Sector:USA/UK_MOD_UFO_Files

## Metadata

**Incident ID:** INC-4729

**Date:** 1979-12-26 (primary cluster); supporting correspondence dated 1970s-1980s

**Location:** Multiple locations within the United Kingdom; primary cluster identified near latitude 52.1N, longitude 1.5W (rural field adjacent to minor road), additional reports from two nearby villages and an RAF aerodrome reporting office

**Reporting Agency:** Ministry of Defence (UFO Desk, Air Staff) — records held at The National Archives

**Status:** UNRESOLVED

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## Summary

A series of observational reports and accompanying correspondence were retained following an increase in public interest in unidentified aerial phenomena. The retained material was composed of: original sighting reports filed by private citizens; a field inspection report produced by a civilian field investigator acting at local authority request; internal Ministry of Defence correspondence and reply letters to members of the public; and limited technical data obtained from a university physics department where samples were submitted for analysis.

The records were catalogued and stored in a single file series. Multiple narrative accounts were received for the same temporal window on 1979-12-26 between 20:50 and 21:30 GMT. The accounts were consistent in reporting a luminous, disc-shaped object seen over open farmland and local roads. Pilots on assigned visual flight operations in the region were contacted and reported no sightings. Aviation radar and civilian local radar logs that were retained with the file were reviewed and contained no recorded primary or secondary radar returns coincident with the visual reports. A small area of ground showing compressed vegetation was inspected and sample material was submitted for laboratory examination. Correspondence was retained between the investigating civilian and the MOD desk in which possible explanations were proposed and rejected on the basis of observed data.

Two facts within the retained file were recorded for which no causal mechanism was identified in the available documentation: (1) simultaneous multi-observer visual confirmation of a luminous object at 21:13 GMT with no corresponding radar return; (2) localized magnetic field anomalies recorded near the area of compressed vegetation which could not be reconciled with standard ferromagnetic contamination or instrumentation error according to the laboratory report.



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## Background and File Retention

Following media coverage of increased public interest in unidentified aerial phenomena, local authorities and the Ministry of Defence agreement was documented indicating that individual reports would be retained for record and analysis. The practice of retaining letters and replies was described in internal policy correspondence. It was stated that routine correspondence would be stored with sighting reports, including letters from members of the public and replies offering possible explanations or requesting additional information. Lat