UFO Mail - No 209 - 2016

Magazine Overview

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, UFO-Mail nr. 209, dated January 4, 2016, is published by Danmarks UFO Forening. The main cover headline announces the "SUFOI Årsrapport 2016" (SUFOI Annual Report 2016), indicating that a new edition of the report is being sent to members and supporters who have contributed at least 250 DKK. The report contains a curated selection of articles and notes from the past year's UFO-Mail issues, along with a new photo feature. The report is also available online at ufo.dk.

Historical UFO Documents Posted Online

The article "Historiske ufo-dokumenter lagt på nettet" (Historical UFO documents posted online) by Kim Møller Hansen delves into the famous Betty and Barney Hill abduction case. The case, which occurred on the night of September 19-20, 1961, involved the couple reporting a strange light while driving home in New Hampshire. The article notes that while many believe the experience was an alien abduction, Dr. Benjamin Simon, who treated the couple under hypnosis, always maintained that hypnosis only revealed what they believed to be true and was not proof of alien contact.

Recently, on December 22, 2015, Robert Sheaffer released a large document (48 pages, 14 MB) on his website containing scans of correspondence and materials related to the Hill case. These include correspondence between Dr. Benjamin Simon and Philip J. Klass, Betty Hill and Philip J. Klass, and Dr. Benjamin Simon and Robert Sheaffer. Also included are copies of a supposed "radar-proof" for the UFO, Betty Hill's drawing of the object's position relative to the Moon, Robert Sheaffer's article from Official UFO magazine (August 1976), and a weather report from Mt. Washington Observatory for September 19-20, 1961.

• The article highlights key revelations from these new documents:
• Contrary to claims by UFO proponents, Dr. Benjamin Simon was not convinced of the abduction. In a letter dated October 28, 1975, he wrote to Philip J. Klass, "... I am also convinced that the 'abduction and examination' did not take place except in Betty's dreams, and I have strong evidence for this..."
• A journalist from the Boston Herald Traveler claimed radar reports showed the Hill's UFO was tracked, but the correspondence reveals these proofs do not exist.
• Betty Hill's drawing of the object's position relative to the Moon actually shows Jupiter, indicating she likely observed the planet and mistook it for a spaceship.
• Betty Hill attempted to pressure Dr. Benjamin Simon into believing the abduction narrative without criticism.
• Dr. Simon began making critical remarks about Betty Hill's version of events publicly after the TV film "The UFO Incident" premiered in October 1975. Betty Hill was reportedly furious when Simon discussed his views on "The Today Show" in 1975, accusing him of lying despite the facts originating from her, including her sister's interest in UFOs influencing her.
• Dr. Simon had plans in 1976 to write a book detailing his version of the abduction case, with support from Philip J. Klass and Robert Sheaffer, but the project was never realized.
• In a letter from December 3, 1975, Betty Hill wrote to Philip J. Klass, threatening to have aliens hover their craft outside his window to convince him of their existence, warning him not to make any threatening moves lest he be hit by their blue-green beam, similar to what happened to Travis Walton in Arizona in November 1975.

The article concludes that while these newly released documents do not present entirely new information, they are interesting because they confirm the mundane explanation for the Betty and Barney Hill case and debunk popular myths found online.

Radio Documentary on H.C. Petersen

The third page features information about a radio documentary on H.C. Petersen, the founder of SUFOI. The documentary, aired on Radio 24syv on November 25, 2015, was produced by Andreas Jeppesen and Kenneth Frydensbjerg. It is based on current conversations and recordings with Per Borgaard and Ole Henningsen, and includes a report from AFU in Norrköping with clips from a 1984 Danish radio broadcast featuring H.C. Petersen. The documentary, titled "Majoren og de flyvende tallerkener" (The Major and the Flying Saucers), explores Petersen's lifelong fascination with UFOs. The article provides a link to listen to the broadcast and suggests reading Per Borgaard's memorial article about H.C. Petersen in UFO-Mail.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO investigations, historical cases, and the analysis of evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, aiming to debunk myths and provide rational explanations for UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the detailed analysis of the Betty and Barney Hill case and the emphasis on factual documentation. The publication also promotes membership and support for SUFOI's work in exploring UFO mysteries.