AUSTRALIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION UFO RELATED FILE LOCATED

In Newsletter 8 we reported that in response to a request for any files held by ASIO on a number of early Australian UFO groups including the Queensland Flying Saucer Research Bureau, ASIO’s response was “A check of our indices has failed to locate any open or closed period records with respect to the above named subject.”

The reason we had included the Queensland Flying Saucer Research Bureau in our request was because in 1958 Stan Seers, then President of the Queensland Flying Saucer Research Bureau met someone who introduced himself as from ASIO. This man was looking for “hot” UFO information. ASIO contact with the group was said to have been maintained until 1970.

On a random checking of NAA RecordSearch on 8 November 2004 we came across a new file which had recently been added to the collection. File series number A6122. control symbol 2155, series accession number 2004/00053526  is titled “Queensland Flying Saucer Bureau Volume 1.”  The access status of the file is shown as “Open with exception” and the date of decision is 21 May 2004. Contents date range is 1959-1973. On checking the available NAA further information link, we found that the Agency which held the file was ASIO, Central Office. We find it odd that our request for any ASIO file on the “Queensland Flying Saucer Research Bureau” failed to turn up a file titled “Queensland Flying Saucer Bureau.” Naturally, we have ordered a copy of the file to see just what it contains.   

A CLOSER LOOK AT UFO REPORTS FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA

In previous Newsletters the Disclosure Australia Project has brought you:

• Previously unknown material found in Government archives
• Summaries of the contents of Government UFO files
• Lists of UFO reports made to Government agencies
• An analysis of some of the material we have found.

In this issue we continue our analysis role by focussing on reports coming out of one geographic area, namely Papua New Guinea which at the time, before its independence, was administered by Australia.

At 1200hrs on 23 Aug 1953 Mr T. Drury, the then Deputy Director of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) for Papua New Guinea, was in Port Moresby. In the cloudless south-western sky he noticed what seemed to be “cloud building up” which grew in intensity for several minutes. Suddenly, an object appeared from one side of this cloud and climbed fast in a north-west direction. In size Drury said it seemed “slightly bigger than a pin head.” The soundless object left a clearly defined vapour trail. It “finally disappeared with a rapid gain of altitude.” Drury had a movie camera with him and filmed using a telephoto lens. The film was examined both in Australia by the RAAF and in the USA.

The dramatic events of the reported June 1959 CE3 events at Boianai, Papua New Guinea are well documented in the UFO literature. What is far less known is the flow of UFO reports from that region as documented in Federal Government files. In this Newsletter we will concentrate on the years 1958-1960, and supplement this with an attachment listing sightings between 1958 and 1971.

It all started with a memo from the Secretary, Department of Territories (DOT) ⁽¹⁾ to the Secretary, Department of Defence (DOD) dated 17 Jun 1959 informing Defence of a “Reported sighting of falling object.” At 1900 hours on 24 May 1959 a UFO was reported to the west of Baniara, which descended erratically to the south-west. Brilliant blue in colour, alternating to red, it disappeared at 2015 hours.

The DOT again wrote to the DOD on 4 Aug 1959 ⁽²⁾ recording a number of other sightings in Papua. Copies of the memo were also sent to the Department of Air (DOA); DCA; Department of National Development and the CSIRO. Two internal DOT memos were attached.

It is understandable why copies should have gone to DOA and DCA, but why CSIRO? We had previously located two CSIRO UFO files, so we cross checked these. A copy of the 4 Aug 1959 DOT memo was found on CSIRO file series A8520 control symbol HM1/30. The copy had simply been filed on the CSIRO file titled “Miscellaneous Enquiries – General - UFOs” with no apparent action or further analysis/comment undertaken. Also on the file were copies of six other DOT memos containing reports from PNG; no action noted on the file.

Who was the Department of National Development, and why was the DOT forwarding them copies of UFO reports? National Australia Archives “agency notes” on that Department indicated it was created on 16 Mar 1950 for the planning and co ordinating the development of national resources on a national basis. It was abolished in 1972. We have no idea why UFO reports were being sent to them.

Back to the reports in the 4 August 1959 DOT memos. Bishop Doyle of Sideia reported that in Jun 1958 a round, pale blue object the size of the Moon, was seen and emitted brighter light than moonlight. It approached and hovered over the Mission. After five minutes it moved north and disappeared in mid-sky.

In late Oct/early Nov 1958 at about 1900 hours a white light travelled from north-west to south-east on two evenings. On the second evening the light flashed on and off at two second intervals.

In May 1959, nine school boys reported seeing a large, green elliptical object moving rapidly across the sky.

On 13 Jun 1959 at 1815 hours, twenty boys reported a fast, green, elliptical object travelling east to north-east.

Mr E Evenett of Samarai was at Giwa, 8 miles from Baniara in Goodenough Bay on 26 Jun 1959. Some time between 1915 and 1930 hours he went outside to see an object approaching from the north or north-east. It descended then hovered an estimated 500 feet above the ground at an angular elevation of 45 degrees. He estimated it to be 60 feet long and in shape was described as like a “rugger football.” It had a “kind of ring around it with about four semi-domed portholes.” A glow came from the ‘portholes.” After hovering for four minutes it disappeared rapidly to the south.

Finally, on 27 Jun 1959 at 2030h hours, two men noted a half-Moon sized object, in the western sky which moved slowly over a ten minute period.

One of the accompanying memos went on to discuss the possibility that Venus was unlikely to be the cause of the events. It closed by stating that “The Regional Director, Attorney General’s Department has been kept fully informed of these reports.” From the phrasing, this suggests ASIO was the agency informed. We do know that other agencies were keeping files on “unidentified aircraft” over PNG. For example:

• File series MT1131/1 control symbol A31/1/133 is titled “Unidentified aircraft Papua & New Guinea.” The date range is 1958-1959. The controlling agency at the time was The Department of Army
• File series A452 control symbol 1969/1630 is titled “Flights by unidentified aircraft over Papua New Guinea.” The date range is 1958-1970. The controlling agency was the Department of Territories 1958-1968; the Department of External Territories 1968-1970.

It could simply be that ASIO, like other Government Departments, was keeping an eye on “unidentified aircraft” over PNG.

Another of the attached memos told of yet more sightings:

• 27 Jun 1959. Baniara. At 1940 hours Mr R Smith and two others saw a bright, white spherical light. It was initially stationary and then slowly moved to the west. Red and green lights were seen on the object. It cast light on the water. At 2025 hours a “bronze coloured disc” was seen below and to the right of the light. It was lost at 2045 hours below low cloud low in the west
• 28 Jun 1959. Baniara. 1820 hours. Mr and Mrs Orwin saw the same light as on the 27^th. At 2001 hours it traversed a distance in one minute which took 30 minutes the previous night. It was in the western sky where it disappeared low down at 2115 hours
• 7 Jul 1959. At 0500 hours Mr R Smith noted a very bright light. After 15 minutes an object like a falling star came from near the object and shoot earthward at speed. Five minutes later another falling star was seen. After a total of an hour it moved westwards.

What is absent from these reported observations is any mention of the 26 and 27 Jun 1959 Boianai CE3 events which do not feature at all in the reports from the DOT.

It appears that it wasn’t until 12 Sep 1959 when Peter Norris of the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society (VFSRS) wrote to the Directorate of Air Force Intelligence (DAFI) ⁽³⁾ that DAFI became aware of the Father Gill sightings. Norris wrote “My society has been undertaking investigations into the alleged sightings of unidentified flying objects reported by the Reverend W B Gill of Boianai Anglican Mission, Papua, New Guinea.” Norris wrote that Gill et al had reported humanoid beings on the object and “…these sightings, once established as authentic, appear to furnish the much-coveted proof that the UFOs are intelligently guided machines.” Norris asked DAFI if they had inquired into the Gill sightings and if so what were their conclusions?

In an undated response letter, Squadron Leader Gilson from DAFI replied “We have no official information on any sightings by Gill in New Guinea, but we are now making inquiries into the matter.” ⁽⁴⁾

By replies dated 20 Oct 1959 VFSRS gave DAFI Gill’s current Victorian address ⁽⁵⁾ and on 16 Nov 59 ⁽⁶⁾ VFSRS forwarded a copy of their 15 page report ⁽⁷⁾ on not only the Gill sightings but others from PNG. VFSRS again asked DAFI if they had received official information and could DAFI please respond to their letter of 12 Sep 59’s questions re DAFI’s conclusions?

On the 25 Nov 1959 five of the main Australian UFO groups sent a joint letter to the Right Honourable R G Menzies-providing a copy of the VFSRS Gill report. The groups wrote that one possible explanation was that the Gill sightings were caused by a secret weapon of a foreign power. “We feel strongly that an investigation should be made…” ⁽⁸⁾

On the 26 Nov 59  DAFI responded to VFSRS that “We have initiated enquiry into Father Gill’s claims, but it is too early to have reached any conclusions.” ⁽⁹⁾  Despite two statements by DAFI that they had initiated enquiries into Gill’s account, there is no evidence on their files of any such enquiries.

Interestingly, out of all the time which DAFI could have chosen to undertake their next action, DAFI chose 26 Nov to also write to the DOD’s RAAF liaison in both London and Washington with a question. The question was for the liaison staff in each country to ascertain the latest views of the respective governments on the issue of UFOs. ⁽¹⁰⁾

Politics entered the scene at this point, on the 15 Dec 59 when the Secretary for the DOD advised the Secretary of the DOA that the Minister for Defence had received a letter from VFSRS. The Secretary DOD asked for a report on the subject of Papuan UFO reports which were received some months ago. ⁽¹¹⁾

On the 16 Dec 59 the DOD forwarded the PNG reports contained in the 4 Aug 59 DOT memo to the Australian Embassy in Washington. These reports were then forwarded to the “Aerospace Technical Intelligence Centre” for evaluation (USAF).

The question arises as to whether DAFI in the DOD or some other area in the DOD requested the evaluation? There are no copies of correspondence from DAFI on this topic in the files we have seen. The memo reference involved was W.183/59 and this isn’t the style used by DAFI. It does appear that while DAFI was dealing with questions re Father Gill’s report; someone else in the DOD was dealing with the other PNG reports, seeking an evaluation of their cause in the USA. Left and right hand syndrome at work?

Although they had had Gill’s Australian address since October, it wasn’t until 18 Dec 1959 that  DAFI wrote to Father Gill, who was by then in Victoria, asking if a Squadron leader Lang could interview him. ⁽¹²⁾

On the day before Christmas, a reply came back from London to the effect that 90 % of all UK UFO reports could be explained and that the remaining 10% “…only remain unexplained because of lack of reliable information about them.” ⁽¹³⁾

Following the Secretary DOD’s request for a report, Squadron Leader Lang interviewed Father Gill. On 8 Jan 1960 Sec DOA forwarded a copy of this two page report to the Sec DOD. The report, solely based on the interview, and lacking any attempt to check with PNG sources, concluded “It seems probably that the lights observed by Mr Gill were natural phenomena.” With a Defence orientation the memo concluded “In the light of our own and overseas military experience, the reported sights by Reverend Gill do not contain sufficient additional evidence to warrant any firm opinion that illegal flights by alien countries are being made over Australian Territory.” ⁽¹⁴⁾ A copy of this report was also sent to the Prime Minister’s Department on 8 Jan 1960. ⁽¹⁵⁾

The Australian Embassy in Washington responded on 12 Jan 60 advising the latest position on UFOs of the US Government. They referred to “Air Technical Intelligence Centre” Special report No 14.” ⁽¹⁶⁾

The VFSRS asked, once again ⁽¹⁷⁾ on 25 Jan 60 if DAFI had reached any conclusion on the Gill sightings? DAFI replied on 22 Feb 60 “…although it is not possible to reach any positive conclusion, we do not believe that the phenomena observed by the Reverend Gill and his party were manned space vehicles.” ⁽¹⁸⁾

A memo dated 16 Feb. 60 ⁽¹⁹⁾ from the Office of the High Commission for Australia in London revealed that it wasn’t only the US Government who had been asked for an evaluation of the 58/59 Papuan reports. This memo from London referred to a DOD letter of 16 Dec 59 ref 128.1.21 and advised “…the reports have been studied by the Air Ministry, the representative of the British Astronomical Association and the Royal Greenwich Observatory.” The Air Ministry’ statement included “I am directed to regret that the investigations, except in two instances, were inconclusive.” The BAA suggested the reports of May 59 and 13 Jun 59 were of meteors. Of other reports they said “In fact I cannot reconcile the descriptions with any known celestial phenomenon, and can only assume that they are either wildly inaccurate, deliberately falsified, or are bona-fide reports of known or unknown objects of terrestrial origin.” Greenwich observed “The only possible astronomical explanation of these various reports would be that they were of the planet Venus. However, some of the observers at least appear to have been aware of this possibility and so this seems an unlikely explanation.”

The USAF response to what could have caused the Papuan reports (in the 4 Aug 59 DOT memo) came in March 1960. Firstly, dated 4 Mar 60 ⁽²⁰⁾ is a memo from the Washington RAAF Intelligence Representative to DAFI. Secondly, dated 24 Mar 60 ⁽²¹⁾ is a memo from the Sec DOD to the Sec DOA. Attached to both memos was a two page report from ATIC, Dayton, Ohio, USA. Table one presents their conclusions:

 Table one

Date	Reporter	Location	Conclusion
June 1958	Doyle	Sideia	Insufficient information
Oct/Nov 58	Doyle		Poss aircraft
May 1959	Doyle		Prob meteor
24 May 1959	Orwin/Smith	Baniara	Prob Sirius
13 Jun 59	Doyle		Prob meteor
26 Jun 1959	Evenett	Samarai	Prob search light
27 Jun 1959	Doyle		Prob Venus
27/28 Jun 1959	Smith/Orwin		Prob Venus

On the 8 Mar 1960 the sec DOD forwarded a memo ⁽²²⁾ to the Sec DOA attaching the memo of 4 Aug 1959 from DOT. DOD advised DOA that they had forwarded the matter to Head of Australian Joint Services Staff (AJSS) in London and Washington for comment. This is actually the first time details of these reports appears in a DAFI referenced file as opposed to a DOD referenced file. This supports the view that DAFI was dealing only with the Gill sightings while someone else in the DOD was dealing with the other 1958/59 Papuan reports. Why this should be so, when DAFI was recognised as the lead area for the Government’s UFO investigation, is not known from our reading of the files.

Finally, on 14 Mar 1960 the Sec DOD forwarded to the Sec DOA an additional piece of correspondence from the AJSS in London. This included a reply from Bristol University advising that although one of their projects was flying large plastic balloons they knew of no agency flying such balloons in the area of Port Moresby PNG. ^(23).

Later reports

In total, the Disclosure Australia Project has extracted 49 distinct UFO reports from PNG for the period June 1958 to August 1971 from these files and these are listed in attachment one. The 29 Jun 1970 Sepik River radar case stands out from the rest as one of interest to us. The DAFI file has a single page reporting this event, with no analysis and no follow up, yet it is written off in the Annual Summary as “electro-meteorological” what ever that means!

References

(1)National Archives of Australia: A703, 580/1/1 Part 2 folio 8B.

(2)National Archives of Australia: A703, 580/1/1 Part 2 folio 9.

(3) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30  Part 1 folio 35A.

(4) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folio 36A.

(5) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folio 37A.

(6) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folio 38A.

(7) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folio 8B.

(8) National Archives of Australia: A703, 580/1/1 Part 2 folio 19B.

(9) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 unfolio numbered.

(10) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folio 40A.

(11) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folio 42A.

(12) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folio 43A.

(13) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folio 44A.

(14) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folios 76 & 49A.

(15) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folio 51A.

(16) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folio 55A.

(17) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folio 63A.

(18) National Archives of Australia: A703, 554/1/30 Part 1 folio 57A.

(19) National Archives of Australia: A703, 580/1/1 Part 2 folio 28C.

(20) National Archives of Australia: A703, 580/1/1 Part 2 folio 32A.

(21) National Archives of Australia: A703, 580/1/1 Part 2 folio 30A.

(22) National Archives of Australia: A703, 580/1/1 Part 2 folio 28A.

(23) National Archives of Australia: A703, 580/1/1 Part 2 folio 29A.

ANOTHER WOOMERA FILE LOCATED

After several months of waiting we have now been advised that yet another Woomera file has been located and is accessible to us. File series D250/3 control symbol 1956/483 is titled “Reports on unidentified aircraft, strange occurrences Part 1” and has been located in the Sydney office of the NAA. The date range is shown as 1952 to 1958 and the owner of the file was the Defence Support Centre, Woomera

Previously we had located two Woomera UFO files in the Adelaide office of the NAA:

1          WRE file number D174, control symbol SA 5281 titled “Unusual Occurrences Flying Saucer at Woomera “covers the period 1952-1955 and related a number of observations of UFOs made at Woomera, South Australia during those years indicated.  (See Newsletter Three for full details)

2          Department of Supply file number SA 5644/2/1 was a Department of Supply file held by the Weapons Research Establishment at Salisbury and covers the years 1966-1974. The title of the file is “Unidentified Flying Objects.” (See Newsletter Nine for full details.)

We have requested a photocopy of this latest file and will report on it in due course.  

RESEARCH LIBRARY ESTABLISHED

The Australian UFO Research Association has recently established a library of UFO related books and symposium reports. A list of the material in the library has been placed on the Disclosure Project web site at http://disclosure.freewebpage.org

Access to this material is available to Australian UFO researchers on a research basis. If you are researching a topic or writing an article and wish to have us check a source for you, then simply get in touch by e-mail to disclosureaustralia@yahoo.com.au, tell us what source you need checked and we will do so. For example, you wish to check a report which is cited as appearing in the book “Encounter Cases from Flying Saucer Review” by Charles Bowen which you do not have a copy of but which is in the AURA Library.  You have no more details than that. We can check the book, find the item, give you details and provide the full reference to the case.

_____________________________________________________________________

 ATTACHMENT ONE TO NEWSLETTER 18

 REPORTS FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA

 IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FILES

23 Aug 1953 Port Moresby Papua New Guinea 1200hrs mins 1M Drury Photo

Mr T. Drury, the then Deputy Director of the DCA for Papua New Guinea, was in Port Moresby. In the cloudless south-western sky he noticed what seemed to be “cloud building up” which grew in intensity for several minutes. Suddenly, an object appeared from one side of this cloud and climbed fast in a north-west direction. In size Drury said it seemed “slightly bigger than a pin head.” The soundless object left a clearly defined vapour trail. It “finally disappeared with a rapid gain of altitude.” Drury had a movie camera with him and filmed using a telephoto lens. The film was examined both in Australia by the RAAF and in the USA. National Archives of Australia: file control symbol 114/1/197.

June 1958 Sideia Territory of Papua and New Guinea 5mins Doyle

Red object, size of Moon, came from the S. Hovered over Mission at Sideia. After five minutes moved to the N and was lost in sky. Page 84, 89 & 180 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 2.Original file reference AD.93/5/2  Port Moresby

Late Oct/early Nov 1958  Sideia Territory of Papua and New Guinea 1900hrs Doyle NL

White light moved across W sky from NW to SE. Pages 84, 90 & 181 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 2.Original file reference AD.93/5/2  Port Moresby

May 1959 Territory of Papua and New Guinea Doyle

Green, large, elliptical shaped object seen. Larger than star and moving rapidly. Page 84  on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 2.Original file reference AD.93/5/2  Port Moresby

24 May 1959 Baniara Territory of Papua and New Guinea 1900hrs 75 mins NO

Object seen in W, high in sky, descended erratically in SW direction. Colour-brilliant blue “alternating at long intervals to a reddish glow and ending with a green flash.” Pages 84, 92, 182, 183, 187-188 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 2. Original reference Department of Territories 58/26 DOD 128.1.21 (20)

13 June 1959  Sideia Territory of Papua and New Guinea 1815hrs NO

Elliptical object, size of football, green colour raced low and fast across the E sky towards the NE. Page 90 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 2.Original file reference AD.93/5/2  Port Moresby

26 June 1959 Goodenough Bay Territory of Papua and New Guinea (1915-1930hrs) 4mins 1 wit M Evenett NO

Object approached from N to NE, descended and then hovered some 500 feet up in air. 45 degree elevation. “Silhouette of a rugger football,” and had a kind of ring around it with about four semi-domed portholes visible in the side. A glow came from the portholes. Pages 89 & 180 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 2. Original file reference AD.93/5/2  Port Moresby

26 June 1959 Boianai Territory of Papua and New Guinea 1845hrs 38 wits Gill et al CE3

A brilliant light was seen to approach the Mission station. It appeared to be hovering some one hundred metres up and was solid and circular, with a wide base and a narrower upper deck. At a number of intervals a shaft of light came from the object and shone into the sky on a 45 degree angle. As the group watched, “men” came out onto the deck. There were four “men” in all. Eventually, the spotlight and the men disappeared and the object moved through clouds and was lost to view.  Pages 112-127on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 2 from VFSRS documentation.

27 June 1959 Boianai Territory of Papua and New Guinea 1800hrs multi wits Gill et al CE3

Another disk was seen with two smaller objects also present. Four figures appeared on top as on the previous night; although this time they were observed to respond to waves form the priest and natives. The disk also seemed to waver like a pendulum in response to torch signals. Pages 112-127 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 2 from VFSRS documentation.

27 Jun 1959 Baniara Territory of Papua and New Guinea 1940hrs 65mins 3wits Smith & Mr/Mrs Orwin NL

Bright white spherical light seen NNW. Stationary, then slowly moving westerly. Red base, green light at times. “Round bronze disc” below and to right of this light. Finally disappeared behind cloud. Pages 84, 91, 93, 184-185  on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 2.

27 June 1959  Sideia Territory of Papua and New Guinea 2030hrs 10mins NO

Half Moon sized object seen in W sky. Moved W. Turned blue and disappeared. Page 90 on digital copy of RAAF file  580/1/1 part 2.

28 June 1959 Territory of Papua and New Guinea 1820hrs 175mins 2 wits Mr/Mrs Orwin NL

Brilliant light. At 2001 moved at great speed, becoming very bright as it did so. Dropped in W sky. Disappeared. Pages93, 184 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 2.

6 July 1959 Milne Bay Territory of Papua and New Guinea 0050hrs 60mins 1M Smith NL

Very bright light like a “falling star” shot earthward at speed. Five minutes later the same thing happened. After 1 hour moved W. Pages 85, 95 & 186 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 2.

8 July 1959 Dagura Territory of Papua and New Guinea (2330-2400hrs) 1wit Dibela NL

Bright beam of light shining across the sea. White. No noise. Page 95 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 2.

2 Sep 1960  New Britain district Rabaul 1950hrs 10mins NL

Object seen 20 deg el 267 deg T az. Bright light red/green/white. Disappeared over the horizon. CSIRO file A8520 HM1/30. Department of Territories memo 27 Sep 1960.

12 Jun 1961 Azerita Plantation PNG 0400hrs 15mins 2 wits McCullough NO

An object approached from the north-east. Shaped like a hollow in a new Moon and could have been delta winged. Kept moving back and forth to and from the north-east. Soundless. Finally departed the way it had come. CSIRO file A8520 HM1/30. Department of Territories memo 5 Jul 1961.

12 August 1964 Kavieng PNG 1840hrs 11mins Multi-wits NL

White light in the sky moving S to N. 50-60 degrees elevation. Pages 163-164 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4. Original reference DCA 21/1/387.  [Satellite]

25 May 1965 Sehulea PNG 2000hrs 30mins 1M NL

There was a flash of blue light in the SW. Seemed to be at 5000-8000 feet over Karogorea Bay. Yellow/green light wavering back and forth. Light given off “…was sufficient to light up the beach as a new or first quarter Moon would.”  Dropped slightly, rose and disappeared to W.   Pages 60-61, and 81-82 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4. Original ref: 99/64/8. [Unknown]

17 June 1965 Sewataitai PNG 1900hrs 100wits NL

Object passed soundlessly overhead. Emitted a beam of red light towards the ground. Fluctuated in intensity. Pages 70-74 and 135 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4. [Meteor]

5 July 1965 Tewatewa PNG 1856hrs 7mins NL

Bright white light 270 degrees az 10 degrees el. Pages 70-74  on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4. [Satellite]

12 July 1965 Bwaruada PNG 1910hrs 10mins

Bright light changed colour red to blue in W. Appeared to grow dim and disappeared in NW. No sound. Page 22 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4. Original ref: Dept of Defence 128.1.21 [Venus]

13 July 1965 Bwaruada PNG 5mins

Bright light in East. Disappeared in an easterly direction. No noise. Pages  21-23 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4. Original ref: Dept of Defence 128.1.21

Mid July 1965 Guasopa PNG 1M Watkins

Checking an anchored dinghy saw a large bright light in or on the sea. Seemed West of Aiun. Page24 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4.

18 July 1965 Deboyne Lagoon PNG 2300hrs Multi-wits NO

Noise like a diesel engine heard. Red glare from object in sky. Cylindrical object cruised back and forwards. Also seen from Buaruada on three other nights. Pages 68-69 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4. Original ref: Dept of Defence 128.1.21.

14 August 1965 Furgeson Island PNG 1902hrs 6mins 2wits NL

Object seen hovering at 5000 feet. Faded and disappeared. Reappeared 2010hrs in land Miadeba at 2000 feet. Disappeared 2015hrs below cloud. Flashing red/green/white. Soundless. Page 40 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4.

31 August 1965 Imonda PNG 1400hrs 1 wit DO

Straight wing aircraft sighted. Single boom fuselage. Suspected piston engine. Similar to a DC3. No known aircraft. Page 15 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4. Original ref: Dept of Territories 65/212.

11 October 1965 Otomata Point PNG 14824E 1013S 102050hrs 40mins NL

UFO reported bearing 240-260 az. 6-8 miles distant. Page 16 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4.

14 October 1965 Saidor PNG 0400hrs NO

Aircraft sighted. 270 degrees through 90 degrees. Jet engine suspected. No known aircraft. Page 16 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4.

24 October 1965 Momote PNG

Small aircraft, believed to be a jet, heading West, south of Momote at 500-600 feet altitude. No knowledge of this aircraft. Page 5 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4. Telex originally marked “confidential.”

25 October 1965 Momote PNG 1915hrs NL

Aircraft seen heading north/south. No knowledge of this plane. Page 5 on digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 4.

15 September 1965 Port Moresby PNG 1915hrs 5mins 1M Waller NL

White light seen at 30 degrees elevation. Initially moved for short distance then disappeared north at speed. p203 of digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 5.

27 September 1965 Goroke PNG 2020hrs 81mins NL

Very bright light at 240 degrees azimuth. Coloured yellow/white. Did not twinkle. Emitted long rays of light. Moved slightly towards south. Descended to horizon and disappeared behind a mountain. pp188-190 of digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 5. [Satellite]

2 November 1965 Kurada PNG 0340hrs NL

Dull, vertical, narrow beam seen. Slowly ascended and disappeared. p204 of digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 5. [Water spout]

2 December 1965 Popondetta PNG 2120hrs 6mins Multi-wits NL

WSW of Mission at 20 degrees elevation. Star like colours varying to take on a blue or red tinge. Disappeared below horizon. pp 196-197 of digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 5. [Satellite]

1 January 1966 Weak PNG 1230hrs DO

Object exploded north of Musch Island following a bright orange flash. Six minutes between flash and sound. Smoke trail slowly disintegrated. pp154-160 of digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 5. Original ref: Department of Territories 65/4516. [Meteor]

11 April 1966 Telefomin PNG 0730hrs DO

Soundless, unknown aircraft approached which seemed to be a helicopter. No known helicopters in area. pp79-80 of digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 5. Original reference Dept of District Administration ref S12-1/786.

12 April 1966 Lorangau PNG 0405hrs (15-20mins) 1 wit NL

“Rocket” travelling NE to SW. Third sighting in a fortnight. p102 of digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 5.

3 May 1966 Kagua PNG 2215hrs (4-5mins) 5M NL

Lights low on horizon changed colours red/green/white. Seen as two lights one above the other. “Sparkled.” Extremely bright. Brighter than any other star or planet. p47 of digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 5. Original ref: Office of the Resident Air Force Officer P/NG 5/3/Air (2)

17 March 1967 Gingala Point PNG 0450Z NL

Two rocket-like objects with vapour trails plunged into the sea. One appeared to explode after entering the water. No known aircraft. p239 of digital copy of file 580/1/1 part 7.

1 September 1968 Papua New Guinea 1955hrs 1.5mins 2wits Taylor

A golden-reddish light seen on a clear night. Slightly larger then a star. Travelled on an erratic course to the SE. No aircraft in the area. Page 242 of digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 10. [Satellite]

14 September 1968 Rabaul Papua New Guinea 1M Piddock

Through a theodolite at 56.5 degrees elevation saw an object moving NW to SE very bright. DCA said no aircraft were in the area. Page 242 of digital copy of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 10.

16 May 69 Kokopo PNG 2 1F Stiller + 1M Keys

UFO. p151 of 580/1/1 part 11.

16 May 69 Rabaul PNG 0500hrs 30mins 1F Aschoff NO

White oval ball. 30 deg el. Moving very slowly. S to N then to N. Lost in mid-air. pp119-120 of 580/1/1 part 12.

16 May 69 Tomaring PNG 0500hrs 30mins 1F Stiller NO

White oval ball at 30 deg el. S to N then N. E then upwards and out of sight. pp121-123 of 580/1/1 part 12.

16 May 69 Kokopo PNG 1900hrs 30mins 1F Keyes NL

Blue light with red and orange trail. Stationary. Smoke and vapour at rear. pp117-118 of 580/1/1 part 12.

11 Aug 69 Rabaul PNG 2030hrs 5mins 1M Brazier NL

Glowing red light at 15 deg el. To 80 deg el. Where it disappeared. S to N. Stopped twice-otherwise in straight line. pp114-115 of 580/1/1 part 12.

29 Jun 70 Sepik River PNG 1720hrs 1M Keog  Radar

Pilot of F27 aircraft VH-FNK reported radar observation. On descent from 12,500 feet noted echoes on radar 60 deg green to abeam his plane. Radar scale set at 180nm and echoes appeared to be 60nm from plane and keeping station with him. There were five cigar shaped objects. With the radar scanner on maximum depression or elevation the echoes disappeared. DCA advised there were no aircraft in the area. File ref 69/4393.

p53 of RAAF file 580/1/1 part 13. [Electro-meteorological phenomena]

16 Nov 70 200 deg 80NM Wewak PNG 1200hrs 1 sec DO

Pilot saw white light 30-45 deg el shoot down windscreen bearing 020 deg M az. Smoke trail. Light broke into pieces and went out. pp30-32 of 580/1/1 part 14.

9 Aug 71 Boroko PNG 1839hrs 3secs 1M Lee NL

Red light in sky 65-70 deg el. 160 deg az. Like a rocket. Lost at 40-45 deg el behind hills in NE. RAAF-object unknown. p55 &pp88-93 580/1/1 part 15.

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Notes:

1 The Department of Territories was abolished on 28 Feb 1968.

2 The Department of External Territories was created on 28 Feb 1968 and took over all aspects of government of Papua and New Guinea and was abolished on 1 Dec 1973.

3 Papua New Guinea was granted internal self-government on 1 Dec 1973 and granted independence in Sep 1975.

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