"Flying
Saucers Have Landed"
George
Adamski (April 17, 1891—April 23, 1965) founder of the Royal Order of Tibet,
was the first person that claimed to have been taken on a ride in an UFO. Be it
via an earlier piece he admitted to be "fiction" involving the
Theosophical Mahatmas, and rewritten some years later as "fact," now
involving flying saucers, Venusians, and so on.
Adamski
thus became a major flying saucer celebrity after the release of his 1953 book,
Flying Saucers Have Landed, where he told the story of encountering and
communicating with Orthon, the pilot of a landed extraterrestrial spaceship.
Better still, he had an abundance of evidence: multiple witnesses, physical
traces and photographs! He later took movies of the saucer and continued to
have contact and adventures with the visitors from space and share their
message of peace and love with the people of Earth. As we will see below, his
claims were an elaborate hoax.
Adamski's
stories led other people to come forward with their own claims of contact and
interplanetary travels with friendly "Space Brothers", including such
figures as Howard Menger, Daniel Fry, George Van Tassel, and Truman Bethurum.
The message of Adamski and his fellow contactees was one in which the other
planets of Earth's solar system were all "inhabited by physically
handsome, spiritually evolved beings who have moved beyond the problems of
Earth people..the reader of Inside the Space Ships enters a perfect world, the
kind we can create here on Earth if we behave ourselves." Through books,
lectures, and conventions - particularly the annual Giant Rock UFO convention
in California - the contactee movement would grow throughout the 1950s. However,
Adamski would remain the most prominent, and most influential, of the
contactees.
Already
H.P. Blavatsky in the "Secret Doctrine" mentions beings that supposed
to come from outside our solar system and flying saucers called Vimanas driven
by the force of Vril.
Many
UFO groups and alleged contactees have therefore borrowed heavily from both
spiritualism and Theosophy. They have incorporated in their ideology the
concepts of cosmic wisdom and cosmic masters who exist on other planets. Their
leaders often channel, or communicate with, these masters through some psychic
means (such as telepathy) or by entering into a trance like state. Probably the
main difference between UFO cults and the neo-I AM movement is that the former
hold that the Masters not only live on other planets, but also visit the Earth
periodically in spaceships. For neo-I AM groups channeling the messages of the
Masters from other planets is an important activity. But these Masters, unlike
those of UFO groups, do not visit the Earth in flying saucers. The Church
Universal and Triumphant (the Summit Lighthouse) is a good example of this type
of neo-I AM movement, since it teaches that there are cosmic masters whose
messages are channeled through Elizabeth Claire Prophet.' Jesus, according to
the Summit Lighthouse, is a highly evolved Venusian who came on Earth to assist
humankind. But there is little interest in flying saucers as such and members
are not encouraged to pursue the topic. Essential to any UFO cult or religion
is the belief that one or several individuals are in touch with beings in
flying saucers and regularly fulfill the role of mediums who transmit prophetic
messages, religious teaching, and moral instructions.
It
is not easy to pinpoint the distinguishing features of the various types of
psychic (religious) UFO groups, because the several names of the space masters
or UFO people appear with astounding regularity and the religious messages and
spiritual instructions are very similar in content.
The
period from Theosophy to the New Age has seen a proliferation of sources from
which revealed wisdom is said to come. Whereas Theosophy and the earlier
post-Theosophical positions primarily acknowledged two types of sources-the
Masters and the Akashic record-the boom of channeling since the inception of
the New Age has introduced a host of new beings.
Tibetan
Masters still have a place in esoteric lore, greater prominence is now given to
invisible spiritual guides whose messages are received telepathically. Messages
from aliens and modernized versions of pseudo-Dionysius’s angelic hierarchy
precede both the rise of the Masters mythology and the current wave of
interest.
Emanuel
Swedenborg (1688-1772) claimed to have spoken with spirits from other planets.
Swedenborg informs his readers that the inhabitants of Jupiter walk with an
extremely peculiar gait, bending sideways at every third step: ("Arcana
Caelestia" #8541) that Saturnians quite unceremoniously dispose of their
dead by dumping them in the nearest forest: (AC #8947) and that beings who live
on the Moon speak by making belching sounds at each other (AC #10159). Besides
these peculiar details, however there is one facet of Swedeborg’s teachings that many contemporary
UFO enthusiasts would recognize. The denizens of space resemble us, but are
spiritually more advanced.
The
shift from the Masters back to the extraterrestrial intelligences was largely
the effect of the influence of George Adamski. He first founded an organization
called the Royal Order of Tibet, to disseminate the messages of the
Masters. In the 1940’s he wrote a short
story revolving around spiritual contacts with mysterious, highly evolved
beings. A decade later, the same claims would once again be presented, but this
time as biographical facts of Adamski’s own life. Other texts from the period
of this involvement with the Royal Order of Tibet were reworked and the
Oriental Mahatmas were replaced with aliens. And started the boom for UFO
related religiosity.
Looking
through my UFO material dating back to the time of Adamski, I found a document
that clearly exposes Adamski and is from "Saucer News" Oct. 1957.
Since
this article is very rare now I will place it in full:
Jerrold
Baker is a young saucer researcher who, after his discharge from the Army a few
years ago, became personally acquainted with Frank Scully (author of
"Behind the Flying Saucers") and George Adamski. From November 12th
1952 until January 12th, 1953, Baker lived and worked with Mr. Adamski at
Palomar Gardens, earning his board and keep by working as a secretary,
chauffeur, and general handyman.
Thus
Baker was present during the critical period covered in "Flying Saucers
Have Landed" Adamski’s book. The reader will recall that November 20th and
December 13th are the two important dates in Adamski's narrative.
In
a letter dated September 11th, 1954, Baker writes me the following startling
facts:
1.
I did not take the Brownie snapshot accredited to me.
2.
This was not the only Browni -Picture taken.
3.
George Adamski was the photographer, and the other Brownie pictures were
destroyed at his request by Lucy McGinnis.
4.
The photograph was not taken on the date indicated (i.e., not on December
13th).
5.
The desert contact was pre-planned and Adamski related the details to me of
what was to take place there previous to the venture....
6.
Lucy (McGinnis) purchased the plaster of paris in Escondito (Calif.) with me,
and it was Adamski who carried it (on November 20th), not Williamson.
Comment:
(1) That I have offered Baker no money or other inducement; (2) That by
admitting that he was duped by the Adamski hoax he is gaining nothing, as far
as I can sea, except the knowledge that through his efforts and mine, the truth
on the Adamski matter is at last coming to light; (3) That much of his evidence
corresponds with information I have received from other reliable sources, and
which I therefore readily accept as true; (4) That no one, other than Adsmski
and his six witnesses, has as great a first-hand knowledge of the incidents
described in "Flying Saucers Have Landed' as does Mr. Baker.
Baker's
information is contained in a number of letters and other documents. Therefore,
rather than run the risk of coloring Baker's information by putting it into my
own words, I will tell his story mainly by quoting from these various
documents.
First,
here, in part, is a sworn statement made by Mr. Baker on June 29th, 1954:
To
whom it may concern: In a recent book, "Flying Saucers Have Landed": an
alleged photograph of a flying saucer was credited to Sargeant Jerrold E.
Baker. I the undersigned, am the said party.... I make this statement in hopes
of separating facts from fiction, truth from lies, and the real from the
unreal. I did not take the alleged photograph accredited to me. The alleged
photograph was taken with the Brownie camera, along with three or four similar
photos by Mr. George Adamski, on the morning of December 12th, 1952, and not on
December 13th, 1952p as indicated (in the book)
In
a letter dated November 18th, 1954, Baker states: "Shortly after beginning
work at Palomar Gardens, I had a long discussion with George Adamski, in which
I tried to point out his slipshod manner of publishing what saucer photographs
he had to-ken during the five years previous. In the discussion, I suggested
that he not be the only photographer present during a flight of saucers over
Mount Palomar."
It
was my suggestion that he be located at one spot with his telescope and camera
while I or any other individual be located at another spot on the property with
a different type of camera.
Much
to my amazement, within a week after this suggestion, George Adamski early one
morning disclosed the fact that he had taken pictures with the Brownie camera,
adjacent to his cabin. The date of the photography was December 12th.
I
chauffeured Alice Wells to Escondito to purchase the week's supply of
restaurant articles. On our return, there was a fire on the slopes of Mount
Palomar, and we stopped at the ranger station to ascertain its location.... I
insert this to perhaps give you some means of substantiating my whereabouts.
Alice Wells liked me very much and if anyone would reveal the truth, she would
be the one, but her admiration for George Adamaki proves the greater, and I
feel she would be likely to protect him.
However,
there are two other people who can provide you with the necessary proof of my
claims regarding the photographs. They are: (1) Mr. Detwiler, the professional
photographer who processes Adamskils work. He must fully recall the dates on
which the photographs were presented to him. Secondly, he also developed the
additional negatives to substantiate the erroneous fact of merely one Brownie
photo. (2) Mr. Hal Nelson, who was and is presently an investigator for the
United States Civil Service.
Hal
was present the morning Mr. Detwiler and his wife delivered said photographs to
Palomar Cardona, and can verify seeing more than one Brownie snapshot.
Letter
from Baker to Frank Scully, dated January 31 at, 1954:
Case
"A": He (Adamski ) has taken hundreds of photographs. Here are the
most astounding photographs obtained thus far on the elusive saucers. This man
claims he has spent untold hours watching and waiting, both day and night, to
obtain the pictures. (See Page 2, next to last paragraph.) This is not true. I
know that he knows exactly when a (space) ship is coming, and is there at the
precise instant to snap the picture. It is a planned, purposeful action, not
the mare chance which he implies. Why the necessity of the deception? Is it as
he claims? Perhaps yes; but more likely, NO.
Case
"B": Contact with space man on the desert: Here again, misleading,
untruth stories are concocted to have the public accept what is supposed to be
a fact.... It is too purposeful, planned, and with peculiar motives. I was with
Lucy when the plaster of paris was bought prior to the trip. I purchased the
photographic plates myself. And, I accidentally heard a tape recorded account
of what was to transpire on the desert, who was to go, etc. 9 several days
before the party left Palomar Gardens. Though this recording was a
'communication through psychic means', the account as presented (in the book)
is entirely untrue. Regardless of the reasons presented to you or me, the
witnesses, or the reading public, its manner of presentation to the public has
bean misleading and false.
In
another letter, Baker expands on this point "The tape recording I heard
was a metaphysical discourse received through Professor Adamski approximately
one week before the desert contact. I had heard about ton minutes of the
tape-recorded talk when Lucy came to the office and advised me not to play the
tape recorder. From this brief behind-the-scenes listening, I was able to
determine that the desert contact was not a mere stab in the dark or a picnic
on the desert, but a planned operation."
Case
"C" (again quoting from Baker's letter to Scully): The Brownie
Snapshott You are presently familiar with this episode so I will not have to go
into it again. Howevert in talking with this man (Adamski) when we met in town
last week he urged me to continue using my name on the picture because,
"You-have to enter the back door sometimes to get the truth across. What
kind of a fool does he think we are, Frank? And actually, what kind of
imbeciles are we to pledge our support to such stories? Is not all this a
corruption of the truth? I say it is I know it is I will not condone it or
support it any longer."
The
above letter was written on January 31st, 1954. On November 2nd, 1953,
Adamski’s in an obvious effort to induced Baker to "stay in line,"
had written Baker as follows: "Now you know that the picture connected
with your name is in the book, too - the one taken by the well with the
Brownie. And with people knowing that you are interested in flying saucers as
you have been, and buying the book as they are you could do yourself a lot of
good.
For
you have plenty of knowledge about these things (i. a., saucers), whereby you
could give lectures in the evenings. There is a demand for this You could
support yourself by the picture in the book with your name. Remember that you
are as much publicized in the book as I am, as far as the picture is concerned.
And having the knowledge you have of these things, you have your break right here."
Notice
that Adamski does not say "the picture in the book which you took",
but rather, "the picture in the book with your name." Has not Baker
proved his contention right here? Furthermore, if the blurred affect in the
Baker photo is due to the saucer being out of focus rather than, as Adamski
claims, in motion - then the "saucer" muss-be less than ten feet from
the camera as anything beyond ten feet is in focus with a Brownie.
Yes,
Adamski attempted to bring Baker back in line, as noted above, but the present
state of the controversy can be summarized by the following letter from Baker
to Desmond Leslie dated August 4th, 1954. After reiterating that he did not
take the Brownie photograph, Baker states: "I am fully cognizant that
words and accusations that prove unfounded are vain. So with such an awareness
and knowledge - I am proceeding to take whatever action I deem congruent with
the nature of the Adamski fabrications, being confident that sufficient
evidence to substantiate my claims is in my possession at this time. I readily
admit that I fell victim to a hoax. I sustained the blow, and condoned the
erroneous stories. But I have not supported them in any way, shape or form. And
presently, under existing conditions, I will no longer continue to condone the
erroneous stories or fabrications of any party connected with flying
saucers...."
Finally,
here is one more extract from a personal letter written by Baker to a friend of
his: "Shortly before his disappearance, Karl Hunrath called a number of
people. Among these were Frank Scully, Manon Darlaine, and Mrs.
Wilkinson."
He
denied Adamaki's pictures as being real. He even told Mrs. Darlaine he saw the
model. This I cannot confirm or deny. However, I can truthfully state that both
Karl and I did see something one morning on our way down to the Palomar Gardens
Cafe from our cabin, that closely resembled a skeleton for a saucer mock-up. It
was a piece of wooden frame in a circular shape with strips of copper, about
one inch in width, strung in circles on this wooden frame .... We both
questioned George Adamski about this paraphernalia behind his cabin, at which
he grew somewhat uneasy (italics mine), and assured us that what we saw was his
own television antenna. I cannot say one way or the other, that it was or that
it wasn't. But it is interesting and important considering the mathematical
analysis made by several astronomers, who claim the photos couldn't be of
anything but a small model.
The
parade of evidence in regard to "Flying Saucers Have Landed" could go
on almost indefinitely.
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