sightings in various locations across the United States and notes the cooperation of other publishers in the field. It references Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr., who was vindicated for his stance on the Army's role in the missile program. Arthur Godfrey is quoted as ceasing discussions on his 'favorite crusade' (Air Force) due to political pressures. Dr. Harlow Shapley, a Harvard astronomer, is cited for his belief that Earth is not alone in the universe, estimating millions of potentially life-supporting planets. A theory is presented that the Russians may have sent a human, not a dog, into space in Sputnik II due to the short duration of radio signals, suggesting a larger compartment for a human occupant.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing frequency and significance of UFO sightings in the context of the burgeoning Space Age, the critical examination of official explanations and potential government cover-ups, and the broader implications of extraterrestrial life and space exploration. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of official denials and supportive of the UFO phenomenon as a genuine subject worthy of investigation, often framing the Air Force's actions as 'psychological warfare' aimed at public deception. The magazine champions the idea that 'we are not alone' and criticizes the perceived lack of transparency and logic in governmental and military responses to UFO reports.