MOD file DEFE 24/2032/1

Copy to:
Mr-
1. In the early hours of Vednesday 31 March an unidentified object was seen
over several parts of the UK. Most of the sightings were in Devon and Cornwall,
South Vales and Shropshire, although reports were received from other locations.
Ve are aware of at least 30 or 40 people who witnessed something, although this
number is growing.
2. Aside from the fact that so many people reported seeing something
strange, a number of other factors combine to make these sightings highly
unusual; firstly, there is some commonality in the description of the object,
and considerable commonality in the times of the sightings (around 1.10am).
Secondly, none of the usual explanations for UFOs seem applicable, and thirdly,
the reliability of the witnesses, most of whom were police officers, and some of
whom were military and civil aviation personnel. I have attached the report
made by a Corporal at RAF Cosford, together with three of the many other
reports, as illustrations.
3. As far as can be ascertained, no military aircraft of any kind were
operating in UK airspace at the time, as confirmed by both HQ MATO at RAF
Uxbridge, and RAF Vest Drayton.
4. Sector Operations Centre (South) at RAF Neatishead have told D Air Def's
staff that nothing was detected on Air Defence radar. London Air Traffic
Control Centre (Military) confirmed that nothing was detected on Air Traffic
Control radar.
5. RAF Fylingdales told me that a Russian rocket re-entering the atmosphere
at 12.10am would have been visible from the UK, but this time does not match the
majority of the sightings; furthermore, the descriptions from witnesses are not
consistent with this explanation. The Royal Observatory at Greenwich were aware
of no meteorite showers or similar occurrences.
6. DI55c have been consulted, but have not as yet been able to come to any
conclusions about the sightings.
7. Some of the reports state that the object was moving at a very high
speed (one estimate, based on timing the object over a known distance, was of
1100 mph), while some reported that the object hovered, moved slowly, and then
flew off at high speed. This, together with some of the other descriptions
given, suggests Aurora. Notwithstanding the US denials, these sightings might
prompt renewed speculation.
8. The UK's two main UFO groups are well aware of this wave of sightings,
and have told me that they have received many reports themselves. At least one
local newspaper has reported the sightings. Although we have not received any
press enquiries yet, there is always a possibility that questions will be asked,
and it might be difficult to maintain our ·usual line that no further action was
being taken as the sightings had been looked at, and were judged to be of no
defence significance.
UNCL~SSfPfED