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DECLASSIFIED Authority: NND 947020 AIR STAFF SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITED TACTICAL FORCE (FORWARD) REF: - SHAFT/A/TS.37153/A.2. 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 Senior 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. CRIBBSON Air Commander, A.O. of S., A-2. STAMP: FILE COPY STAMP: 63A
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SECRET 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. STAMP: SMAEF F'D. [HW: 6C] [HW: 37153] BALIS OF FIRE - RED. The papers dealing with the above subject which you en- closed 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 phononema. 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. [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE E. D. M. Hopkins Group Captai
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SECRET SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (FORWARD) Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff A-2 REF : SHAEF/AIR/S.37153/A-2 14 March 1945. SUBJECT: Request for Photographs. TO L HQ. 1ST US. TAC. A.F. Attention AC of S. A-2. Reference your letter dated 12 March asking that photos be furnished as mentioned in our Signal A.I.380 dated 4 March, this office has since been informed by HQ IX TAC. That the pictures of "Long cylindrical objects" claimed by the 107th P.R. Squadron pilot proved to be unsuccessful. For the Deputy Supreme Commander: T.G. AMES, Lt-Col. AC. A-2 RECCE. [STAMP:]
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RAF Form 96. MESSAGE FORM Signal Office File No. [REDACTED] No. of Groups GR Office Date Stamp Message IN [REDACTED] OUT Heading (Above this line is for Signals use only) FROM AIR STAFF, SHAW. (FORWARD). [HW: File] TO AIR MINISTRY, WHITEHALL. REPEATED Originator's Number A.I. 321 Date 5 MARCH 1945. (Write horizontally) CODING (. ) YOUR AX 222 4TH MARCH(. )5 UNDERSTAND FROM DD12 VISITING HERE TODAY THAT ALL 10 AVAILABLE BOMB TORPEDOES FROM TRIPPELWERKE 15 MOLSPEDIN HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT TO HCHICURCH(. ) DD12. 20 WILL CHECK FURTHER WITH USSTAF AND REPORT ON RETURN TO 25 U.K. ABOUT 8TH MARCH(. ) May be sent AS WRITTEN * (1) By ANY Signal Method * (2) NOT by Wireless * (3) But if liable to Interception or Capture SEND in CYIPHER Signature Rank Send in CYIPHER * (1) By ANY Signal Method * (2) NOT by Wireless Signature Rank Date-Time Group 05/1700 A. Originator's Instructions Degree of Priority [ILLEGIBLE] IMPORTANT
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FROM AIR MINISTRY WHITEHALL. TO S.H.A.E.F. (FORWARD) FOR AIR COMMODORE GRIERSON PD ABLE XRAY TWO TWO TWO FOURTH MARCH SECRET PD REFERENCE MIKESUGARWILLIAM SIX DATED SECOND JANUARY ONENINEFOURFIVE FROM VCAS TO AIR MARSHAL ROBB STRESSING IMPORTANCE OF RECOVERING BULK STOCKS OF GERMAN BOMB TORPEDOES FROM TRIPPELWERKE MOLSHEIM AND REPLY JIG MIKE ROGER SLANT ONE TWO TWO DATED SECOND JANUARY BULK DELIVERIES HAVE NOT REPEAT NOT YET BEGIN PD PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS STOCKS ARE REQUIRED URGENTLY. PRIORITY IMPORTANT 2360 4345 IMPORTANT AIR STAFF DISTRIBUTION ACTION .NFOR. A-2 A-2 A-3 A-3 A-4 A-4
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STAMP: 5 MAR 1945 IMMEDIATE HW: 56A 90 1-HAERM 5 MAR 1945 10c A 37/53 KK PLEASE KK AFF V JEZO NR ITS 21 OPOP. FROM: HQ IX TAC 051102A TO: AIR STAFF S.H.A.E.F. FORWARD SECRET QQY BT REFERENCE YOUR MESSAGE AI.329 DATED 041745A: PHOTOS OF LONG CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS TAKEN BY 67TH TAC/R PILOTS @11@30 VICINITY F-5710 WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, FULL WRITTEN REPORT WILL FOLLOW. QUESADA BT @51102A DRP AR AFF R ......@5/1132 KS AR AIR STAFF DISTRIBUTION ACTION NFOR. A-7 A- A-8 A- A-9 A- G C
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RAF Form 96. MESSAGE FORM Signal Office File No. Message [REDACTED] OUT Heading [REDACTED] No. of Groups GR Office Date Stamp STAMP: SIGNALS OFFICE - 4 MAR 1945 SIGNALS HEADQUARTERS (Above this line is for Signals use only) FROM AIR STAFF S.H.A.E.F. FORWARD. TO W417EHALL AIR MINISTRY. USSTAF. (M)2nd T.A.F. (/M)1ST TAC A.F. H.Q. IXTH TAC. REPEATED NINTH AIR FORCE. Originator's Number AI. 320 Date 4 MARCH 1945 (Write horizontally) FOLLOWING RECEIVED FROM H.Q. NINTH 5 TAC AIR COMMAND DATED 1 MARCH QUOTE PILOTS REPORT FOLLOWING AN ALUMINUM 10 COLOURED CYLINDER SHAPED OBJECT COMMA ABOUT 12 FEET LONG 15 AND I FOOT IN DIAMETER WAS OBSERVED FLOATING IN THE AIR AT 20 9,000 FEET (.) IT APPEARED TO BE SUSPENDED VERTICALLY 25 WITH SMALL FINS AND A MAST PROJECTING FROM THE LOWER END (.). THE OBJECT WAS ATTACKED AND PARTIALLY DEFLATED DISINTEGRATE WITHOUT SMOKE (.). THE CYLINDER DID NOT DISINTEGRATE (.). PHOTO TAKEN BY UNQUOTE (.). GROUP AT VIC F-5710 UNQUOTE (.). STOP
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RAF Form 96 MESSAGE FORM Signal Office File No. IN Message OUT Heading No. of Groups GR Office Date Stamp (Above this line is for Signals use only) FROM TO - PAGE 2 - REPEATED Designator's Number Date (Write horizontally) 5 PHOTOS TO AIR MINISTRY COMMA USSTAF AND A.C.I.U. 10 ALSO FULL WRITTEN REPORT BY PILOTS CONCERNED 15 (.) ANY FURTHER INSTANCES ALSO TO BE 20 REPORTED (.) 4243 May be sent AS WRITTEN *(1) By ANY Signal Method *NOT by Wireless *But if liable to Interception or Capture SEND in CYIPHER Signature Rank Send in CYIPHER *(1) By ANY Signal Method *NOT by Wireless Signature Rank Date-Time Group 041745A Originator's Instructions Degree of Priority SECRET IMMEDIATE T.O.R. Smith 187
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SECRET SHAEF STAFF MESSAGE CONTROL INCOMING MESSAGE JEU5 TOO 011947A MARCH SECRET OF PRIORITY FROM: HQ IX TAC SIGNED QUESADA TO: CG SHAEF MAIN ATTN A-2, CG NINTH AF ADV ATTN A-2 REF NO: NONE, 1 MARCH 1945 [HW: HAEFN] [STAMP: 32 MAR1945] [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE Pilots report the following. An aluminum colored cylinder shaped object, about 12 ft long and 1 ft in diameter was observed floating in the air at 9,000 ft. It appeared to be suspended vertically with small fins and a mast projecting from the lower end. The object was attacked and partially deflated, a red flame resulted without smoke. The cylinder did not disintegrate. Photo taken by 107 SQ of 67 TAC/R Group at 011030 hours via F-5710. ACTION: AIR STAFF INFORMATION: G-2 SHAEF FORWARD AG RECORDS AIR STAFF DISTRIBUTION ACTION | NFOR. A -2 | [HW:] A -3 | A -4 | S+I | A G | [HW:] [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE STOP
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A.D.I.(K), Air Ministry. To: A/Cdr. Grierson, S.H.A.E.F.Main, (Air Div.). Copy to C.I.O. 2nd T.A.F. Date: 17th February 1945. Reference your SHAEF AIR/S.37153/A.2 dated 14th February 1945 with the attached CX report, this probably refers to "Flak Bombe" mentioned in A.D.I.(K) Report No.562/1944, paragraphs 128 and 129. STAMP: S-HAEFMAIN STAMP: FWD STAMP: 07 FEB 1945 STAMP: 37/53 S.D.Felkin, Wing Commander. SDF/GJ - 2365 - - - - ILLEGIBLE
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AIR STAFF SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. REF: SHAFF AIR/T8.3753/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, [HW: Signature] C.M. GRIERSON, Air Commodore, A.C. of S., A-2, Air Staff, SHAFF. [STAMP: C8A] [ILLEGIBLE]
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AIR STAFF SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE REF: 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, [HW: C.M. GRIBERSON] Air Commodore, A.C. of S., A-2. [STAMP: FILE COPY] [STAMP: u7A] 2403 4392
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37153 SECRET Please return by 42 July 2nd Ind. 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. [HW: John E. Woolley] LEAVITT CORNING, JR., 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. STAMP: SHAEP MAIN AIR 8 FEB 1945 A2 REGISTRY. C.A.YOUNG, Colonel, AC, AC of S, A-2 STOP
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SECRET STAMP: TH: CG, XII TAC Initial [REDACTED] Date: 16/Jan 1945 HEADQUARTERS XII TACTICAL AIR COMMAND (ADV) D-C-1 Office of the A/C of S, A-2 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. [HW:] Leavitt Corning, Lt. Colonel, G. S. C., A/C of S, A-2. STAMP: 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: STAMP: [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE
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SECRET 1st W/Ind. D-W-2 HEADQUARTERS XII TACTICAL AIR COMMAND, APO #374, U.S. Army, 23 January 1945. TO: S-2, 415 Night Fighter Squadron. Forwarded for compliance with paragraph 2 of lst Ind. [STAMP:] Leavitt Corning, Jr., Lt. Colonel, G. S. C., A/C of S, A-2. 2nd. W/Ind. 415th. NIGHT FIGHTER SQUADRON, APO #374, U. S. Army, 30 January 1945. TO: AC of S A-2 XII Tactical Air Command, APO 374, U. S. Army. 1. In compliance with paragraph 2 of lst Ind., the following extracts from the Sortie Reports of various pilots who have encountered the Night Phenomenon are submitted for your information. Night of 14-15 December 1944 - "In vicinity of Erstein (V-9381) flying at 1000 ft. observed large red light at 2000 ft. going East at 18:40 hrs. Travelling at approximately 200 MPH" Night of 16-17 December 1944 - "20 miles North of Breisach (W-OI73) at 800 ft. observed 5 or 6 flashing red and green lights in "T" shape. Thought they were flak. About 10 minutes later saw the same lights much closer and behind me. We turned port and Starboard and the lights followed. They closed in to about O' clock and 1000 ft. and remained in that position for several minutes and then disappeared." Night of 22-23 December 1944 - "Patrolling at Angels I O from Sarrebourg to Strasbourg North and South of highway At O6:OO hrs saw two lights coming towards A/C from the ground Upon reaching altitude of plane, they leveled off and stayed on my tail for approximately Z minutes Lights appeared to be a large orange glow After staying with A/C for approximately Z minutes they would peel off and turn away fly along level for a few minutes and then go out They appeared to be under perfect control at all times Lights were seen somewhere in vicinity of Magenau." SECRET [HW:] Jud #l - [STAMP:]
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2 nd. W/Ind., 415th. Night Fighter Squadron. 30 January 1945 con't. Night of 23-24 December 1944 - "Observed reddish colored flames at considerable distance and at approximately 10,000 ft." Night of 23-24 December 1944 - "Approximately 10 miles South of Point X (Q6745) noticed to NE approximately 5 miles a glowing red object shooting straight up. Changed suddenly to plane view of A/C doing a wing over and going into a dive and disappearing." Night of 26-27 December 1944 - "At 01:45 hrs. saw two yellow streaks of flame flying at same level at approximately 3000 ft. off port side. We also saw red balls of fire that stayed up for 10 seconds approximately 45 miles away. After seeing yellow streaks, made starboard vector lost altitude and streaks disappeared from view. Called GCI Blunder and asked if any E/A were in vicinity. They answered No. Instructed to return to Angels 10. We felt what was thought to be prop wash; very distinct. Noticed several groups of lights off port while patrolling in vicinity of Q-9050 and R-1556 Lights made distinct lines somewhat like arrows." Night of 26-27 December 1944 - "While on vector O9O near V-7O5O during patrol we observed airborne white lights. They were staggered evenly vertically and we could see from I to . swing at once. They appeared stationary at I,OOO ft." Night of 26-27 December 1944 - "Observed light at same altitude while in vicinity of Worms Observer saw light come within I O O ft. Peeled off and took evasive action but light continued to follow for S minutes Light then pulled up rapidly and went out of sight." Night of Z7-Z8 December Z9ZI - "While on North heading in patrol area noticed in vicinity of Q-Z378 lights suspended in air moving slowly and would then disappear Were orange in color Lights appeared singly and in pairs Observed these lights four or five times during period" Night of Z7-Z8 December Z9ZI - "Eight miles NE o f Luneville at Z9:IO hrs saw three sets o f three lights (red and white) one on starboard and one on port from IOOO ft to ZOOO ft to rear and closing in at Angels IO Pulled up to Angels S and lights went out Called Churchman to see if there was anything in area Received a negative reply" Night o f ZO-ZI December Z9ZI - "Saw a group o f lights flying through the air ZO or ZIO miles East o f base while flying at Angels ZI" Night o f I-Z January IZIZ - "Saw*Toofighters North o f Strasbourg and North o f Saverne" Night o f ZZ-IJ January ZZIZ - "Observed a large orange glow in sky approx ONCE ONCE ONCE ONCE ONCE
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SECRET 2nd. W/Ind., 415th. Night Fighter Squadron, 30 January 1945 Con't. Night of 29-30 January 1945 - "At about 00:10 hrs. sighted a Foofighter about half way between Weissembourg and Landau. Foofighter was off to the starboard and rear at Angels 2. Lights were amber and one was 20 - 50 ft. above the other and of about 30 seconds duration. Foofighter was about 1000 ft. away and following. The lights were about a foot in diameter. Lights disappeared when Travel 34 turned into them." 2. In every case where pilot called GCI Control and asked if there was a Bogey A/C in the area he received a negative answer. [HW:F.B.RINGWALD] Captain, A.C. Intelligence Officer. * Foofighters is the name given these phenomenon by combat crews of this Squadron. STOP