UK: Flying Saucer Working Party final report
In June 1951, the UK Flying Saucer Working Party submitted its secret final report to the Ministry of Defence, concluding most UFO sightings had conventional explanations. CIA scientist H. Marshall Chadwell attended the delivery meeting.
Background
Background
The Flying Saucer Working Party was set up in 1950 by the British Ministry of Defence to examine UFO reports systematically. It analysed reports, including those from RAF pilots, and produced a six-page report designated DSI/JTIC Report No. 7, classified as Secret.
Key Event
In June 1951 the report was presented to the Directorate of Scientific Intelligence. H. Marshall Chadwell, chief scientist of the CIA, attended the meeting. The report conceded that no comprehensive investigation had been carried out, but concluded that explanations could be found for most cases, such as misidentification or optical illusion.
Recommendations and Dissemination
The group strongly recommended that no further investigations be undertaken without material evidence. Copies went to Canadian as well as US and British authorities. The report influenced the policy of demystifying UFO sightings.