Ufologen - No 12 - 1973

Magazine Overview

Title: UFOLOGEN
Issue: 12
Date: November-December 1973
Publisher: Arbetsgruppen för ufologi (Ufology Working Group)

This issue of UFOLOGEN, the Swedish magazine dedicated to ufology, features a prominent cover story on the West Virginia 'Mothman' and explores the challenges and methodologies of UFO research.

Metodproblemet (The Method Problem)

Håkan Blomqvist, the new editor-in-chief, outlines his vision for continuing the magazine's standard of development. He emphasizes the goal of AFU (Arbetsgruppen för ufologi) to clarify the nature of UFO phenomena using scientific methods: investigation, analysis, and documentation. Blomqvist acknowledges that UFO phenomena are interdisciplinary, touching upon various scientific fields. The challenge lies in developing a specific methodology for UFO research, as it represents a new area of study. He notes that the slow progress in UFO research over the past 25 years is largely due to disorganized investigation and poor documentation. He expresses hope that the newly established cooperation between Swedish UFO organizations (Project U.R.D.) will create a better foundation for future UFO work.

Blomqvist also mentions that original material published in UFOLOGEN requires permission from the editor-in-chief and proper source attribution. The issue includes a table of contents highlighting articles on the West Virginia 'fågelman' (page 2), a reference system for information retrieval (page 8), and new events in the USA and Argentina.

West Virginia's 'Fågelman' (Mothman)

Anders Liljegren details the investigation into the 'Mothman' sightings in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, USA. He recounts how Swedish ufologist Åke Franzén, inspired by John Keel's articles in 'Flying Saucer Review,' decided to investigate the phenomenon. Franzén spent five weeks in the area in 1969, gathering information and meeting witnesses, including reporter Mary Hyre.

Franzén notes the openness of the local population. He discusses the potential connection between the 'Mothman' sightings and UFOs, citing an incident where witnesses saw a UFO and a 'Mothman' merge and disappear. John Keel's account of this event on May 19, 1967, describes a dark, winged figure with glowing red eyes near a tree, which was approached by a bright red light, and the two objects merged and flew away.

Witnesses describe the 'Mothman' as being 150-210 cm tall, broad-chested, with wings spanning up to 3 meters. The phenomenon is linked to ufology, poltergeist activity, alleged alien abductions, and Men in Black (MIB) encounters. The article touches upon the 'Silver Bridge' disaster in December 1967, suggesting a possible connection.

Liljegren recounts several witness testimonies. Linda Scarberry and her husband, along with another couple, encountered the creature on November 15, 1966, near the TNT area. The creature, described as about seven feet tall with glowing eyes, appeared near a ruin. When they drove away, the creature flew above their car, its wings still. Later, it circled back.

The day after the initial sightings, a mass hysteria reportedly swept through Point Pleasant, with thousands of young people searching the TNT area for the creature. Linda Scarberry suffered psychological shock from the experience.

Marcella Bennet describes seeing a gray creature with luminous red 'circles' behind her car. She was momentarily paralyzed by its hypnotic gaze. The creature then moved towards the house, and its wings brushed against the porch supports. The police were called but found no trace of the creature.

Liljegren interviewed about thirty witnesses, noting that their accounts were remarkably consistent despite geographical separation. He also mentions that some witnesses reported strange occurrences in their homes after seeing the 'Mothman,' such as mysterious phone calls and poltergeist-like phenomena.

The Lilly family reported seeing UFOs and experiencing psychic phenomena, including a vase moving and falling from a shelf. They also heard disembodied crying sounds. The family eventually moved due to the unsettling atmosphere.

Liljegren also discusses theories about the 'Mothman' being a robot or drone, with its large 'eyes' being cameras. He mentions the appearance of unusual birds in the area, which experts dismissed as unrelated.

Liljegren recounts meeting John Keel, describing him as a serious and humorous individual with a sober perspective on his work. Keel was reportedly sought after by many people. Liljegren's brief meeting with Keel in New York provided only fragments of information.

Based on his research and witness interviews, Liljegren concludes that the 'Mothman' phenomenon is likely non-physical, as no physical traces have ever been found.

Referenser och kommentarer (References and Comments)

The article includes a list of references, citing John Keel's works in 'Flying Saucer Review,' T.G. Beckley's 'On the Trail of the Flying Saucers,' and other publications. It also references a previous article in UFOLOGEN about the Imjärvi incident.

Referenssystem för informationssökning (Reference System for Information Retrieval)

Håkan Blomqvist presents a proposed system for organizing and retrieving information related to UFO research. He explains that the constant challenge in ufology is tracking down necessary references. To address this, he and Anders Liljegren have developed a subject-based classification system for UFO aspects. This system is intended to cover articles and notices from journals and smaller publications that lack comprehensive indexes. Each article would be cataloged on a card with the author's name, sorted alphabetically, and filed in binders with subject indexes. Blomqvist suggests that this system is a starting point and can be adapted by individual ufologists. He notes that his own system omits 'ordinary' UFO reports, as these are better suited for computer analysis. He also acknowledges that articles may fit into multiple categories and that some form of limitation is necessary.

The proposed subject classification includes 36 main categories, such as Astronomical Observations, Bases, Messages/Contact Information, Censorship, Propulsion Methods, EM-Effects, Exobiology, Psi-Aspects, Hostility, Philosophy, Research, Photos/Films, Forteana, Organizations, Disappearances, Historical Cases, Humanoid Cases, Contact Cases, Landings, MIB, Monsters, Mythology/Archaeology, Natural Explanations, Occult Aspects, Personalities, Psychological/Sociological Aspects, Radar/Air Traffic, Religion and UFO, Reviews, Soviet, Statistics/Patterns, Symposia/Congresses, Official Investigations, Underwater Objects, and Origins.

Nya händelser i USA och Argentina (New Events in USA and Argentina)

Anders Liljegren reports on recent UFO activity in the USA and Argentina. He references an article by Mari in 'Dagens Nyheter' discussing a 'saucer fever' in the USA, with people increasingly reporting sightings of mysterious spacecraft. Psychologists attribute this to public anxiety following the Watergate scandal, making people more susceptible to strong impressions.

USA Incidents:

1. Columbus, Ohio: Photographer Ken Chamberlain took photos of V-shaped objects. Police and aviation authorities received over 150 calls reporting UFOs. Governor John Gilligan claimed to have observed strange light phenomena for half an hour.
2. Falkville, Alabama: Policeman Jeff Greenshaw claims to have photographed a 'spaceman' in a silver suit on the highway. He described the encounter as terrifying.
3. Pascagoula, Mississippi: Two fishermen, Charles Hickson and Charles Parker, reported being taken aboard a UFO. They described the beings as having wrinkled skin, pointed ears, narrow eyes, and sharp noses. Dr. James Harder and Dr. Allen Hynek interviewed the witnesses under hypnosis, confirming the authenticity of their experience, although Parker lost consciousness during the event.

Argentina Incidents:

1. Near Buenos Aires: Six marines reported tracking a UFO for twenty minutes from a control tower, stating it was neither an airplane nor a satellite.
2. Near Bahia Blanca: A truck driver reported seeing a bright white light and three beings with large, protruding eyes emerging from a vehicle. He was struck by a white flash and lost consciousness.
3. Bahia Blanca: Senora Martinez de Truncaso reported multiple visits from a silver-clad being who claimed to be protecting her and her son. The explanation offered by the Spanish UFO association is the existence of underwater alien bases off the coast.

Liljegren notes that UFO phenomena seem to be concentrated in the Americas and anticipates more detailed reports in foreign UFO magazines.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the need for a scientific and methodical approach to ufology, moving beyond anecdotal evidence and disorganized investigations. The 'Mothman' case highlights the challenges of investigating phenomena that may be non-physical. The inclusion of a detailed reference system suggests a commitment to rigorous research. The reporting of international UFO incidents underscores the global nature of the phenomenon and the magazine's role in disseminating information to a Swedish audience. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, aiming to bring order and scientific rigor to the study of UFOs and related anomalies.

This issue of "UFO-rapport", published by Nässjö Ufologiska Sällskap in October 1972, focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena reported in Sweden and nearby Finland. The cover story highlights a radar detection of an unknown object over Kouvola, Finland, and a subsequent encounter with three humanoid figures in a bedroom. The magazine features a detailed report section summarizing various sightings from local newspapers, alongside reviews of new UFO literature.

UFO Incident in Kouvola, Finland

The issue begins with a report from "UFOAIKA, nr 10, 1972" detailing an event on August 21, 1972, where the radar at Rissala Airfield detected an unidentified object near Kouvola. On the same night, a local editor in Kouvola reported waking up to find three humanoid figures in his bedroom. These figures were described as approximately 160 cm tall, broad-shouldered, wearing green suits, and having reddish complexions. The central figure had light, wavy hair, while the one on the left appeared older and balder. The room was unusually bright during their presence. The editor, initially suspecting a robbery, found the balcony door open but the figures vanished when he tried to investigate further. The incident is commented on as possibly related to folklore about sheet-pulling entities.

UFO Sightings Across Sweden

The "Rapportöversikt" section compiles numerous UFO reports from various Swedish locations:

• Jönköping (October 4): A clear, shining object was observed in the sky.
• Jönköping (October 5): The Ekhagen family observed a bright, yellow-white light that turned reddish and moved over Lake Vättern before disappearing.
• Grönalid (October 13): Lena Fehrm and her parents witnessed a meteor-like object, white in the center and red-glowing at the edges, visible for three minutes.
• Vittangi (October 15): Following dramatic events involving a mysterious light over the Torne River that reportedly shocked ten children, life is slowly returning to normal. Scientific explanations like a falling satellite are doubted by locals.
• Granlo (October 16): Reports of a blinking light in the sky led to speculation about helicopters or aircraft involved in a night exercise, though some witnesses described the light as stationary.
• Svärdsjö (October 16): Daga Marie Eriksson described a round, red object with a blinking white light moving at low altitude, making a slight arc before disappearing silently.
• Visby (October 24): A person questioned if they had seen a flying saucer among the clouds.
• Havdhem (October 25): Kent Hubert reported seeing a dark grey disc-like object in the sky.
• Vinslöv (October 30): A brightly shining object was observed moving sideways.
• Luleå (October 27/28): Mauritz Lövgren reported seeing mysterious, often stationary objects in the Luleå archipelago and mainland, speculating they could be American spy satellites.
• Boden (Week 44): A motorist and his wife reported seeing a disc-shaped object, thicker in the middle, emitting gases and moving at high speed without sound.
• Skedvi (November 2): A person reported seeing a fireworks-like phenomenon moving westwards over a lake.
• Mossgruvan (November 7): Two teenagers reported seeing a pointed object surrounded by a bright light hovering over treetops, which later appeared as a red sphere.
• Gnesta (November 17): Michael Edvall reported hearing a strange sound and seeing a flashing object moving southwest, later speculating about unknown craft.
• Gnesta (November 17): Another report from Gnesta mentioned bright, blinking objects moving over rooftops, with speculation ranging from extraterrestrial visitors to migrating swans.
• Jönköping (November 19): A woman reported seeing 10-15 star-sized points of light moving with great speed and erratic patterns, resembling swarming fireflies.
• Kristianstad (November 20): A man described an object flying eastwards over the highway, with a straight front edge and white flames emanating from the rear, disappearing after about half a minute.

Book Reviews

The issue includes a "Literature for ufologists" section with several reviews:

• "Tefatsfolket ser oss" by Staffan Stigsjöö: Reviewed by Håkan Blomqvist, this book is praised for its contribution to Swedish UFO literature but criticized for presenting a large amount of material in a potentially confusing way, especially for the uninitiated. The reviewer notes that some cases presented as genuine might be questionable, referencing a debunked incident involving President Nixon.
• "UFO och relativitetsteorin" by Borgny Tingstedt: Reviewed by Stig Aggestad, this book is noted for its description of modern physics. The reviewer expresses surprise at finding his own writings copied into the book and suggests that if the UFO chapters were omitted, it would serve as a good introduction to modern physics.
• "The eternal subject" by Brinsley le Poer Trench: This review highlights Trench's continued exploration of UFOs in relation to mythology and religion. It covers topics like moon bases, government secrecy regarding UFOs, and parapsychological aspects. The reviewer notes that much of the content is derived from existing sources like "Flying Saucer Review" and John Keel's works.

Other Sections

• Kommentar: Provides brief commentary on some of the reported incidents, offering potential explanations or noting unusual aspects.
• Kortnytt: Includes brief news items such as the launch of a new Swedish UFO magazine called "UFO-rapport", a mineral hunter photographing a flying object in Övertorneå, an archive of recorded lectures available for loan from "Dansk UFO-tidskrift", and a statistic stating that over half of Americans believe in flying saucers.
• Seasonal Greetings: The issue concludes with a thank you to readers and well wishes for Christmas and the New Year from the AFU editorial staff.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and analysis of UFO sightings and potential extraterrestrial encounters. The magazine appears to maintain an open, albeit critical, stance towards UFO phenomena, presenting eyewitness accounts and then offering commentary or potential explanations, sometimes including skepticism towards certain claims. The reviews of UFO literature suggest an effort to engage with both popular and more academic aspects of ufology. The editorial stance seems to be one of documenting and exploring the subject matter, encouraging further research and discussion among enthusiasts.