DOW-UAP-D157, Air Intelligence Information Report, Italy, 1952

[PAGE 1] UNCLASSIFIED AF607245 (CLASSIFICATION) (1) AF FORM 112 APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 COUNTRY ITALY REPORT NO. IR-700-53 (LEAVE BLANK) AF607245 AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT SUBJECT (UNCL) Report of Unusual Aerial Pheonmenon AREA REPORTED ON Italy FROM (Agency) Air Attache, Rome, Italy DATE OF REPORT 15 December 1953 DATE OF INFORMATION August EVALUATION D-4 PREPARED BY (Officer) JOSEPH A. WOIDA, Lt Col USAF, Actg AirA SOURCE Prof. G. B. Sias REFERENCES (Control number, directive, previous report, etc., as applicable) [stamp, right margin: DOCUMENT BRANCH B] SUMMARY: (Enter concise summary of report. Give significance in final one-sentence paragraph. List inclosures at lower left. Begin text of report on AF Form 112—Part II.) 1. This IR transmits a report of unusual aerial pheonomenon witnessed by Prof. G. B. SIAS on the 28th of August 1952, in Sassari, Sardinia. 2. COMMENTS of the Preparing Officer: Prof. Sias was interviewed by this officer and he appeared to be intelligent, pleasant, and very eager to tell his story. He, in his own mind, is convinced that either: (1) The United States has made scientific strides unknown to the rest of the world and this particular phenomenon was one of these items; or, (2) This particular phenomenon was super-natural or it was instituted by another government in Italy. Prof. Sias appeared to be a very intense individual and, while not exactly fanatic, I believe that this title comes very close to fitting him. Enclosure #1 is a sketch by the professor of what he thought he saw. [stamp: DECLASSIFIED, Authority: NND 57597] [signature] JOSEPH A. WOIDA JOSEPH A. WOIDA Lt. Colonel, USAF Acting Air Attache [handwritten: 1R; 1 Cy (1 Encl)] LIBRARY SUBJECT & AREA CODES [handwritten: 603; 19M] 1 Drawing INCLS. [handwritten: to ATIC] [handwritten: B] DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR 1 cpy ATIAE-5, Aerial Phenomenon Section NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U.S.C.— 31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF. UNCLASSIFIED (CLASSIFICATION) 16—55569-2 U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE [PAGE 2] UNCLASSIFIED (CLASSIFICATION) (2) AF FORM 112—PART II APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT FROM (Agency) Air Attache, Rome, Italy REPORT NO. IR-700-53 PAGE 2 OF 5 PAGES TRANSLATION REPORT AND ILLUSTRATION OF A FLYING SPHERE Observation by Prof. G.B. SIAS - Via Armando Diaz 22, Sassari TO THE UNITED STATES EMBASSY ACCREDITED TO THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT APPARITION OF A FLYING SPHERE "On the 28th of August 1952, the following article of mine was published in Sassari in the local "Corriere dell'Isola" newspaper: "Yesterday evening, 27th of August, at 2145 hours, I was walking - as usual - along the court-yard of Sassari Brigade, below the windows of the war orphans dormitory, saying the rosary. It was exactly the time when the trumpet of Gonzaga barracks was playing the lights out signal. I watched now and then the sky covered with stars, heavy, moonless, still torrid for the temperature which in those days, as anyone would remember, often attained 40 degrees, with a sky which remained clean and cloudless for three months. Suddenly my attention was attracted by a transparent small cloud, coming from the East, isolated in the middle of the sky: the remaining sky was serene. My eyes were fixed to that point, fascinated by the view, when suddenly a sphere of astonishing brightness and luminosity seemed to depart from the Milky Way. I had the impression that it was very close to the earth; it was slightly larger than the full moon, of green-blue color, silver bright like the mother-of-pearl, with metal streaks in the right side; it proceeded at a dizzy speed along East-West direction, appearing suddenly as if it came out of a thick shadow. It came out and in a second disappeared, leaving behind a line or luminous ribbon, having a thickness of one-seventh of the sphere; after a second, the entire sphere appeared again; then again, it disappeared and the line showed and again the sphere returned, always identical. Finally, it disappeared toward the horizon. The apparition lasted in total three to five seconds. "My first idea was that such a phenomenon was due to an aerolite. Everyone knows the color and brightness of meteoric stones, while it was evident that the luminosity of the sphere originated from the sun, like the moon's. "In regard to motion, I reflected that such an object, suppose it was a human creation, could not have such a dizzy actual speed to excel the velocity of any human invention, even if carried to 50 or 60 kilometers altitude. On the supposition that the sphere was coming from astral spaces, from much higher altitudes, its motion could be either partially or entirely apparent, that is equal to the revolution speed of the earth, viz. thirty kilometers per second. "Where the luminosity was concerned, I thought that it could be traced to the location of the sphere at hundreds or thousands kilometers above the earth while it got out of the cone of shadow of the earth and proceeded Westward, being illuminated by the sun which had set two hours and a half earlier. The location was the following: approx. 45° between the Zenith and the horizon line, Southward; direction East-West beginning from the Milky Way. "The doubt that mine may be a mere optical illusion is dissipated by the testimony of two other persons: an orphan, Brau, who had not yet gone to bed, saw the luminous sphere through the window of the dormitory; another testimony was offered by Mr. Piccolo, a guardian of Valmascheri concern placed approx. 3 kilometers in air line from Sassari, who observed the phenomenon at the same time: reality and not illusion, then. NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U.S.C.— 31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF. UNCLASSIFIED (CLASSIFICATION) 16—55570-1 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE [PAGE 3] UNCLASSIFIED (CLASSIFICATION) (3) AF FORM 112—PART II APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT FROM (Agency) Air Attache, Rome, Italy REPORT NO. IR-700-53 PAGE 3 OF 5 PAGES ALTITUDE AND DIMENSIONS OF THE SPHERE "The observation of the sphere, the peculiar circumstances of its apparition and the logical deductions, inspired me with a pressing desire, rather a stimulating impulse, to find a solution of the phenomenon in its complete significance. I had precise data: (1) the small cloud which was a sort of signal (2) the egress of the sphere from the earth's cone of shadow at 2145 hours (3) the duration of the apparition for three to five seconds in South-West direction. (4) the distance - cardinal point: South - of 45° between the Zenith and the horizon line. (5) the seeming diameter. The sole thing to do was to contact a scientist: I went to Father Junkes, well-known astronomer, director of the Vatican observatory at Castel Gandolfo: after some days of study, he obtained with the system of the coordinates, the following results: "On the basis of the geographical position of the observers, the coordinates can approx. be estimated as follows: Longitude 33.8 East (08° 33") Latitude 40° 45' North On the basis of the sun position on the 27th of August at 2145 hours the resulting TMEC will be: Azimuth 133° 36' measuring from South to North, through West Altitude 27° 41', that is below the horizon "On the basis of the above data, not taking into account the effects of refraction, the distance of the observer visibility in this point at an elevation of 45° up to the point where it comes out of the earth shadow is: approx. 1681 kilometers Southward approx. 1091 South-Westerward At such a distance an apparent diameter of 1/2 degree (moon's apparent diameter) is equal to the following actual diameters: 14.67 kilometers at 1681 km. distance 9.25 kilometers at 1091 km. distance From the above it can be easily deduced that the object observed could not be a common terrestrial "flying saucer", some bright metal body illuminated by the sun, because its dimensions would be too big." These were the deductions of Father Junks; but since he is also the Director of the Vatican observatory and well versed in astrophysics, he mentioned to me in another letter that the bright green, blue, silver colors and the luminosity of the sphere is presumably due to the remarkable quantity of iron and nickel which many astral bodies contain. NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U.S.C.— 31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF. UNCLASSIFIED (CLASSIFICATION) 16—55570-1 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE [PAGE 4] UNCLASSIFIED (CLASSIFICATION) (4) AF FORM 112—PART II APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT FROM (Agency) Air Attache, Rome, Italy REPORT NO. IR-700-53 PAGE 4 OF 5 PAGES THE MYSTERY OF THE LINE AND SPHERE SHAPED LUMINOSITY "Notwithstanding the numerous hypothesis which were advanced by the astronomer and myself in an attempt to explain such a phenomenon, none was entirely satisfactory. Still a quite reasonable hypothesis is that the discoid sphere, along its itinerary, presented to the sun alternately its surface entirely illuminated by the sun. Its dimensions were 1/7 of the sphere, that is two kilometers in breadth. This resulted in an undulatory motion, which was made necessary either by suspension stability in the space at that altitude or by some other equilibrium laws unknown to us. PERSONAL REMARKS (1) I must categorically affirm that the view of the sphere on my part was not casual: a small cloud, one cloud in a clean sky, which later on disappeared, was like a speaking signal to my attention. I dare not affirm - and it would be presumption on my part - that the sphere was occupied by non-human beings, no matter what they may be like: but the heavenly intervention is too evident! (2) A luminosity which cannot even be compared with the brightness of full moon in a clear night; such bright and vivid colors that cannot be found on earth. All this was a heavenly smile which inspired my soul with a joy and peace never felt before. A new, heavenly light! (3) I believe that privilege was not entirely intended for me: the phenomenon occurred in the Institute for War Orphans of the Sassari Brigade, the custodian of Trieste after the first liberation which waits for the second liberation from the hands of America, which is today the faithful custodian of it. I do not mean to get involved in politics, because I know nothing of it. I think, though, that this is a legitimate remark which reflects the psychology of history. America is based on freedom: freedom of thought, economical freedom, freedom of religion: in this connection, no other people in the world begins official ceremonies with the "Pater Noster" prayer: reflection of God wiseness and power! America defends freedom from fear: fear of war, fear of unemployment, fear of starvation. God put the destiny of the world in its hands. The oriental civilization elapsed, and so did the Greek civilization and the Roman world. The sacred Roman Empire collapsed, the British hegemony was eclipsed: the cycle from East to West is terminating in America. The words Virgilius wrote 2000 years ago, whom can better suit than America? "Remember to rule the peoples with the authority of power: be clement to the humble and exhaust the arrogance of the superb" (Eneide 6th book) The basic scientific data are here below briefly summarized. (1) the certainty that the sphere is not a human invention in view of its dimension and heavenly light. (2) the secret - now disclosed - of the measuring system of such apparitions (3) the aim, resulting from astonishing revelation, of chosing a people as a guide to mankind, under the guidance of God. The following is to be added: (1) I intend to transfer the secret and the property of this writing of mine to the American Embassy, Office of the Air Forces. (2) What I requested in my letter to Ambassador Clara Luce, to which reference was made in a letter addressed to me by Col. Anthony Mony on 3 July 1953, be granted NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U.S.C.— 31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF. UNCLASSIFIED (CLASSIFICATION) 16—55570-1 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE [PAGE 5] UNCLASSIFIED (CLASSIFICATION) (5) AF FORM 112—PART II APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT FROM (Agency) Air Attache, Rome, Italy REPORT NO. IR-700-53 PAGE 5 OF 5 PAGES to me, as a token of reward rather than as a compensation, for the benefit of the Institute for War Orphans and E.N.A.L.L.I." Prof. Giovanni Battista Sias Via Armado Diaz 22 - Sassari (Italy) Sassari, 19 November 1953 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U.S.C.— 31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF. UNCLASSIFIED (CLASSIFICATION) 16—55570-1 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE