REF: UAP/1940s/010Unexplained
1944-1945

'Foo Fighters' encounters

European & Pacific theaters · Multiple·Military pilot sightings·1940s
Unexplained
§ ASummary

Allied aircrews repeatedly reported glowing balls of light pacing combat aircraft; term coined by 415th Night Fighter Squadron.

§ BWitnesses

Hundreds of Allied aircrews (415th NFS et al.)

§ CEvidence & Documentation

Mission debriefs; contemporaneous press (NYT 1/2/1945)

§ DOfficial Investigation

Informal Eighth AF review; later CIA Robertson Panel discussion (1953)

§ EStatus Assessment

Never explained; ball lightning/St. Elmo's fire proposed

§ FVerifiable Sources

Chester, 'Strange Company' (2007); Robertson Panel report (1953); 415th NFS war diary