TOP SECRET: THE FBI AND "PROJECT MOGUL" (1947)

July 8, 1947, a press release went out over the wires at about 3 p.m. Roswell Air Field officers and the
local news spread the word. One of those pesky - and reoccurring - flying discs, previously reported from around the country since early May was in the hands of the United States Army Air Corps at the Roswell Army Air Field.  That evening, and by next day's issues of many newspapers, the word was that General Ramey, in charge of the 8th Army, had dumped the saucer - it was just a normal weather balloon.

In the 1990's the Air Force dived deep into the consistent tale of crashed saucer in the desert. They pulled from out another explanation. It had not been just a weather balloon BUT it had been part of an ultra, top-secret activity known as "PROJECT MOGUL."  It was so secret that none could know about it. It was essentially an ordinary weather balloon (sometimes a multiple balloon array) with a shiny rawin (abbreviation of Radar Wind) target. The only thing "secret" was the testing equipment or instrument box that carried instruments to make readings to try and track nuclear testing down by the Soviets. 

The testing was done under the oversight of New York University with Albert Crary and Charles Moore "in the field."  

This SUPER, TOP-SECRET project was less than that by late August and early September f 1947. FBI files include one also found in Project Blue Book. A photo of a random collection of "junk" found in Hackensack, NJ. is in both file systems. Tubes, wires, bits of ceramic used in electronic systems, and various other slightly charred items had been spread out on a tarp or sheet. Possibly something very similar had been found near a farm in Danforth, Ill. The FBI descriptions of both seem to imply that. 

Hackensack, NJ "debris"

In an FBI Memo of September 23, 1947 from E.G. Finch to D.M. Ladd labeled "Instrument found on farm near Danforth, Ill" there is a rundown of a memo from the 3rd of September.  Items had been sent to a lab, inquires made and a Mrs. Whedon of the Army Engineers had stated the item was one used by the Air Force on tests classified as "Top Secret."

The memo further indicated that Special Agent S.W. Reynolds, Laison Section,
had contacted the Intelligence Division of the Air Force. They had advised him the instrument Mrs. Whedon alluded to was used in "OPERATION MOGUL." The memo can be found on the FBI Vault sight in the "UFO" files, part 4 and page 18.

Now, go back to 9 July 1947 when Brig. General George F. Schulgen had met with Special Agent S.W. Reynolds in the Laison Section and the general had solemnly stated that neither the War Department (which meant in that day the Army) nor the Navy had any projects that might be confused with the "flying discs" being reported. 

In September a confidential letter being sent to various units and commanders strongly implied the FBI was doing the investigations in the reports of "ash can lids and toilet seats." Implying the serious stuff was being investigated by the Army Air Forces. This letter was brought to the attention of Hoover and a polite but very distinct breaking off of cooperation between the two groups resulted. 

It is very odd that such a top-secret project - as the 1990's Air Force report wished people to believe -  was being so easily discussed in September of 1947.