The UFO Enigma - 2001 03 - Volume 21 no 7

Magazine Overview

Title: The UFO Enigma
Issue: Volume 21, Number 7
Date: March 2001
Publisher: UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc.

Feature Article: Steve Purkable Shares Diverse Studies

The issue opens with an announcement of a presentation by Steve Purkable on March 11, 2001, hosted by the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis. Purkable, a chemist and Laboratory Technician, investigates the lasting electromagnetic effects of crop designs on grain and tree rings. His work includes taking grain samples from a 1996 Illinois "Crop Circle" and sending them to Dr. William Levingood, a renowned botanist and Crop Design analyst. Purkable is also scientifically comparing tree ring widths of "Crop Circle Years" with normal years, accounting for adverse weather. His interest in UFOs began in 1993 after seeing a detailed crop design he believed was a three-dimensional energy mechanism. He questions whether crop designs are antennae that affect energy transfers and what technology is needed to determine this. Purkable identifies himself as an alchemist-cabalist and states, "All civilizations, cultures and religions have one or more pieces of the puzzle. I don't know who is driving the machine."

SIGHTINGS: The Most Incredible Mass Sighting Of All? 1942 'Battle Of Los Angeles'

This section presents a new photo analysis of the 1942 "Battle of Los Angeles," described as arguably the most sensational, dramatic UFO mass encounter on record. It occurred weeks after Pearl Harbor amidst wartime fear. A "huge ship," assumed to be Japanese, hovered over a blacked-out Los Angeles and was attacked by dozens of Army anti-aircraft batteries, firing nearly 2,000 rounds. The object, sighted over MGM studios in Culver City, was hit by many shells but appeared unfazed. The drama unfolded in the skies, resulting in the deaths of six people and damage from shell fragments. New photo enhancements from July 2000 show the craft caught in converging spotlights. The object moved leisurely over coastal cities for about 30 minutes before disappearing. The official explanation was a false alarm and jittery nerves, but the press responded with scathing editorials, suspecting censorship and questioning government motives.

WORLD WAR II UFO SCARE

An excerpt from Fate Magazine by Paul T. Collins discusses the February 25, 1942, event in Los Angeles. Air-raid sirens sounded, and a blackout was initiated. At 3:36 AM, the 37th Coast Artillery Brigade's batteries opened fire on an unidentified object. The firing continued until 4:14 AM. Unexploded shells caused damage, and three people died directly from heart attacks, with others injured by shrapnel. The object, described as large enough to dwarf an apartment house, was captured in photographs. Lighter-than-air specialists doubted it was a Japanese blimp due to the lack of helium and the danger of hydrogen. The object moved at a leisurely pace over coastal cities, covering 20 miles in about 30 minutes. Public information officers announced no enemy aircraft were identified. Navy Secretary Frank Knox suggested a false alarm and jittery nerves, and proposed moving war industries inland. The press criticized the event, with The Los Angeles Times demanding an explanation and The Long Beach Independent alleging censorship.

The article further details the confusion and indecision surrounding the event. The Fourth Interceptor Command had planes warming up but was not ordered to engage the object until after the artillery firing began. Spokesmen provided varying numbers of sighted planes to allow for adjusting future stories. Eyewitness reports confirmed a single, enormous object rather than multiple planes. Some people mistook tracer bullets for aerial combat and reported various lighted objects. The press used the situation to fuel a campaign against Japanese-Americans. Despite investigations, no evidence of signaling from the ground was found. The article also mentions a prior incident 36 hours earlier where a Japanese submarine surfaced near Santa Barbara and fired shells at a petroleum refinery, but no planes were sent to intercept it.

Filer's Files

This section contains several short reports and analyses from George A. Filer, MUFON Eastern Director.

Dark Triangular UFO Hovers Over Idaho Camp

Three hunters near Challis, Idaho, reported a dark triangular object floating silently above their camp on October 27, 2000. The object had a low, quiet jet engine sound and was described as having red and green lights and two bright white lights. It moved erratically before ascending rapidly.

New Jersey Flying Triangle?

Joe Furando reported seeing a triangular light over Waldwick, New Jersey, on November 22, 2000. The object had a low, quiet engine sound and was described as a solid triangle with red and green lights and two bright white lights.

Ohio Dark Triangular Object

An observer in Oregon reported a large, triangular object on Thanksgiving morning. It was charcoal gray to black with a red light on the bottom and smaller white lights at the corners, surrounded by a faint orangey glow. It moved slowly with a low modulating hum.

Soviet Infrared Photography From Phobos 2

In 1989, the Soviet Phobos 2 took infrared photos of Mars showing what appeared to be an underground city with rectangular areas and parallel lines resembling city blocks. Dr. John Becklake of the London Science Museum noted the pattern was 60 kilometers wide and could be mistaken for an aerial view of Los Angeles. The Soviets released the last taped transmission before the satellite stopped functioning, which included a photo of a dark, thin ellipse described as a "thin ellipse" or a "gigantic cylindrical spaceship." Colonel Dr. Marina Popovich confirmed the satellite was destroyed by an alien vehicle.

Mars Photos Hint at Artificiality and Intelligence

Mac Tonnies reports on preliminary analysis of Mars Cydonia imagery, suggesting artificial structures. Features like a straight defile, a possible "face" with an eye and lips, and various mounds and pyramids are noted. These anomalies, along with the lack of impact ejecta, point towards intelligent design rather than natural formations. The article hypothesizes that these structures may be fortifications designed to withstand bombardment, possibly from meteorites or warfare.

Illinois Orbs Return

Todd Livengood reported seeing nine glowing orange orbs over Rockford, Illinois, on February 10, 2001. The orbs displayed varying intensity and formed a triangle at one point. The sighting lasted about 15 minutes and was witnessed by multiple people. The sightings seem to occur consistently in the Mulford, State St., and Alpine St. area of Rockford between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

California Saucer

A witness in Porterville, California, reported a saucer-shaped vehicle moving noiselessly at low altitude on January 25, 2001. The object was estimated to be the size of an 18-wheeler truck and had spinning red, blue, white, and green lights resembling a circus Ferris wheel.

Texas Strobe Light Flies Erratically

David K. Pevehouse witnessed a plane laying a contrail that remained in place for over 20 minutes. Below this, he saw a sparkling strobe light with colors of blue, greenish, and purple, moving erratically back and forth.

Arizona Four Domed Circular Disk Craft Shape

A witness in Phoenix reported seeing four brightly lit domed circular craft on February 6, 2001. The craft were illuminated in brilliant white light and moved in a diamond formation, swaying and trading places before disappearing.

Oregon Disc With Lights Seen by Crew Chief

An SR-71 Air Force Crew Chief and his family reported seeing a disc-shaped UFO near Rogue River, Oregon, on February 21st and 22nd, 2001. The object had a bright diamond-shaped light that moved up and down the mountain, appearing to search for something. It had four triangular panels or windows and was made of a grayish metallic material.

Arkansas - Flying Triangle Shaped Craft on the River

A witness backpacking in the Buffalo River basin in Arkansas reported a triangle-shaped craft flying over at about 500 feet high on January 2, 2001. The craft had corner lights and a bright central light that appeared to be searching. It moved silently and then bolted into the sky at high speed.

California Creates Vapor Trail Invisible Aircraft

Kevin McClellan reports seeing a northbound vapor trail formed by an invisible aircraft. He theorizes this could be a secret SDI program using active camouflage to enhance an electromagnetic "boundary layer" in the upper atmosphere. He notes that these vapor trails are not typical contrails and can be turned on and off.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, historical cases, and anomalous phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on scientific investigation, with articles detailing the work of researchers like Steve Purkable and George A. Filer. The publication also explores theories related to extraterrestrial intelligence, Mars anomalies, and potential government cover-ups or secrecy surrounding UFO events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting evidence and witness accounts for the reader's consideration.

Title: The UFO Enigma
Issue: Volume 5, Number 46
Date: November 16, 2000
Publisher: MUFON Skywatch Investigations
Editor: Joseph Trainor

This issue of The UFO Enigma focuses on recent UFO sightings and provides information on local UFO study groups.

MASSIVE SAUCER HOVERS OVER SAN FRANCISCO BAY

This article details a sighting by Shelah J. on Friday, November 10, 2000, at 6:04 p.m. from her apartment in San Rafael, California. She observed an object that initially appeared stationary and brighter than surrounding planes. The object then moved slowly west over the mountains and towards San Francisco. After retrieving binoculars, Shelah described the object as first elongated and cigar-shaped, then evolving into a saucer shape that glowed brightly with a fire ember-like color, radiating energy. She estimated its size as massive and very large. She also noted that two, and later a third, planes appeared to be circling or monitoring the object. Upon her roommates' return, Michael also observed the object, describing it as a gleaming, fiery orange with red and white lights, and a light circling it.

PENNSYLVANIA LIGHTS OVER VALLEY

This section reports on a sighting by Alexander J. Broskey on October 30, 2000, in the French Creek State Park area of Pennsylvania. Broskey reported seeing a bright UFO with swirling green, yellow, blue, and red lights materialize out of nowhere. He observed it for about two minutes before it flew out of sight. Later that night, looking out his second-floor window, he and his father observed a flying object again. They saw a smaller red UFO and a larger multicolored UFO moving slowly over the valley. Broskey expressed a sense of paranoia due to his experiences but felt compelled to report the sighting, stating, "This is real!". The editor, Joseph Trainor, noted in an editor's note that he had spoken with Broskey by phone and learned that he has seen similar craft on a fairly regular basis over the valley.

LOCAL MEETINGS

This section provides contact information and meeting schedules for several UFO-related groups:

• UFO STUDY GROUP OF GREATER ST. LOUIS: Meets the second Sunday of each month at 2 PM at Grone's Cafeteria, 1269 S. Laclede Station Rd., Yorkshire Shopping Plaza, St. Louis 63119. Contact Walter Palmer (314-771-0173) or Spence Wolling (314-966-4955).
• MUFON MISSOURI-ST. CHARLES, MO.: Meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Holiday Inn Select, 4221 South Outer Road, St. Peters, MO. Contact Bruce Widaman (636-946-1394).
• MUFON OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Meets the third Sunday of each month at 2 PM at the Ponderosa Steak House in Collinsville, IL. Instructions for reaching the location from St. Louis are provided. Contact Forest Crawford (618-345-0554).

UFO STUDY GROUP OF GREATER ST. LOUIS - MISCELLANEOUS AND OFFICERS

This section lists the officers and board members for the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis for the 2000-2001 term. Key personnel include:

• Officers: Clarence Barnes (President), Walter Palmer (Vice President), Spencer Wolling (Treasurer), Margaret Myers (Secretary), Walter Palmer (Librarian), Frank Brown (Marshall).
• Miscellaneous: JoAnne Scarpellini (Chf. Fld. Investigator), Dawn Vohsen (Field Investigator), Bob Soetebier (Resource Contributor), Spencer Wolling (Editor of the Enigma).
• Board of Directors: Clarence Barnes, Walter Palmer, Spencer Wolling, Margaret Myers, John Schroeder, Frank Brown, Walter Rogers.

The address for the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc. is P.O. Box 31544, St. Louis, Missouri 63131.

FUND FOR UFO RESEARCH, INC.

Information is provided for the Fund for UFO Research, Inc., located at P.O. Box 277, Mt. Rainier, MD 20712. It is described as a nonprofit organization dedicated to research and investigation of unidentified flying objects (UFOs).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the reporting of recent UFO sightings, emphasizing detailed witness accounts and descriptions of aerial phenomena. The editorial stance, as indicated by the inclusion of "Filer's Files" and the "Editor's Note," appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UFO/UAP events, encouraging public reporting and providing a platform for sharing such experiences. The publication also serves as a community hub by listing local UFO study group meetings.