UFO Newsclipping Service - 2008 11 - no 472

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated November 2008, number 472, presents a collection of articles and reports concerning UFO sightings and related phenomena. The cover story highlights a Cold War incident where a US fighter pilot was ordered to shoot down a UFO.

Cold War UFO Incident: Pilot Ordered to Shoot Down UFO

The lead article details an account from retired U.S. airman Milton Torres, who claims he was ordered to fire a full salvo of rockets at a massive UFO on May 20, 1957, while flying from a British air base. The object, detected on radar over the North Sea, exhibited unusual flight patterns and immense speed, disappearing before the pilot could engage. The account, published by Britain's National Archives, was initially reported in the Daily Star over 17 years prior and remains unverified by military authorities. Torres described the object as "some kind of space alien craft" that was "absolutely death defying." A second pilot's account in the files offers a slightly different perspective, mentioning multiple "unknowns" and no recollection of being told to remain silent.

David Clarke, a UFO expert who worked with the National Archives, called the incident one of the most intriguing from the released batch of files, suggesting it might have been related to a CIA program intended to create phantom radar signals.

Retired Pilot Explains 1957 UFO Incident

This article from The Miami Herald focuses on Milton Torres, a 77-year-old retired engineering professor, who recounts his experience of scrambling his F-86D Sabre jet to intercept a UFO over East Anglia in 1957. Ground control vectored him in at high speed, and he was given the order to fire rockets. Torres described locking onto a target as large as an aircraft carrier, but the object moved away and vanished. He was later debriefed by a civilian who stressed the classified nature of the event. Torres expresses frustration that governments may be withholding information and believes "We can't be alone out here."

UFO Sightings in Texas

Several reports from Texas detail recent UFO sightings. In Stephenville, over a three-month period, 1,000 UFO sightings were filed with the National UFO Reporting Center, with about 75 reported over Texas. Residents reported seeing oval shapes and bright lights. A video captured by a student, Andy Monrreal, shows an oval shape with flickering lights. Witnesses reported seeing F-16s training in the area, but many felt the lights were not conventional aircraft.

In Austin, two men, Carl Lancaster and Doug McCullough, claim to have spotted a UFO and have video evidence. They described three bright lights moving in a zigzag pattern. While a planetarium director suggested possible explanations like shooting stars or meteorites, he couldn't fully explain the zigzag movement. Airport officials reported no unusual activity.

A Mutual UFO Network investigator traveled to Erath County to look into reports of unusual lights, similar to those seen in January. While U.S. Air Force officials confirmed F-16 training in the area, some witnesses believe the explanation is not that simple.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Report: Not a UFO

A report from Lubbock, Texas, clarifies that a bright white speck seen in the sky was a NASA scientific research balloon floating at 122,000 feet. The balloon was launched from New Mexico and was visible from Lubbock. The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility uses these balloons for experiments.

Wisconsin UFO Encounters

"Close encounters in Waukesha County?" explores the regular occurrence of UFO sightings in the area. Noah Voss, a ufologist who wrote a book on Wisconsin UFO history, states that Waukesha County is a top spot for such reports. He notes that Wisconsin ranks high in documented sightings. Historical accounts range from a late 19th-century dirigible sighting to more recent reports of lights and triangular crafts. The article mentions that many reports are kept anonymous.

Disappearance of Airmen Still Mystery

This article from the Wisconsin State Journal revisits the 1953 disappearance of two American fighter pilots from Truax Field, Madison, who were sent to track a UFO over Lake Superior. Their F-89 jet vanished from radar after reporting it was closing in on the unidentified craft. The incident remains unsolved, with speculation ranging from a crash to the UFO "swallowing" the jet. The article also references a similar incident in England from 1957 involving pilot Milton Torres.

UFOs and Nuclear Power

Robert Hastings, a researcher from Albuquerque, N.M., claims there is a link between unidentified flying objects and the world's nuclear power production. He suggests that the increase in UFO sightings since the mid-1940s, coinciding with the development of nuclear weapons, indicates that UFOs may be monitoring nuclear facilities. Hastings has interviewed former military personnel and authored a book on the subject.

Flying Saucers and Other Strangeness Marked 1947

This article from The Daily Tribune looks back at 1947, a year marked by significant events including the declaration of the Cold War and the Roswell incident. It recounts local sightings of "flying saucers" in Wisconsin, including an object seen by Frank Sonheim and another reported by Mrs. and Mrs. Emil Reinert. The article also mentions the story of Sig Hanson finding a "saucer" in Black River Falls, which was displayed publicly.

Close Encounter? Earl Fulford's Roswell Experience

This piece from the Suwannee Democrat discusses Earl Fulford, a deceased resident of Mayo, Florida, who was reportedly at Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947. His wife, Mary, states that Earl kept a secret about what he saw, and that soldiers were told "nothing had happened." Earl described "memory metal" pieces that returned to their original shape. He also loaded a crate onto a cargo plane late one night, but was again told "nothing happened."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, particularly UFOs, and the persistent mystery surrounding them. There is a strong emphasis on eyewitness testimony, declassified government documents, and the challenges of official verification. The articles highlight the historical context of UFO sightings, from the Cold War era to more recent events, and touch upon the potential for government secrecy and cover-ups. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting these accounts and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while acknowledging the enduring nature of these mysteries.

This issue of "Foreign News" compiles a wide array of reports on unexplained phenomena and cryptozoological encounters from around the globe, with a particular focus on recent UFO sightings and investigations. The publication date spans from late October to mid-November 2008, showcasing a diverse collection of news clippings.

UFO Sightings

United Kingdom

Filton, Bristol: A taxi driver, Paul Matthews, photographed a disc-shaped object hovering in the air near the Royal Mail depot. He described it as unlike any aircraft he had seen before, and it disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster: The Romford Recorder reported a double sighting of UFOs. One local family saw two strange black and silver flying discs pirouetting above rooftops in Collier Row. In the early hours of the following morning, a witness in Dagenham reported seeing unexplained aerial phenomena, described as low-flying ovular craft.

Budleigh Salterton: The Exmouth Journal reported two separate sightings of strange lights over the town. A businessman saw a row of white hovering lights, while another witness saw multi-coloured lights projected above the town. Both witnesses were convinced the lights were not related to the local carnival.

Grantham: The Grantham Journal featured several reports. Amateur astronomer Jonathan Turner appealed for photos of UFO activity. Margaret Avis reported seeing a mysterious object with flashing red and white lights circling her car near the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks. Linda Szabo described seeing a mysterious triangle-shaped object with three round balls on its corners hovering outside her bedroom window.

Wrexham: The Evening Leader reported on UFO sightings over North Wales, with one resident claiming her television reception was affected. Reports included sightings of slow-moving lights in a triangular formation and unexplainable red lights over Pen-y-Cae and other areas.

Louth: The Louth Leader discussed conspiracy theories connecting UFO activity to the Large Hadron Collider experiment in Geneva. Reports included sightings of orange lights in the Louth area.

Argentina

Salta Province: Radio Salta reported on UFO sightings in Chicoana, where residents claimed unidentified flying objects landed, leaving strange rectangular and circular tracks in wheat fields. These tracks were noticed after a night of people seeing "lights that danced in the sky."

Paraná: Compacto de Noticias reported on a photograph taken in Parque Urquiza that appeared to show a strange object. Miguel Angel Osuna photographed his daughter, and upon enlarging the photo, a small point was visible that raised suspicions. The Oro Verde Observatory indicated they would investigate.

Chile

Valparaíso: La Estrella reported on a sighting by Miguel Donoso, who witnessed a large, white, spinning light that illuminated the sector. He described it as shocking and unlike anything he had seen before. He also noted that other locals witnessed the same phenomenon.

Cryptozoology and Unexplained Phenomena

Loch Ness Monster

BBC News reported on the 75th anniversary of the Loch Ness Monster mystery. Over 1,000 people claim to have seen the monster since a mysterious shape was first photographed. Adrian Shine, from the Loch Ness and Morar Project, provided pointers to understanding iconic images of the monster, identifying some as hoaxes, such as the "surgeon's photographs" and "The Neck" image, while others, like "The Humps," remain open to interpretation.

Bigfoot

The Northern Daily reported on continued Sasquatch sightings in Northwest British Columbia. Larry Sommerfield, a sasquatch hunter, possessed a cast of a large, four-toed print. Brian Vike, director of Houston British Columbia Canada (HBCC) UFO Research, speculated that increased bear sightings might be related to Sasquatch activity.

Estacada News reported on Bigfoot lore in the Estacada area of Oregon. Millie Kiggins described finding large tracks in the snow in 1969. The area has been a hotspot for Bigfoot enthusiasts, with numerous reports collected over the years.

Yeti

BBC News reported that hairs claimed to belong to a yeti in India were identified through DNA tests as belonging to a Himalayan Goral goat. Ape expert Ian Redmond noted that the location where the hairs were found is south of the Goral's known habitat, suggesting a possible extension of its range.

Chupacabra

The Victoria Advocate reported on an increase in sightings of strange, hairless, quadrupedal animals in Texas, often described as having fanged teeth. DNA tests on one creature confirmed it was a hybrid of coyote and wolf. The article also mentions earlier reports and the ongoing debate about these creatures.

Shag Harbour Incident

The Chronicle Herald recalled the 40th anniversary of the Shag Harbour incident, where a lighted object was witnessed falling into the water. The only evidence found was a slick of yellow foam. Ruth Neville proposed a theory that the object might have been a Scandinavian fishing aide used illegally.

Light Show Illumination

The Yorkshire Post reported on a "light-show illumination" above Leeds, witnessed by student Edmund Hatton, who filmed a darting blue-ish light that moved erratically. Suggestions ranged from fireworks to a festival light show, but Hatton was convinced it was not a plane.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent human fascination with the unknown, whether in the skies, in remote wilderness, or in the depths of lakes. The publication presents a variety of eyewitness accounts, scientific investigations (or lack thereof), and speculative theories, often highlighting the difficulty in definitively explaining these phenomena. While some reports are presented with a degree of skepticism (e.g., the Loch Ness Monster hoaxes, the Yeti hair identification), the overall tone suggests an open-mindedness to the possibility of genuine unexplained events and creatures. The inclusion of various international news sources underscores the global nature of these reports and the shared human curiosity about mysteries beyond conventional understanding.