Historian Dr G. Wiechmann joins me to explore how a fleeting newspaper story from 1950 grew into one of Europe’s most bizarre UFO legends—the so-called “Nazi UFO”. In his recent book, Von der deutschen Flugscheibe zum Nazi-UFO (From the German Flying Saucer to the Nazi UFO), he traces the strange journey of this myth: from Cold-War headlines and pop-sci magazines to right-wing esoterica and modern-day model kits.

We discuss how this story took flight, why it keeps resurfacing, and what its long afterlife reveals about our appetite for conspiracy lore—even when the physics don’t check out and there's a complete lack of credible evidence. 

What we cover

✦ How a brief post-war rumour turned into a mass-market legend
✦ The role of media, pulp fiction and military lexicons in spreading the story
✦ Why the myth survived debunking by engineers and historians alike
✦ How it continues to generate revenue through books, toys and memes
✦ What this case says about belief, technology and the business of mystery

Note: the interview is in German. Just email me to get a free English transcript of it (europeanufos@gmail.com)

Dr. Wiechmann’s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Von-Deutschen-Flugscheibe-Nazi-ufo-Metamorphosen/dp/350678742X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JCB7KKS6F2DP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tt1oGW6bQtycJcfcFjolyg.UGLpMd8vumTXFGCiYy2wmSRUTf4LcMD8TqxDsMH0tEc&dib_tag=se&keywords=nazi+ufo%2C+wiechmann&qid=1752244122&sprefix=nazi+ufo%2C+wiechmann%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-1

Get in touch with the show

📢 Twitter/X: @EuropeanUFOs
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📧 Email: europeanufos@gmail.com
☕ Support the podcast to keep it ad-free: buymeacoffee.com/europeanufos [https://buymeacoffee.com/europeanufos]

23: Germany’s Phantom Disc – Myths, Media & Money

In this episode, I speak with an ex crop circle maker who goes by the pseudonym “D.” While many still associate crop circles with extraterrestrials, D argues that humans play a pivotal role in their creation—and that the real mystery begins during the making of these formations.

Over the course of several summers in Wiltshire, a region in the southwest of England long associated with ancient monuments and mysterious phenomena, D helped create dozens of crop circles. What he encountered during those nights in the fields defies easy explanation: flashes of light, floating orbs, strange synchronicities, and unsettling energies that lingered long after the work was done.

We explore the technical and creative process behind crop circle construction and ask: What draws certain people to this work? Why does Wiltshire seem to act as a hotspot for high strangeness? And could the very act of making crop circles be a form of contact with something beyond ourselves?

D’s perspective challenges the tidy divide between hoax and mystery, man-made and paranormal. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, this conversation invites you to rethink the nature of the phenomenon.

More on D’s work

📝 Substack: https://itcantbepeople.substack.com

Get in touch with the show

📢 Twitter/X: @EuropeanUFOs
📷 Instagram: europeanufos
📘 Facebook: European UFOs
📧 Email: europeanufos@gmail.com
☕ Support the podcast to keep it ad-free: https://buymeacoffee.com/europeanufos

Want a free transcript of this episode? Email europeanufos@gmail.com, and I’ll be happy to send it over!

22: Inside Crop Circles - paranormal encounters in the fields

In this episode, I speak with filmmaker and UFO researcher Bram Roza about his new documentary, The UFO’s of Soesterberg, which explores one of the most remarkable mass military UFO sightings in European history. On February 3rd, 1979, twelve military police officers stationed at Soesterberg Air Base in the Netherlands reported witnessing a gigantic, dark triangular craft hovering silently over the base. The incident, which took place at the height of the Cold War, remains one of the best-documented UFO cases in the Netherlands.

We explore the key details of the Soesterberg case, including the official military response, how the event was reported in the media, and the involvement of Dutch and U.S. forces at the base. Bram shares insights from his extensive research, including interviews with former military personnel who saw the craft firsthand, as well as other previously unknown encounters from the region.

What really happened that night at Soesterberg? Was this a secret military craft, a case of mistaken identity, or something far more mysterious? Join us as we unravel one of the most compelling UFO cases in European history.

More on Bram Roza’s work

📽️ Documentary: The UFO's of Soesterberg (coming soon to streaming platforms), http://www.soesterbergufo.nl/

https://ufomeldpunt.nl/

Get in touch with the show

📢 Twitter/X: @EuropeanUFOs
📷 Instagram: europeanufos
📘 Facebook: European UFOs
📧 Email: europeanufos@gmail.com
☕ Support the podcast to keep it ad-free: https://buymeacoffee.com/europeanufos

Want a free transcript of this episode? Email europeanufos@gmail.com, and I’ll be happy to send it over!

21: Lights in the Cold War Sky - The Soesterberg Sighting(s)

In this episode, I speak with journalist Rino Di Stefano, who originally covered and later wrote a book about the Zanfretta case, one of Europe’s most astonishing and well-documented UFO abduction cases. Between 1978 and 1980, Pier Fortunato Zanfretta, a security guard in the Genoa region of northern Italy, reported multiple abductions by towering reptilian beings. His terrifying encounters sparked official investigations, drew the attention of the Italian Carabinieri, and left behind physical traces that continue to puzzle researchers to this day.

We explore the key events of the case, from Zanfretta’s first abduction in 1978 to his final (official) disappearance in 1980, analyzing eyewitness accounts, forensic evidence, and hypnosis sessions conducted by leading medical professionals. Di Stefano shares his first-hand experiences investigating the case, including his participation in a rescue operation after one of Zanfretta’s vanishings.

Was this a genuine case of extraterrestrial contact, a psychological phenomenon, or something else entirely? Join us as we dive deep into the mystery of the Zanfretta abductions and the lasting impact they had on those involved.

More on Rino di Stefano’s work

Website: https://www.rinodistefano.com/en/

Book on the Zanfretta case: https://www.amazon.com/Zanfretta-Case-Chronicle-Incredible-Story/dp/B0D47W45KG/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9RdBcCgf05Q9UsBjBH_JVQ.wVp5a0aij7OoQ4gJuWRdwBh8Ns7u-1K1XhAcY27_tsc&qid=1738511195&sr=8-1

Get in touch with the show

📢 Twitter/X: @EuropeanUFOs
[https://twitter.com/EuropeanUFOs]📷 Instagram: europeanufos
[https://www.instagram.com/europeanufos]📘 Facebook: European UFOs
[https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanUFOs]📧 Email: europeanufos@gmail.com
☕ Support the podcast to keep it ad-free: Buy Me a Coffee [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/europeanufos]

Want a free transcript of this episode? Email europeanufos@gmail.com, and I’ll be happy to send it over!

20: Italy’s most bizarre UFO abduction case

In this episode, I speak with Martin Chlebovský, a veteran ufologist and leading member of Project Záře (Project Glow) in the Czech Republic. We delve into the often-overlooked region of Central Europe in UFO research, exploring Martin's early fascination with UFOs that began in the 1970s.

Our discussion traces the evolution of UFO research in the Czech Republic, from its clandestine beginnings under the communist regime to the post-Velvet Revolution era, where newfound freedoms allowed researchers to organize and publish their findings. Martin shares insights into the methodologies employed by Project Glow, which investigated not only UFO sightings but also poltergeist phenomena, spontaneous human combustion, and other unexplained mysteries.

We also highlight a small but compelling percentage of cases that defy conventional explanation. Whether you're a seasoned UFO enthusiast or new to the field, this episode is packed with intriguing stories from a region rarely featured in mainstream UFO discourse.

Project Záře: http://www.projektzare.cz/

Final report of Project Záře: http://www.projektzare.cz/co-je-projekt-zare/

Get in touch with the show

Twitter/X: @EuropeanUFOs

Instagram: europeanufos [https://www.instagram.com/europeanufos/#]

Facebook: European UFOs

Email: europeanufos@gmail.com

Support the podcast to keep it ad-free: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/europeanufos

19: Czech UFOs and Project Záře (Project Glow)

In this episode, I speak with Joachim Dekkers, the founder of UAP Coalition Netherlands. We delve into his journey, starting with how the 2017 New York Times article about U.S. Navy pilots encountering UAP sparked his interest. Joachim shares how this curiosity led him to explore similar cases in Europe and ultimately form a coalition focused on UAP from the perspectives of law enforcement, aviation, and military professionals.

Our conversation covers his mission to remove the stigma surrounding UAP experiences and his push for serious research and cooperation with government bodies. We discuss the coalition's work with European institutions, the importance of flight safety, and efforts to improve UAP reporting across Europe.

Overall, this episode offers a fascinating look at how personal ambition can evolve into a full-scale movement aimed at fostering transparency and policy change in the realm of UAP.

UAP Coalition Netherlands: https://uapcoalitienederland.nl/en/

Get in touch with the show

Twitter/X: @EuropeanUFOs

Instagram: europeanufos [https://www.instagram.com/europeanufos/#]

Facebook: European UFOs

Email: europeanufos@gmail.com

Support the podcast to keep it ad-free: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/europeanufos

18: UAP Coalition Netherlands

In this episode, I speak with Edoardo Russo, a founding member of the Italian Center for UFO Studies (CISU) and a prominent figure in European UFO research. We explore the history and mission of CISU, uncovering how the organisation has contributed to UFO research in Italy and across Europe.

The discussion also highlights the role of UFO databases in tracking sightings and delves into a significant event at the European Parliament, which brought UAP to the political forefront. Additionally, Mr. Russo shares insights into UFO data from Italy, including a fascinating case involving military fighter jets.

Overall, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the key developments and ongoing efforts in European UFO research.

Organisations mentioned in this episode:

Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU): https://www.cisu.org/

UAP Check: https://www.uapcheck.com/

Edoardo Russo’s profile on CISU: https://www.cisu.org/edoardo-russo/

Get in touch with the show

Twitter/X: @EuropeanUFOs

Instagram: europeanufos [https://www.instagram.com/europeanufos/#]

Facebook: European UFOs

Email: europeanufos@gmail.com

Support the podcast to keep it ad-free: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/europeanufos

17: Advancing European UAP research

In this episode of European UFOs, we dive into a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of the UFO phenomenon: the intersection of consciousness, spirituality, and the unknown. Our guest, Guido Ferrari, a seasoned Swiss TV journalist and director, brings his unique insights to the discussion. With a career that includes interviews with prominent figures like the Dalai Lama and Karl Popper, Ferrari is no stranger to exploring the frontiers of science and the mysteries of consciousness.

Together, we explore intriguing questions: How are UFOs connected to our state of consciousness? Can specific protocols be developed to engage with these phenomena? And what is the relationship between the physical aspects of UFOs and their reported spiritual qualities?

This episode is presented in German. For those interested, a translated transcript is available upon request. Join us for a deep dive into the complex and mysterious world of UFOs and consciousness.

More on Guido Ferrari’s work:

Spiritual autobiography: https://a.co/d/3jzc3Q9

Website: https://guidoferrari.jimdofree.com [https://guidoferrari.jimdofree.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEkRalleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHYXe6TSvNd-G0kVUGPhESM3IY2FBbweQ7ahV6aixEz-hCUc0OuEDzRx81w_aem_BuZnzZAMIx2w5mXHnQx0uA]

Youtube: @guidoferrari2246

Get in touch with the show:

Twitter/X: @EuropeanUFOs

Instagram: europeanufos [https://www.instagram.com/europeanufos/#]

Facebook: European UFOs

Email: europeanufos@gmail.com

Support the podcast to keep it ad-free: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/europeanufos

16: UFOs, consciousness and spirituality

In this episode, we delve into the scientific study of UFOs with Karl Svozil, a distinguished Austrian physicist and retired professor from the Institute for Theoretical Physics at Vienna Technical University. Despite the scarcity of rigorous studies on UFOs due to the ambiguous nature of the data and the often subjective interpretations within ufology, Svozil's new book, "UFOs: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena: Observations, Explanations, and Speculations," stands out as a beacon of rationality.

Join us as we explore Svozil's meticulous research and his efforts to bring scientific rigour to the study of UFOs. With a background that includes significant contributions to quantum theory and theoretical physics, Svozil applies his expertise to UFOs. We discuss the key findings of his book and how they contribute to a clearer understanding of UFO phenomena, cutting through the haze of dubious claims and speculative theories.

More on Karl Svozil’s work:

His book, UFOs: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena: Observations, Explanations and Speculations: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-34398-8

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karl-Svozil

Get in touch with the show

Twitter/X: @EuropeanUFOs

Instagram: europeanufos [https://www.instagram.com/europeanufos/#]

Facebook: European UFOs

Email: europeanufos@gmail.com

Support the podcast to keep it ad-free: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/europeanufos

15: A sober look at the evidence 

In this episode, we explore the physics of UFOs with Dr Massimo Teodorani, an eminent astrophysicist with several decades of research experience. Anecdotal reports suggest that UFOs exhibit extraordinary physical characteristics, such as performing abrupt right-angle turns at high velocities and other manoeuvres that defy current technological capabilities. In addition UFOs have been observed to produce measurable impacts, including landing traces, electromagnetic disturbances, and, in some instances, medical effects on witnesses.

Dr Teodorani, who holds a PhD in Stellar Physics, has conducted rigorous scientific investigations at numerous UFO hotspots, including Hessdalen in Norway, Arizona, and Ontario. His research aims to apply astrophysical measurement techniques to study UFOs, seeking to identify correlations among various physical parameters. This will make it possible to infer the propulsion mechanisms, physical composition, and overall behaviour of the UFO phenomenon.

This episode delves into Dr Teodorani’s past and present research endeavours at the renowned UFO hotspot of Hessdalen. We discuss how the principles of astrophysics can advance our understanding of UFO phenomena through systematic data acquisition and empirical analysis.

More on Dr Teodorani’s work:

Personal website: https://massimoteodorani.com/

ResearchGate (lots of downloadable scientific papers!): https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Massimo-Teodorani

Get in touch with the show

Twitter/X: @EuropeanUFOs

Instagram: europeanufos [https://www.instagram.com/europeanufos/#]

Facebook: European UFOs

Email: europeanufos@gmail.com

Support the podcast to keep it ad-free: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/europeanufos

14: The physics of UFOs

UFO sightings are a global phenomenon. However, for more than 70 years discussions and research surrounding UFOs have mainly focused on sightings in the US. This podcast aims to shift the balance by focusing on European UFOs and related phenomena. Researchers, scientists, witnesses and experiencers will each provide their own unique perspective on UFOs across Europe.

Please support the podcast so that I can keep it ad-free for all: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/europeanufos