(credit: Brookesmith) Ufoevidence.org

On the night of June 27th, 1959, Australian missionary William Gill stood outside in the warm darkness that surrounds the island of Papau New Guinea. His gaze was set straight towards the crystal clear skies along with the steady gaze of twenty five other witnesses. For the second time that week, the craft-like UFOs hovered silently above the island’s tree tops. Just like the first visit the night before, the occupants inside the crafts waved at the mesmerized crowd of people.  What follows is Father Gill’s remarkable encounter of the third kind.

A day before the first sighting, Father Gill had composed a letter to a Reverend David Durie. Reverend Durie was a Principal of Saint Aidan’s College in Dogura. In the letter, he tells him of a UFO sighting that was reported to him by his assistant, Stephen Moi. He writes:

“Dear David,

Have a look at this extraordinary data. I am almost convinced about the “visitation” theory. There have been quite a number of reports over the months, from reliable witnesses. The peculiar thing about these most recent reports is that the UFOs seem to be stationary at Boianai or to travel from Boianai. The Mount Pudi vicinity seems to be the hovering area. I myself saw a stationary white light twice on the same night on 9 April, but in a different place each time. 

I believe your students have also sighted one over Boianai. The Assistant District Officer, Bob Smith and Mr Glover have all seen it, or similar ones on different occasions again, over Boianai, although I think the Baniara people said they watched it travel across the sky from our direction. I should think that this is the first time that the “saucer” has been identified as such. 

‘I do not doubt the existence of these “things” (indeed I cannot, now that I have seen one for myself) but my simple mind still requires scientific evidence before I can accept the from outer space theory. I am inclined to believe that probably many UFOs are more likely some form of electric phenomena, or perhaps something brought about by the atom bomb explosions, etc. 

That Stephen should actually make out a saucer could be the work of the unconscious mind as it is very likely that at some time he has seen illustrations of some kind in a magazine, or it is very possible that saucers do exist, but it is only a 50/50 chance that they are not earth made, still less that they should carry men (more likely radio controlled), and it is still unproven that they are solids. 

‘It is all too difficult to understand for me; I prefer to wait for some bright boy to catch one to be exhibited in Martin Square. ‘Please return this report as I have no copy and I want Nor, (Rev. Norman Crutwell) to have it. Yours, Doubting William Anglican Mission, Boianai. 27/6/59″

The following day Father Gill wrote David another letter. This time however, his tone wasn’t as doubtful.

Father Gill’s Sketch

Dear David, 
Life is strange, isn’t it? Yesterday I wrote you a letter, (which I still intend sending you) expressing opinions re: The UFOs. Now, less than twenty-four hours later I have changed my views somewhat. Last night we at Boianai experienced about four hours of UFO activity, and there is no doubt whatsoever that they are handled by beings of some kind. At times it was absolutely breathtaking. Here is the report. Please pass it round, but great care must be taken as I have no other, and this, like the one I made out re: Stephen, will be sent to Nor. I would appreciate it if you could send the lot back as soon as poss. 

Cheers, 
Convinced Bill

Father William Gill in an early televised interview recounts the amazing encounter.