Sweden: MP demands civilian probe of ghost fliers
On February 11, 1937, Swedish MP Elof Lindberg called for a civilian expert commission in parliament to investigate ghost flier intrusions, suspecting military exaggeration for funding.
Background
Background
In the winter of 1936/37 there were renewed sightings of unidentified aircraft over northern Sweden, known as ghost fliers. These followed earlier incidents from 1933/34, which had been investigated by the military and customs authorities.
The Event
On February 11, 1937, MP Elof Lindberg called in the Swedish parliament for an independent commission staffed with civilian specialists rather than military personnel. He suspected that the military was exaggerating reports in order to obtain more funding for the north and for the air force.
Reactions and Evidence
The defence minister rejected the proposal, as no new facts had been presented. Reports drew on newspaper articles such as Svenska Dagbladet of February 14, 1937. General Pontus Reuterswärd had previously confirmed airspace violations.
Significance
This illustrates early tensions between civilian and military approaches to UAP investigation in Scandinavia, before the modern UFO waves.