UFOs in the daily Press:

At the heart of the flying saucer mystery

II. The strange case of the silent fireball

What are these mysterious craft, flying saucers or cigars? Why do they come? Everyone is beginning to ask questions. Were similar phenomena seen in the past? Yes. Even before the airplane was created by man. Already, twice in 1870, witnesses claimed to have seen aerial ships. A globular object is said to have flown over the French Riviera. In 1880 on the Pacific coast, in 1908 in the sky over New Zealand, in 1895 over England and Scotland, strange "objects" were seen. In 1907, 1910, and 1919, various States reported, without paying much attention, similar sightings.

After the Second World War, Sweden reported the presence of strange vehicles in the northern sky. Men responsible for transporting timber by floating it downriver reported seeing, while guiding their logs in the current, a craft accompanied by strange lights. Then the phenomena began appearing in other countries. At first monthly, then weekly, similar events were reported throughout Europe and even in North Africa. It was then remembered that during the last war Allied pilots had several times reported mysterious flying discs escorting their aircraft, which they assumed to be a new secret enemy weapon.

Then it was America's turn. Although there was no talk of "Operation Saucer" before June 1947, one observer reported the first sighting in April 1947. In May, there were two more, one in Oklahoma, the other in Colorado. On June 8, 1947, the entire staff of the Muroc Air Base saw half a dozen saucers. Initially, it was said that sightings occurred during the day; soon, the discs began appearing at night as well.

The reports concerning these strange craft were not known to the general public until 1947. Kenneth Arnold's account opened what could be called "the mystery of the flying saucers." From the very beginning of the investigation, which drew the attention of scientists, physicists, engineers, and the military, the main characteristic of these craft became clear: discs or long rigid cylinders. None emits the slightest sound. Regardless of their accelerations, turns, or jumps, they glide through the atmosphere as if no machinery powered their movements.