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THE FIRST GREEK MILITARY ARTICLE ON THE UAP PHENOMENON IN 1967
Written by Nikos Apostolopoulos
02/18/2026 - 19 minutes read
Written by Nikos Apostolopoulos – 18/02/2026
The 1960s was a highly significant period for the study of the UFO phenomenon in Greece, although the foundations had been laid a few years earlier. During the 1950s, the first major wave of the phenomenon occurred, with numerous events contributing to its prominence. The Greek press was flooded with reports, now consistently using the term “Flying Saucers,” while information arriving from abroad and published daily further fueled public interest.
The most intriguing year was 1954, marked by the global UFO wave, with Europe particularly affected during September and October. This wave also impacted Greece: reports multiplied and surpassed all previous records across the country, with a peculiar concentration in the islands of the eastern Aegean, especially on Lesvos. With the arrival of the 1960s and the groundwork already laid, reports of UFO sightings in Greece continued, and the public maintained strong interest and attention on the subject. This occurred for several reasons. In 1964, a new UFO wave erupted in the United States and, combined with the ongoing space program aimed at reaching the Moon and growing speculation about extraterrestrial life, indirectly influenced Greece and related phenomena.
In the autumn of 1965, Athens hosted the 16th International Astronautical Congress, welcoming Soviet and American astronauts, as well as figures such as rocket scientist Wernher von Braun and science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke. During the same period, respected and influential personalities such as Pavlos Santorinis from the scientific community attempted to present the first strictly scientific approach to addressing and explaining the phenomenon.
The combination of all these factors gradually cemented UFOs in the perception of a portion of the public as extraterrestrial craft. Amidst this climate, in 1967, the Greek Army entered the discussion through the official magazine of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Stratiotiki Epitheorisi (“Military Review”).
“Flying Saucers” by Major Dim. I. Matsoukas
Since May 1883—meaning for 143 years up to today—the Hellenic Army General Staff has published the official bimonthly magazine Stratiotiki Epitheorisi (“Military Review”), which includes articles of military, historical, and technical interest, analyses, and supplementary publications. It is a respected journal addressed primarily to military personnel of the Armed Forces, as well as to scholars of military history.
In 1967, at a time when the UFO phenomenon dominated newspaper headlines, Military Review published an extensive 17-page article concerning Top Secret files and studies from the United States and the then Soviet Union regarding UFO technology, the shape of the objects, the possible use of antimatter engines, and the endurance of metals under high temperatures and radiation.
The article, titled “FLYING SAUCERS,” was written by Major (Signals Corps) DIM. I. MATSOUKAS. It was divided into sections and attempted a historical overview beginning from 13,000 BC and the possibility of ancient extraterrestrial visitation, extending to contemporary times with a presentation of various hypotheses from the scientific community.
Particularly striking is the article’s conclusion and the Major’s final remarks, which leave the reader astonished, as he appears to acknowledge the extraterrestrial origin of UFOs, stating characteristically:
“...and we have nothing more to do than await the moment—if it is ever to occur—when the mystery of the visitors from the universe shall be revealed to us...”
Introduction
(In the excerpts that follow, the original spelling of the publication has been preserved.)
According to the introduction by Major Matsoukas:
“The purpose of the present work is to provide, in broad outline, an informative overview of the ‘Flying Saucers,’”
something that is not easy since
“...the development of this subject constitutes a bold undertaking due to the difficulty of distinguishing between scientific reality and unbridled imagination.”
The truth is that extraterrestrials have long been a central theme in science fiction and conspiracy narratives influencing popular culture. Conspiracy theories—often rooted in 20th-century literature—have claimed that aliens control the Earth, an idea found in the works of Robert E. Howard (1929) and in the Theosophical ideas of Helena Blavatsky (1888).
On the other hand, science actively searches for intelligent life light-years away. Astrobiologists such as Lewis Dartnell emphasize that any potential contact with extraterrestrials would require international preparation for the detection and decryption of signals. The prevailing scientific view maintains that any advanced civilization would likely be hundreds or thousands of light-years away, making travel to Earth effectively impossible.
The Major continues:
“The aforementioned difficulty has been intensified, on the one hand, by the extensive and long-standing publicity in newspapers and magazines, and on the other, by the deliberate and systematic obscuration of the issue’s handling from official quarters. Due to the inconceivable repercussions that any related information, disclosure, or official confirmation of the existence of ‘Flying Saucers’ may have upon humanity, it is deemed appropriate that the subject be developed herein in the aforementioned general manner, with the primary aim of arousing the reader’s interest for personal investigation and continued observation.”
Historical Overview
The historical section of the article begins with a retrospective glance over the last fifteen centuries and the claim—found in various published books and articles—that extraterrestrials or “ancient astronauts” from some undefined planetary system visited Earth and influenced early human culture.
“During the last 15–20 years, a significant number of scientists in various countries have intensively engaged in the historical investigation and collection of evidence regarding the visitation of extraterrestrial beings to our planet. The relevant bibliography has already acquired considerable scope and lies beyond the possibilities of the present study. Herein, only a few but characteristic pieces of information and findings shall be presented, from which it becomes evident that visits from outer space precede by far the present 8–9 thousand years of human civilization in the Mediterranean region. According to converging information from American and Russian sources, the view is steadily forming that the Earth underwent, in a manner of speaking, a raid by intelligent beings from outer space some 14–15 thousand years ago, that is, around 13,000 B.C. This information originates mainly from China, where in caves of corresponding age wall paintings were discovered depicting beings wearing space suits. Likewise, discs made of an alloy of metal unknown to this day were found, bearing engravings similar to those of phonograph records and of comparable size, which after some twenty years of efforts were revealed to constitute an ancient script.”
The last reference alludes to the well-known story of the Dzopa tribe and the stone discs.
In 1943, a team of archaeologists thoroughly investigated a network of complex caves on the border between China and Tibet, connected by tunnels, when they came upon a striking discovery. Inside the tunnels they found an endless series of graves, one next to another. The skeletons corresponded to beings no taller than 1.30 meters, with a remarkable feature—oversized skulls.
Beside one buried skeleton lay a stone disc with a hole at its center. Around the hole was a spiral groove which seemed to radiate outward; closer inspection revealed within it a sequence of pictographic characters (resembling hieroglyphs), giving the impression of a written text. Astonishingly, each deceased individual had been buried with such a disc—716 in total.
A professor, Dr. Tsum Um Nui, worked meticulously on the discs and, twenty years later, claimed to have deciphered the symbols carved within the grooves. His announcement was sensational: the inscriptions allegedly recounted a story from 12,000 years ago about the arrival of an extraterrestrial race on Earth—the Dzopas—who were forced to inhabit the planet after the destruction of their spacecraft. The discs “spoke” of the eternal despair felt by these visitors, convinced that they would never be able to return to their home planet.
The article also refers to other discoveries in Japan and Australia, such as figurines that appear to wear astronaut-like suits, while similar forms are encountered in rock art across all five continents:
“Corresponding findings from Japan include figurines resembling modern astronauts in suits, upon whose heads antennas, visors, and other similar apparatus were discernible—elements that only recently, following the development of space science, became possible to interpret. Approximately similar figurines were also discovered in Australia, and it would seem that the entire region of our planet was covered by these swift flying raiders.”
Concluding the historical section, Major Matsoukas references the astrophysicist J. Allen Hynek (1910–1986), scientific advisor to the three U.S. Air Force programs investigating UFOs. In March 1967, Hynek published an article in Reader’s Digest describing cases of UFO sightings over American airfields, as well as radar network disturbances suggesting involvement of Flying Saucers:
“Thus, numerous aviation accidents are reported as resulting from encounters between aircraft and unidentified flying objects, testimonies from airport control tower personnel, as well as disturbances in early warning radar networks due to unexpected target appearances on screens, etc. Perhaps the most revealing indication of the seriousness of the matter is that it is, according to many researchers, contained within a TOP SECRET file of the American Air Force, and possibly also of the Soviet.”
Scientific Hypotheses
The first fundamental question for anyone attempting to investigate the subject of UFOs concerns their place of origin. Robotic planetary explorers that scanned our solar system during the 1960s and 1970s found no trace of life, nor even environments likely to support it. The most ambitious experiment in exobiology—when the 1976 Viking Mars Lander attempted to detect biological activity in Martian soil—yielded discouraging results.
Apart from Earth, the solar system appeared inaccessible, given the colossal distances involved, and at the time no one knew with certainty whether other stars even possessed planets—let alone inhabited ones.
The article continues:
“This great question mark has seriously occupied and continues to occupy the thought of numerous researchers from almost every branch of science, for, as we have previously seen, Archaeology already plays a significant role, and to a considerable extent Theology as well, although at first glance the subject appears to be of astronomical interest. Addressing the above question presupposes primarily a theoretical investigation of the space surrounding the Earth in order to ascertain the existence of celestial bodies suitable as carriers of life of the type known to us.”
However:
“…one should not dismiss outright the possibility that Flying Saucers originate from regions outside our galaxy, that is, from distances of millions of light-years. At present, however, human knowledge does not permit the conception of such a hypothesis, since it cannot be explained by contemporary science.”
Inevitably, the discussion turns to speed—specifically, speeds exceeding that of light:
“Acceptance of such a hypothesis presupposes the existence of velocities greater than that of light, which we acknowledge as the maximum and constant. Naturally, if we accept that Flying Saucers are constructions of intelligent beings originating from the aforementioned dizzying distances, this automatically renders necessary the acceptance that these beings must possess scientific and technological capabilities far exceeding even the boldest human imagination of today.”
Shape and Material
The second question—one that involves fewer disagreements—concerns the shape of the objects and the material from which they are constructed. Descriptions range from classic discs to complex geometric forms. The most frequently reported shapes include: Flying Saucers (disc-shaped), cigar-shaped/cylindrical craft, triangular UFOs, spheres, boomerang forms, and even “jellyfish” UAP.
According to the article:
“If we accept the disc shape as the most probable, we are confronted with the problem of construction material, for these objects, being visible, must possess material substance. Thus questions arise concerning the metal or other substance from which the craft and its components are constructed. The first and basic prerequisite must be an inconceivable, by human standards, resistance of the metal to temperature and radiation. During a journey of this type, the craft must shield its crew from temperature variations of several thousand degrees. Beyond high temperatures, it must also withstand the enormous quantities of radiation to which the spacecraft would be exposed.”
The true danger for deep-space missions, beyond the protective magnetosphere of Earth, comes from galactic cosmic radiation—high-energy particles (approximately 90% protons and 9% alpha particles) originating outside the solar system, primarily from supernova explosions within our galaxy. Their intensity near Earth fluctuates with solar activity, reaching peak levels during solar minimum, when the Sun’s magnetic field weakens.
Such radiation poses hazards for high-altitude aircraft crews and especially astronauts, requiring protective countermeasures. Matsoukas notes:
“Our present knowledge of chemistry does not permit us to hypothesize the composition of the shell of such a spacecraft, given that we assume the elements known to us constitute the visible universe. Velocities greater than that of light overturn our concepts concerning the structure of matter.”
And further:
“…science today has not crystallized a clear conception of matter, for on the one hand the available technical means are inadequate, and on the other the extent of the unknown is so overwhelming for human capacities that even simple conjectures cannot be formulated. Consequently, we see that for the determination of the construction material of Flying Saucers, present knowledge is insufficient.”
Propulsion and Antimatter
The third question concerns propulsion—how Flying Saucers operate and how extraterrestrials might accomplish interstellar travel. This subject has fueled speculation, conspiracy theories, and unofficial research, since reported performance characteristics—sudden accelerations, 90-degree maneuvers, absence of sonic booms—exceed known aerospace technology.
Theoretical approaches discussed in broader discourse include:
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Gravity manipulation / spacetime bending, suggesting artificial gravitational fields allowing inertial-free motion.
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Electromagnetic field propulsion, including claims involving exotic isotopes such as “Element 115.”
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Warp drives, involving the folding of spacetime.
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Reverse engineering hypotheses, referencing alleged energy “reactors.”
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Plasma shielding, inferred from luminous or ionized envelopes around observed objects.
The article also refers to antimatter.
In 1963, the late Professor of Astronomy at the University of Athens, Dimitrios Kotsakis, wrote:
“The world of antimatter must possess the principal characteristics of our own world. If intelligent beings exist, materially they would consist of antimatter, yet the form of their world and their investigation of it would follow the same course as that of the experimental and theoretical scientists of our world, provided they are at the same level of progress and civilization.”
Matsoukas adds:
“It would not be an exaggeration to compare such energy output with that of the Sun, as this source is relatively known. It cannot be excluded that energy far surpassing the solar may be required to establish conditions sufficient to accomplish journeys of this type… According to human knowledge, the most suitable engine in this case would be one operating by means of antimatter.”
Yet he concedes:
“The conception, design, and construction of such an engine once again lie beyond human capabilities.”
Electromagnetic Effects and Communication
Another issue that occupied researchers in the 1960s was the reported electrical disruptions associated with UFO appearances—power outages, stalled vehicles, and interference with electronic devices.
During a February 1967 seminar organized by the Hellenic Astronautical Society, Professor Pavlos Santorinis stated that physicists worldwide were aware—despite official ridicule or denial—that such objects not only visited Earth but were often accompanied by electromagnetic phenomena.
Matsoukas comments cautiously:
“Other observers report that Flying Saucers preferentially rest upon high-voltage conductors, presumably to charge some type of accumulators, causing disturbances in the supply of electrical energy. Such information must be received with reservation…”
Finally, the question of communication arises: is language universal? Would extraterrestrials possess a communicative structure analogous to human language?
The article notes that scientists, particularly within information theory, have examined communication both with advanced computers and with non-human terrestrial intelligences such as dolphins. It concludes with a striking speculation:
“According to researchers, the most probable means of communication with extraterrestrial beings would be extrasensory perception—that is, without the use of the five senses, but through telepathy… It is not excluded that thought may one day be shown to be transmitted at velocities far exceeding that of light…”
Conclusions
In his seventeen-page article in Military Review, the official journal of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Major D. Matsoukas briefly examined the historical background of the phenomenon and several possible explanations for the appearance of Flying Saucers on our planet.
The article clearly raises questions without offering definitive answers.
He writes:
“The easiest and most realistic approach would of course be to reject any validity or credibility in the reported observations or appearances of Flying Saucers. This view is shared today by a large portion of eminent astronomers and scientists. Yet in such a case, research and interest in the matter would be abandoned without examination, something contrary to the modern philosophy of science.”
He further notes that during the May 1966 International Solar Eclipse Conference in Athens, foreign astronomers indicated that the prevailing interpretation worldwide was that the phenomenon lacked basis and consisted of misidentifications or illusions.
A few years later, however, J. Allen Hynek would challenge such dismissals in his 1978 book The Hynek UFO Report. Hynek revealed that surveys among astronomers showed a far more nuanced attitude: a significant percentage privately expressed interest in the subject, though many publicly distanced themselves from it—a phenomenon he termed the “Committee Complex.”
Humanity is surrounded by enigmas and mysteries, yet none appears so elusive as determining what Flying Saucers truly are. Decades later, we still cannot definitively describe what UAP are—because we simply do not know. What can be asserted, however, is that not all reported phenomena are illusions or hoaxes.
Major Matsoukas concludes:
“Turning to the Macrocosm—the suns, galaxies, and clusters of galaxies—we cannot arrive at a logical conclusion capable of elucidating this mystery.”
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