Report of sighting of 'ghost projectile' in Köping, August 11, 1946

On August 14, 1946, F.V. Post, a former bank cashier from Köping, submitted a report to the Swedish Defense Staff (F.O.-staben) regarding a sighting of a 'ghost projectile' (spökprojektil). The incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, August 11, 1946, at the Kolbäcks railway platform. Post reports that a companion first noticed the object, exclaiming that it was a strange star or a 'ghost bomb.' Post observed the object as it passed by, noting it appeared to be traveling at a low altitude but likely at a significant distance. Based on a later comparison with a general staff map, the object's course was from the southwest to the northeast. Post estimated the object's length at two 'finger-widths' when viewed at a 45-degree angle. The object was described as cylindrical or spindle-shaped and appeared to be glowing red. On the side facing the witness, it emitted sparks or stars of clear red and green, while the opposite side displayed a blue and yellow light. The sparks extinguished shortly after detaching. The object also emitted a white smoke, which Post compared to a steam jet. While the phenomenon resembled a common firework rocket, Post noted that they did not hear any detonation, which would have been expected. The object moved in a nearly horizontal path, possibly with a slight upward trajectory, and was completely silent. Finally, it made a sharp turn downwards and continued at the same speed for about a meter before being obscured by railway cars standing nearby. The observation concluded at 20:45.