Europa, 1945: pilotos de caça noturna dizem ser seguidos por luzes, e o comando aliado leva o caso a Londres

SECRET. [carimbo: SECRET, ATTN: CG, XII TAC, Initial [rubrica], Date: 16 Jan 1945] HEADQUARTERS XII TACTICAL AIR COMMAND (ADV), Office of the A/C of S, A-2. D-C-1. APO 374, US Army, 16 January 1945. SUBJECT: Night Phenomenon. TO: Commanding General, First Tactical Air Force (Prov), APO 374, US Army. Attn: A/C of S, A-2. 1. The following is quoted from training and tactical information supplied by the 415th Night Fighter Squadron for the month of December 1944: "We have encountered a phenomenon which we cannot explain; crews have been followed by lights that blink on and off changing colors etc. The lights come very close and fly formation with our planes. They are agitating and keep the crews on edge when they encounter them, mainly because they cannot explain them. It is requested further information be furnished on this subject, such as similar experiences of other night units". 2. Further information is requested. /s/ Leavitt Corning Jr., LEAVITT CORNING, JR., Lt. Colonel, G. S. C., A/C of S, A-2. 1st Ind. D-B-1. HEADQUARTERS, FIRST TACTICAL AIR FORCE (PROV), AC of S A-2, APO 374, US Army, 20 January 1945. TO: AC of S A-2, XII Tactical Air Command, APO 374, US Army. 1. There have been no instances reported as above. 2. Before an investigation can be made it will be necessary to have more complete information, such as colors of the lights, their intensity, size, duration, and at what altitudes seen; also if the lights are observed at any specific hours. Do subject lights cross Allied lines and in what direction are they seen to travel? Also, has it been noted on what part of the aircraft are they carried, i.e. wing, tail, prop; and how close do they approach our aircraft? For the Assistant Chief of Staff A-2: /s/ S. V. Boykin, S V BOYKIN, Major AC, Executive Officer. 2405. 4395. SECRET.

[manuscrito: 37153; Please return to A2 [rubrica]] [SECRET, riscado] 2nd Ind. D-W-2. HEADQUARTERS XII TACTICAL AIR COMMAND (ADV), APO #374, U.S. Army, 4 February 1945. TO: Commanding General, First Tactical Air Force (Prov), APO #374, U.S. Army. Attn: A/C of S, A-2. Attention is invited to 2nd W/Ind. /s/ for LEAVITT CORNING, JR., John E. Wooley [leitura provável], Lt. Colonel, G. S. C., A/C of S, A-2. 3rd Ind. D-Y-1. HEADQUARTERS, FIRST TACTICAL AIR FORCE (PROV), APO 374, U S Army, 5 February 1945. TO: Chief Intelligence Officer, Air Staff SHAEF, APO 757. 1. Forwarded for your information. 2. This headquarters has no further information or explanation in connection with these phenomena. 3. It is believed that further investigation is warranted. Since appropriate technical personnel are not available within the First Tactical Air Force, the matter is forwarded for such further investigation as may be advisable. /s/ C. A. Young, C. A. YOUNG, Colonel, AC, AC of S, A-2. 1 Incl. #1 - 1st & 2nd W/Ind, 23 Jan 45 and 30 Jan 45. [carimbos: SHAEF MAIN; SHAEF MAIN AIR A2 REGISTRY 8 FEB 1945; GAF] 4393. 2404. 307.

[SECRET, riscado] AIR STAFF, SUPREME HEADQUARTERS, ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. [manuscrito: 48A] REF: SHAEF AIR/TS.37153/A-2. 11 February 1945. SUBJECT: Night Phenomena. TO: Headquarters, U.S.S.T.A.F. (For attention of Chief Technical Intelligence Officer, Col. Bradley). 1. Attached are copies of papers received from the First Tac. Air Force (Prov). From the number of reports quoted in the 2nd W/Ind from the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, it would seem that there must be something more than mere imagination behind the matter, and in view of the fact that pilots and crews are becoming slightly worried by them, it is considered that everything possible should be done to get to the root of the matter. 2. Copies of the reports have been sent to the Air Ministry for their consideration, and the Scientific Investigation Division of this Headquarters (Mr. Robertson) has also been asked to consider the problem. 3. In the meantime, it is suggested that it might be as well for an Air Technical Intelligence Officer to visit the Unit concerned and obtain reports and impressions at first hand from aircrew personnel. For the Deputy Supreme Commander, /s/ C. M. Grierson, C. M. GRIERSON, Air Commodore, A.C. of S., A-2, Air Staff, SHAEF. 2402. 4391.

[SECRET, riscado] AIR STAFF, SUPREME HEADQUARTERS, ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. [FILE COPY; manuscrito: 47A] REF: [manuscrito: 37153]. 11 February 1945. TO: First Tactical Air Force (Prov.), APO 374, U.S. ARMY. 1. Reference to your 3rd Indorsement on the subject of night phenomenon originated by the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, there is no information at this Headquarters which might explain the nature and cause of the lights and other phenomena described by the pilots of this Squadron. 2. The matter is, therefore, being referred to the Air Ministry in order to find out whether any further information can be obtained from that source. It is also hoped to make arrangements for an Air Technical Intelligence Officer from USSTAF to visit the Unit concerned. For the Deputy Supreme Commander, /s/ C. M. Grierson, C. M. GRIERSON, Air Commodore, A.C. of S., A-2. 2403. 4392.

SECRET. To: A/Cmdr. Grierson, A.C. of S. A-2, Air Staff S.H.A.E.F. From: Air Ministry, D.D.I.2. Date: 13th March, 1945. Ref: 111/45/DDI2. [carimbos: SHAEF FWD 17 MAR 1945; manuscrito: 6C, 37153, 62A] BALLS OF FIRE - RED. The papers dealing with the above subject which you enclosed with your memo SHAEF Air/TS.37153/A2 dated 11th February, have been carefully examined and discussed with the various other Departments concerned. Bomber Command crews have for some time been reporting similar phenomena. A few of the alleged aircraft may have been Me. 262 and for the rest, flak rockets are suggested as the most likely explanation. The whole affair is still something of a mystery and the evidence is very sketchy and varied so that no definite and satisfactory explanation can yet be given. /s/ E. D. M. Hopkins, E. D. M. Hopkins, Group Captain. 2355. 4337.

[DECLASSIFIED, Authority NND 947020] [SECRET, riscado] [FILE COPY; manuscrito: 63A] AIR STAFF, SUPREME HEADQUARTERS, ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (FORWARD). REF: SHAEF/A/TS.37153/A.2. 18 March 1945. SUB: Night Phenomena. TO: First Tactical Air Force (Prov.), APO 374, US ARMY. 1. With reference to reports forwarded from the XIIth Tactical Air Command through your Headquarters on the subject of night phenomena (foofighter), and further to this Headquarters' letter of even reference dated 11 February, a reply has now been received from the Air Ministry who say that Bomber Command crews have for some time been reporting similar phenomena. 2. The Air Ministry view is that a few of the alleged aircraft may have been Me.262's and for the rest, flak rockets are suggested as the most likely explanation. 3. It is regretted that no further, or more definite, information can be given. For the Deputy Supreme Commander, C. M. GRIERSON, Air Commodore, A.C. of S., A-2. 2354. 4336.