Recreated Roswell UFO crash photo showing the craft embedded in the ground.

The Roswell UFO Crash in 1947 (Craft and Bodies)

[Page updated 26 June 2024]

The Roswell incident has become a cornerstone of UFO lore, with a complex narrative involving government cover-ups, mysterious debris, and alleged alien bodies. Though the Trinity UFO Crash was likely the first UFO accident on USA soil, the Roswell event has captured the nation’s and the world’s imagination.

This is one of those cases that just will not go away. The primary reason is the sheer number of witnesses – dozens, or maybe hundreds, and the fact that the Roswell Army Airfield (base) published a press release saying they recovered a “Flying Disc.”

Some of the hospital staff reported seeing the small greyish alien bodies that were taken from the craft to the hospital!

Initial Saucer Crash Incident and Military Response

  • Date – The incident began in early July 1947.
  • Discovery – Rancher William “Mac” Brazel found debris on his property, about 75 miles north of Roswell, New Mexico.
  • Initial Military Statement – On July 8, 1947, the Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF) issued a press release stating they had recovered a “flying disc.”
  • Retraction – Shortly after, the military retracted the statement, claiming the debris was from a weather balloon, specifically a radar target from a high-altitude weather balloon.

Project Mogul

  • Official Explanation – In the 1990s, the U.S. Air Force revealed that the debris was likely from Project Mogul, a top-secret project using high-altitude balloons to detect Soviet nuclear tests.
  • Debris Description – The materials included metallic foil, rubber, and sticks, consistent with the Project Mogul devices.

Eyewitness Accounts and Theories

  • Jesse Marcel – As previously mentioned, Marcel described the debris as having unusual properties, sparking speculation about its origins.
  • Glenn Dennis – Dennis’ account of alien bodies seen by a nurse added another layer to the story, though his claims have been met with skepticism.
  • Walter Haut – The public information officer who issued the initial press release. Later, he claimed there was more to the story, including the recovery of alien bodies.

Investigations and Popular Culture

  • Books and Documentaries – The Roswell incident gained significant attention in the late 1970s and 1980s with books like “The Roswell Incident” by Charles Berlitz and William Moore. Various documentaries and TV shows further popularized the story.
  • Ufologists – Researchers like Stanton Friedman and Kevin D. Randle have extensively investigated and written about Roswell, arguing for a cover-up.
  • Skepticism – Many skeptics attribute the Roswell incident to a combination of misidentified military projects and the cultural context of the early Cold War era, which fueled UFO sightings and conspiracy theories.

Recent Developments

  • Declassified Documents – The release of previously classified documents, including those related to Project Mogul, has provided more context but hasn’t settled the debate.
  • Continued Speculation – The incident remains a topic of interest and speculation, with new theories and alleged evidence periodically emerging.

Cultural Impact

  • Media Representation – Roswell has inspired numerous books, TV shows, and movies, cementing its place in popular culture.
  • Annual Festivals – Roswell, New Mexico, hosts an annual UFO Festival, attracting thousands of visitors and enthusiasts.

The Roswell UFO incident in 1947 is one of the most famous events in UFO lore. It began with reports of a “flying disc” crash near Roswell, New Mexico. Here are the basic facts as stated by eyewitnesses, along with a comparison of three different accounts:

Major Jesse Marcel, Sr.

Profession: Intelligence Officer, Roswell Army Air Field

Account

  • Marcel was one of the first military personnel to investigate the crash site.
  • He described the debris as unusual, consisting of lightweight, thin metal pieces that were incredibly strong and could not be cut or burned.
  • Marcel claimed some of the material was a type of foil that returned to its original shape after being crumpled.
  • He also mentioned symbols on some of the debris that looked like hieroglyphics.

Commonalities

  • Lightweight, strong material.
  • Foil-like material that returned to shape.
  • Unusual symbols.

Differences

  • Marcel’s account is one of the most detailed and he emphasized the unique properties of the materials.

William “Mac” Brazel

Profession: Rancher

Account

  • Brazel discovered the debris on his ranch and initially reported it.
  • He described the debris as being scattered over a large area.
  • The material included rubber strips, tinfoil, and tough paper-like material.
  • Brazel was less specific about the unusual properties of the materials compared to Marcel.

Commonalities

  • Debris scattered over a large area.
  • Mention of foil-like material.

Differences

  • Described debris in more ordinary terms (rubber strips, tough paper-like material).

W. Glenn Dennis

Profession Mortician, Ballard Funeral Home. Glenn Dennis’ Interview on YouTube.

Account

  • Dennis claimed to have been contacted by the Roswell Army Air Field to provide child-sized coffins.
  • He stated that a nurse friend from the base described seeing alien bodies with large heads and slanted eyes.
  • This nurse later was transferred and he never heard from her again.
  • Dennis himself did not see the crash site but relayed the nurse’s account.

Commonalities

  • Mention of alien bodies (from nurse’s account, not debris).

Differences

  • Dennis’ account focuses on the aftermath and the alleged alien bodies rather than the debris itself.
  • His account is more hearsay, as it is based on the nurse’s description.

Comparison

Commonalities

  • All witnesses reported something unusual.
  • Marcel and Brazel both mentioned foil-like material.
  • Debris described as lightweight and scattered over a large area.

Differences

  • Marcel emphasized the unique properties of the materials and mentioned hieroglyphic-like symbols.
  • Brazel’s account was more down-to-earth, describing materials like rubber and tough paper.
  • Dennis’ account focused on the supposed alien bodies rather than the debris.

While each eyewitness provided different details, they all pointed to the presence of strange materials and circumstances at the Roswell site. Marcel’s account is notable for its specific descriptions of the debris’ properties, Brazel’s for his initial discovery and practical descriptions, and Dennis’ for adding the element of alleged alien bodies, albeit secondhand.

Film, TV, and Talk Shows about the Roswell UFO Crash

Sure, here are the URLs to the documentaries and movies on the Roswell UFO crash of 1947 that I found:

  1. “The Roswell Incident” (1994, Channel 4)
  • Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a direct URL for this specific documentary. It might be available through some niche streaming services or physical media retailers.
  1. “Roswell” (1994 TV Movie)
  1. “Roswell: The UFO Cover-up”
  • A specific link to this documentary wasn’t available. It might be available on some specialized UFO or documentary streaming sites.
  1. “World’s Most Mysterious Extraterrestrial Incident: Alien Crash at Roswell”
  1. “Roswell UFO Conspiracy: Unlocked”
  1. “Roswell: The Final Declassification”
  • You might find this on UFO or conspiracy-specific streaming services. No direct link was found, but similar content is often featured on sites like DocumentaryTube.

More Ideas – For more comprehensive information, these documentaries might be available on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, or specialized services that offer documentaries and niche content on UFOs.

Summary

The Roswell incident’s enduring mystery lies in the conflicting accounts and the secrecy surrounding military projects at the time. Whether viewed as a cover-up of extraterrestrial contact or a misunderstood military operation, Roswell continues to captivate the public’s imagination.

[Image – Gemini AI]