UFO Forum - 1974 - No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO FORUM
Issue: Nr. 2
Year: 1974
Publisher: Norsk UFO Center
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of UFO Forum, published by the Norsk UFO Center, presents a collection of articles and reports focusing on UFO phenomena, folklore, and related mysteries. The cover prominently features "MYSTERIET I TUNEVANNET" (The Mystery in Tunevannet) as the lead story.

Content Summary

Editorial and Introduction

The editorial section, "Redaksjonelt," discusses a radio program from Køpings UFO-førening in Sweden, which featured various speakers including military representatives, a meteorologist, a dean, and a Member of Parliament. The military representative mentioned receiving reports of unidentified flying objects and sending out special forms for observers. While acknowledging some conventional explanations for sightings (like weather balloons or Venus), the military also admitted cases with no conventional explanation. The meteorologist pointed to common misinterpretations, but did not rule out the existence of unidentified phenomena. The dean commented on Ezekiel's vision, stating that one should not deny the existence of such strange occurrences. The Member of Parliament, Anders Gernandt, stated that politicians have no official stance on UFOs, as it's not a politically "useful" topic, but he personally keeps an open mind and referenced ancient Indian texts describing flying vehicles called 'vimanas' and advanced weaponry.

The Mystery in Tunevannet

This is the central investigative piece, detailing an object detected by sonar in Tunevannet near Sarpsborg. The object was located at a depth of 11 meters, approximately 60 meters from the shore, and measured about 4 meters long, 2 meters high, and 2 meters wide. Local newspaper "Sarpen" launched an investigation, and divers attempted to reach the object but were hindered by the ice and poor visibility, reaching only 7 meters below the ice and 4 meters from the object. Speculation ranged from a sunken UFO to a lost milk wagon from the turn of the century. The article notes that the object was not made of stone and was located near an underwater rock formation. The local authorities were unable to provide an explanation.

Further investigation by divers from the company Jan Thommes Thommassen, Andersen and Grimmer, also failed to locate the object. They described the bottom as soft mud and silt, with no visible objects. The sonar equipment used was confirmed to be of high quality, ruling out technical malfunction. The municipal engineer, Ola Ludvig Pedersen, stated he could not explain the phenomenon.

The article concludes that if the sonar registration is accurate, the object is more mysterious than ever, as the divers' searches have ruled out common explanations like sunken vehicles or geological formations. The possibility of the object having moved since its registration is raised.

Frodig Fantasi om Sognefjorden (Vivid Fantasy about Sognefjorden)

This section discusses a theory presented in the American magazine "Saga" by UFO researcher John A. Keel. The theory suggests that a submarine pursued in Sognefjorden, Norway, belonged to unknown beings from outer space. It posits that Norway and Scandinavia have been operational areas for these beings for decades, possessing advanced underwater craft and "ghost planes" or flying saucers. The article mentions a supposed statement from Norway's then-Minister of Defence, Johan Kleppe, acknowledging a foreign submarine in Norwegian waters. Keel's article further details alleged observations of strange, high-speed craft in Nordic waters, suggesting they might have been involved in transporting supplies for massive underwater bases in Norwegian fjords. The article questions the motives and preparations of these unknown beings, noting a "confused, and perhaps frightened, silence" from politicians and officials regarding this matter.

A footnote clarifies that the claim of "Arbeider-Avisa" in Trondheim not reporting on this was incorrect, as the newspaper had published a significant article on the topic in November 1972.

NUFOC's commentary on Keel's work acknowledges his expertise but suggests he may be theorizing too much. They also note that the tone of the Aftenposten correspondent seemed dismissive, implying a lack of prior attention to such matters.

Hest ble syk etter UFO-hendelse (Horse Became Sick After UFO Incident)

This article recounts the case of "Snippy," a pony found dead in Colorado in September 1967, with its flesh from neck to head surgically removed with extreme precision. The incident was linked to UFO sightings and speculation. The article then shifts to a case reported by UFO researcher Bill Allan from Calgary, Canada. A chiropractor, referred to as "the doctor," reported an incident in August 1970 where his horse became extremely agitated and uncontrollable while he was riding near the Sarcee Indianerreservatet. He observed a low-flying, disc-shaped object, about 20 meters in diameter, with undulating contours. The object, described as made of a plastic-like material with a blueish steel color, descended and appeared to observe the scene. The doctor noted a faint vibrating sound from the machine as it ascended and moved southwest. He could not see the upper part of the craft but described the bottom as concave with two rotating, vent-like constructions. The object was estimated to be about 12 meters in diameter. The doctor also mentioned three or four antennae or feelers on the object, which seemed to be scanning equipment. The central part of the object appeared to be an observatory, and a strong, shimmering "electric" blue light was visible along its edge.

Other Mentions

The issue also includes a section titled "ET UTDRAG AV HYNEK's BOK 'THE UFO EXPERIENCE'" (An Excerpt from Hynek's Book 'The UFO Experience') and "ET DEMENTI" (A Denial), though the content of these specific sections is not detailed in the provided OCR.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO Forum are the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the potential for underwater UFO activity, the impact of UFOs on animals, and the general lack of official acknowledgment or research into the subject by political and scientific bodies. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of serious inquiry, presenting witness accounts and investigative reports while acknowledging the speculative nature of some theories. There is a clear effort to document cases and encourage further investigation, as evidenced by the NUFOC's commentary and the inclusion of various reports from different locations.

The publication also serves as a platform for discussing UFO folklore and the challenges of distinguishing fact from fantasy, as seen in the "Frodig Fantasi" section. The editorial stance encourages an open mind while urging caution against jumping to conclusions or forming rigid dogmas.

Title: Norsk UFO Forum
Issue: 2/74
Publisher: Norsk UFO Forum
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian
Date: Not specified

This issue of Norsk UFO Forum delves into various aspects of UFO phenomena, combining case studies, theoretical discussions, and historical perspectives.

Horse Illness and UFO Encounter

The issue begins with a continuation of a case from page 9, detailing a horse that became ill after an encounter with a UFO. The doctor observed the horse was skittish, with potential ear damage. The situation worsened, with burn-like marks appearing on the horse's head and spreading, accompanied by a tumor-like swelling. Bill Allan, from an Ontario TV group, investigated. The veterinarian could not determine the cause, even after examining samples. A further startling event occurred when another horse was found dead, lying on its side, with one side severely burned despite the absence of fire. The body was still warm, indicating death had occurred recently. The location showed no signs of disturbance, suggesting the horse was lifted directly from the ground. This case is attributed to FSR Case Histories, August 6, 1971, and translated by Leif Nilsson for GICOFF-Information nr. 2, 1973.

Dr. J. Allen Hynek's Approach to UFO Research

An excerpt from Dr. J. Allen Hynek's book, "The UFO Experience" (pages 216-18), discusses two primary methods for analyzing UFO reports: statistical analysis and in-depth case studies. Hynek suggests that with thousands of high "strangeness" UFO reports, a statistical approach using modern information theory can be productive. Sophisticated search methods are effective in distinguishing "the signal from the noise." Alternatively, in-depth studies of individual cases with multiple witnesses, especially recent ones with physical effects, can yield quantitative data. This requires investigators trained in interrogation techniques, knowledgeable about UFO manifestations, and able to identify misinterpretations. A strong understanding of psychology and physics is also essential.

Obituary: Professor Ricardo A. Frondizi

The magazine notes the passing of Ricardo A. Frondizi, a long-time contact in Buenos Aires. His collaboration with the publication began in 1968. Frondizi was deeply engaged with the UFO enigma and strongly supported the extraterrestrial hypothesis. He consistently provided detailed information and noted when cases were resolved. His commitment and tireless efforts are remembered.

Dementi: "UFO I NAMSEN FJORDEN"

This section addresses inaccuracies in an article published by Adresseavisen on February 28th concerning an investigation in Namsenfjorden. The "Dementi" clarifies several points:

1. Financial Support: Support from American industry and research institutions mentioned in the interview goes to "The UFO Center" in the US, led by Dr. Hynek, not Norsk UFO Center.
2. Date of Incident: The report of an object crashing in Namsenfjorden dates from mid-December 1959, not the late 1960s as stated by the newspaper.
3. Dr. Hynek's Affiliation: Dr. Hynek is a professor at Northwestern University, not the University of Washington.
4. Nature of UFOs: When asked about knowledge of UFOs, the response stated that no definitive answer exists. Explanations fall between two extremes: that objects are conventional despite strange behavior, or that they are controlled by intelligent beings from space. Both explanations are deemed unsatisfactory from a scientific standpoint.
5. Alternative Hypotheses: It was stated that while the spaceship hypothesis is the most difficult to object to among common explanations, alternatives might exist that are not yet known. The possibility of UFOs originating from the deep oceans, as suggested by Ivan T. Sanderson, is mentioned as a seemingly "crazy" hypothesis.

Editorial: "REDAKSJONELT"

The editorial reflects on the changing perspectives on UFOs and attributes this shift to the efforts of serious UFO organizations. It criticizes amateurish handling of UFO problems, which can discredit the field more than negative statements from "experts." The editorial highlights a discussion between UFO experts and "official spokesmen," noting that the latter often perceive UFO phenomena as merely misinterpretations of conventional events or illusions. The editorial emphasizes the importance of rigorous, well-documented UFO reports, outlining specific criteria for significant sightings:

1. Multiple witnesses.
2. Witnesses are trained observers (officers, police, pilots, radar personnel, astronomers).
3. Sightings occur in full daylight.
4. Close proximity (50-100 meters).
5. Extended duration (quarter to two hours).
6. Reports of large objects (10-20 meters in diameter).
7. Descriptions of the object as a "clearly constructed craft" with technical details like windows, "antennas," or "landing gear." The presence of geometric, radioactive imprints on the ground further suggests a constructed, technological craft.

The editorial concludes that these factors point towards a technological artifact rather than atmospheric phenomena or mere fantasy, and stresses that this perspective is crucial for productive UFO debates.

Folklore and UFOs: Passport to Magonia

This section reviews Jacques Vallee's book "Passport to Magonia." K. Stenødegård discusses the book's exploration of medieval myths and legends about encounters with otherworldly beings and their connection to modern UFO reports. Vallee suggests that these phenomena might be integrated aspects of the same underlying reality, referring to a region called "Magonia." The review cites an ancient chronicle by Agobard of Lyon (779-840) describing people who claimed to have been taken to Magonia by flying craft. The bishop intervened to save four individuals from being stoned, who claimed to have been abducted by "wonderful people" and shown wonders.

Vallee's book is described as a comparative study of medieval myths and modern UFO "pilots," monsters, and dwarves. He argues for a clear connection between these seemingly different phenomena, suggesting they might be part of the same reality, a different dimension beyond our usual understanding of time and space. The book points out the consistency in reports of airborne objects and landings over the past 20-30 years, noting that few cases provide clear indications of the intelligence behind them. Vallee's work is presented as a scientific and analytical approach to this complex problem, analyzing historical accounts and UFO reports without succumbing to sensationalism.

The review highlights Vallee's argument that historical accounts of "visits from airborne people from legendary places" are consistent across cultures and time, with variations in the names of these places but not the core theme. These emissaries, appearing in human or monstrous forms, perform wonders, save or harm people, and confuse them. Vallee emphasizes that his book is not an attempt to solve a problem but to provide information to those who need it, acknowledging that science has not addressed certain fundamental human needs, such as the need for connection and meaning, which may drive the interest in such phenomena.

The book is considered a valuable contribution to UFO literature, perhaps the best to date, and essential for UFO students. The English edition, about 170 pages, can be ordered from Valby Antikvariat & Bogimport in Copenhagen.

A postscript notes that the review of Ivan T. Sanderson's book "Invisible Residents" has been postponed to a later issue.

Investigation in Namsenfjorden

This section announces that the long-planned investigation in Namsenfjorden is nearing its start. The timing is flexible, aiming for late June or early July to accommodate participants' schedules. The project involves significant work, but the planning has proceeded smoothly. The main challenge is financing, as the operation will be costly despite volunteer efforts. The Norsk UFO Center hopes for external assistance for equipment purchase and rental. Readers are informed that a giro payment card is enclosed to support the "STØTTEFOND" (Support Fund) for the action, emphasizing that any contribution is welcome.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the detailed examination of specific UFO case studies, particularly the horse incident and the Namsenfjorden investigation. There is a strong emphasis on applying scientific rigor and analytical methods to UFO phenomena, as advocated by Dr. J. Allen Hynek and explored by Jacques Vallee. The connection between historical folklore and modern UFO sightings is presented as a significant area of research. The editorial stance is one of advocating for serious, evidence-based UFO investigation, distinguishing credible reports from misinterpretations and fantasies, and calling for a more scientific approach to the UFO problem. The publication also highlights the importance of financial support for UFO research and investigations.