331_120752_Numeric_Files_1944–1945_37153_German_Armament_Equipment_Documents RG 331 SHAEF Air Staff numeric file 37153 (1944-1945) containing March 1945 SHAEF Forward A-2 messages and Air Ministry replies regarding 'night phenomena (foo-fighters),' balls of fire, flak rockets, and unidentified cylindrical objects observed by the 415th Night Fighter Squadron and Bomber Command crews, with discussion of whether the sightings were Me 262s, V-weapons, or unexplained aerial phenomena.
The SHAEF/Air Ministry correspondence on 415th NFS 'foo-fighters' is well-documented in declassified WWII intelligence records (NND 947020 visible in OCR indicates prior NARA declassification). Foo-fighter material has been written about extensively (Keith Chester's 'Strange Company,' Project 1947) and selected SHAEF/IX TAC documents are available via NARA RG 331. Whether the entire folder 37153 was previously digitized is unclear; the case is widely known.
DECLASSIFIED
Authority
NND 947020
ATR B
SUPREE HEA
ALLIRD R
LR P& RHARR/AAS, 371534, 2. 20 16 Tlaron 105,
SUB{~ Ipht Phenonera. o
Th:~ ~ Pirat Tactical iir Foroes (Prov,). AP0 37, US ARMY.
3. With reforetice to roports "dx-riv.:flod Pron fheXTTEh 4 0
Tactical Alr Coumand through: your Headqumriern on the mbject of
* night phenemema (rooflgbter) ond she¥ to -this Headquarters*:
$t0r of cven- refererice dm,ea 11 ‘February, o 2eply hag now been
' veceived from the Air%inigtry. wio .Bay’ that Bomior Commnd crews
~ Bave ror some” time boen :-cpor(.mg -:h ailes phobonena,
s 2. +Iihe Air SRty " v:tev Yo, iat afow of “the nlleged
‘aireraft ray have been 1ei262's and for the rpat. £10k rockets
are-cilggeeted as the ropt 1ikely ex plnratmr:. 3
& 1A 5. LIty regretted that no 'further, or 'Joro definite,
Big infortation can be given.
for the Deputy’Suprens Cmm‘endar,
.o CRIIRSON
& ® % Adr Cormompre
4.0, of S, A—E.
rierson,
NuCa of B. A2 ([ XAN
Air Starf 8.H.A\BePIA | |
4 o
Adr Ministry, D.D;I.z‘.'"
=]
18th Maroh/\ 1948. [ |
@
»
Ref : 111/45/DDE8
1045
44
BALLSf CF FIRE(, x‘afl 37I§3
The papers dealing with
the abope subject which you en-
closed Wwith your memo SHAEF Air/
T8,37153/A2 dated 11th February,
have been carefully examined and
discussed with the various other
Departments concerned,
Bomber Command crews have
for some time been repcrting simi-
lar phenonema, A few of the
alleged aircraft may have been He.
262 and for the reat, flak rockets
are suggested as the most likely
explanation,
The whole affair is
st1ll something of a mystery and
the evidence is very sketchy and
varied so that no definite and
satisfactory explanatio can yet
4 zsss%
'-c given, M ol
. Hophing
Group Captair
@ @
4RS
SUPREME HESADQUART
‘ ALLIZD SXPEDITIONARY FORCE (FORWARD)
0ffice of the Assistant Chisf of Staff /=2
R &F s SHASF/AIR/S.37183/A=2 ' 14 March 1945.
SUBJZCT: Reguest for Photographs.
<)
10 } HQ. 1ST US. TAC, A.F.
Attontion AC of S, A=2,
Refor-noe your letter dated 12 March asking that
photos be furnished as montioned in our Signal #.1.580
Azted '4 dareh, this office hes sine® been informsd by HQ.
IX TAC. That tha pictures of "Long oylindrieal objsots”
claimed by ths 1l07Ch 2R Squadron pilot proved
Lo LS unsucocessful,
For the Neputy Supreme Commenders
Lt=Col, AC,
A«2 RECCE,
RAF.Form
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PHOTOS OF LONG CYLINDRICAL
OBJECTS TAKEN BY 67TH TAC/R PILOTS 011030 VICIN
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AT N 520 4 MARCH 1945 FOLLOWING RECELVED FROM H.Q. NMENTH 5
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_AWD 1_FOOT IN . | DIAVETER WAS CBSERVED |FLOATING IN THE | ATR AT 20
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_WITH SMALL FINS AND A st FROJECTING FROM| THE LOWER 30
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: ¢
. seerty SHAEF STAFF MESSAGE CONTROL
a¢. =2 MAR1945
FROI : HQ IX TAC SIGNED QUESADA &A 315>
:CG SHAPRF MAIN ATTN A-2, CG NI TH A¥ ADV A
: NONE, 1 MARCH 1945
Pllots report the following.
An aluminum colored cylindem
long and 1 ft in dilameter was observea
00 £4. It appeared to be suspende
3 7 ting from the lover er
a red flame resulted without smoke. The
t disintegrated
Phote taken by 107 SQ of 67 TAC/R Group at 011030
hours vic F~5710,
ACTION AIR STAFF /
INFORVATION G-2 /|STAF-
AIR
SHAEF FORWAR IDISTRIBULION
AG RECORDS
2764 409
SMC 1N 310 1 MAR 45 22004 AGD Sl REF NO: NONE
COPY NO.
THE MAKING OF AN EXACT COPY OF THIS MESSAGE IS FORBIDDEN
:= AD, I, (K), Air Ministry,
Tos= A/Cdr, Grierson, S.H.A.E,F,Main,
( )CopytoCi[O 2nd T.A.F.
Air Div,
Date:iT 17th February 1945,
Reference your SHAEF ATR/S,37153/A.2
dated l4th February 1945 with the attached
CX report, this probably refers to'"Flak Bombe"
mentioned in A,D,I,(K) Report No,562/ 194,
paragraphs 128 and 129, \
;_‘\ <
(A
SIFIAEFMA
91 FEB 1945
g A 37153
}
N
BN S.DJFelkin,
' AIR STAFF '
? m, HEADOUAPRTERS _
, AL.JEDIKERDITIGTARY FORCE.
RFF: SHATF ATR/T8.37.55/A=2. 11 ¥eb
SUBJECT: Night Phenomena.
TO: Headgquarters, U.S, S T.A.F '
. (For attent 1on of Chief Techi:ical 'Tpfel_ngence
Officer, Col. Bra.dloy)
& Atuached. are copies of papers received fromthe ¥ivst
Tac. Air Force (Prov), - From the nuwber of reporis quoted in
the 2nd ¥W/Ind. from the 415th Night Pigater Samdrcr., it would
seen that there must be sowsthing more than usre imagination
behind the metter, and in view of the fgot 4rat.pilots and crews
&re becoming al.ghtly worried by them,: it is considered +that
everything possible shoul d toget 0 the root of the .
be done
mtter.
s ‘Copies of the reports heve boem aent to t‘m Air Ministry
for their consideration, end the Scientifle Inweetigation
' pivision of this Hesdquerters (iir. Robertacn) hag alac been asked
5o oonzimr e prmblenu : |
e imght bo'aa well
In the meentime, it is supgestod that
. for an Air Technical Intalligenoa Officer ‘Lovm..t the Tnit
oconicerncd and cbtain reporta and imprespions at first hand from
aircrew. parsoml
Mtbntpuwwccmamr
-
AIR STAFF \.}(
9 ALLIFD EXPEDITIOHARY FCRCE
REF: - 3s3
] 11 February 1945,
TO:- Firat Tectical Air Force (Prov.), iP0 37, U.S, ARMY,
1. Reference to your 3rd Indorsement on the subject of
night phenomenon originated by the L15th Wight Fighter
Squadron, there is nc information at this Headmariers
which might explain the natuve and cauge of +the lighis
and other phenomena described by the pilots
of this
Squadron,
2. The natter o, therefore, being referred to the
Air Ministry in order to find out whether eny LOEERT 100
gl
0 e Brpengore
iR e ErOm, ok #gMRSea1 Tntelligence
Officer from USSTAF to visit the Unit concerned.
For the Deputy Supreme Commender,
keAL
T
[ \
C.l, GRIERSQN,
Air Coumodore,
A.C, of 8., A-2,
PR
i 3 ) ST . ______
\.
’ {j’@"fiuk{\
) 2nd Tnd. -=2
HEADQUARTERS XII TACTICAL AIR COMMAND (ADV), APO #3?4, U}%i Army, o
4 February 1945,
' ! Y4 = l": g: 5\1‘\&”
P
TO: Commanding General, First Tactical Air Force (Prov)g]fiflbfl#fib4,
UeSs ' Army, 'Attn: 'A/C of 8, A-2.
Attention is invited to 2nd W/Ind,
A s
7A>;¢4‘ € wWoollees
1i>» LEAVITT CORNING, JR.,
Lt, Colonel, G. S. C.,
A/Cwof S, A-2.
HEADQUARTERS, FIRST TACTICAL AIR FORCE (PROV), APO 374, U S Army, 5 February 1945.
TO: Chief Intelligence Officer, Air Staff SHAEF, APO 757.
l. Forwarded for your information.
2e This headquarters has no further informatio
n or explanation in connection
with these phenomena.
3« It is believed that further investigat
ion is warranted. Since appropriate
technical personnel are not available
within the First Tactical Air Force
, the matter
is forwarded for such further investigat
ion as may be advisable.
R NG iy
&fl&fiflq<figj\y/
AC of S, A=2
1 Incle.
#1 = lst & 2nd W/Ind, 23 Jan 45
and 30 Jan 45,
SECRET 2 SECRET
) i W= cG,/ngi s
Q
sInitial ZJ—
¢tDate: 16/Jan 1945
HEADQUARTERS XII TACTICAL ATR 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 Commending 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 el
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
erews 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, i
LEAVITT CORNING, JR.,
Lt. Colonel, G. S. C.,
A/C of 'S, A-2.
1lst Ind D-B~-1
HEADQUARTERS, FIRST TACTICAL AIR FORCE (PROV), AC of S A-2, APO 374, US Army,
20 Jenuery 1945
TO: AC of S A-2, XII Tactical Air Command, APO 374, US Army
1. There have been no instences 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,
8ize, duration, and at what altitudes seen; also if the lights are observed
at eny specific hours. Do subject lights cross Allied lines and in what
direction are they seen to travel? Also, has it been noted on whet part of
the airecraeft are they carried, i.e. wing, tail, prop; and how close do they
approach our airecraft?
For the Assgistant Chief of Staff A-2: /ég “
-4 ooy A
2 405 Bl e 43% S V BOYKIN
A
¥, o o Major AC
é-m Bxecutive Officer
1st W/Ind, D-W-2
HEADQUARTERS XII TACTICAL AIR COMMAND, APO #3574, U.Se Army, 23 January 1945.
T0: S-2, 415 Night Fighter Squadron.
Forwarded for compliance with paragraph 2 of 1lst Ind.
£. t,o-.—o-@u,,_
EAVITT CORNING, JR.,
Lte Colonel, Ge S. Ce,
4/C of 8, A-2.
2nd. W/Ind.
415%h. NICHT FIGHTER SQUADRON, APO #374, U. S. Army, 30 January 1945,
TO: AC of § A-2 XII Tectical Air Gommand, APO 374, U. S, Army,
1. In complisnce with paragraph 2 of lst. Ind., the following extracts from
the Sortie Reports of verious pilots who have encountered the Night Phenomencn
are subnitted 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"
Njght of 16-17 December 1944 - 20 miles North of Breisach (W-0173) at
800 ft. observed 5 or 6 flaching 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 Sterboard and the lights
followed. They closed in to about 8 O'clock and 1000 £%. and remaine
d
in that position for several minutes and then disappeared."
Night of 22-23 December 1944 - "Patrolling at Angels 10 from Sarrebourg
to Strasbourg North and South of highwey. At 06:00 hrs. sew two lights
coming towards A/€ from the ground, Upon reaching sltitude of Plane,
they leveled off and stayed on my tail for epproxi
mately 2 mimites,
Lyehte appeared to bo a large orance ¢low.
After staying with 4/C for
approximately 2 ninutes, they would peel off end turn avay, fly along
level for a few mimutes and then go out. They appeared to be under perfect
control at all times. Ljghts were secen somewhere in vicinity of Wagenau."
B6RB7—
=
BT Y T 4096
Fods!
; ® socnoe @ ‘
2 nd. V/Ind., 415th. Night Fighter Squadron. 30. January 1945 contt,
Night of 23-24 December 1944 - "Observed reddish
colored flames at
considerable distance and at epproximately 10,000
£t."
Night of 23-24 December 1944 - "Approrimately 10 miles
South of Point X (Q6745)
noticed to NE spproximately 5 miles a glowing
red object shooting straight
up. Changed suddenly to plane view of A4/G doing
a wing over and going
into & dive and disappearing.!
Hight of 26-27 December 1944 - "At 01:45 hrs. saw two
yellow streals of
flame flying et same level at approximately 3000 ft. off vort
side. Ve also
saw red balls of fire that stayed up for 10
seconds approximately 45 miles
awey. After seeing yellow stresks, made starboard vector lost altitude
andstrealks disappeared from view. Galled GCI Blunder and asked if any E/A
vere in vicinity. They answered No. Instruded to return to Angels
10. 1
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,W
Wight of 26-27 December 1944
- "Vhile on vector 090 near V-7050 during
patrol we observed airborne white lights
. They were stagzered evenly
vertically and we could see from 1 to-4
swing at once. They appeared
stationsry at 10,000 f£t."
Night of 26-27 December 1944 - "Observed light
at same sltitude while in
vicinity of Worms Observer saw light come within 100 ft. Peeled off and
took evasive action but light contimued to follow
for 5 minutes. Light
then pulled up rapidly and vent out of sight.!
s
N ght of 27-28 December 1944 - "While on North
heading in patrol area
ndticed in vicinity of Q-1378 lights suspe
nded i% air moving slowly and
vould then disappear. Vere orange in color', Lights appeared singly and in
pairs. Observed these lights four or five
times during period."
Night of 27-28 December 1944 - "Bight miles
NE of Luneville at 19:10 hrs,
saw three sets of three lights (red and white)
one on starboard and one on
port from 1000 £3. to 2000 ft. to rear and clasing in at Angels 10.
Pulled
up to Angels 8 and lights went out. GCelled Churchman to see if there was
anything in area, Received a negative reply."
Night of 30-31 December 1944 - "Sayw a group of lights flying through the
air 30 or 40 miles Bast of base while flying at Angels
9 - 10."
Night of 1-2 January 1945 - ® Sav*Foofighters North of
Strasbourg and North
of Saverne". 1 B
Night of 14-15 Januery 1945 - "Observed a large
orange £low in sky approx.
5 ft. in diameter in vicinity of Ingweiller at
6000 ft, at 20200 hre,"
Y S§-E~C-R-E~-T
L
| —S~B=O~R~E~T—
)
2nd. W/ind., 415th. Night Fighter Squadron, 30 January 1945 Con't.
Night of 29-30 January 1945 - WAt about 00:10 hrs. sighted a Foofighter
about half way between Weissembourg and Lendau. Foofighter was off to
the starboard and rear at Angels 2. Lighte 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 vhere pilot called GCI Control and asked if there was a
Bogey A/c in the =rea he received a negative answer.
‘ . B. RINGWALD,
Captain, A, €.,
Intelligence Officer,
7/
% Foofighters is the mame given these phenomenon by combat crews of this
Squadrone