ALSACAT:

[...Unrelated information...]

30. Major Bob Johnson, 24, of the 81st Fighter Bomber Squadron spoke for a half hour before the picture, describing in cryptic language, the work and tactics of his outfit. Foo-Fighters were at it again last night. This is The Operations report: "Halfway between Wissembourg and Landau sighted amber lights at 2000 feet. One light was 20 to 50 feet above the other and of about 30 seconds duration. Lights were about a foot in diameter, 1000 ft. away and following Beau. Lights disappeared when Beau turned into them."

Squadron Historian.

[...Unrelated information...]

1. In compliance with paragraph 3 of 1st Incl., the following extracts from the Sortie Reports of various pilots who have encountered the Night Phenomenon are submitted for your information.

[... Other sightings ...]

Night of 29-30 January 1945 - "At about 00:10 hrs. sighted a Foofighter about half way between Weissenbourg [Sic, "Wissembourg"] and Landau. Foofighter was off to the starboard and rear at Angels 2. Lights were amber and one was 20 - 50 ft. above the other and of about 30 seconds duration. Foofighter was about 1000 feet away and following. The lights were about a foot in diameter. Lights disappeared when Travel 34 turned into them."

2. In every case where pilot called CGI Central and asked if there was a Bogey A/C in the area he received a negative answer.

F. B. RINGWALD [Fred B. Ringwald, the unit's S-2 Intelligence Officer.]
Captain, [Illegible]
Intelligence Officer

A very last case from the "War Diary" of the 415th appears in photo 1619:

January 30: "The Foo-fighters did it again last night. Extract from the operations report: "Halfway between Wissembourg and Langau [sic], we saw amber lights at 1000 feet. One was 20 to 50 feet above the other and lasted about 30 seconds. The lights flew in pairs, about a foot in diameter, at a distance of 1000 feet and followed the Beaus. They disappeared when Beau engaged them."

A summary of incidents [reported by airmen of the U.S. Army Air Forces 415th Night Fighter Squadron] was prepared by Captain F. B. Ringwald, Intelligence Officer with Headquarters 12 of the Tactical Air Command to advise S-2 of the “Night Phenomenon” encountered by the pilots and dated January 30, 1945.

“Night of 29-30 January 1945 - At about 00:10 hrs. sighted a Foofighter about half way between Weisenbourg and Landau. Foofighter was off to the starboard and rear at Angels 2. Lights were amber and one was 20-50 ft. above the other and of about 30 seconds duration. Foofighter was about 1000 ft. away and following. The lights were about a foot in diameter. Lights disappeared when Travel 34 turned into them.”

It is noteworthy to point out that these pilots made a distinction between the usual flak bursts sent up by anti-aircraft fire and what they were seeing in these incidents. One might expect that due to technical advances during the war, eventually one side may develop a new sort of anti-aircraft weapon that could behave in an intelligent manner in pursuit of enemy planes. The problem with this here is that there are no known reports of “Foo Fighters” bringing down aircraft of either side. The objects that seemed to be “under perfect control at all times” didn't seem to do damage but merely accompany planes on their respective missions without interference.

To end the summary, Ringwald said that in each case where the pilot called GCI control to ask if “Bogey A/C” were in the area, he received a negative answer. It was also noted, perhaps more of interest to modern audiences, that these objects were called “Foofighters.” One word only, which should we call it? Chamberlin added his own written footnote for another sighting on February 28: "Returning, 45 miles East of Base (Loral Ochey) sighted foo fighters to rear starboard. Orange red in color. Turned to have a look and it disappeared. Near Luneville, SECRET north of Strasbourg. Lt. Buscio & Krasner RO.”

Case 84

January 30, 1945

Halfway Between Wissemburg and Landau, Germany

At about 1 h00, a crew of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron noticed a foofighter which was off the starboard and rear at Angels 2. The lights were amber and one was 20-50 feet above the other and about 30 seconds duration. The "Foofighter was 1,000 feet away and following. The lights were about a foot in diameter. The lights disappeared when Travel 34 turned into them.

Sources: USAAF, Report from Captain F.B. Ringwald, Intelligence Officer, 415th Night Fighter Squadron, To A/C of S,A-2 XII Tactical Air Command, January 30, 1945, NARA / Strange Company, Keith Chester, 2007

[...] December, 1944 members of the 415th would be making multiple reports, as recorded in a January 30, 1945 report to Tactical Air Command by intelligence officer Fred Ringwald...

"Night of 29-30 January 1945 - "At about 00:10 hrs. sighted a Foofighter about half way between Weissenbourg [Sic, "Wissembourg"] and Landau. Foofighter was off to the starboard and rear at Angels 2. Lights were amber and one was 20 - 50 ft. above the other and of about 30 seconds duration. Foofighter was about 1000 feet away and following. The lights were about a foot in diameter. Lights disappeared when Travel 34 turned into them."

"2. In every case where pilot called CGI Central and asked if there was a Bogey A/C in the area he received a negative answer."

"F.B. RINGWALD
Captain, (Illegible)
Intelligence Officer"

Jan. 29, 1945; Bt. Wissembourg and Landau, Germany

Two amber colored lights about one foot in diameter. (Page 129,131 Ref.1)

January 30 - 12:10 a.m. A 415th Night Fighter Squadron crew observes two amber-colored “lights in the air at 2,000 feet” between Wissembourg, Bas-Rhin, France, and Landau, Germany. They seem to be about a foot in diameter and 20-50 feet apart. The lights follow their Bristol Beaufighter, closing in to about 1,000 feet before disappearing. (Strange Company 129)

Date: Jan. 29, 1945;

Location: Wissembourg and Landau, Germany

Time:

Summary: Two amber colored lights about one foot in diameter.

Source: