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Extracts from TT 1524, D/I, HQ USAF via A-2, USAFE
Top Secret cable from the European Command's special intelligence organization forwarding a complete set of reports to Gen. Cabell, noting the reports may support arguments for allocating Air Force funds but advising caution.
Analysis
Flying saucer phenomena "cannot be disregarded and must be explained on some basis which is perhaps slightly beyond the scope of our present intelligence thinking." That's USAFE's official position in November 1948, forwarded to General Cabell as part of a Top Secret European Command intelligence package. The report references Swedish Air Intelligence's conclusion that the objects represent technology from outside the earth -- and doesn't dismiss it. Alongside the flying saucer assessment: an eyewitness report of an unidentified high-speed aircraft off the Holland coast during Operation Dagger showing "tremendous reserve power," and intelligence on Soviet radar systems and TU-2 aircraft obtained through interrogation. The collection was forwarded as part of an argument for allocating more Air Force funds to the European intelligence organization.
Key Findings
- USAFE stated flying saucer reports "cannot be disregarded and must be explained" on basis "beyond the scope of our present intelligence thinking"
- Swedish Air Intelligence concluded phenomena result from "high technical skill which cannot be credited to any presently known culture on earth"
- USAFE was "inclined not to discredit entirely" the extraterrestrial theory
- A flying saucer hovered over Neubiberg Air Base for approximately 30 minutes
- Swedish naval divers found an uncharted crater on a lake floor where an object was observed crashing
- Unidentified jet aircraft off Holland possessed "tremendous reserve power" with probable rocket assists
- Complete set of European Command special intelligence reports forwarded to General Cabell for inspection
- Reports considered to support arguments for allocating Air Force funds to the intelligence organization
Page Extractions 7 pages
Page 1
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doc_typedocument
classificationTOP SECRET / SECURITY INFORMATION
page_descriptionCover page of a declassified Top Secret classified document addressed to the Directorate of Intelligence, U.S. Air Force, with archival reference numbers and security information notation.
organizations
- Directorate of Intelligence | U.S. Air Force | recipient
- U.S. Air Force | 4B-954 Pentagon | Washington 25, D.C. | address
datesdeclassification note visible but specific date not shown on this page
references
- Authority: NND 843014 | declassification authority
- NW90J°7 | reference number
- DocId: 34714985 | document ID
- NW 90307 | archival reference
- DocId: 34714985 | document ID (repeated at bottom)
assessmentsAll documents filed in numerical sequence according to Top Secret Control Number (as noted on page)
redactions
- DECLASSIFIED marking with "Authority" field showing "NND 843014"
- Document largely blank with minimal text visible
quotes
- "TOP SECRET" | classification marking (appears multiple times)
- "SECURITY INFORMATION" | classification notation
- "Directorate of Intelligence" | recipient designation
- "All documents filed in numerical sequence according to Top Secret Control Number." | archival note
Page 2
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doc_typeform
classificationTOP SECRET
page_descriptionAFOIR-4 cover sheet form dated November 1948 documenting records of basic correspondence or request with routing and distribution information.
dates
- 1948-11-08 | document date (8 Nov 48)
- 1947-12-05 | declassification authority reference (5 Dec 47 on form header)
people[handwritten signature illegible] | DATE REC'D BR, ACTION ASGD TO
organizations
- AFOIR-CO | originating organization
- AFoIR | routing designee
- AFOAI | routing designee
- AFOCI | routing designee
- HQ USAF | headquarters reference
- D/I | Directorate of Intelligence
- USAFE | U.S. Air Forces in Europe
- OSAFE | Office of Special Air Force Evaluation
- CIFT | routing designation
- AMC | Air Materiel Command
- Armament Intelligence Branch | organizational reference
- DCS/M | Deputy Chief of Staff, Material
- OIR-SR | routing designation
- OIP-PP | routing designation
- OIP-FL | routing designation
- OIR-CO | routing designation
- OIR-DD | routing designation
- OIR-AA | routing designation
- OIR-CM | routing designation
- OIR-RC | routing designation
- OAI-OA | routing designation
- OAI-AE | routing designation
- OAI-AF | routing designation
- OAI-SV | routing designation
- OCI-IS | routing designation
- OCI-RR | routing designation
- OCI-CI | routing designation
observations
- Record of basic correspondence or request
- Extracts from IT-152-4 (document reference)
- Items distributed to AFOAI branches
- Items distributed to AFOIR branches
- Items distributed to AFOCI branches
assessments
- Document marked for action and coordination routing
- Special instructions noted: items distributed to various Air Force organizational units
- OSAFE item has been distributed to CIFT, AMC, and Armament Intelligence Branch, DCS/M
- USAFF item distributed to OIR-SR
redactions
- DATE REC'D: blank/illegible
- Various blank fields throughout form
- Handwritten notes and signatures present but partially illegible
quotes
- "AFOIR-4 (Rev 5 Dec 47)" | form designation
- "COVER SHEET" | form title
- "RECORD OF BASIC CORRESPONDENCE OR REQUEST" | form section a
- "TOP SECRET" | classification marking
- "Extracts from IT-152-4, D/I, HQ USAF or A-2, USAFE" | summary
- "1. Submitted for information." | special instruction
- "2. All items have been distributed to AFOAI branches." | distribution note
- "3. Item OSAFE 14 has been distributed to CIFT, AMC, Armament Intelligence Branch, DCS/M." | distribution note
- "4. Item USAFF 16 has been distributed to OIR-SR." | distribution note
Page 3
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doc_typememo
classificationSECRET
page_descriptionMemorandum from USAFE (U.S. Air Forces in Europe) to Gen Cabell dated November 4, 1948, forwarding a complete set of intelligence reports from the European Command's special intelligence organization.
dates1948-11-04 | memorandum date (4 Nov 48)
peopleGen Cabell | recipient/addressee
organizations
- USAFE | U.S. Air Forces in Europe | originating organization
- European Command | referenced command
- Special intelligence organization (European Command) | intelligence organization referenced
- Air Force | funding authority
references
- TT 1524 | document reference number
- IT-152-4 | related to item designation
observations
- Complete set of all reports prepared by special intelligence organization of European Command
- Reports prepared from organization's conception to present date (as of November 1948)
- Reports being forwarded for inspection and final disposition
- Assessment: reports will support arguments for allocating Air Force funds to intelligence organization
- Caution advised in utilizing reports as most were forwarded as received (unreviewed)
assessments
- Inspection of reports expected to lend weight to budget allocation arguments
- Most reports forwarded without final review or processing
- Reports considered significant enough to warrant inspection by General Cabell
redactions
- "SECRET" classification marking (struck through in original)
- "(END OF ITEM)" notation indicating conclusion of this specific document
quotes
- "We now have one complete set of all reports prepared by special intelligence organization of the European Command from its conception to present date." | status statement
- "We are forwarding these reports for your inspection and final disposition." | action statement
- "We are of the opinion that inspection of these reports will lend weight to arguments for allocating Air Force funds to this organization." | assessment
- "Advise caution in utilizing these reports as most of them were forwarded as received." | cautionary note
Page 4
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doc_typereport
classificationCONFIDENTIAL
page_descriptionIntelligence report from OI OB documenting unidentified aircraft sighting by 307th Bomb Group crews on September 5, 1948, off the coast of Holland during Operation Dagger.
dates
- 1948-09-05 | sighting date (5 Sep 48)
- 1948-11-04 | report date (4 Nov 1948)
- 1948-09-05 at 1402Z | exact time of sighting (14022 5 Sep 48)
peopleThree crews of 307th Bomb Group | observers/witnesses
organizations
- 307th Bomb Group | military unit that participated in Operation Dagger
- OI OB | originating intelligence organization
- USAFE | U.S. Air Forces in Europe
locations
- West coast of Holland | sighting location
- 5155N/0355E | coordinates of sighting
- 30,000 feet | altitude of all aircraft
observations
- Unidentified aircraft sighted by three crews of 307th Bomb Group
- Aircraft observed cruising at normal jet speed initially
- Heading: 120 degrees
- Single jet-propelled aircraft
- Aircraft began leaving smoke trails and condensation trails
- Sudden acceleration observed followed by climb
- Aircraft employed probably rocket assists
- Possessed tremendous reserve power
- Speed exceeded normal cruising speed for 1947-variety jets
- Never within identification range
- Course did not indicate purpose
assessments
- General agreement by observers: single jet-propelled aircraft with probable rocket assists
- Aircraft possessed more power than normal cruising speed for 1947-variety jets
- Purpose of aircraft could not be determined from its course
- Overall evaluation: B-2 (classification rating)
references
- Operation Dagger | military operation during which sighting occurred
- TT 1524 | document reference number
redactionsCONFIDENTIAL classification marking (struck through)
quotes
- "Following report on unidentified aircraft sighting comes from 307th Bomb Group which participated in operation dagger." | report introduction
- "Unidentified aircraft was sighted by three crews of the group at 14022 5 Sep 48 off west coast of Holland, 5155N/0355E." | sighting details
- "Altitude of all aircraft was 30,000 feet." | altitude specification
- "When first sighted the unidentified A/C was cruising at a normal jet speed, heading 120 degrees." | initial observations
- "Soon after first seen, A/C began leaving smoke trails and condensation trails accompanied by sudden acceleration and then climb." | behavioral observation
- "Generall agreed by observers that it was a single jet propelled A/C employing probably rocket assists with tremendous reserve power, more than normal cursing speed for jets of the 1947 variety." | consensus assessment
- "Never within identification range; its course did not indicate its purpose." | identification and purpose assessment
- "Our evaluation of the above: B-2." | official evaluation
Page 5
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doc_typereport
classificationTOP SECRET
page_descriptionTop Secret intelligence report from OI OB dated November 4, 1948, discussing recurring flying saucer reports and Swedish Air Intelligence Service conclusions about their possible extraterrestrial origin, including details of an alleged lake crash/landing incident.
dates
- 1948-11-04 | report date (4 Nov 1948)
- "last week" (prior to 1948-11-04) | Neubiberg Air Base sighting timeframe
- "some time" | duration of concern about flying saucer reports
people
- Officers of USAFE Directorate | visitors to Swedish Air Intelligence Service
- Swedish technical expert | eyewitness to lake object crash/landing
- Swedish Air Intelligence personnel | analysis team
organizations
- OI OB | originating intelligence organization
- USAFE | U.S. Air Forces in Europe
- Swedish Air Intelligence Service | intelligence organization consulted
- Swedish naval salvage team | responding to lake incident
locations
- Neubiberg Air Base | location of hovering saucer observation
- Sweden | country where Swedish Air Intelligence consulted
- Lake (location near Swedish technical expert's home) | site of alleged crash/landing
- Edge of lake | observation location
observations
- Recurring reports of flying saucers over extended period
- One flying saucer observed hovering over Neubiberg Air Base for approximately thirty minutes
- Reports come from many sources and from variety of places
- One object observed by Swedish technical expert near his home on edge of lake
- Object crashed or landed in the lake
- Swedish technical expert carefully noted azimuth from point of observation
- Swedish naval salvage team sent to lake after observation
- Divers discovered previously uncharted crater on lake floor
- Crater depression did not appear on current hydrographic charts
- Operations underway during USAF officers' visit
- No further information available at time of report
assessments
- USAFE OI OB: flying saucer reports cannot be disregarded and must be explained
- Explanation perhaps slightly beyond scope of present intelligence thinking
- Swedish Air Intelligence Service conclusion: "these phenomena are obviously the result of a high technical skill which cannot be credited to any presently known culture on earth"
- Swedish intelligence assumption: objects originate from previously unknown or unidentified technology, possibly outside the earth
- Swedish intelligence assessment: observation of technical expert was reliable
- Swedish intelligence belief: depression on lake floor caused by flying saucer
- USAFE assessment: inclined not to discredit the extraterrestrial theory
- USAFE approach: keeping open mind on the subject
references
- TT 1524 | document reference number
- USAFE ITEM 14 | item designation
- Hydrographic charts | navigation reference documents
redactionsTOP SECRET classification marking (struck through)
quotes
- "For some time we have been concerned by the recurring reports on flying saucers." | opening statement
- "They periodically continue to cop up; during the last week, one was observed hovering over Neubiberg Air Base for about thirty minutes." | recent sighting
- "they have been reported by so many sources and from such a variety of places that we are convinced that they cannot be disregarded and must be explained on some basis which is perhaps slightly beyond the scope of our present intelligence thinking." | assessment rationale
- "their answer was that some reliable and fully technically qualified people have reached the conclusion that 'these phenomena are obviously the result of a high technical skill which cannot be credited to any presently known culture on earth.'" | Swedish intelligence position
- "They are therefore assuming that these objects originate from some previously unknown or unidentified technology, possibly outside the earth." | Swedish extraterrestrial hypothesis
- "One of these objects was observed by a Swedish technical expert near his home on the edge of a lake. The object crashed or landed in the lake and he carefully noted its azimuth from his point of observation." | Swedish incident details
- "Swedish intelligence was sufficiently confident in his observation that a naval salvage team was sent to the lake." | Swedish response to incident
- "Divers had discovered a previously uncharted crater on the floor of the lake." | salvage team findings
- "In their opinion, the observation was reliable, and they believe that the depression on the floor of the lake, which did not appear on current hydrographic charts, was in fact caused by a flying saucer." | Swedish official assessment
- "Although accepting this theory of the origin of these objects poses a whole new group of questions and puts much of our thinking in a changed light, we are inclined not to discredit entirely this somewhat spectacular theory, meantime keeping an open mind on the subject." | USAFE position
Page 6
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doc_typereport
classificationTOP SECRET
page_descriptionIntelligence report detailing Soviet radar set at Kholmia Airfield, TU-2 aircraft specifications and capabilities, airfield status, and aircraft arrival details from interrogation source.
dates
- Spring 1947 | Soviet radar set first located at Kholmia
- October 1948 | aircraft lost during exercise
- 1947 | experiments with airborne radar conducted
- "next week or two" | expected time for fuller report
people
- Subject | interrogation source providing information
- Air gunner sergeants | crew members referenced
- Pilot | referenced for forthcoming interrogation
- Navigator | referenced for forthcoming interrogation
organizations
- FVO (Front Air Regiment) | Soviet military formation
- TU-2 of 63 Regt | Soviet air unit
- Factory No. 19 | manufacturing location
locations
- Kholmia Airfield | location of Soviet radar set
- Kholmia | town near airfield (5 km W of airfield)
- 150 kilometers and altitude of 1200 meters | exercise distance and altitude
- 3000 meters | landing altitude during training
observations
- Soviet-built radar set "Redut" type located near Kholmia Airfield (5 km W of airfield)
- Radar personnel believed to be army assigned to FVO
- Radar set first located at Kholmia in Spring 1947
- Aircraft lost during October 1948 exercise at 150 kilometers distance, 1200 meters altitude
- Set climbed to 3000 meters during training with no higher distances undertaken
- Set believed standard throughout FVO
- Maximum range believed to be 150 kilometers due to training flights of greater distances not undertaken
- All TU-2 of 63 Regt fitted with IFF type 5. CH. (C-4) in tail of aircraft
- IFF operated by switch in radio operator's compartment
- Experiments with airborne radar (tail warning device) conducted in 1947
- TU-2 of his regiment had equipment involving small external array installation
- Kholmia Airfield currently appears to be level pasture, 600 meters N/S by 1400 meters E/W
- Paved runway being constructed outside north boundary
- Aircraft parked in open with fuel brought from town of Kholmia (7 kilometers to N) by tank trucks
- TU-2 arrived with only crew of three
- No dorsal turret machine gun in place on aircraft
- Air gunner sergeants should occupy this from position but are on duty with regiment
- Air gunner engaged in fatigue details, and XXXX rarely carried on training flights
- Subject believes TU-2 manufactured in factory in Moscow
- Aircraft placard stated it had been produced in Factory No. 19
assessments
- Radar set standard throughout FVO
- Airborne radar equipment results satisfactory after testing
- Fuller report expected based on ongoing interrogation
- Additional details expected to be obtained in next week or two
references
- IFF type 5. CH. (C-4) | identification friend or foe system
- Factory No. 19 | TU-2 manufacturing location
- Regt | regiment designation
redactionsXXXX | illegible or redacted word in text
quotes
- "He also knows of a Soviet-built radar set located near Kholmia Airfield" | subject knowledge statement
- "This type set is called 'Redut'." | radar designation
- "He believes personnel of this set to be army, assigned to FVO" | subject assessment
- "the set was first located at Kholmia in Spring 1947." | historical placement
- "He states he believes this type set is standard throughout the FVO, and that he believes its maximum range to be 150 kilometers because no training flights of greater distances were ever undertaken." | system assessment
- "All TU-2 of 63 Regt are fitted with IFF type 5. CH. (C-4), located in the tail of the aircraft and operated by a switch in the radio operator's compartment." | equipment specification
- "Further experiments with airborne radar (A tail warning device) were carried on in 1947 and TU-2 of his regiment. This equipment involved the installation of a small external array." | system history
- "Another interesting fact is the arrival of the TU-2 with only a crew of three, and without the dorsal turret machine gun in place (nor anyplace on the aircraft)." | operational detail
- "Subject believes the TU-2 to be manufactured in a factory in Moscow, and it is noted that a plaque in the aircraft stated that it had been produced in Factory No. 19." | manufacturing information
- "A fuller report will shortly be underway, based on interrogation conducted so far, and many more details are expected to be obtained in the next week or two, with both pilot and navigator being interrogated." | report plans
Page 7
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doc_typereport
classificationSECRET
page_descriptionBrief intelligence report dated November 4, 1948, documenting Soviet procurement efforts for radar tubes and complete radar systems through CSR Missions in foreign countries.
dates1948-11-04 | report date (4 Nov 48)
organizations
- USAFE | U.S. Air Forces in Europe
- Russians / Soviet Union | subject of intelligence report
- CSR Missions | Soviet procurement organization operating in foreign countries
observations
- Russians have ordered CSR Missions in foreign countries to purchase radar tubes in large quantities regardless of costs
- Mission instructed to purchase a complete radar set
assessments
- Soviet radar procurement efforts aggressive and regardless of cost constraints
- Procurement directed toward both components (tubes) and complete systems
references
- TT 1524 | document reference number
- Eval C-3 | evaluation classification
redactionsSECRET classification marking (struck through)
quotes
- "CIC source reports that the Russians have ordered CSR Missions in foreign countries to purchase radar tubes in large quantities regardless of costs." | main intelligence report
- "Mission also instructed to purchase a complete radar set." | additional procurement order
- "(Eval C-3)" | evaluation rating
- "(END OF ITEM)" | conclusion marker