UFO Information - 1977 No 04

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO INFORMATION
Issue: 4
Volume: 9
Date: 1977
Publisher: UFO-SVERIGE
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0346-3540
Price: 50 kronor helår

This issue of UFO INFORMATION focuses on significant UFO sightings and research, featuring a striking cover story about a potential 'giant' jawbone discovery and an in-depth look at Danish ufology pioneer Frank Pedersen.

Cover Story: The Giant Jawbone of Södermanland

The cover highlights a remarkable find from 1953 in a lakebed near Gnesta, Södermanland, Sweden: a jawbone of extraordinary size. Läroverksadjunkt Thomas Grahn conducted a comparative anthropological examination of the jawbone against a demonstration skeleton. His findings indicate that the jawbone is nearly twice as large as a normal human lower jaw, leading to the question of whether giants once existed in the region. The article details the discovery in a potato cellar at the Slängen farm, where the jawbone was found 40 cm below the surface in a sand layer containing slag. Dentist Harald Odmark initially examined the find, noting its age and signs of wear on the teeth, suggesting it belonged to a person aged 40-50. However, the exact sex of the individual could not be determined. The jawbone was eventually handed over to the Björnlunda local history society. Current chairman Olle Carlsson states the jawbone is not in their collection, nor at the Nyköping museum, leaving its current whereabouts unknown, possibly stored in a museum's archives as an unexplained or controversial find. The article speculates on the age of the find, suggesting it predates the cellar's construction (around 200 years ago) and possibly the melting of the inland ice (around 8000 years ago), questioning the possibility of metal smelting and slag production in Sweden at such an early date.

Feature: Lieutenant Colonel Frank Pedersen - A Pioneer in Danish Ufology

This extensive article profiles Lieutenant Colonel Frank Pedersen, a key figure in Danish UFO research. Pedersen recounts his journey into ufology, starting with a personal UFO sighting in 1953 near Århus, Denmark. He describes an object, initially mistaken for the moon, that moved with incredible speed and changed color to orange and appeared flat. This experience, shared with his commanding officer, spurred his investigation. He details his attempts to get an explanation from the Ole Rømer Observatory, which led to a harsh reprimand from his superiors for bothering them with 'idiots' calling about meteors. Undeterred, Pedersen continued his research, contacting the Danish Air Force and eventually finding a sympathetic ear at the Karup air base. He was surprised to find a pre-printed report form for UFO sightings dating back to 1953, indicating a level of official interest or preparedness. He discusses the classification system used for such reports, choosing the 'Confidential' stamp. Pedersen also recounts another sighting in 1959 near Copenhagen, where a large, orange, slow-moving object was observed. A third sighting occurred in 1963 on North Zealand, which he initially dismissed but was prompted to investigate by his wife. This event generated about 70 phone calls and 300 reports. Pedersen emphasizes his belief in a scientific approach to ufology, advocating for collaboration with authorities and scientific institutions, a philosophy he shares with the central group of UFO-Sverige. He notes that while many UFO reports are dismissed, the military's existence of a report form suggests a more complex reality.

UFO Sightings and Incidents

• Traffic Plane Near Collision with UFO: The magazine reports on an incident where an Alitalia DC-10 carrying 180 passengers had a near-collision with a UFO over India on July 22, 1976. Captain Franco de Rosa described the object as intensely lit, moving at high speed, and passing only 60 meters from the aircraft. The co-pilot and third pilot corroborated the sighting, ruling out any known aircraft or satellite.
• International UFO Congress Disappointment: An international UFO congress held in Mexico in April is described as a major disappointment. Despite the participation of experts like Professor Allen Hynek and Ray Stanford, the presentations were deemed superficial, leading to low attendance and financial problems for the organizers. The stated goal of the congress was to understand the underlying causes of UFO phenomena, rather than just proving their existence.

Editorial and Recurring Themes

The editorial, titled "ANDRA PRATAR - VI HANDLAR" (Others Talk - We Act), written by Jonzon, reflects on the end of summer and the resumption of UFO-Sverige's activities. The editor emphasizes the organization's proactive approach, contrasting it with smaller groups focused on criticism. He highlights UFO-Sverige's efforts in public outreach, including lectures and presentations across Sweden, noting the strong interest in UFOs in cities like Gothenburg and Stockholm, possibly due to existing UFO groups. The editorial also touches upon the geographical distribution of UFO Information readers, with a majority in Southern and Central Sweden. It speculates on the possibility of UFOs landing in sparsely populated areas and the potential connection between UFO phenomena and religion, suggesting that both might represent similar 'beings' or 'systems' observed from different perspectives.

The recurring themes in this issue include personal UFO encounters, the challenges of investigating unexplained phenomena, the role of military personnel in UFO research, and the organizational efforts within the Swedish and Danish UFO communities. The magazine promotes a serious, investigative approach to ufology, encouraging collaboration and open discussion while acknowledging the difficulties and skepticism often encountered.

This issue of UFO-Information, dated 2/1975, features a striking cover image of a large jawbone with teeth, posing the question of whether it belonged to a giant. The magazine, published by UFO-Sverige, is in Swedish and focuses on UFO sightings, paranormal phenomena, and related investigations.

Cover Story: The Giant Jawbone

The cover story presents a jawbone found in a cellar, described as remarkably well-preserved despite some teeth being lost. The article questions its origin, suggesting it might be from a giant. This leads to a discussion about ancient myths of giants and their potential connection to real historical events.

Giants and Ancient Civilizations

The issue delves into the Nordic saga tradition of giants, exploring theories about their origins. One theory suggests that the melting of ice sheets raised sea levels, submerging continents like Atlantis, and that the Gulf Stream then created a favorable route to Scandinavia. The article speculates if the jawbone could be from a shipwrecked individual from this lost continent. It also references a rock carving at Skälvs gård in Norrköping, interpreted by Bertil Falk as a map of Atlantis.

Further exploration into the 'giant' theme includes a report on the discovery of two-meter-tall, red-haired indigenous people in the Amazon jungles, believed to be a lost tribe called the Chanka. These individuals reportedly attacked hunters with clubs and spears.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to UFO reports and their investigation by UFO-Sverige. The "Har det hänt nå't?" (Has anything happened?) section, compiled by Thorvald Berthelsen, details numerous sightings from various locations in Sweden.

UFO-Sverige's Methodology

The magazine emphasizes the importance of thorough investigation and debunking misidentifications. It states that UFO-Sverige aims to clarify UFO phenomena, with approximately 80% of reported cases being explained as misinterpretations of known phenomena. The article highlights the dedication of field researchers and local groups in this effort.

Notable Sightings:

• Cyclops Skull: A cyclops skull, characterized by a single eye socket, was reportedly found in the Romania-Bulgaria area in late 1975.
• Two Luminous Orbs: In Tösse, Dalsland, on May 12, 1977, two football-sized luminous orbs with a steady white light were observed moving silently.
• Large Oval Object: In Köping, Västmanland, on June 2, 1977, a large, compact, oval object with a steady light was seen moving silently.
• Four Formation Lights: In Vimmerby, Småland, on April 10, 1977, four luminous points flew in a line, moving in a zigzag pattern.
• Stationary Object: In Oxelösund, Södermanland, on December 23, 1976, a bright white object, initially stationary, suddenly accelerated northeast.
• Vibrating Light Waves and Purple Sphere: In Sala, Västmanland, on December 21, 1976, vibrating light waves were observed, followed by a dark purple sphere.
• Dark Sphere: The following day in Sala, a dark, round object with a low humming sound was seen moving east at high speed.
• Red-Orange Sphere: In Åmål, Dalsland, on December 15, 1976, a red-orange sphere was observed moving south, then reappeared and moved north.
• Large Disk-like Object: In Nyköping, Södermanland, on December 4, 1976, a silver, disk-shaped object, appearing as large as the full moon, was observed.
• Bright White Object: In Oxelösund, Södermanland, on August 5, 1975, a bright white object moved towards the observer and then turned south at high speed.
• Air Circus over Oxelösund: In August 1970, multiple red objects were observed in Oxelösund, changing color, speed, and direction, performing complex maneuvers.
• Finnish Observation: Four young men in Tuusulans, Finland, observed a large, silent, luminous craft with square windows and blinking lights, which reacted to their car's headlights.

Personal Accounts and Dreams

"En skärtorsdagsdröm" (A Maundy Thursday Dream) by Tea Sannebrant

This article recounts a vivid dream experienced by Tea Sannebrant in 1956. The dream involved encounters with two strangers who exuded a sense of peace and harmony. The dream's details were so profound that they lingered with her. She shares her attempts to get the dream validated, facing skepticism from some ufologists who dismissed it as religious prophecy or fantasy. The dream involved a car journey that stopped in a desolate area, where she and her companion, Lasse, were guided by a strange, tall being with unusual eyes. They were led into a craft with a peculiar interior, where they encountered beings who identified themselves as Dorian and Gorth. These beings communicated through a machine that translated their language. They questioned the humans about their understanding of religious symbols, specifically a crucifix, which led to Sannebrant explaining basic biblical history, creation, the fall of man, and the teachings of Christianity, including the concept of different religious beliefs and the historical development of Christianity.

The Nature of Dreams

Sannebrant also touches upon the nature of dreams, suggesting they can be active processes that might offer insights into the future or allow for travel through time and space. She questions whether the universe is structured differently than commonly perceived.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the need for rigorous investigation and evidence-based conclusions in UFO research. While acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena, it prioritizes debunking misidentifications and providing rational explanations. The recurring theme of giants and ancient civilizations suggests an interest in bridging the gap between mythology and potential historical realities. The inclusion of personal, sometimes dream-like, experiences indicates an open-minded approach to the broader spectrum of unexplained phenomena, while still maintaining a critical stance on evidence.

Title: UFO-Information
Issue Date: 1977
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of UFO-Information delves into various UFO phenomena, including a significant sighting in Brunswick, Maryland, that disrupted radio communications, recurring observations in Blekinge, Sweden, and investigations into the Bermuda Triangle. It also highlights official collaborations between police and UFO organizations in different countries and discusses the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'.

Brunswick UFO Incident

The lead story details a massive UFO sighting on March 16, 1976, in Brunswick, Maryland, where approximately 50 private radio enthusiasts witnessed a large, brightly lit object. The UFO hovered over a 90 square kilometer area, and as it approached individual radio amateurs, their PR-stations were completely disabled by a strange sound. Once the object moved away, the equipment began functioning again. Brian Brawner, an 18-year-old radio amateur, described the object as round with a dome in the middle, emitting a strong white light and red lights. He noted its unusual speed and the disturbing static sound it produced. Other witnesses, including John Jacobs, Robert Jackson, David Stokes, and Raymond Hoffman, corroborated the sighting, describing the object's size, speed, and unusual maneuvers, such as stopping instantly and moving vertically. Dr. Wallace Garthright Jr. of NICAP called the Brunswick case the most significant he had worked on.

Recurring Observations in Blekinge

The magazine also features accounts of recurring UFO observations in Blekinge, Sweden, by the Svensson family over a two-year period. The first incident occurred on October 8, 1973, when Inge and Albert Svensson observed several objects moving at high speed with a sharp, red-yellow color, exhibiting jerky movements unlike any known aircraft. Later that evening, Inge's mother saw another object. On October 30, 1973, Arthur Svensson and his parents observed a cigar-shaped object, approximately 100 meters long, resembling a zeppelin, with visible seams and a reflective aluminum-like surface. The object moved from southwest to northeast in clear, calm weather without any sound. Further observations by Arthur on June 6 and 7, 1975, described a bright, red-yellow object with hints of green, moving in an undulating path, large as Venus but brighter.

Bermuda Triangle Investigation

This issue reports on a joint Soviet-American expedition, codenamed 'Polymode', investigating the 'mysterious whirlpools' in the Bermuda Triangle. Nine Soviet research vessels are participating in this effort, which began in June. The whirlpools, described as resembling atmospheric cyclones, occur in the area between Bermuda, Florida, and Puerto Rico, where numerous ships and aircraft have disappeared. Soviet scientists have dismissed theories of 'mystical conditions' in the area, focusing instead on the interaction between the sea and the atmosphere. The collaboration between the USA and the Soviet Union highlights the seriousness with which the problem is being addressed.

Official UFO Cooperation

The magazine highlights official collaborations with UFO organizations. In the Netherlands, the police have entered into an official partnership with the private organization NOBOVO, which investigates unidentified flying objects. When a UFO is reported, police offices immediately alert NOBOVO. Similarly, in Norway, NUFOC (Norsk UFO-Center) has a cooperation agreement with the Forsvarets Overkommando regarding UFO phenomena. The article notes that UFO-Sverige attempted to establish a similar agreement with the Swedish National Police Board in the early 1970s but was unsuccessful due to the prevailing negative attitudes at the time, though attitudes have since changed.

'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'

Finally, the issue discusses the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', directed by Stephen Spielberg and starring Richard Dreyfuss. The film is described as a science-fiction movie based on documentary material about UFO visits to Earth, with Spielberg emphasizing its basis in real events. Professor J. Allen Hynek, a noted UFO researcher, makes a brief appearance and served as a consultant for the film. The film's title refers to Hynek's classification system for UFO encounters, with the third degree involving observations and contact with UFO occupants. The film was set for a US premiere in February 1978 and a Swedish release in the spring or by August 1978.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, investigations into UFO phenomena, and the potential for official recognition and collaboration. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO reports, presenting detailed accounts and highlighting scientific and official investigations. There is a clear interest in the technological capabilities of UFOs, as evidenced by the Brunswick radio interference incident, and a willingness to explore the broader implications of UFO phenomena, including their connection to unexplained events like the Bermuda Triangle.