Iwo Jima: 5th Air Force sees teardrop objects
Twelve 5th Air Force intelligence specialists aboard a C-46 near Iwo Jima observed three white teardrop-shaped objects pacing their aircraft. Instruments malfunctioned and engines faltered until the objects departed rapidly.
Background
Witnesses and Event
Twelve 5th Air Force communications specialists were flying in a C-46 on August 28, 1945, en route to Iwo Jima in the Ogasawara Islands, Japan. Among the passengers was the later UFO researcher Leonard Stringfield. They reported three white, teardrop-shaped objects flying parallel to the aircraft.
Observation and Effects
The objects held the same altitude and speed. Navigation instruments suddenly became unreliable, the engines faltered, and the aircraft began to labour. The sighting ended when the objects accelerated and disappeared, after which the systems returned to normal.
Significance
This Second World War incident marks an early encounter with unexplained objects that affected aircraft. Stringfield's involvement has been cited as lending it credibility; documented in NICAP, in his books, and in interviews.