MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES has made 8 Ministry of Defense (MoD) files relating to (Unidentified Flying Objects) UFOs available as of May 12, 2008.
The files are available to download below at no charge for the first month and contain a wide range of UFO-related documents covering the years 1978–2002. So if you want to find out more about lights in the sky over Waterloo Bridge, near misses by pilots, crop circles - and what the UK government thought of it all - this is the place to start. The files are in PDF format.
Some of the highlights include:
DEFE 24/1925 - this file contains a long letter and drawings from a member of the public describing his 'physical and psychic contact' with green aliens since he was a child. One of them called Algar was killed in 1984 by another race of beings. The writer says that he visited their bases in the Wirral and Cheshire, whilst his wife reported seeing a UFO shot down over Wallasey Town.
DEFE 31/172 - On 21 February 1982, a group of customers and staff in Tunbridge Wells report an unknown object with green and red flashing lights - seen heading in the direction of Gatwick. (p.22)
DEFE 31/172 - A detailed briefing prepared by the Ministry of defense for Lord Strabolgi, Government Chief Whip, for debate on UFO's in the House of Lords in January 1979. Paddy Stevens who briefed the Government spokesperson, said, "there is nothing to indicate that UFOlogy is anything but claptrap..." (Page 126-135) and much, much more.
NEWLY RELEASED FILES FROM THE UK GOVERNMENT
DEFE/31/172 - UFO incidents
DEFE/31/173 - UFO incidents
DEFE/31/174 - UFO incidents
DEFE/31/175 - UFO incidents
DEFE/24/1922 - UFO reports
DEFE/24/1923 - UFO reports
DEFE/24/1924 - UFO reports
DEFE/24/1925 - UFO reports
These are the first files to be released by the MoD as part of a 4-year transfer project relating to UFOs.
In addition to downloading the files, you can to listen to a podcast from Dr. David Clarke, senior lecturer, Hallam University, discussing the files and the release here below. Dr. Clarke has also written a background briefing on UFO files held at The National Archives.
DR. DAVID CLARKE
As well, there is also a short videocast from Nick Pope here below. The British UFO specialist presents a short videocast providing additional explanations. The files cover 1978 to 1987 and contain details on recorded incidents from the Ministry of Defense during this time.
NICK POPE VIDEOCAST
EXISTING UFO FILES
The National Archives holds other UFO files that have already been released by the Ministry of Defense. You can download these in PDF format for a small fee. The files contain details of numerous UFO sightings as well as Winston Churchill’s views on UFOs. You can download existing UFO files here below.
DOWNLOAD PREVIOUSLY RELEASED UFO FILES
If you would like any further information, contact the following.
Press Officer
The National Archives,
Email: tmatthews@nationalarchives.gov.uk
Tel: 0208 392 5277 ext 2578
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Source: National Archives
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ufos
