Analysis of Unconventional Aircraft Sightings, 1955

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MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence

SUBJECT: Flying saucers or Unconventional Aircraft

1. A dispatch from Prague, C-103, dated 13 October 1955, reported the sighting of two flying saucers or disc-like unconventional aircraft. An interview with Mr. Efron, one of the four observers of these aircraft, failed to confirm in several respects the information given in the dispatch.

2. His observations were limited to sighting two lights which initially arose vertically and then approached the train and passed over head at a high altitude. He failed to observe the body of the object and had no feeling as to whether it was round, disc-like or even square. His only reason for describing an unconventional nature to the object was that it rose vertically and appeared to glide in a manner unlike any aircraft he had previously seen. However, in view of the fact that it was dark, that he thought the aircraft quite high (9000 feet) and that his observations were undoubtedly conditioned by Senator Russell's remarks that he had seen a flying saucer, too much confidence cannot be given to his observation. The fact that no noise was heard may also have influenced his opinion on the unconventional characteristic of the object. He also failed to confirm the excitement of the train official following the incident. It is my belief that Efron's testimony alone could not confirm the existence of any unconventional aircraft. However, he was not in a position to have as good a look as were the other members of the party. A very careful interrogation of the other members is in order.

3. Two years ago, Dr. Robertson headed a group which investigated U.S. sightings of flying saucers. This group was able to explain almost all the sightings and reached the conclusion that these phenomena represented no threat to the security of the U.S. Even if the present sightings