Weltraumbote - No 52-53 - 1960

Magazine Overview

Title: WELTRAUMBOTE
Issue: 5. Jahrgang (July/August 1960)
Publisher: UFO-Verlag Zürich
Country: Switzerland
Language: German
Price: Fr. 1.60

This issue of WELTRAUMBOTE, an independent and critical journal dedicated to the truthful dissemination of reports and opinions on 'Flying Saucers,' focuses on observed forms of unidentified flying objects and presents detailed accounts of specific sightings.

Observed Forms of Unidentified Flying Objects

The magazine continues its series on the shapes and maneuvers of UFOs, presenting a further selection from the 'Flying Saucer Chart' by M. Keziah. It suggests that the diversity of these craft implies visits from beyond our solar system. The 'UFO-Karte' is recommended to English speakers for its comprehensive overview of observed phenomena, including altitudes, colors, speeds, sizes, sounds, and related literature.

Subscription Information and Editorial Notes

Subscription details are provided for Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and other countries, with payments to be made to J. Heinrich Ragaz in Zurich. German representation is handled by Hermann Schulz. The editorial team requests readers to submit their own observation reports, for which blank forms are available. While no compensation or publication guarantee is offered, newspaper clippings are also welcome, provided the source is clearly indicated.

The change in editorship is attributed to the overwhelming amount of concentrated work involved. Payments are to be directed to J. Heinrich Ragaz, who will also provide editorial input and control. All contributions are the responsibility of the individual author, and the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. However, the accurate translation and reproduction of eyewitness accounts and facts are guaranteed.

Reprinting is permitted with proper source attribution and without altering the meaning. The magazine welcomes mentions in other publications.

We Look Back

Stories Not Told by the Fireside

To complement popular English 'fireside stories,' WELTRAUMBOTE begins a series detailing the most gripping events related to UFOs that have not yet been reported in German publications. This section aims to catch up on the backlog of significant UFO-related occurrences, drawing primarily from the works of Jimmy Guieu, Aimé Michel, Charles Garreau, and Max B. Miller.

The Oloron Fleet

This section details the events of October 1952 in Oloron, France. On Friday, October 17th, under a clear blue sky, a large cylinder-shaped object, about 2 meters long, was observed moving southeast. It was accompanied by approximately 30 smaller, round objects flying in pairs, executing rapid zigzag movements. White, smoky material streamed from the cylinder and the smaller objects, falling to the ground like fine, silky threads that dissolved quickly. Witnesses included the school principal, Yves Prigent, his wife, their children, and other citizens. The material was examined by a science teacher, Poulet, who noted its gelatinous nature and rapid disappearance. The theory of 'angel hair' was discussed, and its composition was noted to be similar to teleplasma. The article dismisses the 'spiderweb' theory due to the observed altitude and the nature of the material.

Further witnesses included Jean Pardies, his wife, two students, and a passerby. The mayor of Geronce, Bordes, and other residents also reported sightings. Prigent's prior experience at a meteorological institute is mentioned. The article argues that the phenomenon cannot be explained by meteorites or weather balloons and dismisses hallucination or mass hysteria as explanations for dozens of people experiencing the same event simultaneously.

That same evening, at 5:30 PM, radar at the Mont-de-Marsan air force base, 150 km away, also experienced an anomaly, detecting a 'grey cloud' that moved rapidly. Technicians described it as a non-luminous object moving horizontally, resembling a smoke cloud. The radar remained disturbed for 10 minutes.

Gaillac

Ten days later, on October 27, 1952, a similar event occurred in Gaillac, France. Frau Dore heard her chickens reacting strangely, and she and other witnesses observed 'unusual objects' in the sky. Four objects initially appeared, flying from the southeast, rotating slowly. They were joined by about a dozen more, with a white cylinder in the center emitting a 'whitish smoke cloud.' Tiny particles of a glass-wool-like substance detached from the objects and dissolved upon touch. The formation flew over Gaillac and headed towards the Lot-et-Garonne department. Two police officers were among the witnesses, and they confirmed touching the gelatinous, shiny threads that fell from the 'saucers.' The article again dismisses the 'spiderweb' theory, emphasizing the credibility of the witnesses, including hundreds of respectable citizens and gendarmes. It urges readers to accept the growing evidence of extraterrestrial visitation.

An accompanying illustration depicts the Gaillac event, noting that the cylinder was actually in the center of the 'saucers' and that the threads were only faintly indicated. The drawings are considered independent, created before witnesses from the two cities could communicate.

Further Cases

"Angel Hair"

The phenomenon of 'angel hair' is not new. It was observed in Ongaonga, New Zealand, on April 15, 1953, as a white, fine, and diffuse substance descending from the sky, sticking to wires and trees. An investigation was deemed impossible due to its ephemeral nature.

A report from the Valley Times on February 15, 1954, described a 'light blanket, completely white, ephemeral in its fineness, apparently electrically charged,' as the first physical contact of the valley with visitors from space. This substance was found on trees and in open areas for months. Witnesses observed three jet aircraft followed by a huge silver ball. The ball later dropped a streaky white material that fell to the ground like spiderwebs. The material was analyzed by engineers from Lockheed Aircraft Corp. and later from North American Aviation and Douglas, but its composition could not be determined. It was described as fine spun fiberglass that dissolved in minutes and had the peculiar behavior of jumping from bushes or trees and attaching itself to hair.

Metallic Foil Fragments

An article from the Daily Oklahoma on November 11, 1951, reported a farmer in Anakardo, Oklahoma, finding his field covered with metallic foil fragments, 2-12 cm long, resembling tin. A meteorite specialist, Monnig, stated it was unlike any known metallic substance. The sheriff found no suspicious tracks.

Shortly before, a meteorite was reported from Denver, Colorado, with an unusual mass. On September 7, 1956, in Choshi City, Chiba, Japan, at 7:30 PM, at least 30 people witnessed a 'Flying Saucer' traveling from horizon to horizon in about 5 seconds. Minutes later, metallic foil fragments, approximately 5 cm long, 1 mm wide, and 100 microns thick, rained down on the city. Spectrographic analysis by the Industry Promotion Association in Tokyo identified aluminum, lead, silicon, and copper as components, with 12.9% lead. This was notable as Japan's aluminum foil production with lead content was not yet established.

Object Falls and Dissolution

In recent years in the USA, various glowing objects have fallen from the sky, some of which were never found. A similar event occurred in France near Robert-Espagne and Magneville on July 16, 1952, where woodcutters heard a metallic noise and saw a large parachute descend, but no object was recovered.

The magazine questions whether 'saucers' might dissolve into nothingness near the ground, suggesting this could be explained by the expulsion of 'precipitated' substances from the UFO that quickly evaporate. A case in the USA is mentioned where two gendarmes found a 'saucer' that felt sticky and then completely dissolved within an hour. The article notes that 'angel hair,' where identifiable, has the same composition as teleplasma from spiritualist séances, clarifying this is presented for informational purposes.

Previous issues of WELTRAUMBOTE have described cases of 'angel hair' appearing in conjunction with UFO overflights.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes the reality of UFO phenomena and the need for open-minded investigation. The recurring theme is the presentation of credible eyewitness accounts, often corroborated by multiple witnesses and, in some cases, by technological anomalies like radar disturbances. The magazine actively debunks skeptical explanations such as meteorites, weather balloons, or mass hysteria, advocating for the acceptance of extraterrestrial visitation. The editorial stance is critical yet open, aiming to disseminate information truthfully and encourage further research and reporting from readers. The publication positions itself as a platform for disseminating information about 'Flying Saucers' and the emerging 'spiritual age.'

This issue of Flug-Revue, identified by its page number '9', delves deeply into the phenomenon of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), commonly referred to as 'Flying Saucers.' The cover prominently features the question, "Gibt es wirklich „Fliegende Untertassen“?" (Are there really "Flying Saucers"?), and highlights an article by Frank Edwards.

Article: "Gibt es wirklich „Fliegende Untertassen“?" by Frank Edwards

This central article, written by Frank Edwards, a board member of NICAP and a radiocommentator whose UFO reports are broadcast by 47 television stations, addresses the question of whether flying saucers are real. Edwards critiques an article by Joost A. M. Merloo, published in "What's new" (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago), which claims that no astronomers or moon-watchers have ever reported strange flying objects, nor have any been photographed through telescopes.

Edwards refutes Merloo's claims by citing prominent scientists like Dr. James Bartlett of the University of Maryland Observatory and Frank Halstead of the Darling Observatory, who have indeed reported seeing and documenting such objects. He also points to the first photograph of a UFO, taken over 75 years prior with an observatory telescope in Zatapocas, Mexico. Furthermore, he mentions the widely recognized photograph taken by Mrs. Paul Trenton in McMinnville, Oregon, on May 11, 1950, which was described by an Air Force spokesperson as "one of the best civilian photos." Edwards also notes that reports from moon observers about "strange objects" are numerous.

He challenges Merloo's assertion that the ATIC (Air Technical Intelligence Center) investigated 5700 reports between 1947 and 1957 and found no proof. Edwards implies that Merloo's claims are misleading and that evidence does exist.

Historical Sightings and Incidents

The magazine presents a chronological account of various UFO sightings and incidents:

• Brives-Charensac and Gaillac (France): On October 27th, a silver-gray disk with metallic reflections silently crossed the sky. Shortly after, a cigar-shaped machine of the same color stopped and hovered for half a minute before accelerating away.
• Tarbes (France): On October 28th, a "sphere" rapidly crossed the sky around 4 PM.
• Marignane Airport, Marseille (France): On the same day as the Gaillac event, customs officer Gachignard saw an unknown flying object with illuminated portholes land, pause, and then take off.
• Fort Knox (USA): On January 7, 1948, Captain Thomas Mantell died while pursuing a flying saucer, a case the Air Force acknowledged.
• Washington D.C.: In August 1952, the Air Force ordered the shooting down of UFOs that were swarming over the city. The order was later withdrawn due to protests from prominent figures.
• Panama Canal Zone: In late 1959, unknown objects appeared, leading to the dispatch of fighter jets.
• Zatapocas, Mexico: The first UFO photograph was reportedly taken over 75 years prior using an observatory telescope.
• McMinnville, Oregon (USA): The well-known photo by Mrs. Paul Trenton was taken on May 11, 1950.
• California (USA): On November 30, 1896, thousands in Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, and Chico observed a cigar-shaped flying object with wing-like structures.
• Worcester, England: On December 17, 1896, during a major earthquake, an intense light was seen in the sky.
• Hertford, England: During an earthquake in 1896, luminous objects crossed the affected area, bright enough to illuminate the ground.
• Trenton, Maryland (USA): In 1896, a postal worker on a train observed a round light about 30 meters high pursuing the train.
• Omaha, Nebraska (USA): On March 29, 1897, a mysterious airship was observed, described as a large, bright light that crossed the sky and disappeared.
• Kansas City (USA): On April 1, 1897, a "mysterious light" was reported flying east at about 100 km/h.
• Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin (USA): Newspaper reports on April 9th detailed sightings.
• Chicago (USA): On the night of April 9-10, thousands of citizens reported seeing lights of an airship or hovering body. Some described two cigar-shaped ships with large wings. A citizen reportedly photographed the craft.
• Carlesville, Illinois (USA): On April 10th, a craft landed on a farm, had wings and a roof, and flew away when approached.
• Benton, Texas (USA): On April 16th, a "dark object" was sighted.
• Sisterville, West Virginia (USA): On April 19th, a bright object with alternating red, white, and green lights was seen.
• British Columbia (Canada): In August 1897, a round, grayish object was observed to the right of the sun.
• High Seas (near Timor): In August 1942, a Dutch cruiser's lookout spotted a large aluminum disk approaching rapidly.
• Tasman Sea: In the summer of 1942, a Major of the Australian Air Force described a "fantastic event" involving a peculiar flying object. He described a "glittering bronze-colored foil" about 50 meters long and 15 meters wide, with a schnabel-like front, a domed top, and a fin-like rear. It emitted green-blue light from its underside and displayed a "Chester Cat" image on its dome. The object accelerated rapidly and dove into the Pacific.
• South China Sea: On August 20, 1949, the crew of the Dutch steamer "Valentijn" observed a horizontal "light wheel."
• Canada: On February 9, 1913, a luminous object traveled from central Canada towards Bermuda.
• Mongolia: In August 1920, during an expedition, a large, bright, oval object reflecting the sun was observed moving swiftly.
• Redmond, Oregon (USA): On September 24, 1959, police officer Robert Dickerson observed a strange, bright light that hovered between 60 and 90 meters above the ground. The object turned orange and accelerated rapidly to a point 10 miles away, then hovered again. FAA specialist Laverne Wertz also observed it, noting red, yellow, and green light tongues emanating from its sides. Four F-102 fighter jets were dispatched to intercept it. The object then rapidly gained altitude and disappeared into clouds at around 4200 meters, and was briefly seen again at 7500 meters.

Expert Opinions and Scientific Investigations

• Prof. Oberth: Identifies UFOs as interplanetary spacecraft.
• Rear Admiral Delmar Fahrney: Describes them as extraterrestrial aircraft traveling at speeds over 30,000 km/h, guided by beings with superior intellect.
• Dr. James Bartlett and Frank Halstead: Astronomers who have reported seeing UFOs.
• Aimé Michel: Discovered patterns in UFO sightings.
• Professor Charles Burckhalter: Initially dismissed early sightings as misidentifications of planets like Mars or Venus, but the growing number of witnesses, including technicians and pilots, made such explanations untenable.
• FAA (Federal Aviation Agency): Investigated the Redmond, Oregon case, revealing a cover-up by the US Air Force.

Government Secrecy and Public Disclosure

The article suggests that governments are aware of UFOs but maintain a policy of secrecy and deception. This is attributed to the fact that UFOs represent a factor beyond military control, exceeding the capabilities of current aircraft and missiles. The authorities fear that public knowledge could lead to mass panic. The article criticizes this approach as paternalistic and unjust, arguing that a nation capable of accepting the threat of the hydrogen bomb should also be able to cope with the presence of intelligent extraterrestrial beings.

Evidence and Physical Traces

• Photographs: Numerous photos exist, including the Trenton photo and those from the Chilean Antarctic expedition and Brazil.
• Physical Material: The Brazilian government officially reported a case where a UFO dropped pure tin, a substance not found naturally in that form.
• Radar Tracking: UFOs have been tracked by radar, as seen in the White Sands and Paris incidents.

Other Phenomena and Historical Context

The article also touches upon related phenomena:

• "Flying Cigar" sightings in 1896: These led to hypotheses of secret inventions, which were countered by scientific explanations.
• "Light wheel" observed in the South China Sea (1949).
• Interactions with technology: UFOs are reported to interfere with car engines, radios, and headlights, and to react to radar.
• Possible extraterrestrial contact: The article mentions US financial efforts to intercept radio signals from Mars and the "Project Ozma" initiative, suggesting a broader interest in extraterrestrial intelligence.

The "Steel Ring" and International Cooperation

A report from a European city's police department, relayed by Dipl.-Ing. Orro Schwarz, suggests that a "steel ring" has been formed around Earth by numerous spacecraft from the cosmos. These craft are reportedly using vibrational radiation to stabilize weak points in Earth's crust, preventing potential geological disasters. This information was allegedly shared with the police and military worldwide, though kept from the public.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea that UFOs are real, extraterrestrial phenomena that are being deliberately concealed by governments. It highlights evidence, eyewitness accounts, and expert opinions that support this view, while actively debunking skeptical explanations. The editorial stance is one of advocating for transparency and questioning official narratives, suggesting that the public has a right to know about these significant events. The recurring theme is the existence of advanced, non-human technology operating within Earth's atmosphere and the implications this has for humanity's understanding of its place in the universe.

This issue of UFO-Nachrichten, dated May/June 1960, focuses on the investigation of UFO phenomena, including a critical analysis of official explanations and a compilation of global sightings. The cover story, "Ueber die falschen Kontaktler" (About the False Contactees), by Professor Charles A. Maney, addresses the issue of individuals fabricating or exaggerating UFO encounter stories for personal gain, contrasting them with genuine witnesses.

The Redmond UFO Incident

The magazine details the Redmond, USA, UFO incident. According to FAA logs, a radar detected a UFO for over an hour, with its position logged 48 km south of Redmond and altitudes ranging from 1800 to 16200 meters. Following this, Seattle's air traffic control specialist Wertz was sent to investigate potential radioactivity, though the results were not officially recorded. The reports from Wertz and Dickerson were authenticated by the FAA and submitted to NICAP. However, the Luftwaffe's HQ, in a letter dated January 19, 1960, stated that the ATIC (Air Technical Intelligence Center) found no evidence of radar observation or successful interception, suggesting the object was likely a balloon. This explanation, signed by Major Lawrence J. Tacker, is presented by UFO-Nachrichten as a deliberate attempt by the Luftwaffe to obscure the truth, especially given the FAA's additional information. NICAP forwarded photocopies of FAA and Luftwaffe documents to Congress, arguing that the described features—unusual fire tongues, hovering, rapid maneuvers, and evasion of jet interceptors—made the balloon theory untenable. They also highlighted that the UFO was tracked by experienced radar operators for over 90 minutes.

Debunking False Contactees

Professor Charles A. Maney's article, "Ueber die falschen Kontaktler," discusses the difficulty in discerning genuine UFO reports from fabricated ones. He notes that many individuals claim direct contact with extraterrestrials, publishing books and giving lectures, often to financial benefit. Maney argues that these "false contactees" frequently present "pseudoscientific elaborations" that contradict established physics and astronomy. He suggests that a genuine contactee would provide verifiable evidence, such as models of alien craft or new scientific theories, which has not been presented to earthly authorities. While acknowledging that some people may honestly report experiences that seem real to them, they often lack the ability to prove it.

Characteristics of Reported Alien Visitors

Drawing from Aimé Michel's research, the magazine describes reported alien visitors as approximately 1 meter tall, with broad bodies, often clad in what appears to be a diver's suit. Their gait is described as swaying, waddling, or hopping. Some witnesses reported seeing beings within transparent suits, noting a broad, low head and a dark facial complexion. Reports also mention "Uranids" of human stature. These visitors are said to come from various locations, leading to diversity in appearance. Key observations from Michel's work include:

1. Witness Demographics: Observers come from all walks of life, genders, and ages, and their experiences are consistently surprising.
2. Contact Conditions: Most contacts occurred at night in poorly lit, secluded areas, avoiding daytime encounters, suggesting a desire for discretion.
3. Witness Reactions: Fear, ranging from terror to dismay, was common among witnesses, though children were least affected. The visitors, however, showed no fear.
4. Visitor Reactions: The visitors reacted swiftly to any perceived threat, employing self-protection measures. In 20 cases, witnesses were temporarily paralyzed, and other methods like blinding flashes or cold rays were used.
5. Size: The beings were consistently estimated to be around 1 meter tall.
6. Appearance: Most visitors did not resemble humans, with only two cases reporting human-like appearances.
7. Clothing: The term "diver's suit" was frequently used, suggesting the visitors might originate from an environment with a different atmosphere.
8. Disposition: In two cases (Cénon and Mouriéras), the visitors were described as exceptionally friendly.
9. Communication: A notable lack of intelligent communication with the visitors was reported in Michel's cases, contrasting sharply with claims made by many American contactees.

Weltrundschau (World Review)

This section compiles numerous UFO sightings from around the world:

• Grebbestad, Sweden (May 8, 1960): A large "luminous mass" was observed moving at high speed towards Earth, leaving a light trail that persisted for 10 minutes before dissolving.
• Oslo, Norway (May 8, 1960): A luminous object moved rapidly across the sky, appearing to explode, leaving a trail similar to that of jet aircraft.
• Madrid, Spain (May 21, 1960): Astronomers observed a mysterious object flying west-northwest, ruling out a Soviet spacecraft due to its speed, altitude, silence, and lack of exhaust.
• Beverly, Massachusetts, USA (March 9, 1960): A large, round UFO, larger than the moon, hovered like a star, then moved east, turned red, and split into two lights that later merged.
• Baltimore, Maryland, USA (March 24, 1960): A driver reported seeing a peculiar, double-cylinder object, bright orange, flying low and fast, estimated at 5 meters long.
• Raleigh, North Carolina, USA (April 1, 1960): A bright, pulsating "saucer" was observed moving slowly south, with its light intensity fluctuating.
• Long Beach, California, USA (April 2, 1960): Three young people witnessed a V-formation of "S white, round, illuminated objects" moving across the sky.
• Opa Locka, Florida, USA (April 6, 1960): A bright disc maneuvered around a B-52 bomber, maintaining a constant distance of 1200-1500 meters.
• Hazel Green, Wisconsin, USA (April 11, 1960): Mary Jo Curwen managed to film 20 seconds of three bright UFOs.
• LeCamp, Louisiana, USA (April 12, 1960): A strange craft landed near LeCamp, described as 2x3.5 meters, with a fiery exhaust, leaving tracks and burnt grass.
• Lexington, Massachusetts, USA (April 13, 1960): A bright white UFO was observed moving west-to-east, then turning north. Radar at Fort Monmouth also reported a similar phenomenon.
• Conrad, Montana, USA (April 19, 1960): A farmer observed a long, oblong "mirror object" flying silently in circles.
• Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA (April 25, 1960): A bright, cigar-shaped object with pulsating vertical light strips was seen moving rapidly south, illuminating trees.
• Sarasota, Florida, USA (May 4, 1960): An architect observed a yellow, elliptical or cigar-shaped UFO with four square, illuminated openings.

Other Reports

• Tokyo, Japan: For three days, the sun appeared as a glowing sphere, causing extreme heat (42-69 degrees Celsius) and heatstroke, with 1289 people requiring assistance and 122 deaths reported.
• Agadir, Morocco (March 1, 1960): Animals, particularly dogs, exhibited extreme fear and restlessness the afternoon before an earthquake.
• California Research: A Californian researcher, Benjoft, developed an apparatus to register earthquake precursors, potentially enabling prediction.
• Animal Pre-Disaster Behavior: The magazine notes that animals often sense impending natural disasters, with examples of animals fleeing before landslides and earthquakes, and a cow escaping a landslide.

Scientific and Social Commentary

Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding stated that the existence of extraterrestrial spacecraft is beyond doubt, having been seen by hundreds of thousands. He mentioned a case in the USA where fighter jets were scrambled, resulting in a collision and the "complete dissolution of the earthly apparatus." Soviet scientist Feliks Segal suggested that there could be 150,000 inhabited planetary systems in the Milky Way and advocated for contact. The article also touches upon Project Ozma, a search for extraterrestrial intelligence, and the growing global interest in UFOs, with radio programs and educational initiatives.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of UFO phenomena, the skepticism and potential cover-ups by official bodies (like the Luftwaffe), the distinction between genuine witnesses and those fabricating stories, and the global prevalence of UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs, critical of official dismissals, and supportive of scientific efforts to understand these phenomena and the possibility of extraterrestrial contact. The magazine also highlights the potential for animals to provide early warnings of natural disasters, linking this to broader unexplained phenomena.

This issue of WELTRAUMBOTE, dated April 7, 1960, titled 'Unglaublich - und doch wahr!' (Unbelievable - and yet true!), continues its exploration of unexplained phenomena, focusing on UFOs, government cover-ups, and the intersection of the paranormal with spiritual beliefs.

UFOs and Government Secrecy

The article "Beweise für den Kongress!" (Evidence for Congress!) details the efforts of NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena) to expose the US Air Force's alleged cover-up of UFO facts. NICAP has presented documentary evidence to seven Congressional committees, including proof of a secret Air Force operation involving a passenger aircraft being diverted to pursue a UFO. It also cites a report on mysterious explosions occurring near a large Air Force transporter over the Pacific, with the chief pilot suggesting they were fired upon by an unknown object. The article highlights a new public statement by Major Dewey J. Fournet, a former Air Force intelligence officer, who confirmed the existence of a top-secret 1948 Air Force assessment that concluded UFOs were extraterrestrial spacecraft. This document, previously denied by high-ranking Air Force officials, was reportedly first revealed by Captain Edward J. Ruppelt. Furthermore, censored sections of Major Keyhoe's manuscript for a television broadcast are mentioned, indicating that revelations about the 1948 assessment and other secret Air Force opinions were removed.

Another point details hidden UFO reports, including a marine aircraft encountering a giant flying disc over the Atlantic, a close sighting by a marine commander, observations by a scientist and his staff, and an encounter by a marine flight squadron with a rocket-shaped UFO, all of which were reportedly met with a strict Air Force gag order. The article also points to contradictory Air Force documents and letters that suggest facts have been deliberately concealed from the public.

Major Keyhoe's new book, "Flying Saucers - Top Secret," is reviewed. It is described as a sensational work of 284 pages, costing $3.95 (or $2.65 for NICAP members), and is highly recommended for its documentation and the author's standing in UFO research. The book details NICAP's fight to end censorship and reveal the truth about UFOs. The magazine expresses regret that the book is only available in English and cannot be directly supplied.

Historical Incidents and Paranormal Experiences

The issue revisits historical incidents, including a case from December 9, 1873, in Bristol, UK, where Thomas B. Cumpston and his wife were arrested after experiencing the ground opening beneath them, with Mr. Cumpston being pulled downwards before his wife saved him. The report from the "Daily Post" describes the ground opening wide and unusual echoes. Another account from the "Sunday Express" of December 5, 1926, details an incident at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, in October 1904, where four students investigating a supposedly haunted room experienced an unseen, palpable entity that dragged one of them away, requiring a struggle to resist.

The article connects UFO sightings with earthquakes, citing the severe tremors in Canada from 1662 to 1663. During this period, entire settlements vanished, the St. Lawrence River transformed, and strange, glowing objects resembling fiery anchors or bright discs were seen in the sky, followed by exploding fiery balls. Jesuit priest Charlevoix reported these sightings in Quebec.

Spiritual and Philosophical Reflections

Professor Werner Foerstemann, a Nobel laureate, is quoted from a lecture where he identified the automobile as "Enemy No. 1" for physical health, contributing to sluggishness and laying the groundwork for circulatory problems, alongside lack of exercise, sleep, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol. He attributed these issues to a poor use of leisure time.

A philosophical reflection by Goethe is presented, discussing the natural human tendency to judge visitors harshly once they leave, measuring them by one's own standards. The article suggests that even reasonable and fair-minded people often engage in sharp censorship in such cases.

The issue also explores the concept of ghosts and spirits, arguing that the overwhelming number of reports and the existence of specialized literature make it hard to deny their reality. It posits that while many people may not openly admit it, they may interpret religious texts as allegorical rather than literal. The article references the Bible, specifically Matthew 27:52-53, which describes graves opening and saints appearing after Jesus' resurrection, suggesting that highly developed spirits, like saints, do not need to incarnate again and that thousands of years can pass before a soul finds a suitable body and environment for its karma.

A poetic excerpt from Goethe's "Faust" is included: "The spirit world is not closed; Your mind is shut, your heart is dead! Arise, bathe, student, unweariedly The earthly breast in the morning red!"

UFO Literature Recommendations

The magazine provides a comprehensive list of recommended UFO literature available in German, obtainable by advance payment. Titles include Donald E. Keyhoe's "Der Weltraum rückt uns näher," Dr. Wilhelm Martin's "Ufos, Aomkräfte und unsere Zukunft," and Edgar Sievers' "Flying Saucer über Südafrika." Other recommended works cover topics like UFO sightings in Switzerland, the coming of space people, and the mystery of flying saucers. Information is also provided on how to obtain back issues of WELTRAUMBOTE and a list of various distributors for UFO books.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue reinforces WELTRAUMBOTE's commitment to investigating UFO phenomena and exposing perceived government secrecy. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the unexplained, encouraging readers to consider evidence and historical accounts. The magazine also integrates philosophical and spiritual reflections, suggesting a belief in a broader reality beyond the purely material, and a connection between paranormal events and spiritual concepts. The inclusion of literary quotes and recommendations for further reading indicates an effort to provide a well-rounded perspective on the subject matter.