UFO Commentary - vol 2 no 3

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO COMMENTARY
Issue: Vol. 2 No. 3
Date: Spring 1972
Publisher: Patrick A. Huyghe
Country: USA
Price: 60¢

This issue of UFO Commentary is a scholarly journal devoted to unidentified flying objects, published quarterly. It aims to provide in-depth reporting and serve as a medium for ufological research. The editorial stance, as outlined by Editor Allen Benz, emphasizes a spirit of inquiry and critical thought, avoiding dogmatism and unsubstantiated claims. The journal is non-profit and seeks to advance ufological knowledge by presenting serious research and useful catalogs.

A Report on the Yugoslavian Flap of 1967

This extensive article by Joseph M. Brill details an intense UFO flap that occurred in Yugoslavia during the latter part of November 1967. The report compiles witness testimonies and newspaper accounts, primarily from the Vecernje Novosti and Ekspres Politika.

Key Events and Sightings:

• November 20th: D. Jovich, a correspondent for Vecernje Novosti, observed two elliptical, radiating objects with blazing trails near Kopar. That night, farmers in Bojovich reported an illuminated object emitting bursts of fire over Mt. Komovi, which subsequently caused a forest fire. In Ivangrad, witness Svetozar Buturich described oval-shaped flying objects moving in a circle and changing altitude like a parade.
• November 22nd: Citizens in Niksic reported an unidentified flying object radiating a blinding light over the artificial lake of Krupac. Simultaneously, two illuminated objects flew over Ivangrad, exhibiting similar behavior.
• November 23rd: Several hundred people in Leskovac witnessed a pyramid-shaped object with a dome on top. On the Matsevo-Kolasin road, Milika Scepanovich and his passengers observed two flying objects, one larger than the other, moving North-South, landing vertically, and emitting fire.
• November 23rd (early morning): Zarija Vukich and his wife in Slatina saw a large flying thing emitting a fiery trail, described as resembling a high-rise building with many windows.
• November 24th: Children watching cattle near Mokra Gora reported a round or cigar-shaped object flying through the sky, accompanied by a heat wave.

Forest Fires:

During a six-day period, six separate forest fires erupted on mountain tops in the region of Kolasin and Ivangrad. These fires spread rapidly, were difficult to control, and generated high temperatures, even melting stone in some instances. The press reported the causes as unknown. Mijo Radovich and Mojsije Rakocevic sustained burns while fighting fires in Prekobrdje and Moraca. The Mokra Gora forest company reported that fires destroyed over 200 hectares (494,200 acres) in the Ivangrad and Kolasin communities.

Official Investigations and Statements:

Reporter D. Jovich investigated the reports and confirmed the farmers' stories. Officials from the Interior Department acknowledged that the fires were unusual and difficult to contain, admitting that "invisible hands" seemed to be setting them. While some officials were reluctant to believe in flying objects, they admitted that their subordinates had seen them. The December 1st issue of Ekspres Politika concluded, based on investigations, that "mysterious illuminated objects in reality pass over this region of our country."

Comment by Ted Phillips

Ted Phillips provides commentary comparing the Yugoslavian cases with other reported UFO incidents, particularly those from Italy and Dupo, Illinois. He highlights similarities such as egg-shaped or oval objects, emissions of light and fire, and the occurrence of fires following sightings.

• Boaria, Italy (October 15, 1954): An egg-shaped object with flames was seen flying at tree-top level, causing panic among cattle, drying up a pond, and igniting haystacks.
• Luino, Italy (October 15, 1954): An oval object passed over trees, causing two to catch fire.
• Po-di-Gnocca, Italy (October 15, 1954): A disc was observed on the ground, then ascended vertically, and fires broke out in the area.
• Dupo, Illinois (August 21, 1969): Witnesses saw a glowing oval object low to the ground, with glowing particles floating down, and a fire started in a field below its flight path.

Phillips also discusses his own work specializing in physical traces found at alleged UFO landing sites. He has gathered 368 trace cases from 26 countries, with 42 classified as Type A cases, requiring multiple witnesses, unusual object observation, detailed descriptions, physical traces, and competent investigation. He suggests the Yugoslavian reports are good examples of Type A cases and encourages individuals with information on UFO reports from Communist countries to contact Joseph M. Brill.

Book Reviews

Our Haunted Planet by John Keel (Reviewed by Paul Braczyk)

Paul Braczyk reviews John Keel's book, "Our Haunted Planet." He notes that Keel's "UTH" (Ultraterrestrial) theory, which posits entities composed of non-substance, is difficult to accept. Braczyk criticizes the book for cramming a "melange of Forteana" between its covers, comparing it to Frank Edwards' "Strange" books in its lack of careful fact-checking. Despite these criticisms, Braczyk finds "Our Haunted Planet" to be of better presentational quality than Keel's previous work, "Operation Trojan Horse," and recommends it to those interested in UFOs or Forteana. He suggests Keel would be better served by focusing his investigative talents on specific phenomena rather than spreading himself thin.

The book is published by Fawcett Publications, Inc., Greenwich, Connecticut, and sells for 75¢.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO Commentary strongly emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and critical thinking in the study of UFO phenomena. The editorial by Allen Benz sets a clear tone, advocating for a scientific approach that avoids dogmatism and unsubstantiated claims. The extensive report on the Yugoslavian flap highlights the challenges of investigating unusual events, particularly when they are accompanied by unexplained phenomena like forest fires. The article meticulously compiles witness accounts and journalistic reports, underscoring the need for detailed documentation. The inclusion of Ted Phillips' work on physical trace cases further reinforces the journal's commitment to gathering hard data. The book review of John Keel's "Our Haunted Planet" also touches upon the theoretical debates within ufology, critiquing speculative theories while acknowledging the potential for genuine phenomena.

The recurring themes are the prevalence of UFO sightings, the association of these sightings with unexplained physical events (such as fires), the role of journalistic investigation, and the ongoing effort to establish a credible body of evidence in ufology. The editorial stance is one of cautious optimism and a dedication to serious, evidence-based research.

This issue of UFO Commentary, dated Spring 1971, features a review of Peter Tompkins' book "Secrets of the Great Pyramid" and includes historical accounts of airship sightings, along with the beginning of a "World Sighting Index."

Review: Secrets of the Great Pyramid

The review, penned by Paul Braczyk, discusses Bruce Cathie's "Harmonic 33" and its mathematical techniques applied to pyramidology. While the reviewer's views on Cathie's work remain largely unchanged, he acknowledges that Peter Tompkins' "Secrets of the Great Pyramid" has slightly altered his opinions on certain aspects of pyramidology. The book is described as an exhaustive analysis and treatise on explorers and theorists involved in pyramidology throughout history. Its sheer bulk, comprising over 400 8x10 pages with numerous illustrations and diagrams, is highlighted as a significant factor.

The reviewer attempts to link the book's contents to ufology by quoting from the introduction: "Whoever built the Great Pyramid, it is now quite clear, knew the precise circumference of the planet, and the length of the year to several decimals--data which were not rediscovered till the seventeenth century." The book is characterized as an "amazingly unique and fantastically hypnotic tome." "Secrets of the Great Pyramid" is published by Harper & Row, New York, and sells for $12.50.

Two Airship Cases

This section, authored by Lucius Farish, presents two historical cases of alleged airship sightings. The first case, reported in the Buffalo (N.Y.) Evening News of April 9 and May 7, 1897, details an account from J.W. Lansing, a Cleveland commission merchant. Lansing claims to have seen an "airship" in Iowa, describing it as a brilliant light moving faster than a kite or balloon. He recounts a second sighting the following evening, where a similar light appeared and approached rapidly. He describes the light as being bigger than an ordinary locomotive headlight, and the object appeared to sail along, dip, and recover.

The second case, from the May 7th issue of the Buffalo (N.Y.) Evening News, describes a sighting in Matteawan, New York. Prominent citizens reported seeing a phenomenon that illuminated the sky with a white and radiant light. They debated whether it was an airship, a meteor, or a large lightning bug. The "aerial craft" was sighted moving swiftly, with a bright green lighted streak and yellow flashes observed. The object was visible for about 20 minutes, and while the light burned, the fabric threw no shadow. The ship was estimated to be about 200 tons. The report also mentions a prior incident in Iowa where a "bushel of empty beer bottles" was allegedly dumped from a passing object.

Key to the UFO Commentary World Sighting Index

Allen Benz introduces the "UFO Commentary World Sighting Index (WSI)," an attempt to compile all sightings from ufological monographs into a single, easy-to-read, coded format. The primary arrangement is geographical, with subdivisions for country, state/province, year, month, and day. Locations are followed by page numbers where the sighting can be found and a source number for the monograph.

Examples provided include sightings in the USA (Birmingham, AL), Canada (Edmonton, AT), and Mexico (Mexico City, DF). The index also lists sightings in Lins, Brazil. The source numbers are explained as identification numbers for monographs, not indicators of quality, with "Passport to Magonia" by Vallee identified as source 007.

The issue includes extensive lists of two-letter state/province codes for the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as numerical codes for foreign nations and codes for international waterways and islands.

Entries in the World Sighting Index (WSI)

This section presents a total of 23 cases, divided into "North American Cases" and "Global Cases." The sources for these cases are listed, including "Flying saucers: The startling evidence of the invasion from outer space" (001), "Flying saucer occupants" (002), "UFOs over the Americas" (003), "UFOs: The whole story" (004), and "Passport to Magonia" (007), among others.

North American cases include sightings in Canada from 1929 to 1967, with locations such as Robsart, Swastika, Sherbrook, Boston Creek, Baskatong Lake, Grassy Plains, Glenora, St. Alexis de Montcalm, Summerside, Caledonia, and Camrose.

Global cases include sightings from 1943 to 1958 in locations such as Lavarande, Ain-el-Turck, Oncativo, Bahia Blanca, Lago Argentino, Buenos Aires, Berna, PajasblancasAirport (Cordoba), Quilino, Tabliditas, and Boca del Tigre.

Meet the Staff

Brief biographies of key staff members are provided:

• Allen Benz: 26 years old, in charge of technical services at the Twin Falls Public Library. He has a BA from the University of San Diego and a master's degree in library science from the University of Missouri. His interest in UFOs began in 1967 after a radio discussion and a personal sighting in 1968. He lives in Twin Falls, Idaho.
• Patrick Huyghe: 19 years old, a sophomore at the University of Virginia, majoring in psychology and philosophy. He became interested in UFOs due to the Michigan flap of 1966. He maintains his residence in Newport News, Virginia.
• Lucius Farish: 34 years old, a freelance writer specializing in UFO and Fortean subjects. His material has appeared in FATE and other publications. He became interested in UFOs around 1954 and has been actively involved in ufological research since 1961. He lives in Plumerville, Arkansas.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the intersection of ancient mysteries (pyramidology) and modern phenomena (ufology). The magazine appears to present a serious, albeit sometimes speculative, approach to UFO research, evident in its detailed index of sightings and its inclusion of historical accounts. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena and related historical enigmas, encouraging researchers to explore these topics with a critical yet open mind.

This document presents profiles of key staff members of SKYLOOK magazine and outlines upcoming content. The magazine is described as a monthly publication "staffed by adults for adults," with a stated editorial stance of avoiding sensationalism ("No little green men or witch hunts").

Staff Profiles

Ted Phillips (Associate Editor)

Ted Phillips, aged 30, is an Inspector for the Missouri State Highway Commission. He is also a qualified amateur and professional photographer with seven years of experience. His interest in UFOs began in 1956 when he was President of the Sedalia (MO) Astronomy Club. Phillips has investigated over 150 UFO cases in Missouri and has personally investigated several landing trace cases in the Midwest. He lives with his wife, Ginger, in Sedalia, Missouri.

Paul Braczyk (Book Review Editor)

Paul Braczyk, aged 26, is an Engineering Sales Consultant with Wright Line Corporation in Worcester, Massachusetts. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Northeastern University, Boston (1970). Braczyk's interests encompass ufology, Forteana, historical research, writing, and stock car racing. He became interested in ufology in 1958 and aims to acquire every UFO book ever written. He is single and resides in Webster, Massachusetts.

Niel Lynch (Photographic Consultant)

Niel Lynch, aged 29, is a Field Agent for the California Department of Corrections' Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Program. He is a professionally qualified photographer with over ten years of experience. Lynch graduated from the University of San Diego (BA, 1966) and California State University, Los Angeles (BS, 1970). He is proficient in both scientific and forensic investigation. His interest in UFOs was initiated by meeting George Adamski, which also led to his interest in abnormal psychology. He lives with his wife, Sharon, in Los Angeles County.

Future Issues and Content

The "Coming Up In Future Issues Of" section previews several articles and regular features:

• UFO Commentary
• A report on Delphos, Kansas
• The continuing story of the 1897 Airship
• Techniques of investigation
• North American UFO activity, 1880-1970
• The New Baden, Illinois case
• And in each issue: The World Sighting Index

The publication encourages readers not to miss a single issue and to send in their subscriptions.

Subscription Information

The magazine is identified as SKYLOOK, with a mailing address of BOX 139, STOVER, MO 65078. It is described as a monthly magazine staffed by adults for adults, emphasizing a serious approach to the subject matter. Readers are urged to "Subscribe now!"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes revolve around UFO investigation, ufology, and related phenomena like Forteana. The editorial stance, as indicated by the tagline "No little green men or witch hunts," suggests a focus on serious research and factual reporting rather than sensationalism or speculative fiction. The inclusion of photography and investigative techniques highlights a methodical approach to the subject.