Encounter Atlas
In 1946, a year before the term 'flying saucer' existed, people across Sweden and Finland began reporting rocket- or cigar-shaped objects streaking through the sky, some trailing fire, some apparently changing course. About 2,000 reports were logged between May and December, with peaks on 9 and 11 August.
On 19 July 1946 a farmer saw an object crash into Lake Kölmjärv in northern Sweden, and the Swedish military searched the lake but found nothing. Officials feared the Soviets were test-firing captured German V-weapons, and the Swedish army told newspapers not to print exact locations.
Investigators concluded that many sightings were meteors, and the August peaks match the Perseid shower. But some reports, including radar returns and recovered fragments, were never fully explained.
Browse 10,622 US Air Force Project Blue Book case files on the map or by state.
What witnesses report
- A cigar or rocket shape with a fiery tail
- Changing direction in flight
- Crashing into lakes
- No sound
Famous cases
- 1946First reports
Finland - 1946Lake Kölmjärv crash
Norrbotten, Sweden
Seen the Ghost rockets?
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