SUFOG Newsletter No 029-30

Magazine Overview

This document is a double issue newsletter (No. 29/30) from the Southampton UFO Group, covering March/April 1993. It was delayed due to the organizer's illness. The newsletter provides a comprehensive overview of UFO and paranormal-related news and resources.

Media Coverage in February 1992

The newsletter begins by listing numerous newspaper articles from February 1992 that reported on UFO sightings and related phenomena across various regional publications in the UK. These headlines range from 'UFO MAY BE BIG FIREBALL' and 'AIRBOURNE MYSTERY' to more speculative titles like 'HAS UNCLE SAM MADE A PACT WITH THE ALIENS.' Several articles mention specific sightings, such as hovering objects, glowing lights, and strange aerial phenomena.

UFO and Paranormal Resources

Magazines Reviewed

The newsletter features reviews of several magazines dedicated to ufology and strange phenomena:

• Northern UFO News: Edited by Jenny Randles, this magazine is highly recommended for ufologists, covering UFO reports, book reviews, and crop circle research. The Spring issue (No. 159) discusses the Derbyshire UFO flap, a potential movie 'Fire in the Sky,' crop circles, and includes articles on eclipsing the unknown and a UFO sighting over an RAF base in 1956.
• Cosmology News: Edited by Edward Harris, this magazine focuses on cosmology but includes articles on strange phenomena, time travel, and astronomy. While recent issues may have less UFO content, previous ones are noted for their relevant articles.
• SPI (Strange Phenomena Investigation): This magazine is considered a must-have for ufologists, featuring articles on 'foo fighters' of WW2, Australian phenomena, animal mutilations, abduction cases, near-death experiences, and UFO waves.
• Fortean Times: Described as a magazine for those interested in strange, weird, and wonderful phenomena, it covers topics like the 'Ghostwatch' hoax, dinosaurs, yeti hunts, Italian Martians, USO's (Unidentified Submerged Objects) off the Swedish coast, and UFO abduction cases from the USA.

Books Reviewed

A book titled 'UFO, The Final Answer? (Ufology For The 20th Century),' edited by David Barclay and Therese Marie Barclay, is recommended. It features chapters by various authors and is available in paperback for £6.99.

Television and Radio

The newsletter highlights two television programs:

1. 'Ufo Cover Up' on The Discovery Channel (March 17, 1993).
2. 'Farewell, Good Brothers...' on Channel 4 (April 10, 1993), a documentary about people who claimed contact with Venusians in the 1950s.

It also inquires about a radio news item on BBC Radio 4 concerning UFO sightings in Ireland.

General Information and Contacts

Useful Addresses and Slides

Contact information is provided for Stuart Smith in Burnley for information on the forthcoming Sheffield conference. A list of approximately 300 slides on UFO topics is available from Quest International.

Press/TV/Radio Matters

Recent press coverage has focused on UFO activity in Scotland (Shetlands & Bonnybridge) and the 'First International Conference That Exposes The Global Conspiracy' held at Wembley, which was reportedly a 'total disaster' with low attendance.

A proposal for a European Centre to analyze UFO sightings, supported by Italian Socialist MEP Tullio Regge, is mentioned. The idea reportedly caused a row among scientists in the European parliament.

UFO Hot Lines and Computer Networks

Contact details are provided for UFO hotlines, including a weekly news update number, and computer networks for UFO reporting and information services, primarily in the USA.

VHS Videos

Two VHS video tapes are available for sale or exchange, featuring documentaries and discussions on UFOs, including segments with John Spencer, Mike Farrell, Stanton Friedman, Budd Hopkins, Whitley Strieber, Philip Mantle, Timothy Good, and Hilary Evans.

Article: 'Do We Really Need the Paranormal?'

This article by Malcolm Robinson argues that human knowledge progresses through questioning, and ceasing to investigate the paranormal would hinder understanding. He draws parallels to pioneers in science like Baird, Edison, and Marconi. Robinson states that psychic research, like other fields, faces barriers in public acceptance. He has researched UFO sightings, ghosts, and poltergeists, asserting that substantial data exists to support these phenomena, despite the presence of frauds. The article criticizes the tabloid press for often misrepresenting paranormal events and notes that skeptics often lack research. It emphasizes the need for serious scientific research into the paranormal, acknowledging that many people have had personal experiences. The article also touches upon the 5% of UFO sightings that remain unexplained and the philosophical debate about proving faith.

Conferences

Two upcoming conferences are announced:

• Bufora conference: University of Bristol School of Chemistry, July 24-25, 1993.
• Sheffield conference: Organized by IUN, August 14-15, 1993, with expected speakers including Linda Moulton Howe, Jenny Randles, and Budd Hopkins.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the investigation of UFOs and paranormal phenomena, encouraging readers to question and seek answers. It highlights the importance of scientific research and data collection while acknowledging the challenges of public acceptance and media portrayal. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry and a belief in the validity of paranormal events, urging readers to engage with the subject matter through available resources like magazines, books, and conferences.

This document contains articles and reports related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and unexplained aerial phenomena (UAPs), compiled from various sources and publications. The content spans multiple incidents and locations, including Italy, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

Operation Verrugoli

An article details "Operation Verrugoli," a fifteen-day skywatch conducted in 1977 on Monte Verrugoli, Italy, by researchers from the CENTRO INTERNAZIONALE RICERCHE E STUDI SUCLI UFO (CIRS UFO). The mountain, near La Spezia, is known for strange phenomena. During the skywatch, a total of 108 "nocturnal lights" were observed. These included eighty-two points of light, seven oblong, seven spherical, one tilted plate, three discoid, one half-moon, and seven other miscellaneous forms. The objects were often yellow, but some were reddish and others blue. Occasionally, they increased in luminosity in response to flashlight signals. The presence of these objects was accompanied by constant barking from neighborhood dogs and their disappearance when conventional aircraft appeared. Other reported phenomena included sounds of breaking tree branches, unidentified voices recorded on tape, malfunctioning wristwatches, and flattened areas of grass. On one of the final nights, Giovanni Mantero claimed to have observed a strange aerial being with a transparent face. The operation ran from August 3 to August 18, 1977.

A photograph taken on August 9, 1978, during Operation Verrugoli, shows a UFO described as a fuzzy sphere with lighter bands.

The Flying Thing leaves two constables baffled

This article, taken from the Southampton Evening Echo, dated October 24, reports on an incident near Holsworthy, United Kingdom, on the morning of October 25, 1967. Two police constables, Roger Willey and Clifford Waycott, observed an unidentified flying object for about 50 minutes. They described it as a "star-spangled cross radiating points of light from all angles." The object moved at high speeds, exceeding 70 m.p.h., and exhibited the ability to hover at various altitudes, mostly just above the trees. Constable Willey noted its "terrific acceleration" and that it seemed to know they were chasing it. The nearest they could get to the object was 400 yards. The constables' account was corroborated by a civilian, Mr. Christopher Garner, who was woken by them. The object was later joined by a second, similar object before disappearing. The Royal Air Force (RAF) at Chivenor denied any involvement, stating they had no aircraft that could perform such maneuvers. The article notes that similar sightings have been reported around the Severn estuary and in Warminster, with some attributing sightings to Venus. All patrol cars in Devon were put on alert.

Another brief report mentions Mrs. Ursula Dommett of Norfolk claiming to have seen an object heading out to sea.

Southampton Unidentified Flying Object Group - Sighting Report

This section contains two sighting reports from the Southampton Unidentified Flying Object Group.

Incident 1: PC Head Over Heals at Upper Heyford Base, Oxfordshire

A police constable (PC) reported an incident near Upper Heyford Air Base, Oxfordshire. While driving along a country lane, he noticed the area around his car and ahead was the same color as his blue police lights, though they were not on. Approximately 40 minutes later, he realized his police car was on its roof, having traveled about 300 yards down the lane. He crawled out with minor injuries, noting the car's roof was crushed to dashboard height. He expected to see debris on the road but found it clear. The PC remembers nothing from seeing the blue light until he was crawling from the crushed car. He had lost 40 minutes of time, confirmed by HQ control who had been trying to contact him. The PC stated it was as if the car had been picked up, carried 300 yards, and dropped from a height onto its roof. The vehicle was new, and examination found it not to be faulty. Glass, oil, and debris were found underneath the car but nowhere else. The report highlights "Loss of Time" and "Possible OZ Factor" as points of interest.

Incident 2: (Details not fully provided, likely related to the first incident or another case)

(This section appears to be a continuation or a separate report, but the content is cut off. It mentions "CONT...." and then lists "1. LOSS OF TIME." and "2. POSSIBLE OZ FACTOR." as points of interest for the encounter.)

The report concludes with a plea for ideas from readers regarding what happened to the police vehicle or PC, as the investigator has been unable to come up with suggestions.

Fighters Alerted as UFOs Baffle Boffins

This article reports on "MORE RADAR and visual sightings of unidentified flying objects over Australia and New Zealand." It follows the screening of television news film allegedly showing UFOs over New Zealand. At least 12 policemen in Australia reported seeing a bright blue object tracing a random flight for three hours, with its color changing to red. At Wellington airport in New Zealand, radar controller Geoff Causer reported picking up "scores of unidentified blips" on his screens over the weekend and on the day of the report. The article states that sightings by six pilots over 10 days and numerous radar sightings have been recorded, suggesting "some strange phenomenon" that needs investigation. The most spectacular sighting was reported by an Australian television crew who filmed 25 "strange objects" on a flight over Cook Strait between New Zealand's North and South Islands. The film shows a "fuzzy sphere with lighter bands." Air traffic controllers in Wellington confirmed picking up unexplained signals at the same time on Saturday night in the area. The New Zealand Air Force has placed a fighter squadron on standby to investigate further UFO sightings, and a patrol aircraft will conduct a special flight to check on reports.

Independent UFO Network Information

Several sections provide information about UFO-related organizations and events:

• Northern UFO News: Contact details for Jenny Randles are provided.
• Tom Truebridge: Identified as a "Crop Circle Researcher."
• World UFO Journal: Contact details for Edward Harris are provided.
• Independent UFO Network Membership: Details on membership benefits, including a subscription to "UFO Brigantia" journal, discounts on conferences, special meetings, and the opportunity to become an I.U.N. researcher. Subscription options for "UFO Brigantia" and "UFO Brigantia + N.Y.N." are listed for the UK, Europe, and USA, with prices in Pounds Sterling and US Dollars.
• London UFO Studies: Head office details are provided.
• UFOs: Fact, Fraud or Fantasy? Conference: An announcement for an international UFO conference at Sheffield Polytechnic, featuring speakers such as Budd Hopkins (USA), Jenny Randles (UK), Cynthia Hind (Zimbabwe), Paul Devereux (UK), Ole Jonny Braense (Norway), Dr. Serena Rosey-Dougal (UK), Linda Moulton Howe (USA), Hilary Evans (UK), Dr. Sue Blackmore (UK), Dirk Van de Plas (Scotland), Rev. Donald Thomas (UK), and Edoardo Russo (Italy). The conference includes a lecture theatre, refreshments, book and memorabilia stalls, and is described as a chance to meet speakers and have "lots of ufological fun."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the documentation and investigation of UFO and UAP sightings, witness testimonies, radar anomalies, and unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into these events, presenting reports from various sources and encouraging further investigation, as evidenced by the call for suggestions regarding the Upper Heyford incident and the promotion of UFO conferences and research networks. The articles aim to present factual accounts and evidence, leaving the interpretation of the phenomena open to the reader and researchers.