Famous UFO mystery revealed as SAS prank
BRITAIN’S most famous UFO mystery was a prank played on the Americans by the SAS, according to insiders.
The truth about the Rendlesham Forest incident in Suffolk has been kept under wraps for 38 years.
But now it is claimed the US air force was fooled by the SAS in revenge for capturing a squad and subjecting them to a brutal interrogation.
The SAS were said to have regularly tested US security by probing the perimeters of RAF Woodbridge. Nuclear warheads were said to be stored there.
But when an SAS troop parachuted into the complex one night in August 1980 they were unaware the guards had upgraded their radar system.
Their black parachutes were immediately detected and the British were hauled off for questioning.
They claimed they were beaten up by their captors and repeatedly referred to as “unidentified aliens”. They were eventually released 18 hours later after the British authorities intervened. British UFO expert Dr David Clarke said: “The troopers made no complaint but said, ‘Right, we’ll show them what aliens really look like’.”
The SAS men spent the autumn nights reconnoitring the perimeter of the base where it met Rendlesham Forest. As December approached, lights and coloured flares were rigged in the woods.
Black helium balloons were also coupled to remote-controlled kites to carry suspended materials into the sky, activated by radio controls. This took place between Dec 26 and 28, 1980.
Military personnel from nearby RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge, including the deputy base commander, witnessed strange lights in the forest and hovering above the twin Nato airbases, which were on high alert.
“The matter should have ended there,” according to a letter written to Dr Clarke by an alleged SAS source.
“But the hovering and whizzing lights were sufficiently impressive for a senior US officer to send a report to the MOD. Questions were asked. A few red faces – but also amusement – followed. USAF was ‘reassured’ and no UK investigation was undertaken – obviously.”