In the
summer of 1947, either late June or the first week of July, a New Mexico ranch
foreman named Mac Brazel reported finding strange debris in an open field near
the town of Roswell. An intriguing narrative developed rapidly: The material
may be from a crashed alien craft, called a “flying disk” or “flying saucer,”
now known as a UFO.
summer of 1947, either late June or the first week of July, a New Mexico ranch
foreman named Mac Brazel reported finding strange debris in an open field near
the town of Roswell. An intriguing narrative developed rapidly: The material
may be from a crashed alien craft, called a “flying disk” or “flying saucer,”
now known as a UFO.
The U.S.
government soon claimed it was a downed high-level weather balloon and
dismissed the alien crash story. Over the years, the events have become known
as “The Roswell UFO Incident,” or simply “Roswell.”
government soon claimed it was a downed high-level weather balloon and
dismissed the alien crash story. Over the years, the events have become known
as “The Roswell UFO Incident,” or simply “Roswell.”
The official
news story from the Roswell Daily Record
news story from the Roswell Daily Record
In the
1970s, interest revived in the Roswell story. Did an alien spacecraft really
crash in the New Mexico desert in 1947? Were aliens recovered from the crash
site, possibly one or two still alive? Did the government and military work
together to cover up the story? The Roswell UFO Incident has subsequently grown
in the public consciousness to the point it is now widely considered the
highest profile UFO case on record.
1970s, interest revived in the Roswell story. Did an alien spacecraft really
crash in the New Mexico desert in 1947? Were aliens recovered from the crash
site, possibly one or two still alive? Did the government and military work
together to cover up the story? The Roswell UFO Incident has subsequently grown
in the public consciousness to the point it is now widely considered the
highest profile UFO case on record.
“Lydia,
get ready for a scoop! We went to get this on the ABC wire right away. Listen to
this! A flying saucer has crashed… No I’m not joking. It crashed near Roswell.
I’ve been there and seen it. It’s like a big crumpled dishpan. Some Ranger has
halted under a cattle shelter with his tractor. The Army is there and they are
going to pick it up. The whole area is now closed off. And get this – they’re
saying something about little man being on board… Start getting this on the
teletype right away while I’m on the phone.”
get ready for a scoop! We went to get this on the ABC wire right away. Listen to
this! A flying saucer has crashed… No I’m not joking. It crashed near Roswell.
I’ve been there and seen it. It’s like a big crumpled dishpan. Some Ranger has
halted under a cattle shelter with his tractor. The Army is there and they are
going to pick it up. The whole area is now closed off. And get this – they’re
saying something about little man being on board… Start getting this on the
teletype right away while I’m on the phone.”
-Johnny
McBoyle, reporter and part owner of KSWS radio station in Roswell New Mexico on
the phone to Lydia Sleppy, teletype operator at KOAT radio in Albuquerque New
Mexico. July 7, 1947. (“The Roswell Incident: The Classic Study of UFO Contact”
by Charles Berlitz and William L. Moore)
McBoyle, reporter and part owner of KSWS radio station in Roswell New Mexico on
the phone to Lydia Sleppy, teletype operator at KOAT radio in Albuquerque New
Mexico. July 7, 1947. (“The Roswell Incident: The Classic Study of UFO Contact”
by Charles Berlitz and William L. Moore)
William W.
“Mac” Brazel was a sheepherder and cowboy in the Southwestern United States. He
loved to ride the range under the brilliant blue New Mexico sky, rustling the
sheep into the barn, shearing them down and taking the wool to market for a
good profit.
“Mac” Brazel was a sheepherder and cowboy in the Southwestern United States. He
loved to ride the range under the brilliant blue New Mexico sky, rustling the
sheep into the barn, shearing them down and taking the wool to market for a
good profit.
Mac’s wife
and kids lived over in Tularosa, New Mexico, but his job as foreman of the
Foster Ranch was miles away near Corona. When he was away from the family for
work, he boarded at an old ranch house every evening.
and kids lived over in Tularosa, New Mexico, but his job as foreman of the
Foster Ranch was miles away near Corona. When he was away from the family for
work, he boarded at an old ranch house every evening.
Mac didn’t
know it at the time, but he was about to discover what has evolved into the
most famous crash in the history of UFOs.
know it at the time, but he was about to discover what has evolved into the
most famous crash in the history of UFOs.
One night in
the early part of July, 1947 (reports vary whether it was the 2nd or 4th of
July), an enormous thunderstorm moved in, lightning crackling through the sky.
Among the lighting strikes hitting the ground, he noticed one was different–it
sounded more like an explosion.
the early part of July, 1947 (reports vary whether it was the 2nd or 4th of
July), an enormous thunderstorm moved in, lightning crackling through the sky.
Among the lighting strikes hitting the ground, he noticed one was different–it
sounded more like an explosion.
The next day
Mac and a neighbour boy named William D. “Dee” Proctor were checking the fences
for damage or needed repairs. They came upon an area that was covered with
shiny pieces and bits of something they didn’t recognize—the material covered a
large area that spanned a couple of small hills separated by an arroyo. Was
this scene the result of the “explosion” Mac had hear the night before?
Mac and a neighbour boy named William D. “Dee” Proctor were checking the fences
for damage or needed repairs. They came upon an area that was covered with
shiny pieces and bits of something they didn’t recognize—the material covered a
large area that spanned a couple of small hills separated by an arroyo. Was
this scene the result of the “explosion” Mac had hear the night before?
Mac gathered
up some of the debris right then, or came back with his wife and kids later to
collect some of it. When they arrived back at the ranch house, he stored the
material in a shed.
up some of the debris right then, or came back with his wife and kids later to
collect some of it. When they arrived back at the ranch house, he stored the
material in a shed.
His
daughter, Bessie, described the items in a July, 1979 interview: “There was
what appeared to be pieces of heavily waxed paper and a sort of aluminium-like
foil. Some of these pieces had something like numbers and lettering on them,
but there were no words that we were able to make out. Some of the metal-foil
like pieces had a sort of tape stuck to them, and when these were held to the
light they showed what looked like pastel flowers or designs. Even though the
stuff looked like tape it could not be peeled off or removed at all. It was
very light in weight but there sure was a lot of it.”
daughter, Bessie, described the items in a July, 1979 interview: “There was
what appeared to be pieces of heavily waxed paper and a sort of aluminium-like
foil. Some of these pieces had something like numbers and lettering on them,
but there were no words that we were able to make out. Some of the metal-foil
like pieces had a sort of tape stuck to them, and when these were held to the
light they showed what looked like pastel flowers or designs. Even though the
stuff looked like tape it could not be peeled off or removed at all. It was
very light in weight but there sure was a lot of it.”
“Could it
have been a weather balloon?” she was asked. “No, it was definitely not a
balloon. We had seen weather balloons quite a lot, both on the ground and in
the air. We had even found a couple of Japanese-style balloons that had come down
in the area once. We had also picked up a couple of those thin rubber weather
balloons with instrument packages. This was nothing like that. I have never
seen anything resembling this sort of thing before, or since…”
have been a weather balloon?” she was asked. “No, it was definitely not a
balloon. We had seen weather balloons quite a lot, both on the ground and in
the air. We had even found a couple of Japanese-style balloons that had come down
in the area once. We had also picked up a couple of those thin rubber weather
balloons with instrument packages. This was nothing like that. I have never
seen anything resembling this sort of thing before, or since…”
In a signed
affidavit she provided more detail: “The debris looked like pieces of a large
balloon which had burst. The pieces were small, the largest I remember
measuring was about the same as the diameter of a basketball. Most of it was a
kind of double-sided material, foil-like on one side and rubber-like on the
other. Both sides were greyish silver in colour, the foil more silvery than the
rubber. Sticks, like kite sticks, were attached to some of the pieces with a
whitish tape. The foil-rubber material could not be torn like ordinary aluminium
foil can be torn.”
affidavit she provided more detail: “The debris looked like pieces of a large
balloon which had burst. The pieces were small, the largest I remember
measuring was about the same as the diameter of a basketball. Most of it was a
kind of double-sided material, foil-like on one side and rubber-like on the
other. Both sides were greyish silver in colour, the foil more silvery than the
rubber. Sticks, like kite sticks, were attached to some of the pieces with a
whitish tape. The foil-rubber material could not be torn like ordinary aluminium
foil can be torn.”
On either
July 6or 7 of 1947, Brazel decided to visit Chaves County Sheriff George Wilcox
to report the find. The sheriff contacted Major Jesse Marcel, the base
intelligence officer for Roswell Army Air Field.
July 6or 7 of 1947, Brazel decided to visit Chaves County Sheriff George Wilcox
to report the find. The sheriff contacted Major Jesse Marcel, the base
intelligence officer for Roswell Army Air Field.
Major Marcel
and another man went back to the ranch with Brazel on Monday, July 7. They
spent that Monday afternoon trying to find any more “parts of the weather
device,” according to Marcel. “We found a few more patches of tinfoil and
rubber.”
and another man went back to the ranch with Brazel on Monday, July 7. They
spent that Monday afternoon trying to find any more “parts of the weather
device,” according to Marcel. “We found a few more patches of tinfoil and
rubber.”
Walter Haut,
the public information officer at RAAF
the public information officer at RAAF
On July 8
Walter Haut, the public information officer at Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF),
put out a press release that said individuals from the 509th Bomb Group had
picked up a “flying disk” that had crashed on a ranch in the Roswell area.
Several news outlets picked up on the press release right away:
Walter Haut, the public information officer at Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF),
put out a press release that said individuals from the 509th Bomb Group had
picked up a “flying disk” that had crashed on a ranch in the Roswell area.
Several news outlets picked up on the press release right away:
“The many
rumors regarding the flying disc became a reality yesterday when the
intelligence office of the 509th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force, Roswell
Army Air Field, was fortunate enough to gain possession of a disc through the
cooperation of one of the local ranchers and the sheriff’s office of Chaves
County. The flying object landed on a ranch near Roswell sometime last week.
Not having phone facilities, the rancher stored the disc until such time as he
was able to contact the sheriff’s office, who in turn notified Maj. Jesse A.
Marcel of the 509th Bomb Group Intelligence Office. Action was immediately
taken and the disc was picked up at the rancher’s home. It was inspected at the
Roswell Army Air Field and subsequently loaned by Major Marcel to higher
headquarters.
rumors regarding the flying disc became a reality yesterday when the
intelligence office of the 509th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force, Roswell
Army Air Field, was fortunate enough to gain possession of a disc through the
cooperation of one of the local ranchers and the sheriff’s office of Chaves
County. The flying object landed on a ranch near Roswell sometime last week.
Not having phone facilities, the rancher stored the disc until such time as he
was able to contact the sheriff’s office, who in turn notified Maj. Jesse A.
Marcel of the 509th Bomb Group Intelligence Office. Action was immediately
taken and the disc was picked up at the rancher’s home. It was inspected at the
Roswell Army Air Field and subsequently loaned by Major Marcel to higher
headquarters.
U.S. Air
Force Response
Force Response
During the
1990s, the U.S. Air Force published a pair of reports designed to answer the question
of the debris as well as recoveries of alien bodies. They explained that the
debris was simply from a high-altitude balloon that was part of Project Mogul,
a top secret experiment designed to detect Soviet ballistic and nuclear
activity.
1990s, the U.S. Air Force published a pair of reports designed to answer the question
of the debris as well as recoveries of alien bodies. They explained that the
debris was simply from a high-altitude balloon that was part of Project Mogul,
a top secret experiment designed to detect Soviet ballistic and nuclear
activity.
Test dummies
In addition,
they explained away the stories of alien recoveries by saying they were a
combination of military projects using dummies in place of live personnel, real
accidents involving military members, and hoaxes.
they explained away the stories of alien recoveries by saying they were a
combination of military projects using dummies in place of live personnel, real
accidents involving military members, and hoaxes.
The reports
were the first official counter to the growing alien recovery narrative that
expanded in the late 1970s. However, independent sceptics like Robert Todd and
Philip J. Klass had long published their doubts about UFOs before the
appearance of the Air Force publications.
were the first official counter to the growing alien recovery narrative that
expanded in the late 1970s. However, independent sceptics like Robert Todd and
Philip J. Klass had long published their doubts about UFOs before the
appearance of the Air Force publications.
Excavation
Attempt
Attempt
 |
| Unknown white fibers found during the 2002 excavation |
In 2002, the
Sci-Fi Channel had a fascinating idea. They sponsored a full excavation at the
original site Mac Brazel discovered the debris. They hoped to find any objects
left behind by the military or possibly buried in the soil on impact.
Unfortunately, they didn’t find anything to prove their theory.
Sci-Fi Channel had a fascinating idea. They sponsored a full excavation at the
original site Mac Brazel discovered the debris. They hoped to find any objects
left behind by the military or possibly buried in the soil on impact.
Unfortunately, they didn’t find anything to prove their theory.
At the time,
the project attracted the attention of the governor of New Mexico, Bill
Richardson, who also was the head of the United States Department of Energy. In
2004, he penned a forward to “The Roswell Dig Diaries,” saying, “the mystery
surrounding this crash has never been adequately explained – not by independent
investigators and not by the U.S. Government.”
the project attracted the attention of the governor of New Mexico, Bill
Richardson, who also was the head of the United States Department of Energy. In
2004, he penned a forward to “The Roswell Dig Diaries,” saying, “the mystery
surrounding this crash has never been adequately explained – not by independent
investigators and not by the U.S. Government.”
A few years
later, Richardson expanded his comments. He stated that when he was a
congressman, he tried to get more information about the Roswell crash for his
constituents in the state. He was rebuffed by both the Department of Defence
and Los Alamos labs, telling him that the information was classified. “That
ticked me off,” he said at the time. “The government doesn’t tell the truth as
much as it should on a lot of issues.”
later, Richardson expanded his comments. He stated that when he was a
congressman, he tried to get more information about the Roswell crash for his
constituents in the state. He was rebuffed by both the Department of Defence
and Los Alamos labs, telling him that the information was classified. “That
ticked me off,” he said at the time. “The government doesn’t tell the truth as
much as it should on a lot of issues.”
In 2005, the
American Broadcasting Company television network also aired a UFO special
hosted by their national news anchor Peter Jennings. ABC supported the Air
Force report about the Roswell incident. Jennings blasted the Roswell events as
“myth… without a shred of evidence.”
American Broadcasting Company television network also aired a UFO special
hosted by their national news anchor Peter Jennings. ABC supported the Air
Force report about the Roswell incident. Jennings blasted the Roswell events as
“myth… without a shred of evidence.”
Still, some
of the original researchers are steadfast in their belief. Stanton T Friedman
continues to support his position about the Majestic 12 documents that give
details about the secret cabal of government, military and scientific leaders
hiding all of the data on recovered discs and alien bodies.
of the original researchers are steadfast in their belief. Stanton T Friedman
continues to support his position about the Majestic 12 documents that give
details about the secret cabal of government, military and scientific leaders
hiding all of the data on recovered discs and alien bodies.
In an
updated version of his 1996 book “Top Secret/Magic,” Friedman wrote, “I am
still convinced Roswell really happened, and that the Eisenhower briefing
document… and others are the most important classified documents ever leaked to
the public.”
updated version of his 1996 book “Top Secret/Magic,” Friedman wrote, “I am
still convinced Roswell really happened, and that the Eisenhower briefing
document… and others are the most important classified documents ever leaked to
the public.”
FBI Document
 |
| The 1950 FBI document (Guy Hottel) |
In 1950, an
FBI agent named Guy Hottel wrote a memo about a report from an Air Force
investigator. The report described three separate alien craft recovered in New
Mexico along with their
FBI agent named Guy Hottel wrote a memo about a report from an Air Force
investigator. The report described three separate alien craft recovered in New
Mexico along with their
passengers.
He wrote that “three so-called flying saucers” were found. They were described
as being circular with a raised area in the centre, with a diameter of
approximately 50 feet.
He wrote that “three so-called flying saucers” were found. They were described
as being circular with a raised area in the centre, with a diameter of
approximately 50 feet.
Inside each
craft, there were three occupants of “human shape,” approximately 3 feet tall
and dressed in “metallic cloth of a very fine texture.” There was speculation
that “high-powered radar” had caused the alien craft to crash by inadvertently
scrambling their navigational systems and controls.
craft, there were three occupants of “human shape,” approximately 3 feet tall
and dressed in “metallic cloth of a very fine texture.” There was speculation
that “high-powered radar” had caused the alien craft to crash by inadvertently
scrambling their navigational systems and controls.
Although no
dates are mentioned, the memo itself is dated March 22, 1950, with the most
detailed location specified as “New Mexico.” He wrote that “no further
evaluation was attempted by the Air Force investigator who presented the data.”
dates are mentioned, the memo itself is dated March 22, 1950, with the most
detailed location specified as “New Mexico.” He wrote that “no further
evaluation was attempted by the Air Force investigator who presented the data.”
This
document was posted by the FBI on their website in April of 2011. Several
sources have found connections between it and the Roswell incident. However,
many sources have shown that this document was revealed to be a fake many years
ago, including an article in True magazine published in 1952. The hoax was a
scheme by two men, Leo A. Gebauer and Silas Newton. They were hawking a phony
machine that was supposed to be able to find gas, oil, gold or other precious
items with alien technology. In 1953, the duo was found guilty of fraud.
document was posted by the FBI on their website in April of 2011. Several
sources have found connections between it and the Roswell incident. However,
many sources have shown that this document was revealed to be a fake many years
ago, including an article in True magazine published in 1952. The hoax was a
scheme by two men, Leo A. Gebauer and Silas Newton. They were hawking a phony
machine that was supposed to be able to find gas, oil, gold or other precious
items with alien technology. In 1953, the duo was found guilty of fraud.
Area 51
Area 51 is a
military base in the southern region of the state of Nevada in the Western
portion of the United States. It lies approximately 83 miles from Las Vegas.
While the activities there are top-secret, is widely accepted that the base
exists to test experimental weapons and aircraft. While the Central
Intelligence Agency does use the name Area 51 in an official capacity, other
names used for the base include Paradise Ranch, Watertown Strip, Groom Lake,
Dreamland, Home Base and Homey Airport. The airspace around Area 51, known by
military pilots as “the box” or “the container,” is restricted.
military base in the southern region of the state of Nevada in the Western
portion of the United States. It lies approximately 83 miles from Las Vegas.
While the activities there are top-secret, is widely accepted that the base
exists to test experimental weapons and aircraft. While the Central
Intelligence Agency does use the name Area 51 in an official capacity, other
names used for the base include Paradise Ranch, Watertown Strip, Groom Lake,
Dreamland, Home Base and Homey Airport. The airspace around Area 51, known by
military pilots as “the box” or “the container,” is restricted.
Area 51
warning signs
warning signs
Annie
Jacobsen published the book “Area 51: An Uncensored History of America’s Top
Secret Military Base,” in which she conducted interviews with many engineers
and scientists who worked on the base. She denies any alien narrative regarding
Roswell.
She puts
forth a suggestion that Josef Mengele was asked by Joseph Stalin, the Soviet
leader, to create “grotesque, child size aviators” to be flown and land in the
United States to create hysteria. The goal was to duplicate a mass reaction
similar to the chaos from Orson Welles radio play “War of the Worlds” in 1938.
She believes that instead of landing as planned, an aircraft crashed at Roswell
and the incident was kept quiet by military and government officials in the
United States. However, her book and theories were debunked by a couple of
experts at the Federation of American Scientists for multiple errors.
forth a suggestion that Josef Mengele was asked by Joseph Stalin, the Soviet
leader, to create “grotesque, child size aviators” to be flown and land in the
United States to create hysteria. The goal was to duplicate a mass reaction
similar to the chaos from Orson Welles radio play “War of the Worlds” in 1938.
She believes that instead of landing as planned, an aircraft crashed at Roswell
and the incident was kept quiet by military and government officials in the
United States. However, her book and theories were debunked by a couple of
experts at the Federation of American Scientists for multiple errors.
A Reflection
On Ourselves
On Ourselves
No matter
what the government says, the Roswell story is too big to ignore. Are we that
conceited that we think we are the only people in the cosmos? There are
millions of star systems “out there.” It is folly to believe we are alone.
what the government says, the Roswell story is too big to ignore. Are we that
conceited that we think we are the only people in the cosmos? There are
millions of star systems “out there.” It is folly to believe we are alone.
More importantly, the Roswell incident tells us
more about ourselves than anything else. In 1995, Phil Cousineau wrote in
“UFOs: A Manual for the Millennium”: “Something happened at Roswell that has
come to symbolize what we don’t yet know about the nature of life on other
planets, the possibility of inter-galactic travel, the state of national
security, and how far the government will go to ensure it.”
