Project 10073 Record Card - Sighting near Bitburg, Germany, 17 April 1960

On April 17, 1960, at 0250Z, two air policemen, SSGT Donald E. Metz and SSGT Richard D. Smith of the 36th Air Police Squadron, observed an unidentified aerial phenomenon 4.5 nautical miles southwest of Bitburg Air Base, Germany. The witnesses, who were driving northeast at the time, described the object as rain-drop shaped with a very long tail, similar to a comet's tail. The object was estimated to be half the size of a dime at arm's length and appeared bright yellow-orange. It was first sighted directly under the moon and traveled from south to north at a forty-five-degree angle before disappearing behind hills. The observers noted that the object appeared to move slower than a typical falling star and that it shed large pieces from its main body as it traveled, becoming brighter as it fell toward the horizon. The duration of the sighting was approximately four to five seconds. The weather conditions were described as extremely clear with excellent visibility and a full moon. No optical aids were used, and no maneuvers other than straight flight were observed. The official conclusion reached by the evaluating agency was that the object was 'probably a meteor.' The report was processed through military channels, including the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, 17th Air Force, and Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.