UFO-Nytt - 1988 No 3

Magazine Overview

This issue of Västerbergslagens UFO Nytt from 1988, identified as number 3, is a publication for members of the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, with four issues planned per year. The cover prominently features the word "UFO" and the title "NYTT", along with contact information for the association based in Ludvika, Sweden.

From the Editors

The editorial section highlights the contents of issue number 3, including a continuation of Birgit's foreign reports, a story from England titled "Visitors from Space," and speculation about new planets potentially harboring life. It also mentions an interview with Gudrun about ants attacking, "The Circle of Death - The Swedish Bermuda Triangle" by Ingmarie Strömberg, and reports from the investigation group. The editors pose a question about whether UFO activity has stagnated among ufologists since a 1971 report. The section concludes with an invitation to a board course for interested members.

International Reports

Aosta, Italy (September 15, 1985)

Following the description of a Zimbabwe UFO in the press, Italian people reported a UFO sighting. Around 9:00 AM, numerous calls were made to RAI, the Italian television station. Descriptions varied, with some calling it a UFO and others a balloon. The object was described as triangular or conical, hovering at a high altitude. It had three silver spheres at each corner. A TV crew hired a plane to pursue the object. The UFO was estimated to be at least 35,000 feet high. The TV team filmed the object, but ground radar at Lilano could only detect the plane's signal, not the UFO. Investigations are ongoing, with speculation that it might have been a balloon launched from France. Investigators are listed as CUI, Eduardo Russo, and Ciampaola Grascino.

Bagshot Heath, Surrey, England (September 15, 1985)

Approximately ten hours after the Italian sighting, a significant UFO event occurred in England. The main witnesses were butcher David McMurray and his wife Sue. Their two young children were asleep in the back of the car. While driving home, they encountered a bright glow hovering over the road. The light was so intense that Mr. McMurray had to turn away. This initial light disappeared upwards, but another light appeared behind the trees on their left, caught up with their car, and hovered past it. Another car had stopped behind them, suggesting they also witnessed the event. Mr. McMurray stopped near some houses, and the object was observed to be oval with red and green lights on its lower side, and a row of white lights around it. A faint humming or buzzing sound was heard. Sue McMurray described it as a saucer, flat underneath with large spotlights around the edge. After about a minute and a half, it sped away and appeared as a small star. Mr. McMurray drove back up the hill, but the object was no longer visible.

Aftermath and Effects

Following the sighting, Mr. McMurray experienced severe headaches for eight days, along with a feeling of emptiness in his stomach and trembling legs. Sue McMurray had similar symptoms for three days. Other effects included small red circles appearing on Mr. McMurray's neck and sides, memory lapses, poor sleep, and out-of-body experiences. He also began understanding how mechanical and electrical devices worked, a skill he had never possessed before. The next day, his car battery was found to be dead. The incident was reported in the "Sunday Mirror," and two other UFO cases were discovered in the vicinity. The Ministry of Defence suggested it might have been a Harrier jet, as many military installations are in the area.

Dr. Leonard Wilder has conducted regression hypnosis on the witnesses. The investigation is ongoing, with the possibility that the case might not be as unique as it initially appears. Investigators listed are SIGAP, Surrey, with Omar Fowler. The explanation is noted as uncertain.

Visitors from Space!

This article discusses encounters with extraterrestrial beings, often revealed through hypnosis. It suggests that these beings are interested in learning about Earth's inhabitants. The article notes that governments and scientific institutions are no longer dismissing such stories outright, with both NASA and the Swedish FOA taking UFOs seriously. While 99% of sightings can be explained, the remaining 1% suggests genuine visits from other solar systems or dimensions. The article then presents several accounts:

Viv, Rosemary, and Valerie

Three friends on a night out in Shrewsbury, England, experienced a "lost time" event. They saw a large, round object with red and white lights in a field. Their car was engulfed in the object's light beam. Viv reported that the car was lifted into the object through large doors. Inside, they were examined by green-clad beings described as about a meter tall, with deep black eyes, thin arms, and long, pointed noses. Viv described the examination as invasive. Under hypnosis, all three friends recounted similar experiences, with Viv's being the most detailed. Their pulse and blood pressure were monitored during the examinations.

Shelley Brown

Shelley, a 17-year-old from Bolton, England, reported being pressed to the ground by a strong force. She saw a large, bowl-shaped craft above her. She experienced a sensation of being examined, with her teeth chattering and a feeling of something being pumped into her head. She heard a mechanical voice saying, "We won't hurt you, don't be afraid." After the examination, she woke up on the street with burn marks on her arm and side, sore eyes, nausea, and pulverized teeth fillings. Under hypnosis, she described being examined by a female-like being with light hair and a mechanical voice. She also mentioned burn marks and a strange gel applied to a wound.

Cynthia Applegate

Cynthia Applegate of Birmingham reported an encounter with a tall, pale male being with long blond hair. The being, who identified himself as being from the planet "Gharnasvam," stated that his people wished to live in peace with Earth but were waiting for all wars to end. The being visited Cynthia four times. During one visit, Cynthia's young daughter was present and corroborated her mother's account. The visitor wore different outfits, including a silver suit and a dark suit with a strange hat. He left in a black car. During one encounter, the being burned Cynthia's finger, then applied a gel from a tube that healed the wound immediately. Psychologist Dr. John Dale is convinced of Cynthia's sincerity, noting that she provided details that could not be easily fabricated.

New Planets Discovered - Is There Life in Space?

American and Canadian astronomers have discovered ten planet-like objects orbiting distant stars, fueling speculation about extraterrestrial life. Astronomers from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory reported finding a large planet orbiting a star 90 light-years away. Bruce Campbell from the University of Victoria suggested that half of the stars in the Milky Way might have planetary companions, indicating the potential for life. David W. Latham stated that these discoveries make it easier to speculate about the frequency of life developing. The discoveries were made by analyzing color changes in starlight, which indicate the movement of stars due to the gravitational pull of nearby bodies. The object discovered by Latham is estimated to be 20 times larger than Jupiter and orbits its star so closely that it would be extremely hot. The object is described as being 3,000 times larger than Earth, bordering on the maximum size of a planet.

Board Course

A board course is scheduled for November 19-20, 1988, in Ludvika, covering planning, economics, meeting techniques, and information meetings. It is open to interested members.

Help - Ants Are Attacking!

This section reports on a massive ant invasion in the San Francisco area, causing distress to residents. Ants were emerging from light switches, crawling into baby bottles, and entering refrigerators. Experts attribute the invasion to drought and extreme heat, driving the ants to seek water. Kevin Pendergraft of California Exterminators noted the widespread panic. The article includes a speculative question about whether excessive use of chemicals or genetic modification might be causing larger ants.

The Circle of Death - The Swedish Bermuda Triangle

This article discusses mysterious disappearances and phenomena in the waters between Öland and Gotland, referred to as the "Death Circle." Numerous ships have been lost in this area. The article notes the observation of unidentified underwater craft and, since the 1950s, unidentified flying objects (UFOs) that have sometimes resembled classic UFOs or been entirely different. A specific incident on November 8, 1984, involved Captain Björn Somnell's Viggen jet disappearing from radar and crashing into the "Death Circle." Despite a 7-minute radar echo of an object near the crash site, only a few wreckage parts have been recovered due to the depth. The lack of evidence for disintegration in the air and the captain's presumed ability to eject raise questions.

Another incident from August 5, 1957, describes two disc-shaped craft observed by criminal assistant Ernst Åkerberg near Lergravsviken, Gotland. These craft flew dangerously close to rock formations, causing strong air currents and disturbing the water. The craft were described as silver-gray, streamlined, with retractable domes and visible seams and rivets. The Air Force denied any activity in the area.

On January 27, 1965, the submarine "Springaren" collided with an unknown underwater object north of Gotland, sustaining minor damage. The nature of the object remains classified. The article also mentions a 1968 incident involving the Norwegian tanker "Texaco Bogota" departing from Norrköping.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features reports of UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters, often drawing on witness testimonies and investigative efforts. There's a clear interest in unexplained phenomena, both aerial and maritime, with a focus on cases that defy conventional explanations. The publication also touches upon scientific discoveries related to space and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging members to report their experiences and explore the mysteries of UFOs, while also acknowledging the need for rigorous investigation and the potential for natural explanations in some cases. The magazine aims to collect and systematize reports to aid in solving the UFO enigma.

This issue of UFO magazine, dated 1971, focuses on unexplained aerial phenomena, primarily UFO sightings and related incidents. The magazine presents a collection of reports, witness testimonies, and discussions on the nature and potential origins of UFOs.

Key Incidents and Sightings

The Öland Tank Ship Incident

The issue begins with a dramatic account of an explosion on a tank ship off the coast of Öland. The explosion caused the ship to catch fire, and subsequent investigations revealed two mysterious triangular holes below the waterline. The edges of these holes were folded inward, suggesting a powerful impact from unknown objects. The article notes that the area is known for strange lights and phenomena, referred to as 'Dödens cirkel' (The Death Circle).

The Sinking of the 'Immen'

In April 1977, the cargo ship 'Immen' was suddenly struck from below by a large, heavy object, creating a 1x0.5 meter triangular hole in its stern. The 13-man crew was rescued by helicopter. An investigation by the Gothenburg maritime authority suggested a collision with a large, heavy object. The case was later classified by the navy.

Military Radar Sighting near Öland

In August 1971, military radar observers near Öland detected a large, stationary object emitting a white light. The object descended towards the water and produced a powerful radar echo. Military authorities initially suggested it was debris from a destroyed satellite, but witnesses believed it was an unidentified object. The object disappeared into the sea in the 'Death Circle' area.

Soviet UFO Investigation

The magazine reports on the Soviet Union's establishment of a commission to investigate unidentified flying objects. This followed the observation of a mysterious cigar-shaped craft in the Gorkij region. The commission, led by cosmonaut Pavel Popovits, was formed to examine all observations of moving objects or light phenomena in the atmosphere. In March 1988, radar operators in Gorkij observed a cigar-shaped object flying towards them at high speed. The object, described as steel-grey and the size of a passenger plane, was visible for 40 minutes before disappearing.

Swedish Witness Reports

• Several reports from Sweden detail UFO sightings:
• April 7, 1988 (Dalarna): A young woman named Susanne witnessed a luminous object that hovered stationary before moving slowly north and then disappearing. Three dots of light appeared where it vanished.
• June 15, 1988 (Amsberg): Two individuals observed a small, disc-shaped object moving slowly above the trees, similar in speed to a cyclist, before it disappeared between the trees.
• June 24, 1988 (Smedjebacken): Two sisters saw a bright brand-yellow object, larger than the full moon, descend towards the water over a 20-minute period before disappearing.
• June 29, 1988 (Smedjebacken): A woman and her daughter observed a white, tube-shaped object moving silently in a straight line from north to south before disappearing behind a birch grove.
• June 2, 1974 (Kloten area): A family in a caravan witnessed a hat-shaped object with multiple windows, emitting an orange light, hovering just above the water. The object then moved away rapidly, disappearing in a bright flash.

UFOs and Official Investigations

The Condon Report

The magazine discusses the Condon Report, a comprehensive study of UFOs conducted by the University of Colorado. The report, published in 1968, concluded that the UFO problem did not warrant further scientific study and found no credible evidence for extraterrestrial origins. However, it acknowledged gaps in scientific understanding of atmospheric and plasma physics. The report also noted that many sightings could be explained by misinterpretations of natural objects or phenomena.

Project Blue Book

Reference is made to the US Air Force's Project Blue Book, which collected over 10,000 UFO observations. The project concluded that UFOs did not pose a military threat. Sweden also had a similar system for collecting and investigating UFO reports.

Public Opinion and Skepticism

The issue includes quotes from young individuals expressing skepticism about UFOs, with one stating that flying saucers would have to do something more than just hover to be believed, and another dismissing UFOs as fantasies. Conversely, the magazine suggests that the lack of definitive explanations for some cases fuels speculation about extraterrestrial origins.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO magazine highlights the persistent mystery surrounding unidentified flying objects. It emphasizes the numerous unexplained sightings and incidents, particularly in Swedish airspace and waters. The magazine appears to lean towards presenting evidence of unexplained phenomena, while also acknowledging official investigations and skeptical viewpoints. The recurring theme is the ongoing quest for answers to the UFO enigma, with a particular focus on cases that defy conventional explanations. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the reporting of sightings and the pursuit of further understanding, while also recognizing the challenges in definitively proving or disproving the existence of extraterrestrial craft.