UFO Information - 1989 No 04

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-INFORMATION
Issue: Nr 4-1989 (Dated 4/89)
Publisher: UFO-Information
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0346-3540
Price: 100 SEK for a full year.

This issue of UFO-INFORMATION, dated April 1989, is a Swedish publication dedicated to UFO phenomena. It features a mix of articles, witness accounts, and investigative reports. The editorial staff includes Kjell Thörnlund (Editor and Publisher), Håkan Gustavsson, Gassan Darwiche, and Matti Knutti, with Sören Andersson, Tommy Gustavsson, and Kjell Thörnlund listed in the editorial department. The magazine is run by volunteers and aims to inform the public about UFOs.

Editorial and Content

The editorial section notes a significant increase in interest in UFOs in Sweden, partly attributed to the popularity of books by authors like W. Strieber. The magazine emphasizes the need for factual information and serious debate on the UFO topic. It highlights a shift in media attention, with various channels now seeking interviews about UFOs. The editorial team expresses gratitude to their readers and wishes them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Key Articles and Reports

"The Flying Man" in Castelleale, Italy

This article details a strange incident that occurred in November 1974 in Castelleale, Italy. The witness, Giovanna Sensoli, an illiterate woman from a farming family, reported seeing a 'man' hanging in the air near her house. The figure was described as about 2 meters tall, wearing a shiny, one-piece suit with colored markings, and a helmet that obscured his face, revealing only his eyes. He was seated on a box-like object and appeared to be looking for something. The 'man' was seen to move towards a haystack, and a bright light, described as being as large as the full moon, followed him. The entire event lasted about fifteen minutes. The author, Gianfranco Lollino, conducted investigations over several years, noting that the Sensoli family experienced several unfortunate events during this period. The article also includes an account from a neighbor who heard Giovanna's initial distress but didn't witness the event directly, initially suggesting it might have been a parachutist.

Villa Radicchia Case

This report, authored by Pier Luigi Sani, describes an incident that occurred on the night of October 8-9, 1984, at a villa called "La Radicchia" near Polcanto, Italy. The witness, Signor Isidoro Ferri, a 46-year-old farm manager, was awakened by a bright light shining through his bedroom window. He saw a dark, humanoid figure on a slope outside, emitting a beam of light from its forehead. This was followed by a bright, orange, luminous sphere that appeared to be about two to three meters wide. The object moved away and disappeared. Ferri reported being temporarily paralyzed by the light and experienced irritation and redness in his eyes afterward. His dog, usually very alert, remained silent during the event and was distressed for several days, refusing to eat. The article also mentions three depressions found in a triangular pattern on the ground near the villa, which were examined by UFO researchers. The witness's psychological state was noted as being significantly affected by the experience.

Landet Runt (Around the Country)

This section features several brief reports of UFO sightings from Sweden:

• Borlänge Women Scared by UFO (March 12, 1989): Three women reported being followed by a large, green, silent light that flew low over their car and later appeared outside a house, accompanied by a strange humming sound.
• Object over Älghult in Småland (May 24, 1989): Camilla and her father observed an oval, shiny object in the sky that appeared metallic.
• Light Disc over Blentarp (June 24, 1989): Guests in Ågerup reported seeing a luminous orange disc or streak that moved upwards and then flew towards Sövdesjön.
• UFO in the Tärnaby Area (July 1989): A torpedo-like object was seen multiple times flying low and emitting a loud sound.
• UFO over Edane (October 7, 1989): Sven Jakobsson saw a strange, bright light above the trees that flew towards him.
• Woman Saw UFO over Trångstad (October 24, 1989): Liselott Tjus reported seeing a sharp red, luminous object that split into two, then merged, and emitted a rumbling sound.

Other Mentions

• "Ovanlig Besökare!" (Unusual Visitor!): This short piece mentions Dan Koehler and a report of a very tall figure, possibly over 2.70 meters, seen walking in Buffalo Mills, Pennsylvania, in 1973.
• SAF-BULLETIN: An announcement for the SAF-BULLETIN, a publication from the Solna Astronomical Society, detailing its contents and membership fees.
• Support Diabetes Research: A call for donations to the Swedish Diabetes Association's Research Fund.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, witness testimonies, and the investigation of these phenomena. The magazine strongly advocates for the dissemination of information and encourages readers to report their own experiences. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, seeking to understand UFO events through factual reporting and analysis, while also acknowledging the skepticism and potential misinterpretations that can surround such reports. The publication appears to be a non-profit, volunteer-driven effort aimed at fostering a serious discussion about UFOs in Sweden.

This issue of UFO Aktuellt, Volume 29, Issue 5, published in 1984, focuses on the intriguing phenomenon of 'invisible barriers' and includes a historical account of a Chinese UFO report from the 11th century. The magazine also features a personal narrative of a UFO encounter in Sweden during the summer of 1965.

The Nature of Witness Testimony and Societal Resistance

The issue opens with a discussion on the credibility of UFO witnesses, suggesting that while some may exaggerate, others might be reluctant to share their experiences due to societal pressures or fear of ridicule. The author notes that individuals who speak freely under the influence might retract their stories when sober. There's a critique of authors who profit from UFO-related topics, citing George Adamski and Erich von Däniken as examples. The article touches upon the difficulty of getting UFOlogy recognized by the establishment, mentioning organizations like FOA and individuals like Sture Wickerts and Sven-Owe Hansson as figures who attempt to debunk or dismiss UFO research. A strong statement is made about the potential societal impact of revealing UFO truths, suggesting it could 'shake Sweden to its foundations'. The comparison is drawn to the assassination of Olof Palme, where witness testimonies were also treated with skepticism.

Chinese UFO Report from the 1000s

Authored by John Brent Musgrave, this section details a report from the Chinese scholar Shen Kua's 11th-century essay collection, 'Meng Chhi Pi Than'. Shen Kua documented observations of strange luminous phenomena, described as a 'clear pearl', seen over Yang-chou. The text provides historical context about Yang-chou as a prosperous trading city. The description of the 'pearl' is compared to the moon but noted for its bright, flame-like luminescence, akin to sunlight. The report mentions a poem by Po Chü-I about the 'clear pearl'.

Invisible Barriers: A Catalog of Encounters

Authored by J. M. Buehring, this extensive section presents 18 case studies of 'invisible barriers' or 'force fields' reported between 1935 and 1980. These barriers are described as protective screens that can hold individuals at bay, sometimes appearing without any visible UFO. The cases include:

1. County Mayo, Ireland (1935): A girl found herself unable to leave a wooded area, walking in circles, and was later invisible to searchers.
2. Oxford, England (ca. 1947): A RAF sergeant crashed his motorcycle into an unseen barrier.
3. Westminster, Massachusetts, USA (1949): A young girl encountered a small alien and threw stones that stopped mid-air as if hitting a wall.
4. Norra Devon, England (May 1957): A witness observed a glowing object and was prevented from approaching it by an invisible barrier.
5. Rybinsk, SSSR (Summer 1961): UFOs were fired upon, but missiles failed, and the objects caused a power outage.
6. Southern Missouri, USA (February 14, 1967): An invisible barrier was encountered.
7. Itaperuna, Brazil (February 7, 1969): Witnesses saw a flattened sphere of light that stopped them with an 'invisible wall'.
8. Awanui, New Zealand (February 22, 1969): A man was stopped by an invisible force when approaching three beings.
9. Itajuba, Brazil (May 1969): A car was stopped by an 'invisible wall', and an object above caused a power outage.
10. Itaperuna, Brazil (May 1971): A farmer encountered an invisible barrier that caused temporary paralysis and time distortion.
11. Duluth, Minnesota, USA (October 7, 1973): A witness described an invisible barrier that she had to push through, affecting her vision.
12. Mediterranean Sea (1975): UFOs reportedly disabled a NATO robot base by an unknown means, possibly an invisible barrier.
13. Durham, England (Late 1975): A woman was prevented from parking her car by an invisible barrier.
14. Serra do Mouro, Brazil (September 3, 1976): Witnesses were stopped by an invisible barrier and attacked by a beam from a UFO.
15. Winchester Bypass, England (November 14, 1976): A car was stopped by an 'invisible wall', and the engine stalled.
16. Fort St. James, British Columbia, Canada (November 3, 1977): Teenagers were stopped by a 'force or something' when approaching a UFO.
17. Borisoglebsk, SSSR (June 16, 1978): A witness was stopped by an invisible force field and experienced time distortion.
18. Moscow, SSSR (June 15, 1980): An officer observed a UFO that was blocked by an 'invisible and insurmountable barrier'.

The article notes that invisible barriers do not seem to generate audible sound waves when encountered.

An Event in the Summer of 1965

This personal account describes an experience of four young girls—Sara Bäckström (13), Ulrika Eriksson (15), Stella Hansson (14), and Elin Lundin (13)—who went blueberry picking near Munkedal, Sweden. During a foggy morning, they felt an unnerving sense of being watched. They encountered what they initially thought was a child in green overalls, which was scared away by a sneeze. While searching for the 'child', they witnessed a large, metallic, rudder-like object emerge from a lake, emitting loud noises and lights. The object ascended rapidly, leaving the girls shaken. They later fell ill, possibly from the shock, and did not speak of the incident for years.

New on the Book Front

This section reviews two new UFO books from Zindermanns förlag. 'Fantastiska resor med UFO' by Sune Hjort and Ante Jonsson is described as potentially too sensational for those not already immersed in UFO topics, though it is acknowledged as 'fantastic'. 'The second book, by Boris Jungkvist, is praised as a very good work, continuing the legacy of previous books by him. The reviewer commends the extensive research efforts of Jungkvist and his team, suggesting their work is a challenge to authorities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea that UFO phenomena are real and significant, often facing resistance from established institutions and societal skepticism. There's an emphasis on the importance of witness testimony, even when it challenges conventional understanding. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for open discussion and research into UFOs, while acknowledging the potential for sensationalism and the need for critical evaluation of evidence. The recurring theme of 'invisible barriers' suggests a belief in advanced, possibly non-human, technology capable of manipulating physical space or perception.