UFO Mail - No 132 - 2011

Magazine Overview

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, titled "Opsigtsvækkende bog om Area 51" (Sensational Book about Area 51), published by Danmarks UFO Forening on July 22, 2011, delves into the controversial book by journalist Annie Jacobsen concerning Area 51 and the infamous Roswell and Aztec UFO incidents.

Annie Jacobsen's Book on Area 51

The article introduces Annie Jacobsen, a journalist for publications like the Los Angeles Times Magazine, and her first book on the UFO genre, "Area 51: An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base." The book has garnered significant attention in the US, with Jacobsen participating in news segments and receiving numerous media reviews. The magazine notes that while the book is a well-written and interesting history of Area 51, a particular, less-emphasized side story has caused considerable stir.

Area 51, located approximately 190 km north of Las Vegas, is described as the world's most secret military base, part of the Nellis Air Force Range and Nevada Test Site, covering an area larger than Belgium. Since 1955, it has been a hub for developing advanced aircraft, drones, and weapons systems, including the U-2 spy plane, which provided crucial intelligence that influenced world events like the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Controversial Roswell Theory

The main point of contention highlighted is Jacobsen's theory regarding the Roswell incident. According to an anonymous source within her book, the crashed craft was not extraterrestrial but a Soviet vessel, a propaganda tool devised by Josef Stalin. This theory suggests that Stalin, inspired by the panic caused by Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" broadcast, aimed to create fear and panic in the US during the Cold War. The craft was allegedly built with the help of German engineers Walter and Reimar Horten and crewed by children subjected to experiments by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, who were made to appear as aliens. The article expresses skepticism towards this theory, preferring the more mundane Mogul balloon explanation for Roswell.

The Aztec Incident and Frank Scully

The magazine then shifts focus to the Aztec UFO crash incident, described as the most discussed, dissected, and debated UFO crash after Roswell. The story, popularized by writer Frank Scully in his 1950 book "Behind the Flying Saucers," claims that in March 1948, a UFO was recovered near Aztec, New Mexico, along with the bodies of 16 small, alien-like beings. Scully's sources were primarily Silas Mason Newton and a mysterious "Dr. Gee" (later identified as Leo Gebauer).

Skepticism and Investigations

Journalist J. P. Cahn, writing for True magazine in 1952 and 1956, investigated Scully's claims and found them to be based on dubious sources. Cahn identified "Dr. Gee" as Leo Gebauer, whose background was questionable, and found Newton's claims unsubstantiated. Gebauer and Newton were later convicted of fraud. Despite these findings, the Aztec myth has persisted.

Further investigations by Mike McClellan in the 1970s concluded that the Aztec incident was a hoax. However, in 1987, William Steinman published "UFO Crash At Aztec," defending the story's authenticity, though this was met with criticism for relying on speculation and paranoia.

FBI Involvement and Documents

The article examines the FBI's involvement, particularly a declassified FBI memorandum from March 22, 1950, concerning the Aztec incident. The memo, written by Guy Hottel, details a report from an Air Force investigator about the recovery of three flying saucers in New Mexico, each containing three small, human-like bodies. However, the article points out that this document's credibility is undermined by its origins, tracing back through unreliable witnesses like Rudy Fick, George T. Koehler, and Silas Newton. The FBI itself notes that released documents do not necessarily reflect current FBI views.

Nickolas Redfern's Analysis

Nickolas Redfern is presented as a key figure in dissecting the Aztec story, analyzing FBI files and questioning the credibility of the sources. He notes that while Gebauer had some technical background, his claims were exaggerated. Redfern also touches upon the possibility that the US government may have intentionally spread UFO stories as part of psychological warfare during the Cold War, potentially to mislead the Soviet Union.

The Legacy of the Stories

The article concludes by reflecting on the enduring nature of the Area 51 and Aztec UFO stories, noting that even decades later, they continue to capture public imagination and generate headlines. The names of Silas Newton, Frank Scully, and Leo Gebauer remain associated with these narratives. The article also mentions that the character Dana Scully from the TV series "The X-Files" was named after Frank Scully.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are government secrecy, the investigation of UFO phenomena, the unreliability of eyewitness accounts and sources, and the role of media in perpetuating myths. The editorial stance is critical and skeptical, aiming to debunk sensational claims by presenting evidence from official documents and investigative journalism, while acknowledging the persistent allure of these mysteries.

This document is a single page from what appears to be a UFO-related publication, likely a newsletter or magazine called "UFO-Nyt" or "UFO-Mail," published by Skandinavisk UFO Information. The page is primarily focused on two main items: the sale of back issues of "UFO-Nyt" and the announcement of an upcoming Danish UFO book.

UFO-Nyt Back Issues for Sale

The first section, titled "UFO-Nyt til samlerpris" (UFO-Nyt at collector's price), announces that a reader, Frans Steen, is selling old issues of "UFO-Nyt." The advertisement provides contact information for Frans Steen, including his name, address in Brøndby, Denmark, and email address ([email protected]). A comprehensive list of available issues is provided, detailing the months and years from 1961 to 1986. The list indicates specific months for some years and notes that all months were available for 1962 (though only 11 issues are listed) and 1968 (listed as 1-8, implying 8 issues).

Upcoming Danish UFO Book Announcement

The second major section, with the headline "Stor dansk ufobog udkommer snart!" (Big Danish UFO book coming soon!), announces an upcoming book to be featured in the next issue of "UFO-Mail." The book is titled "Projekt UFO - tro, løgne og kold krig" (Project UFO - truth, lies and cold war) and is authored by Kim Møller Hansen. The cover image of the book is displayed, showing a "Top Secret - Eyes Only" stamp and a subtitle referencing "Skandinavisk UFO Information." The description states that the book delves into the development of UFO mythology in a critical light. It is a substantial work, comprising 454 pages, with 206 illustrations (90 in color), and includes an index and an extensive list of links and literature. Readers are encouraged to read more about the book and how to secure a copy in the next "UFO-Mail" issue.

Publisher Information

The second page of the document provides copyright and publishing information. It states that "UFO-Mail" is published by Skandinavisk UFO Information. It also mentions that news media can quote from signed articles with clear attribution, according to copyright law. Full articles require written agreement from Skandinavisk UFO Information - SUFOI. Printing and photocopying of "UFO-Mail" content are subject to Copydan fees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The content suggests a focus on UFO research, history, and literature within the Danish context. The sale of back issues indicates a community interested in historical UFO publications. The promotion of a critical book on UFO mythology suggests an editorial stance that values in-depth, analytical, and potentially skeptical examination of the subject matter, while still engaging with the broader UFO phenomenon. The publisher, Skandinavisk UFO Information, appears to be a central organization for UFO enthusiasts in Scandinavia.