Washington, 1947: um coronel da inteligência aérea diz ao FBI que os discos podem ser um experimento secreto americano

TO: D. M. Ladd. FROM: J. P. Coyne. DATE: 8-8-47. SUBJECT: FLYING SAUCERS AND FLYING DISCS. Reference is made to the memorandum to you from the Liaison Section dated July 21, 1947, setting forth a request from Colonel Golbranson of the Intelligence Division of the War Department for the Bureau to conduct investigation to determine the origin of the flying discs. OBSERVATIONS: It is felt that the situation regarding these flying saucers and flying discs is very similar to the situation which was previously encountered by the Bureau during the past war in handling complaints arising out of the sighting of Japanese baloons. You will recall that at the inception of these complaints the Bureau conducted considerable investigation and located numerous baloons as a cooperative measure for the Army and that after considerable work had been done, the Army then informed that these were military weapons and that they would take over the handling of these completely. This they did and in an extremely short time issued a big press release as to the splendid work of the Army in locating these Japanese baloons. From the information available thus far, it does not appear that these discs should be treated other than as a military weapon. Certainly the Bureau has no way to determine what experiments the Army and Navy are conducting and whether such might be arising out of experiments being conducted by them nor do we have any way of determining how far the Russians have progressed in certain experiments and whether such might be the results of experiments by the Russian Army. In short, it would certainly appear that this is a military situation and should be handled strictly by military authorities. In this connection it might be pointed out that our present Portland case arose out of the fact that two Army Intelligence officers were returning from an interview of two individuals who reportedly had seen flying discs. If the Army Intelligence officers are handling some of these interviews, it is believed that they should be handling all of these interviews, and it is not believed that the Bureau should be expending its precious manpower on these complaints which thus far have no connection with our Russian espionage program. The military authorities certainly are better equipped to know what they are looking for than we are and have more facilities for handling any material which it is necessary to examine as a result of its being reported as a remnant of a flying disc. It is believed that the Bureau is merely playing bird-dog for the Army by using our manpower to run out these complaints on flying discs. ACTION: In view of the recent Bureau Bulletin #42 dated July 30, 1947, however, there is attached a letter to the Chicago Office asking that they conduct the requested investigation. Attachment. RGF:mae

TO: MR. E. A. TAMM. FROM: MR. D. M. LADD. DATE: August 15, 1947. SUBJECT: [blank]. The Director advised on August 14, 1947, that the Los Angeles papers were carrying headlines indicating that Soviet espionage agents had been instructed to determine the facts relative to the flying discs. The article carried a Washington date line and indicated that Red espionage agents had been ordered to solve the question of the flying discs, the Russians being of the opinion that this might be some new form of defense prefected by the American Military. The article further recalled that during the recent war pieces of tin foil had been dropped in the air for the purpose of off setting the value of radar being used by the enemy forces and that these aluminum discs might be a new development along this line. The Director inquired as to whether the Bureau had any such information. I informed him that I had never heard of any information indicating that Soviet espionage agents had been instructed to obtain such information. A check with the officials at G-2, ONI and at the Air Corps Intelligence was made and it was found that they had no information relative to such a story. In accordance with the Director's instructions, I advised Mr. Nichols that in the event any inquiries were made concerning such a story, that the story should be flatly denied in so far as the FBI was concerned. DML:FA

TO: D. M. Ladd. FROM: E. G. Fitch. DATE: August 18, 1947. SUBJECT: [blank]. Reference is made to your telephonic conversation with the Director on Wednesday of last week, at which time the Director advised that Los Angeles papers carried under a Washington date line an article indicating the Soviet espionage agents in the United States are under instruction to solve the flying discs. Such instructions were believed to be based on the assumption that the flying discs were a secret weapon of the Army or Navy. The article attributed the source of its information to a Federal investigative agency. Pursuant to your instructions, liaison representatives have contacted the Headquarters of Military Intelligence, the Headquarters of the Air Forces Intelligence, Office of Naval Intelligence and CIG. All agencies denied any knowledge of the flying discs, as well as any knowledge of the basis for this article. EGF:OME

TO: D. M. LADD. FROM: E. G. FITCH. DATE: August 19, 1947. SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS. Special Agent S. W. Reynolds of the Liaison Section, while discussing the above captioned phenomena with Lieutenant Colonel Garrett of the Air Forces Intelligence, expressed the possibility that flying discs were, in fact, a very highly classified experiment of the Army or Navy. Mr. Reynolds was very much surprised when Colonel Garrett not only agreed that this was a possibility, but confidentially stated it was his personal opinion that such was a probability. Colonel Garrett indicated confidentially that a Mr. Carroll, who is a scientist attached to the Air Forces Intelligence, was of the same opinion. Colonel Garrett stated that he based his assumption on the following: He pointed out that when flying objects were reported seen over Sweden, the "high brass" of the War Department exerted tremendous pressure on the Air Forces Intelligence to conduct research and collect information in an effort to identify these sightings. Colonel Garrett stated that, in contrast to this, we have reported sightings of unknown objects over the United States, and the "high brass" appeared to be totally unconcerned. He indicated this led him to believe that they knew enough about these objects to express no concern. Colonel Garrett pointed out further that the objects in question have been seen by many individuals who are what he terms "trained observers," such as airplane pilots. He indicated also that several of the individuals are reliable members of the community. He stated it is his conclusion that these individuals saw something. He stated the above has led him to come to the conclusion that there were objects seen which somebody in the Government knows all about. Mr. Reynolds pointed out to Colonel Garrett that if it is a fact experimentations are being conducted by the United States Government, then it does not appear reasonable to request the FBI to spend money and precious time conducting inquiries with respect to this matter. Colonel Garrett stated that he agreed with Mr. Reynolds in this regard and indicated that it would be extremely embarrassing to the Air Forces Intelligence if it later is learned that these flying discs are, in fact, an experiment of the United States Government. Mr. Reynolds subsequently discussed this matter with Colonel L. R. Forney of the Intelligence Division of the War Department. Colonel Forney stated that he had discussed the matter previously with General Chamberlin. Colonel Forney indicated to Mr. Reynolds that he has the assurance of General

MEMORANDUM FOR MR. LADD. Chamberlin and General Todd that the Army is conducting no experimentations with anything which could possibly be mistaken for a flying disc. Colonel Garrett of the Air Forces Intelligence subsequently contacted Mr. Reynolds and indicated that he had discussed this matter with General Schulgen of the Army Air Forces. General Schulgen had previously assured both Mr. Reynolds and Colonel Garrett that to the best of his knowledge and information no experiments were being undertaken by the Government which could be mistaken for flying discs. Colonel Garrett indicated to Mr. Reynolds that he had pointed out his beliefs to General Schulgen and had mentioned the possibility of an embarrassing situation arising between the Air Forces Intelligence and the FBI. General Schulgen agreed with Colonel Garrett that a memorandum would be prepared for the signature of General McDonald, A2, to General LeMay, who is in charge of Research and Development in the Air Corps. Colonel Garrett indicated that this memorandum will set forth the characteristics of the objects seen by various reliable individuals. The memorandum will then request General LeMay to indicate whether or not any experiments are being undertaken by the Air Forces which could possibly be connected with any of the observed phenomena. Colonel Garrett stated that when a reply is received from General LeMay, a communication will be addressed to the Bureau. Mr. Reynolds will follow this matter closely with Colonel Garrett and General Schulgen so that the Bureau will be promptly advised of all information regarding the flying discs, especially any information indicating that they are, in fact, an experiment of some Governmental agency. - 2 -

CONFIDENTIAL. HEADQUARTERS, ARMY AIR FORCES, WASHINGTON. In reply refer to: AFBIR-CO. 5 SEP 1947. Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, Washington 25, D. C. Dear Sir: Attention: Liaison Section. In answer to a verbal request of your Mr. S. W. Reynolds, a complete survey of research activities discloses that the Army Air Forces has no project with the characteristics similar to those which have been associated with the Flying Discs. Yours sincerely, GEO. F. SCHULGEN, Brigadier General, U.S.A., Deputy, Ass't. Chief of Air Staff-2. CONFIDENTIAL.

TO: D. M. LADD. FROM: E. G. Fitch. DATE: 9/16/47. SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS. Special Agent S. W. Reynolds of the Liaison Section has discussed with Lieutenant Colonel George Garrett of the Intelligence Division of the Air Forces the possibility that the flying discs or saucers are in fact a project of the Army Air Forces. It should be noted that Colonel Garrett agreed with this possibility. At that time Mr. Reynolds pointed out to Colonel Garrett the possible embarrassing position of the Intelligence Division of the Air Forces if it was subsequently ascertained that this was the truth, especially since they had requested the assistance of the Bureau in the captioned matter. Colonel Garrett advised Mr. Reynolds that he would institute a further search, and he has now advised that a letter was addressed by Major General McDonald, Director of the Intelligence Division of the Air Forces, to the Research and Development Section of the Air Forces. There is attached hereto a letter addressed to the Director, dated September 5, 1947, from Brigadier General George F. Schulgen, which states that a complete survey of research activities discloses that the Army Air Forces have no project with characteristics similar to those which have been associated with the flying discs. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that this memorandum be forwarded to the Internal Security Section for their information. Attachment. SWR:AJB