Department of Air File 114/1/197: Reports on Flying Saucers and Other Aerial Objects

This document is a compilation of correspondence, minute sheets, and reports maintained by the Australian Department of Air under file reference 114/1/197, covering the period from 1953 to 1955. The file documents the Australian government's administrative handling of public reports regarding 'flying saucers' and other unidentified aerial phenomena. The correspondence reveals a structured, albeit cautious, approach to these reports, involving coordination between the Department of Air, the Department of Civil Aviation, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). A significant portion of the file concerns the Australian Flying Saucer Bureau, led by Edgar R. Jarrold, which actively sought to collaborate with the government on research and requested access to photographic evidence, specifically a film taken by Mr. T.C. Drury at Port Moresby in 1953. The government consistently maintained a policy of not establishing formal liaison with private saucer research groups, citing security concerns and the need to avoid giving official credence to unverified reports. The file includes several specific sighting reports from members of the public, which were investigated by RAAF intelligence officers or local police. Many of these reports were ultimately attributed to astronomical phenomena, such as the planet Venus, or to conventional aircraft, including RAAF Canberra jet bombers. The file also contains internal discussions regarding the potential for scientific analysis of these phenomena, with some officials suggesting that the reports were beyond the comprehension of standard military personnel, while others advocated for a more rigorous, albeit private, scientific review. The administrative tone throughout is one of skepticism, with a focus on managing public inquiries while minimizing the expenditure of military resources on what were deemed non-security-related incidents.