Radar Observation of Unidentified Objects near Wiesbaden, Germany, 7 July 1950

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-262-50) concerning a radar observation of unidentified objects near Wiesbaden, Germany, on the night of 7 July 1950. The report details an incident occurring at approximately 2120Z, during which a GCA (Ground Controlled Approach) crew at Wiesbaden Airbase was directing the landing of a US aircraft. The radar operators observed a target in addition to the aircraft under control, which subsequently separated into two or three blurred individual targets. These targets were spaced 90 to 100 degrees apart and exhibited a very high rate of speed, moving in a counterclockwise motion on the radar scope. The targets were estimated to be between 3 and 4 miles from the operators, at an angle described as too high for a good target return. The radar contact was maintained for approximately 17 minutes before the targets were lost from sight at 2137Z as the operators focused on the aircraft under their control. The report notes that the Wiesbaden control tower operator was contacted following the observation and stated that no jet aircraft were known to be flying in the area at that time. Additionally, the report includes a comment from the Headquarters of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), which mentions that an airman from the 1947th AACS Squadron, who was off-duty in the town of Wiesbaden, reported hearing sounds similar to low-flying jet aircraft at approximately 2200Z on the same night. This airman reportedly provided this information without prior knowledge of the radar contacts. The document concludes that the speed of the unidentified objects suggested the possibility of them being jet aircraft, despite the lack of official flight records for such activity in the area at that time.