UFO Register - Vol 08 parts 1-2 1977

Magazine Overview

Title: THE UFO REGISTER
Issue: VOLUME 8 PARTS 1 and 2
Date: November 1977
Publisher: Data Research
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of The UFO Register, the official organ of Data Research and Contact International (U.K.), presents a collection of historical UFO reports and analyses. The volume, published in November 1977, is dedicated to uncovering and disseminating factual information about the UFO phenomenon, with a particular focus on events from the early 20th century and the mid-1950s.

Editorial

The editorial section begins with an apology from the editor, J.B. Delair, for the significant delay in the publication of this volume. He explains that the delay was due to unforeseen issues with the promised material, necessitating a search for and processing of alternative content. Despite the frustrations, the editor expresses hope that the contents will be worth the wait. The editorial then shifts to the nature of the articles in this volume, noting that they largely concern historical material. The editor emphasizes that while UFO reports are inherently historical, a great deal of past UFO activity remains unrecorded or inaccessible. He highlights the ongoing struggle of ufologists to find patterns and draw meaningful conclusions from the available data, acknowledging the scepticism of some who question the value of such research due to the perceived lack of results. However, the editor argues that this scepticism is misplaced, as it often assumes all relevant data is already available. He posits that significant progress in UFO research is unlikely until all recorded sightings are systematically tracked down and chronologically filed. The Danish 'airship' sightings of 1908 and the Costa Rican events of 1953-1955 are cited as examples of historical material that has not yet been fully utilized. The editor stresses the pressing need for ufologists to systematically collect data from archives, newspaper records, police blotters, and military sources worldwide to gain a clearer picture of the UFO phenomenon's magnitude and purpose. He concludes by encouraging readers to actively seek out and gather such information.

Contents

The issue features several key articles:

• "The Mystery 'Airship' Over Denmark in 1908" by Willy Wegner: This article delves into reports of mysterious 'airships' sighted in Danish skies in 1908. Wegner notes that while thousands of aerial objects were reported in North America in 1896-1897, the origins of these 'airships' remain unexplained. He investigates Danish newspapers from 1908 and finds accounts of dirigible-like objects, including one reported over Vendsyssel on the night of July 7th, and a burning balloon-like object over Funen. Further investigation reveals earlier sightings in the Vendsyssel area on June 30th, 1908, described as large, elongated objects resembling airships, some estimated to be 30 km distant. Witnesses reported seeing unusual lights, and some described features like wings and an antenna. The article explores various possibilities for these sightings, including known airships of the era (Zeppelin, Gross-Basenach, Parseval, Republique, Ville de Paris) and British craft like the Nulli Secundus II, ultimately concluding that it is unlikely any of these were responsible. The article also mentions other Scandinavian sightings from 1909 and European sightings from 1908.

• "The Costa Rica Connection: A Little-known Facet of the Great 1954 UFO Wave" by J.B. Delair: This article examines a series of extraordinary UFO events that occurred in Costa Rica in late 1954 and early 1955. Delair draws upon unpublished notes from the late Harold T. Wilkins, a pioneer British ufologist. The events are presented as potentially part of a larger global UFO wave that included significant activity in Europe and Venezuela during the same period. Wilkins's principal informant was an Anglo-American newspaper cameraman based in San Jose, Costa Rica. The article suggests that these episodes, though previously unpublished, are significant for understanding the UFO phenomenon.

• "A Catalogue of Historical UFO Reports: Part Six" by Lucius Farish: This section contributes to an ongoing series cataloguing historical UFO reports, providing further data for researchers.

• "A Request from Data Research" by D.N. Mansell: This article likely solicits information or reports from readers to aid Data Research's ongoing investigations.

Key Persons Mentioned

• J. Sears: Field Agent Coordinator for Data Research.
• D.N. Mansell: Senior Research Officer for Data Research.
• F. Passey, P. Flatman, J. Howse, S. Robb, J. Loveridge: Research Officers for Data Research.
• J.B. Delair: Programme Coordinator & Editor for Data Research and Contact International (U.K.).
• E. Cox: Archivist for Data Research.
• John Rimmer: Esteemed editor of the Merseyside UFO Bulletin (MUFOB).
• Willy Wegner: Author of "The Mystery 'Airship' Over Denmark in 1908" and national chairman of Contact (Denmark).
• Lucius Farish: Author of "A Catalogue of Historical UFO Reports: Part Six".
• Bye-Jørgensen: An accountant who witnessed an object in the sky in Hasseris.
• Mr Wibroe: A factory owner from Nibe who reported seeing an unusual object.
• Jakob Kirkeskov: A witness who saw an object near Røbling.
• W. Wolff: A correspondent who reported an odd dark shape in the sky.
• Dr Mestergaade: A witness in Skagen who observed a strong silvery light.
• Peter Christian Petersen: A witness from Gammel Skagen.
• August von Parseval: German army-major who built airships.
• John Keel: Author who reported other Scandinavian sightings.

Organizations Mentioned

• ARBETSGRUPPEN FÖR UFOLOGI
• Data Research
• CONTACT INTERNATIONAL (U.K.)
• Merseyside UFO Bulletin (MUFOB)
• Dansk UFO Centre
• Contact (Denmark)
• Air Force library

Locations Mentioned

• Denmark
• USA
• England
• New Zealand
• Costa Rica
• Europe
• France
• Italy
• Venezuela
• Panama
• Nicaragua
• San Salvador
• Norway
• Sweden
• north Germany
• Poland
• Finland
• Vendsyssel (Denmark)
• Funen (Denmark)
• Hasseris (Denmark)

Object Characteristics

• Shape: Described as airship-like, cigar-shaped, large bird-like, winged object, and dark shape.
• Color: Silvery light.
• Size Estimate: Approximately the size of an eagle; some objects estimated to be 30 km distant.
• Behavior: Observed flying against the wind, stationary, changing shape, and emitting beams of light.
• Speed Estimate: Not specified.
• Altitude Estimate: High in the sky; one object estimated at about 100 metres.
• Electromagnetic Effects: Not specified.
• Physical Trace Evidence: Not specified.

Themes

• Historical UFO Sightings
• Airship Phenomena
• UFO Waves

Tags

UFO, Airship, Denmark, 1908, Costa Rica, 1954, 1955, UFO Wave, Historical, Data Research, Contact International, Willy Wegner, J.B. Delair, Mystery, Phenomenon.

Key Incidents

• June 1908, Vendsyssel, Denmark: Multiple witnesses reported seeing airship-like objects in the sky, some described as large birds or emitting light, with no official airship flights recorded for the period.
• July 3rd, 1908, Skagen, Denmark: Witnesses observed a dark object that changed shape and emitted beams of light, described as having characteristics similar to a light projector.
• Late 1954, Costa Rica: A series of extraordinary events related to UFOs occurred, possibly part of a global UFO wave.
• Early 1955, Costa Rica: Continuation of the UFO events that began in late 1954.
• August 24th, 1909, Tallinn, Estonia: An unidentified airship circled twice over the city before disappearing towards Finland.
• September 24th, 1909, Gothenburg, Sweden: A "winged object" was observed at an altitude of about 100 metres over the Castle Forest.
• June 28th, 1908, Western Europe: An unknown luminous object was seen over several areas.

Time Period

1900s

Meta Description

Explore historical UFO sightings from 1908 in Denmark and Costa Rica (1954-1955) in this issue of The UFO Register, Volume 8.

Key Facts Synopsis

This issue of The UFO Register (Vol. 8, Parts 1 & 2, 1977) focuses on historical UFO phenomena. It features an article by Willy Wegner detailing numerous 'airship' sightings over Denmark in June 1908, noting the lack of official explanations and ruling out known airships of the time. J.B. Delair contributes an article on the 'Costa Rica Connection,' detailing extraordinary UFO events in Costa Rica during late 1954 and early 1955, possibly linked to a global UFO wave. The issue also includes a 'Catalogue of Historical UFO Reports' by Lucius Farish and a request for information from Data Research by D.N. Mansell. The editorial apologizes for the delay in publication and emphasizes the importance of tracking down and analyzing historical UFO data to understand the phenomenon.

Notable Quote

"It is the impression of this writer that little progress will, or can, be made until all recorded ufo sightings have been tracked down and properly filed chronologically."

Speaker: The Editor

FAQ

• Question: What historical UFO events are covered in this issue? Answer: This issue covers 'airship' sightings over Denmark in 1908 and extraordinary UFO events in Costa Rica during late 1954 and early 1955.
• Question: Who is the editor of The UFO Register? Answer: The editor is J.B. Delair, who also serves as Programme Coordinator.
• Question: What is the purpose of Data Research? Answer: Data Research is an organization focused on recording and disseminating factual information relating to the UFO phenomenon.
• Question: What is the main challenge in UFO research according to the editor? Answer: The main challenge is the lack of comprehensive historical data, with many recorded sightings still uncatalogued and unavailable for research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical importance of historical research in understanding the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance strongly advocates for the systematic collection, cataloguing, and analysis of all available historical UFO data. There is a clear emphasis on the need to move beyond anecdotal evidence and to build a comprehensive database of past sightings. The issue highlights the challenges posed by incomplete records and the difficulty in drawing firm conclusions without such comprehensive data. The articles themselves exemplify this by delving into specific historical cases, such as the 1908 Danish 'airship' sightings and the 1954-1955 Costa Rican UFO wave, aiming to shed light on events that have been largely overlooked or forgotten. The publication implicitly positions itself as a crucial resource for ufologists dedicated to rigorous, evidence-based investigation of the phenomenon's history.

This issue of UFO Data Magazine, dated July 1963, focuses on a series of remarkable UFO-related events that occurred in Costa Rica between 1953 and 1955. The magazine presents detailed accounts of unexplained ground damage, strange atmospheric phenomena, and alleged extraterrestrial activity, drawing on information gathered by investigators like Wilkins and newspaper reports.

Costa Rican UFO Events (1953-1955)

The primary focus is on two main phases of activity concerning UFOs in Costa Rica: the burning of large remote areas by landed UFOs and unusual electrical phenomena, floods, and storms attributed to UFOs using a volcano near the Nicaraguan border as a base.

Fire-Raising Incidents

Reports dating back to November and December 1954 describe charcoal-burners (carboneros) witnessing an "incandescent globe" landing in a dense bush area in Candelaria, on the Central Plateau. Upon returning, they found large areas of bush carbonized as if by a heat-ray. A second incident, occurring in December 1954 about 40 miles southeast, involved charred vegetation with animal and insect remains partially fused with the ground and vegetation. The structure of some stones in the affected area also showed signs of extreme heat.

In March 1955, an investigative team from the Catolico Costarricense, led by Lieut-Colonel Eduardo A. Mendoza, explored these remote regions. They found huge patches of vegetation that had completely disappeared, as if "evaporated," and thick bush carbonized in place. They also encountered large mounds of earth heaped up by powerful unknown forces.

Arenal Volcano Phenomena

Further investigation centered on the Arenal volcano. In 1953, an investigative team set up headquarters in San Carlos and examined the volcano's external sides. While nothing extraordinary was seen during the day, local residents and the team witnessed unidentified lights moving towards the summit and seemingly descending into the crater at night. This led to widespread belief that the volcano had become a "flying saucer base." Despite initial investigations, no official report was published.

In March 1955, news emerged of a mysterious flying object nightly flying over San Carlos. A group of congressmen, equipped with powerful telescopes, attempted to investigate the Arenal volcano, suspecting a possible extraterrestrial installation. However, their expedition was hampered by sudden, unnatural floods that rose rapidly, forcing them to retreat. The waters, which had been dry just hours before, swelled to an extraordinary height, blocking their path and suggesting artificial induction to prevent observation.

Eyewitness Accounts from the Crater

A communique from "Ultimas Noticias" reported that some investigators reached the summit of Arenal despite the floods and witnessed astonishing things on the crater floor. They described "flying saucer entities" proceeding from interplanetary space or the Earth's interior. Explorer Aquiles Hidalgo recounted seeing the dead crater "open and yawn" to reveal a gigantic flying saucer over 100 meters in diameter. He described a "compuerta" (air-lock) and witnessed the saucer emerge, flashing blinding rays of light that crumbled and disintegrated stones. The energy employed was believed to be a system of propulsion by emission of jets of light.

International Comparisons and Context

The magazine draws parallels between the Costa Rican events and similar phenomena elsewhere. The ground effects reported by Alberto Himenez and others are compared to those from Scotland and Cumbria, illustrated in Fig. 2, although those sites did not report UFO sightings or fused organic remains. The article notes that the association of UFOs with volcanoes is a known phenomenon, and the idea of UFOs originating from the Earth's interior, suggested by the Costa Rican accounts, is compared to Le Poer Trench's "Secret of the Ages."

The issue also lists UFO reports from Mexico and Central American countries between July 1953 and June 1955, placing the Costa Rican events within a broader regional context. These include encounters with "ufonauts" in Mexico, sightings of discs and dwarfs in Venezuela, and various aerial phenomena in Brazil and Peru.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine highlights the difficulty in obtaining official information on UFO matters, noting that government investigations are often not published. It emphasizes the need for further research into Central American newspaper archives to fully understand the significance of these events and their potential connection to the French and Italian UFO wave of October 1954 and subsequent Venezuelan events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, acknowledging the remarkable nature of the claims while urging readers to consider the evidence and the possibility of extraterrestrial involvement, particularly concerning volcanoes as potential bases or points of interest for UFOs.

Title: THE UFO REGISTER
Volume: Eight
Issue: Part Two
Date: June 1976

This issue of THE UFO REGISTER presents a continuation of its cataloguing efforts, focusing on historical UFO reports predating 1947 and a detailed catalogue of UFO photographs from 1967-1970. The publication aims to contribute to the scientific acceptance of ufology through the organized assembly of factual data.

Editorial

The editorial, penned by The Editor, addresses the mixed reception of factual UFO catalogues from correspondents. It argues that while catalogues alone prove nothing, they are essential for assembling alleged facts in an organized format, thereby aiding in establishing ufology as a subject for in-depth research and gaining it scientific recognition. The editorial highlights that UFO visitations occur in waves and notes that 1967 was a particularly significant year, characterized by a high number of UFO sightings and photographs. This suggests that such catalogues provide data that reflects and confirms the broader understanding of the UFO phenomenon.

"A Provisional Catalogue of UFO Photographs: Part Three, 1967 - 1970"

Authors: J.B.Delair, E.Cox, & R.Twine

This installment continues a world catalogue of alleged UFO photographs, covering the period from the end of 1966 up to 1970. It builds upon previous installments published in 1976 and 1977. The authors refer readers to the introductory sections of earlier installments for detailed comments and directives. They also mention recent developments in the field, including articles on lens flare phenomena and techniques for photographing UFOs, as well as advancements in photo-enhancement. The catalogue entries do not segregate genuine images from suspected hoaxes or camera effects but provide sources for each entry, with 'o' indicating unpublished 'original' photographs. The compilers express gratitude to numerous individuals who have contributed information. Future installments will cover photographs post-dating 1970.

"Notes on German UFO Reports"

Author: Edwin Spiller

This section is mentioned in the table of contents but its content is not detailed in the provided pages.

Historical UFO Reports (Part Six)

Author: Lucius Farish

This installment continues a detailed catalogue of UFO incidents predating 1947. The cases are presented concisely with relevant texts cited and references provided. Readers are invited to submit additional early records to the author.

Incident 91 (A.D. 1461): A "brilliant object somewhat like an iron bar" was seen over Arras, France. It was described as large as half the Moon, cylindrical, and visible for 15 minutes before rising in spirals and disappearing.

Incident 92 (A.D. 1660): Observers in London, England, witnessed a "white bright cloud" that dropped fire several times upon Westminster Hall and the Parliament House.

Incident 93 (A.D. 1799): An observer in Bruges, Belgium, saw a "meteor" cross the sky from south to north, then return south, and finally turn northwest before disappearing.

Incident 94 (A.D. 1846): A brilliant "meteor" was seen at Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, increasing in size as it approached from the west. It fell in front of five observers, and they found a "body of the most fetid jelly, about 4 feet in diameter which weighed 442 lbs."

Incident 95 (A.D. 1868): An observer in Great Britain saw a "meteor" of 5 degrees length, appearing stationary, leaving a train, and moving towards Polaris before turning northward.

Incident 96 (A.D. 1871): M.Coggia observed a "remarkable" meteor in Marseilles, France. It moved leisurely, slowed, stopped, changed course, and plunged rapidly, giving out "vivid scintillations" for about 18 minutes. The NB notes that Coggia was a leading astronomer and his observation was likely not a conventional meteor.

Incident 97 (A.D. 1876): A "meteoric" procession, described as a "flock of Jack o'Lanterns" with fiery streamers, was seen at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. The objects floated with considerable velocity and grace.

Incident 98 (A.D. 1878): A "phantom train" was seen at Edwardsville, Kansas, USA. Railroad workers observed what appeared to be a locomotive emitting smoke and flashes, which then left the track and disappeared.

Incident 99 (A.D. 1880): M.Trecul, in France, observed a "very brilliant, luminous body" emerge from a dark cloud during a thunderstorm. The object was white with a yellowish tinge, distinctly circumscribed, and threw off a substance that fell vertically.

Incident 100 (A.D. 1899): Boys playing cricket in Tring, England, saw a "large luminous ball" that appeared in the southeast, moved northerly, stopped, and then moved away at right angles.

Incident 101 (A.D. 1905): Sir David Gill observed a "fireball" in Great Britain that remained visible for five minutes and had an apparent diameter equal to that of the Moon.

Incident 102 (A.D. 1906): William Hartvig and other residents in Hallock, Minnesota, USA, observed an "airship" with lights that stopped and started before moving off at tremendous speed.

Incident 103 (A.D. 1906): Five witnesses in Oklahoma, USA, saw a cylindrical object shaped like a "stovepipe", about 60 feet above the ground. More identical objects appeared, and they watched for almost 20 minutes.

Incident 104 (A.D. 1906): The SS St.Andrew encountered a shower of "meteors" northeast of Cape Race. A huge "saucer-shaped" object fell in a zigzag manner, leaving a broad red streak and causing spray and steam upon impact.

Incident 105 (A.D. 1915): Charles Russell saw an "airship", a "huge black mass", with a buzzing noise, travelling southwest at Bigfork, Montana, USA.

Incident 106 (A.D. 1921): R.M.Moran observed a "small black dot" cross the face of the Moon through a telescope in West Virginia, USA, moving too fast to be a bird.

Incident 107 (A.D. 1921): M. L.Fitzpatrick observed a bright object from the steamship Colon off Haiti that grew in apparent diameter, wavered, and changed course.

Incident 108 (A.D. 1922): A strange object was seen over Medford, Oregon, USA, initially thought to be an aeroplane, which lowered, presented a broadside view, and then rose and disappeared.

Incident 109 (A.D. 1923): A.W.Crandall and H.E.H.Greenleaf saw a reddish-brown saucer-shaped object near Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, travelling with a spinning motion and vanishing as if a light had been turned off.

Incident 110 (A.D. 1927): Richard Sweed observed an object about 60 feet in diameter resting on the ground in California, USA. It rose at a 45-degree angle, making a "whining, humming" sound, and left fused sand.

Incident 111 (A.D. 1930): Approximately one hundred pupils and staff at Barton Hill School, Bristol, England, watched a silvery-white cigar-shaped object proceed across the sky at high speed.

Incident 112 (A.D. 1933): Frank Van Keuren and others in New Jersey, USA, were illuminated by a brilliant floodlight from a discoidal object estimated to be within 1000 feet, which travelled slowly towards radio towers.

"A REQUEST FROM DATA RESEARCH"

Author: D.N.Mansell

Data Research invites readers to submit accounts on a wide range of anomalous phenomena, including UFO sightings, unexplained aerial noises, unusual clouds, skyfalls, ufonauts, humanoids, Bigfoot, electromagnetic effects, ground marks, plant damage, unusual animals, animal mutilations, sudden disappearances, poltergeist-like activity, and strange dreams. Full sources and relevant background details are required for all submissions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the meticulous cataloguing of UFO and anomalous aerial phenomena, particularly focusing on historical accounts and photographic evidence. The editorial stance clearly supports the systematic collection and organization of such data as a crucial step towards establishing ufology as a legitimate field of scientific inquiry. The issue emphasizes the cyclical nature of UFO activity ('waves') and the importance of photographic evidence in corroborating sightings. The publication actively solicits further contributions from readers to expand this database, indicating a commitment to comprehensive research and documentation of unexplained aerial phenomena.

This document is a scanned issue of 'UFO Annual 1977', published by Flying Saucer Review, with an ISSN of 0015-4803 and a cover price of £1.50. The issue focuses on a comprehensive catalog of UFO sightings, primarily from the years 1967 to 1970, with a few entries extending into early 1970. The content is highly structured, presenting each sighting as a numbered entry with detailed information.

Catalog of UFO Sightings (1967-1970)

The core of this issue is a meticulously compiled catalog of UFO reports. Each entry is assigned a sequential number (e.g., 0291, 0301, 0352) and includes the following details:

• Date: The exact date or month of the sighting, with some entries noting uncertainty or alternative dates.
• Location: The specific place, including city, state, and country.
• Object Description: The shape and characteristics of the observed object, such as 'domed object', 'discoidal object', 'luminous object', 'oval object', 'enormous object', 'fuzzy luminous globe', 'rocket-like object', 'flattened Saturn-shaped object', 'cigar-shaped object', '?hemispherical object', 'open ring', 'elongated object', 'bowl-shaped object', 'squiggly object', 'triangular object', 'sphere', and 'crescent-shaped object'. Some descriptions include details like 'with portholes or openings', 'featuring a central tower', or 'displaying unusual markings'.
• Photographer: The name of the individual who photographed or filmed the object. In some cases, the photographer is noted as 'not named' or 'unnamed'.
• Time: The approximate time of day the sighting occurred, often specified as 'circa', 'pm', 'am', 'daytime', 'night-time', or 'evening'.
• Photographic Evidence: Notes on whether photographs or films were taken, and sometimes the number of photographs.
• References: A list of publications, reports, or books where further information or the original report can be found. Common references include 'FSR' (Flying Saucer Review), 'UFOI' (UFO Investigator), 'SS&S' (Studies of the Strange and Supernatural), 'Hobana and Weverbergh', 'Hervey', and various newspapers.

Geographical Scope:

• The sightings are reported from a wide range of countries, including:
• USA: North Carolina, Illinois, New York, Missouri, Colorado, Oregon, Ohio, Peru, Pennsylvania, California, Kansas, Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Arkansas, Washington State, West Virginia.
• CANADA: Ontario, Alberta, Quebec.
• AUSTRALIA: Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales.
• EUROPE: ENGLAND (Lancashire, Tyne and Wear, Kent, West Midlands), SCOTLAND (not specified), FRANCE (Doubs, Var, Creuse), SPAIN (Madrid), PORTUGAL (not specified), GERMANY (not specified), ITALY (Corsica), BELGIUM (not specified), NETHERLANDS (not specified), SWITZERLAND (not specified), AUSTRIA (not specified), SWEDEN (not specified), NORWAY (not specified), FINLAND (not specified), ICELAND (not specified), IRELAND (EIRE - Co.Wicklow).
• SOUTH AMERICA: PERU, BRAZIL (Sao Paulo State, Goias State), ARGENTINA (Chubut, Mendoza).
• ASIA: VIETNAM (North), THAILAND (SIAM).
• OCEANIA: NEW ZEALAND (Hawkes Bay).
• ANTARCTICA: Deception Island.
• AFRICA: MOROCCO (Safi).

Notable Details and Observations:

• Several entries contain specific notes:
• Some objects were 'invisible to photographer' (e.g., entries 0295, 0296, 0320).
• Some objects were filmed but not clearly photographed, or only a few of multiple objects appeared on film (e.g., entries 0319, 0323, 0326, 0349).
• One entry (0353) notes that the date is sometimes given as February 20th, 1969, instead of January 14th.
• The catalog includes a variety of object descriptions, from the mundane 'luminous object' to the more specific 'Adamski-type object' and 'half cylinder'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the systematic documentation and cataloging of UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and record-keeping, presenting factual data derived from various sources. The extensive referencing suggests a commitment to verifiability and providing avenues for further research. The sheer volume and geographical spread of the reported sightings underscore the persistent nature of the UFO phenomenon across the globe during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Title: Contact
Issue: no:61
Volume: vol.17
Date: 1971
Publisher: Contact(UK)
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of Contact magazine presents a collection of UFO sighting reports, with a significant focus on "NOTES ON GERMAN UFO REPORTS" by the late Edwin Spiller. The magazine also includes several other detailed sighting accounts from various locations.

Notes on German UFO Reports by Edwin Spiller

Edwin Spiller's contribution compiles lesser-known UFO events from Germany, drawn from notebooks and files deposited in Contact(UK)'s archives. The article emphasizes that Germany, not typically prominent in ufological discussions, has likely experienced many unrecorded visitations. The following accounts are presented as being virtually unknown and not previously published in English.

1915 Berlin Sighting

A strange unidentified aerial object was observed in Berlin in 1915. According to an eyewitness, Mrs. Eva Roston, who emigrated to South Africa, the object hung over the Reichstag building for approximately 80 minutes. She described it as a thing shaped like the cigar-shaped hull of a Zeppelin airship, glowing a soft red with no shadows. The object was also seen by her sister. Mrs. Roston's sighting occurred from the top-floor flat of a building near the Marine-Amt (German Admiralty Office) in the Potsdamer area of central Berlin, initially at 9.15 pm on August 7th, 1915. She noted a strange hissing sound and observed the object's motionless state for the entire duration, questioning how it remained airborne without a mooring post.

1955 German Sightings

Two other German UFO sightings from 1955 are detailed:

• March 4th, 1955: On the line Cassel to Fritzler, near Gudensberg, five truck drivers halted their vehicles to observe a flying cigar. The object was visible for three minutes. Herr Kurt Dahlke, manager of the Hersfeld Baths, described it as elongated, with a reddish light in the center and a bluish light at each end. It moved moderately from the direction of Homberg, silently and horizontally.
• May 1st, 1955: Recorded in the Berlin Zeitungen, this sighting occurred at Weiden, in northern Bavaria. Three people reported a brightly lit sphere that moved back and forth on a horizontal course at an estimated height of 500 feet for one hour after sunset. It later exhibited small spiraling motions before accelerating to the northeast. The object, or a similar one, reappeared shortly after, shooting back across the area at tremendous speed. Both sightings were soundless, and the spheres emitted a bright greenish-white light.

The article concludes that Germany, despite not being a frequent source of UFO reports, has likely had many visitations that were either not recorded or not translated. A search of German provincial newspapers is suggested as potentially fruitful.

Other UFO Reports

The issue also includes a series of other UFO sighting reports, cataloged with reference numbers:

• 0379: Poling, near Arundel, Sussex, ENGLAND. A globular object with a long stiff tail. Photographed by Alfred Lennox. Not published.
• 0380: August 11th, 1970. Al trunk-road between Newark and Grantham, ENGLAND. An elliptical object. Filmed by W.H. Huntington. (Ref: FSRCH, suppl.2, 1970, pp.3-4).
• 0381: August 13th, 1970. Highway 10, near Haderslev, DENMARK. An elliptical object. Six photographs taken by E.H. Maarup. (Ref: FSRCH, suppl.1, 1970, pp.7-8).
• 0382: September 29th, 1970. Near entrance to Stourhead Park, near Mere, Wiltshire, ENGLAND. An hexagonal object. Photographed by Mr G.F. Fry. (Ref: FSR, vol.17, no:4, 1971). The object was invisible to the photographer.
• 0383: September 29th, 1970. Sarajevo, Herceogovina, YUGOSLAVIA. A triangular object. Photographer not named. (Ref: Hobana and Weverbergh, 1974, pp.78, 80).
• 0384: Early September, 1970. Trois-Riviers, Quebec, CANADA. Four-tailed objects of unknown origin. Photographer not named. (Ref: SS&S, no:61, 1971, p.2., photograph; Le Nouvelliste, 12.9.1970).

These reports are noted as being continued in 1978.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this section of the magazine is the documentation and dissemination of UFO sighting reports, particularly those that may have been overlooked or are not widely known. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and reporting of anomalous aerial phenomena, aiming to provide a comprehensive record for researchers and enthusiasts. The inclusion of detailed references suggests a commitment to factual reporting and verification where possible. The focus on German reports indicates an effort to broaden the scope of documented UFO activity beyond commonly cited cases.