UFO Information - 1971 No 03

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO information
Issue: 3
Date: May 3, 1971
Publisher: UFO-Sverige
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO information provides a comprehensive look at UFO-related activities and discussions in Sweden and Finland during early 1971. It covers the annual meeting of UFO-Sverige, details numerous reported sightings, and includes a critical analysis of the influential Condon Report.

Riksstämman (Annual Meeting)

The cover story details the annual meeting of UFO-Sverige held in Motala. Approximately 125 attendees participated, engaging in discussions about UFO problems and the future direction of the organization. The meeting provided opportunities for spontaneous interaction among members. Key decisions made included:

1. Statutes: UFO-Motala's proposed statutes for UFO-Sverige were unanimously adopted after minor amendments.
2. Central Group: UFO-Motala was designated as the central group for a two-year term.
3. Membership Fees: The membership fee structure was set for the 1972 fiscal year, consisting of a base fee per group and an additional fee per member. Each group would receive a copy of UFO Information.
4. Auditors: Anders Liljegren and Sten Sundqvist were elected as auditors.
5. UFO-Sverige Program: The question of a "Program for UFO-Sverige" was left open for further discussion, acknowledging practical difficulties and the need for targeted information strategies.

The article also notes that the adoption of statutes formally establishes UFO-Sverige as an organization. The size and form of membership fees were debated, influenced by the previous year's financial report showing a deficit. The aim was to reduce reliance on private donations by restructuring the fees. Suggestions were also made to compile "secure UFO cases" for use in external communications and to improve collaboration with the press to maintain public interest.

Notiser (Notices)

This section provides brief updates and announcements:

• New PR Section: UFO-Vimmerby has taken over the PR activities for UFO-Sverige.
• International Weekend: A reminder of a past international UFO observation event and an announcement for a similar upcoming event on June 19-20, encouraging telepathic contact with potential visitors.
• Scandinavian Newsletter: The latest issue (1-2/1971) of SN was sent out, covering the Antennfall case, Reidar Salvesen's observation, and a wave of UFO events in Finland.
• Name Changes: UFO-Norrköping is now Norrköpings UFO-Förening, and Solna Astronomiska Förening is now Stockholms UFO-Center.
• UFO Detectors: Stockholms UFO-Center is researching UFO detectors, offering a new pocket-sized version.
• UFO Camping: An opportunity for UFO enthusiasts to meet in Denmark (July 16-26) at Trelde Næs, Fredericia, with lectures on ufology and parapsychology.
• Skåne Meeting: Kurth Johansson of UFO-Tyringe invites UFO-Sverige members to visit.
• Questionnaires: New UFO observation questionnaires are being printed with an updated format and a "guide for UFO groups."
• Documentary Film: UFO-Motala plans to produce a documentary film about UFO-Sverige.
• UFO-Sverige Envelopes: Envelopes with the UFO-Sverige logo are available for purchase.
• Magazine Redesign: The magazine has a new cover and interior design, with thanks to I. Darsell for the artwork.

Vad händer i Finland? (What's Happening in Finland?)

Finland has been a focal point for UFO events. The weekly magazine "Året Runt" sent reporter Thea Oljelund to cover these happenings. The article mentions the Kuusamo case and the "disc water theory" attributed to Dr. Birger Wiik, which has angered locals. It also notes a case in Ylistaro where a student claimed to have created strange tracks using a cucumber jar, a claim not believed by the locals. A Finnish cooperative magazine "Samarbete" published a photo of a "flying saucer" which was later revealed to be a hoax created by the magazine's editor, Curt Strengell, who stated it was easy to fake such photos. The article also references a photo taken by engineer Ahti Karivieri near Särkivaara, showing a UFO's movement. UFO-Jakobsaari, a Finnish contact group, has conducted investigations and submitted material for future publication.

Rapportnytt (Report News)

This section details specific UFO sightings and reports:

• September 10, 1969: Near Nyköping, Sweden: Sven Karlsson reported being followed by a luminous object that matched his car's movements at low speed (approx. 10 km/h). The object emitted orange beams and smoke rings, and he felt he was being observed. The object then made a sharp turn and disappeared.
• September 1966: Skoghall, Sweden: Ivan Grenskog observed a strange craft resembling a "flying pencil" with an illuminated window and orange flames. The object hovered silently and was observed by his wife and daughter. Neighbors also saw it ascend rapidly.
• December 14, 1970: North of Katrineholm, Sweden: An anonymous Finnish observer reported a bright, disc-shaped object with green or blue-green light passing his car at a height of 4-5 meters and disappearing rapidly. He estimated its size and speed.
• December 19, 1970: Vänersborg, Sweden: Pharmacist Fröberg observed a bright green, star-like object that appeared to be a sphere with a wing, accelerating rapidly towards the northwest. He described its shape and color.
• November 25, 1970: Ede and Gnarp, Sweden: Betty Sjölund witnessed a bright, oval-shaped light phenomenon moving from northwest to southwest. The light was intense, and no sound was detected. There are discrepancies in the reported duration of the observation.
• January 29, 1971: Sundsvall, Sweden: Birgitta Johansson observed a bright, reddish-orange fireball moving from southwest to northeast, low to the ground. She described its shape and color and noted the absence of sound.
• January 29, 1971: Sundsvall, Sweden: Jan Olov Forsner observed a bright, fireball-like object moving south to north, then veering sharply east and ascending. He noted its speed was faster than a commercial airplane and that it had a short tail.
• January 30, 1971: Delsbo, Sweden: Anna Swed and Maria Järf saw a bright red fireball with purplish light that disappeared quickly, leaving a smoke trail. Several other witnesses also reported seeing the phenomenon.
• April 25, 1971: Kopparberg/Ludvika, Sweden: Multiple people reported strange light phenomena in the Kopparberg and Ludvika region. The magazine thanks Christer Holm for providing press clippings.
• April 1971: Tylösand, Sweden: Sven Eriksson observed a delta-winged object with multiple points of light moving at high altitude over the sea. He described its formation as a pattern of stars and noted its steady movement.

Uforama

This section presents UFO news from various sources:

• Critique of the Condon Report: The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) formed a committee to study UFOs. Their review of the Condon Report found it to be flawed, characterized by bias and hasty conclusions. The AIAA committee highlighted that a significant percentage of UFO cases remain unexplained, suggesting that continued scientific investigation is warranted. They recommended improved data collection methods and high-quality scientific analysis, urging government agencies to consider all well-founded proposals without prejudice.
• Condon's Response to Criticism: Dr. Edw Condon, in a letter to the Dutch UFO organization NOROVO, stated he was unaware of the criticism directed at his investigation, including that from Professors Hynek and McDonald. This was noted as peculiar, given Condon's own publications in journals read by these critics.
• French Gendarmerie UFO Hunt: The French gendarmerie, with approximately 1,900 officers, will be investigating UFO reports using helicopters. An article in their personnel magazine provides advice on collecting evidence and details a UFO questionnaire. The gendarmerie aims to investigate all reports, including those involving alleged "little men."
• Astronaut Photographed UFO?: Wayne S. Aho reported that astronaut Stuart Roosa allegedly took a photo of a "flying object" near Miami, Florida. The CIA requested the photo, but Roosa reportedly identified it as an IFO (Identified Flying Object) rather than a UFO.
• Successful Telepathy from Space: An Apollo 14 astronaut, Edgar D. Mitchell, reportedly conducted a successful telepathy experiment with the medium Olaf Jönsson in Chicago, achieving over 50% accuracy. This was a private initiative and not part of the official Apollo 14 program.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on reporting UFO sightings and investigations, particularly within Sweden and Finland. There is a clear emphasis on gathering and disseminating firsthand accounts from witnesses. The critique of the Condon Report indicates a stance that supports continued scientific inquiry into UFO phenomena, challenging official dismissals. The publication also highlights the activities of various UFO organizations and their efforts to raise public awareness and conduct research. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards the UFO phenomenon, encouraging detailed reporting and critical analysis of official findings.

This issue of 'Internationell Frågeställare' (International Questionnaire) from UFO-Sverige, dated 1971, focuses on the results of a large-scale questionnaire aimed at gauging public opinion and interest in UFO phenomena. The magazine also features organizational news, contactee reports, and a debate section.

Internationell Frågeställare Results

The main article presents the findings from 556 completed questionnaires, with over 1200 forms collected in total. The results indicate a strong public interest in UFOs, with a significant majority believing the issue to be of global importance. Specifically, 77.1% of respondents answered 'yes' to whether UFOs are a serious issue of global significance. A majority also believe that an international institution should handle the UFO question openly (70.7% 'yes') and support a globally coordinated investigation with UN backing (77.5% 'yes'). Furthermore, there is support for establishing a worldwide network of UFO observers and a specialized UFO research center under UNESCO's supervision (73.4% and 77.9% 'yes' respectively). The article notes that these results are not a statistically representative opinion poll but demonstrate a substantial interest in a thorough investigation of UFO phenomena. The number of 'no' answers has decreased, and 'unanswered' questions have nearly doubled compared to a previous count.

Organisationsnytt (Organizational News)

This section aims to provide background information on UFO-Sverige's activities and other related organizations. It begins by introducing UFO-JakobSaari, a Finnish UFO club that became a member of UFO-Sverige. Founded in March 1971, UFO-JakobSaari focuses on collecting data on UFO sightings in the Österbotten region. The club has about 20 members and is part of a loose association of Finnish UFO clubs called 'Interplanetaristerna'. The club's chairperson, Solveig Emtö, emphasizes the importance of collecting data skeptically, as many UFO phenomena may later receive natural explanations.

The article also mentions UFO-Linköping, which is responsible for UFO-Sverige's telephone chain, TELUFO. This chain is a directory of UFO enthusiasts designed for rapid information sharing upon sightings. UFO-Linköping organized an exhibition on March 27th, showcasing UFO-related clippings, photos, and personal experiences. Despite poor lighting, the exhibition was visited by about 60 people, many of whom were young students.

UFO-Södertälje also held an exhibition at the Södertälje city library from April 17th to 15th, featuring press clippings, UFO photos, and books on the subject. The exhibition was well-received, generating interest in membership.

Debatt (Debate)

This new section is intended as a forum for members and contacts to share opinions, ideas, suggestions, and comments regarding UFO-Sverige and UFOs in general. The first contribution is from Anders Liljegren of Norrköping UFO-Förening, reflecting on a recent UFO conference. He stresses the need for UFO-Sverige to establish clear general guidelines for its operations. Liljegren also proposes the compilation of a 'Handbok för ufologer' (Handbook for Ufologists). This handbook would serve as a basic course in ufology, providing information on common phenomena, interview techniques for witnesses, methods for investigating landing sites, and advice on technical equipment such as cameras and tape recorders. He suggests it could be a concise, approximately 20-page document, potentially a loose-leaf binder for easy updates.

Contact Persons

This section details various individuals who claim to have had contact with extraterrestrial beings.

• Albert K. Bender: Reported contact with three 'men in black' in 1953, who took him to an Antarctic base. They explained that they were collecting seawater for vital chemical substances and that life on Venus was developing. Bender remained silent about his experiences for nine years due to fear of reprisals.
• Salvador Villanueva (Mexico): In 1953, he met two uniformed men and was invited aboard their landed spaceship.
• Rolf Telano (USA): In 1954, he established telepathic contact with a Venusian woman named Borealis, who discussed reincarnation and karma. He learned about 'primary drive' for interstellar travel and 'secondary drive' using planetary magnetic fields.
• Dino Kraspedon (Brazil): In 1952, he had physical contact with beings from space and received answers to questions that differed from those of other contactees like Adamski. He wrote a book about his experiences.
• Elisabeth Klarer (South Africa): In 1954 and 1956, she encountered a flying saucer and spoke with its pilot, who claimed to be from Venus. She learned that Venusians are vegetarians and that atmospheric imbalances on Earth, exacerbated by hydrogen bomb tests, were causing natural disasters. She also took three photographs of a spaceship.
• Woodrow Derenberger (USA): In 1966, he encountered a space being that emerged from an egg-shaped craft.
• Gary Wilcox (USA): In 1964, he saw a craft resembling a flying saucer land in a field and encountered two beings similar to humans but smaller.

Regarding the Hostility of Flying Saucers

This article, written by Staffan Stigsjöö of Alingsås Ufologiska Sällskap, responds to an article about UFOs in formation over the Vatican. Stigsjöö addresses the common belief among ufologists that flying saucers are not hostile. He refutes two main arguments: that advanced civilizations have outgrown war and that their long-term observation of Earth implies peaceful intent. Stigsjöö argues that interstellar travel does not preclude warfare and that the aliens' intentions remain unknown; they may be preparing for an invasion. He suggests potential motives for invasion, such as the need for a new home planet or resource acquisition, and lists common historical reasons for war (politics, economics, religion, power, oppression, resistance). He concludes that the possibility of hostile aliens is as great as that of peaceful ones, and that the lack of invasion so far is not a guarantee against future hostility.

Book Review

'Jagets Eld' (The Fire of the Self) by Dénis Lindbohm is reviewed. The book is described as a unique account of reincarnation memories, with the author stating that the self is immortal and that humans are cosmic travelers. Lindbohm recalls living on other planets and traveling in spacecraft. The book is available for 15.88 SEK plus postage from SÖKARENS FÖRLAG.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea of a serious, organized, and international approach to UFO research. It emphasizes the importance of collecting data, fostering cooperation between UFO organizations, and advocating for official investigation by bodies like the UN and UNESCO. The 'Debatt' section indicates an editorial stance that encourages open discussion and the sharing of diverse viewpoints within the UFO community. The inclusion of numerous contactee reports suggests an openness to exploring various hypotheses about the nature and origin of UFOs, even those that are highly speculative. The article on potential hostility highlights a critical and analytical approach, questioning assumptions within the ufology community.

This issue of the magazine features a detailed account of the "Domsten Case," a notable UFO incident that occurred on December 20, 1958, in Domsten, Sweden. The article, written by Sven Schalin, is based on an interview conducted on January 7, 1959, with two witnesses, student Stig Rydberg and merchant Hans Gustavsson.

The Domsten Incident

The incident began around 3 AM when Rydberg and Gustavsson were driving through heavy fog near Domsten. They stopped to stretch their legs and noticed a peculiar light in a clearing. Upon investigation, they discovered a round, disk-shaped "light body" (ljuskropp) resting on what appeared to be a three-legged landing gear, approximately 50 meters from the road. The object emitted an intense, white light and was estimated to be about 4 meters in diameter and less than a meter thick. Rydberg described it as somewhat diffuse, with a darker core visible within.

A sharp, unusual odor, described as a mix of ether and burnt sausage, was immediately noticeable. As they approached within 15 meters, they observed three to four dark, pencil-gray figures, resembling "cones" (käglor), moving erratically within the object's light. These figures lacked arms, legs, or faces, stood about 1.3 meters tall and 75 centimeters wide, and moved in a way that seemed to lack natural inertia, as if "without human connection." Their "cone shape" also varied.

The Encounter and Struggle

Overcome by fear, Rydberg and Gustavsson attempted to return to their car. However, before they could fully react, the figures approached them. A peculiar "wrestling" match ensued, described as being "connected" and pulled upwards by the arms, then downwards by the legs, causing them to fall. The witnesses felt the figures knew their intentions before they acted. While the physical strength of the figures was not overwhelming, their movements were described as uncanny.

Rydberg attempted to strike one of the figures, but his fist met a yielding, elastic resistance that gradually stopped its momentum, with nothing solid felt inside. The figures' intention was clearly to drag the witnesses towards the UFO. During the struggle, the figures emitted faint, vibrating "buzzing" sounds, which the witnesses speculated might be a form of communication. The raw, "swamp-like" odor persisted, especially during close contact.

Escape and UFO Departure

Eventually, Rydberg managed to break free and sprinted towards the car. Gustavsson, however, was completely overpowered, with the figures concentrating on him. He grabbed onto a camping pole for support, while the figures continued to try and pull him towards the UFO. As Rydberg reached the car and sounded the horn, the figures released Gustavsson, who fell to the ground. The figures then rapidly retreated into the UFO, which then emitted an intense, high-pitched sound, described as "so loud it was barely audible, yet so penetrating it went through marrow and bone." The UFO ascended incredibly fast and disappeared in an arc towards Öresund. The entire event lasted approximately five minutes.

Aftermath and Investigation

After returning to the car, both men were left in a state of shock and paralysis for about 20 minutes before they could complete their journey home. The article notes that for an average person, the story might seem unbelievable, but Rydberg and Gustavsson underwent extensive interrogations by police and military authorities. A significant part of the investigation involved hypnoanalysis conducted by two Helsingborg physicians, Lars-Erik Essen and Wilhelm Hellsten. This method aims to filter out hallucinations and suggestion, allowing the subject to recall only genuine impressions. The results of these repeated examinations reportedly provided positive confirmation for both witnesses, with their individual accounts differing only in minor details.

The author, Sven Schalin, expresses his personal impression that Rydberg and Gustavsson genuinely tried to describe their experience and found their account credible.

Possible Explanations and Related Incidents

Schalin offers some speculative explanations for the phenomena. He suggests the "creatures" might have been formed by the UFO's surrounding gravitational field and associated electrical effects, which could have drawn in and "materialized" material from the ground. The "swamp-like" smell could be explained by this process. The peculiar odor of "ether and burnt sausage" might be a description of ozone, which is produced by electrical discharge. The penetrating sound was likely of a very high frequency, possibly ultrasound, exceeding the upper limit of human hearing.

The article also mentions a similar incident in Denmark shortly afterward, where a woman was so frightened by an object that she was bedridden for three days. Another sighting on December 19, around 5 PM, described an object resembling "two hemispheres" moving northwards a few miles north of Domsten.

Official Response and Skepticism

Around January 30, 1959, press reports indicated that two American experts had thoroughly investigated the Domsten site with extensive instrumentation. However, the author expresses doubt about the origin of these experts, noting that the major American UFO organization NICAP had not sent personnel, and questioning which other US organization would fund such an expedition. The involvement of the Swedish Defence Staff with American expertise is also deemed unlikely.

The official statement from the Defence Staff regarding the Domsten case was dismissive, stating that "nothing supported the two men's story." The explanation offered was self-suggestion, where one man had suggested the phenomenon to the other. Schalin considers this generalization to be weak in light of the facts presented.

Cartoon

A cartoon on page 3 depicts a building labeled "FOA" (Swedish National Defence Research Institute) with a scientist. In the foreground, a man labeled "TAGE" is being held by two aliens, while another alien in a flying saucer looks on. A speech bubble from one alien says, "DON'T BE AFRAID, TAGE! YOU YOURSELF SAID THAT THERE ARE NO FLYING SAUCERS!" The man being held is shouting "HELP!!". This cartoon satirizes the official denial of UFO phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings and encounters, often presenting detailed witness testimonies. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, contrasting with official skepticism or denial. The article on the Domsten case highlights the discrepancy between witness accounts, supported by hypnoanalysis, and the official explanation of self-suggestion, suggesting a potential cover-up or dismissal of credible evidence. The inclusion of a satirical cartoon further underscores a critical view of official responses to UFO reports.