The Warminster Thing

The Warminster Thing

The “Warminster Thing” refers to a series of UFO sightings and unexplained phenomena that occurred in the town of Warminster, Wiltshire, England, between 1965 and 1977. The events in Warminster captured the attention of the public, media, and UFO enthusiasts, making it one of the most significant UFO flaps in British history.

The sightings began in the mid-1960s when residents of Warminster started reporting strange and unexplained phenomena in the skies above the town. Witnesses described seeing unidentified flying objects, unusual lights, and experiencing bizarre auditory phenomena, such as loud and inexplicable noises. Some accounts even mentioned sightings of metallic, saucer-like objects that appeared to be maneuvering in ways that defied conventional aircraft capabilities.

The peak of the Warminster UFO wave occurred on August 17, 1965, when a large crowd had gathered on Cradle Hill, a local vantage point, hoping to witness the strange phenomena. As night fell, numerous witnesses reported seeing a bright, orange-colored object in the sky that emitted a strange, humming noise. The object reportedly moved erratically, performing sudden twists and turns before disappearing from view. This event further fueled public interest in the phenomenon, and it received extensive media coverage.

As the years went on, the sightings continued, and more people claimed to have witnessed bizarre occurrences. Some individuals reported feeling vibrations or experiencing physical discomfort during these events. Conspiracy theories and speculative explanations began to emerge, including the suggestion that a secret military experiment or extraterrestrial visitations were behind the phenomena.

The media attention and the proliferation of UFO-related stories led to an influx of curious individuals and UFO enthusiasts descending upon Warminster to experience the events firsthand. Local businesses even embraced the phenomenon, with some organizing UFO-themed events and tours to capitalize on the growing interest.

However, over time, skepticism and doubts about the authenticity of some of the sightings emerged. Skeptics suggested that many of the reported UFO sightings could be attributed to natural phenomena, such as atmospheric conditions, weather anomalies, or even psychological factors influencing perception.

By the late 1970s, the fervor around the Warminster Thing began to wane, and the UFO sightings gradually subsided. While the exact cause of the events remains a subject of debate, the Warminster UFO flap left an indelible mark on UFO lore and popular culture, contributing to the ongoing fascination with unidentified flying objects and unexplained phenomena.

Other European UFO Encounters

1. Rendlesham Forest Incident (United Kingdom, 1980): Often referred to as “Britain’s Roswell,” this incident involved multiple U.S. Air Force personnel witnessing strange lights and a landed object near the RAF Woodbridge base in Suffolk.
2. Varginha UFO Incident (Brazil, but involving European witnesses, 1996): In Varginha, Brazil, several locals reported encountering strange creatures and a crashed UFO. Among the witnesses were members of the Brazilian military and a team of Italian scientists.
3. Belgian UFO Wave (Belgium, 1989-1990): Over a period of several months, numerous sightings of large, triangular-shaped objects were reported across Belgium. The incident gained significant media attention and prompted military investigations.
4. Berwyn Mountain Incident (Wales, United Kingdom, 1974): Reports of a bright light and an earth-shaking explosion were followed by claims of a crashed UFO on the Berwyn Mountains. The incident remains a subject of debate and speculation.
5. Westall UFO Encounter (Australia, but involving European witnesses, 1966): In Melbourne, Australia, over 200 witnesses, including schoolchildren and teachers, reported seeing a UFO descend and land in a nearby field. The witnesses included European immigrants.
6. Tunguska Event (Russia, 1908): While not strictly a UFO sighting, the Tunguska Event involved a massive explosion near the Tunguska River in Siberia. The incident is often attributed to an extraterrestrial object, such as a meteor or a UFO, causing the explosion.
7. Trans-en-Provence Case (France, 1981): A French farmer reported seeing a saucer-shaped object landing in his field. The incident was investigated by the French government and gained recognition as one of the most compelling UFO cases in Europe.
8. The Västerås Incident (Sweden, 1946): A Swedish military officer witnessed a metallic, disc-shaped object flying at high speed over Lake Mälaren near Västerås. The incident was investigated by Swedish authorities and remains unexplained.
9. Ilkley Moor Alien Photograph (United Kingdom, 1987): A photograph taken by a retired policeman on Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire purportedly shows a humanoid figure surrounded by a glowing light. The incident generated considerable debate and speculation.
10. Italian UFO Crash (1933).  The incident occurred on the night of June 14, 1933, in the small town of Sulmona, located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. Witnesses reported seeing a bright, glowing object streaking through the sky before it suddenly lost control and crashed into the nearby countryside. The crash site was situated in a remote area, surrounded by rugged terrain and dense vegetation.