UFO Newsclipping Service - 2001 03 - no 380

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated March 2001, is a compilation of articles and reports related to UFO phenomena, drawing from various newspapers and publications. It features a range of topics from the need for scientific cooperation in UFO investigations to detailed accounts of historical sightings and alleged crash retrievals.

MUFON Chief Advocates for Cooperation

An article by Laura Ingram from the Gwinnett Daily Post highlights the views of Ralph Howard Jr., chief science advisor for the Mutual UFO Network of Georgia. Howard emphasizes the necessity for UFO investigators to share their evidence more openly and engage with scientists to achieve greater acceptance within the scientific community. He suggests that the focus should be on compiling sufficient evidence to make the existence of UFOs apparent to a wider audience, rather than relying on anecdotal accounts alone. Howard also touches upon the public's skepticism, attributing it partly to exaggerated claims and government non-disclosure. He proposes that UFO organizations should form a cohesive body to publish credible cases and foster dialogue with scientists, network with individuals in various fields, and present the subject in a way that avoids the "kook" perception.

Expert Discusses Roswell Crash

Jane Wiggins of the Daily Record reports on a lecture by UFO investigator Dennis Balthaser at the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, New Mexico. Balthaser expressed confidence in witness testimony regarding the infamous Roswell Incident, believing it could prove their case. He discussed the complexities of UFO research, including the Freedom of Information Act requests and the challenges of verifying witness accounts due to fear, memory loss, and attempts to protect others. Balthaser firmly believes there was a government cover-up, suggesting it was a method of control. He recounted the details of the 1947 incident, including Mac Brazel's discovery of wreckage, the tracking of an object by White Sands radar at high speeds, and the Army's subsequent denial that it was a flying saucer, instead calling it a weather balloon. Balthaser lamented the loss of buildings connected to the incident and expressed frustration with government resistance to investigating military personnel involved at the time.

Historical UFO Sightings and Incidents

The issue includes a collection of "Looking Back" articles, presenting various UFO reports from different dates and locations:

• December 27, 1949 (New York): True Magazine reports that "informed authorities" believe "flying saucers" are interplanetary vehicles from an advanced civilization, citing a "rocket authority" at Wright Field. However, Wright Field officials denied any indication that saucers are interplanetary visitors.
• April 8, 1950 (Gouverneur, N.Y.): James L. Kraker, a retired Navy lieutenant, reported seeing a "Flying Ice Cream Cone" object with three other Navy men, and stated that military personnel seem to dismiss flying saucer stories.
• July 23, 1952 (Upper Sandusky, O.): Richard Widman and James Shafer reported seeing an elliptical object with a brilliant light but no noise.
• January 8, 1948 (Wilmington, O.): A phenomenon described as a "fiery cone trailing a gaseous green mist" appeared, baffling officials. Army airbase personnel observed it for 35 minutes, noting its rapid movement and changes in altitude.
• January 8, 1948 (Louisville, Ky.): Reports of a "flying saucer" led to the death of National Guard flier Capt. Thomas F. Mantell Jr. while he was chasing the object. Astronomers and the Weather Bureau could not identify it.
• August 26, 1952 (Watkins Glen, N.Y.): Three carpenters reported seeing a flying saucer that nosedived into Seneca Lake.
• August 13, 1952 (Holdenville, Okla.): C. A. Holland reported seeing a square object moving at tremendous speed.
• July 5, 1952 (Denver, Col.): Four Florida pilots reported seeing a "perfectly round disc, white in color and almost transparent" hovering over the Hanford atomic plant.
• March 7, 1950 (Tunis): Flying saucers were reported in North African skies, described variously as aftermaths of A-bomb explosions or space ships.
• June 18, 1952 (Pueblo, Colo.): Orville Foster of the U.S. Weather Bureau reported sighting a "flying saucer" that circled leisurely for 10 minutes.
• July 26, 1953 (Denison, Tex.): Seven mysterious red lights hung over the city for over an hour, baffling observers. Perrin Air Force Base reported surveillance but declined to comment.
• August 23, 1952 (West Palm Beach, Fla.): Scoutmaster D. S. Desvergers reported being blasted by a ball of fire from a saucer-like object after attempting to investigate lights in the woods. He claimed the object was not ours and its importance would determine the future of all.
• August 25, 1952 (Cleveland): Four police officers and two residents reported seeing a "bright object" about the size of a football with a white light and haze.

Area 51 and the Extraterrestrial Highway

An article by John Bartosek from the Palm Beach Post explores Area 51 in Nevada, a top-secret U.S. test facility. The article discusses the secrecy surrounding the base and the persistent theories linking it to crashed alien spacecraft and bodies from Roswell. The "E.T. Highway" (Nevada State Highway 375) is mentioned as a route for enthusiasts seeking glimpses of the base. The article also touches on the local culture in Rachel, Nevada, and the Little A'Le'Inn, a gathering place for UFO enthusiasts.

Judy DeLoretta's article for Copley News Service also focuses on Rachel, Nevada, and the Little A'Le'Inn, describing it as a welcoming spot for tourists interested in UFOs and extraterrestrial phenomena. It highlights the local lore, the types of visitors, and the general curiosity surrounding Area 51.

UFOs and the Military

Several articles delve into the military's involvement and perspective on UFOs:

• March 18, 1950 (Washington): The Air Force stated it still believes there is no such thing as a "flying saucer," attributing reports to misinterpretation, mass hysteria, or hoaxes. A special group of civilian scientists and Air Force officers had investigated 375 incidents over two years.
• March 18, 1950 (Farmington, N.M.): Most residents claimed to be "absolutely convinced" that flying saucers exist, reporting a mass flight of disc-shaped objects.
• March 18, 1950 (Havana): A Cuban pilot reported tracking a flying saucer.
• March 18, 1950 (Bursa, Turkey): Priests reported seeing flying saucers.
• October 21, 2000 (Glasgow, Scotland): Ron Halliday's "Scottish X Files" column questions what the British military knew about UFO encounters, citing a case where a witness claimed a UFO tracked an RAF Hercules before it crashed. The article suggests that the military dismissed UFOs as "of no defence significance" but closely followed encounters, keeping extensive files.
• August 10, 2000 (Wolverhampton, England): The "Cannock-Files" series investigates a purported UFO crash cover-up in the 1960s involving the retrieval of a strange aircraft and the alleged silencing of a witness. The article questions whether it was a crashed UFO or a prototype aircraft.
• October 13, 2000 (Harwich & Manningtree, England): A UFO group is investigating claims of an unusual sighting over Dovercourt, described as a rectangular-shaped object with white lights.

UFOs and Technology/Science

• November 2000 (Seattle, Wash.): John E. Mack, M.D., discusses his book "Passport to the Cosmos," focusing on the meaning of alien encounters and human transformation. He highlights the environmental message from alleged alien beings and the potential for a shift to a cosmic identity, leading to a sense of the divine and reverence for life. Mack also notes the powerful bond experiencers can form with these beings.
• July 27, 2000 (Lawrence, Kan.): A "UFO essays gain scholarly nod" article discusses the University Press of Kansas publishing a scholarly book on UFOs and abductions, aiming to bring academic interest to the understudied field. It includes perspectives from academics and a physician who believes in UFOs.
• August 6, 2000 (London, England): William Langley reports on Joe Firmage, a former computer tycoon who believes humanity needs to be prepared for imminent alien contact. Firmage published "The Truth," a manifesto suggesting that many technologies originated from crashed UFOs and that governments have conspired to hide this information since the 1947 Roswell Incident. He posits that UFOs are not bound by conventional physics and that advanced societies have historically had a detrimental impact on primitive ones.
• October 11, 2000 (Guernsey, England): Magnus Buchanan interviews Matt Bevan, a computer hacker who broke into classified systems of NATO, NASA, and the U.S. Air Force, motivated by a desire to find information about UFOs. Bevan discovered references to "Hangar 18" and engine technology related to UFOs.

Local Sightings and Phenomena

• November 2, 2000 (West Lancashire): Jacqueline Morley reports on Jenny Randles, a paranormal researcher, discussing "mystery lights" in the Blackpool sky and investigations into "The Haunted Valleys" area in England, where strange lights and phenomena have been reported.
• October 27, 2000 (Penticton, B.C., Canada): Bob Munday reports on UFO believers having an opportunity to hear from Graham Conway, president of UFO-BC, who has met with abduction claimants. The article includes accounts from Okanagan residents who claim to have witnessed UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service include the persistent mystery of UFO sightings, the alleged government cover-ups and secrecy surrounding the phenomena, the scientific community's skepticism versus the growing interest in ufology, and the personal experiences of witnesses and investigators. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting a wide range of reports and perspectives on UFOs, from official denials to eyewitness accounts and academic research, without necessarily taking a definitive position but highlighting the ongoing debate and the public's fascination with the subject. The compilation suggests a belief that there is a significant, often unexplained, phenomenon occurring that warrants continued investigation and public awareness.

This issue of the HERALD, dated November 24, 2000, features a prominent cover story titled "The night the aliens landed," focusing on the Rendlesham Forest UFO incident. The article, written by Lorna MacLaren, highlights the research of Scottish investigator Georgina Bruni, who has uncovered new evidence and perspectives on this mystery that was allegedly suppressed by authorities.

The Rendlesham Forest Incident

The main article delves into the events of Christmas week 1980, when military personnel at RAF Bentwaters and Woodbridge in Suffolk reported strange lights and an object landing in the forest. The incident, later dubbed the "British Roswell," involved USAF personnel and a detailed report submitted by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Halt, who could not explain the phenomenon. The article notes that the dual bases were under the command of Colonel Gordon E Williams (later Major-General).

Georgina Bruni's Investigation

Georgina Bruni, a 47-year-old researcher, has spent three years investigating the Rendlesham Forest incident. She gained access to police files and Ministry of Defence and United States military sources, uncovering previously unreported eyewitness accounts and details about the harsh treatment meted out to those who spoke out. Bruni, who previously worked as a private investigator and investigative journalist, emphasizes her tough approach to uncovering the truth.

She even managed to elicit a comment from former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1997, who stated, "UFOs? You must get your facts right and you can't tell the people." Bruni's tenacity is attributed to her early training as a private investigator in Glasgow.

The Setting and Witness Accounts

The article describes the setting of Rendlesham Forest in rural Suffolk, known for its myths and legends, and its proximity to military bases. Witnesses, primarily USAF personnel, reported seeing a glowing object, approximately three meters across and triangular in shape, maneuvering through the forest. Farm animals panicked, and cattle herds stampeded. One patrolman described seeing three alien entities outside the craft. The incident was corroborated by radar evidence.

Official Response and Suppression

Despite the detailed report by Lt. Col. Charles Halt, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and other official bodies have consistently downplayed or dismissed such events. The article implies a deliberate suppression of information, noting the harsh treatment of witnesses and the difficulty Bruni faced in obtaining details. The official MoD stance on UFOs is presented as one of denial.

Broader UFO Context

The article touches upon the general public's fascination with UFO mysteries and the skepticism often faced by those who report sightings. Bruni's own background as a skeptic who decided to target military personnel highlights the depth of her investigation. The piece contrasts the official denial with the persistent public interest and the efforts of researchers like Bruni to bring such cases into the public domain.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly focuses on the theme of UFO sightings, particularly the Rendlesham Forest incident, and the alleged government cover-up surrounding such phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting evidence and witness testimony that challenges official denials, suggesting that unexplained aerial phenomena are real and warrant serious investigation. The article champions the work of independent researchers like Georgina Bruni in bringing hidden truths to light.