The Lakenheath-Bentwaters UFO Incident

On the night of August 13-14, 1956, ground and airborne radar at two air bases in Suffolk, England tracked unidentified objects performing impossible maneuvers. Jets were scrambled but couldn’t intercept the objects. The incident is considered one of the best radar-visual UFO cases on record.

The Locations

Two bases involved:

• RAF Bentwaters
• RAF Lakenheath
• Both in Suffolk, England
• USAF operated both during Cold War
• Multiple radar systems

The Events

Beginning late evening:

• Radar picked up fast-moving targets
• Objects tracked at impossible speeds
• Visual confirmations obtained
• Multiple radar systems confirmed
• Events lasted several hours

The Speeds

Radar showed objects:

• Moving at 4,000+ mph
• Making sudden stops
• Abrupt direction changes
• Stationary hovering
• Then rapid acceleration

Jet Scramble

RAF sent:

• Venom night fighters to intercept
• One pilot achieved radar lock
• Object executed maneuver
• Ended up behind the pursuing jet
• Followed the fighter briefly

The Tail Chase

Remarkably:

• UFO reversed position
• Went from pursued to pursuer
• Locked onto the Venom
• Pilot couldn’t shake it
• Eventually object departed

Multiple Confirmations

The objects were tracked by:

• Ground radar at both bases
• Airborne radar in jets
• Visual observation
• Multiple operators
• Consistent readings

Official Investigation

The case was examined by:

• Project Blue Book
• Classified initially as unexplained
• Later attributed to various causes
• Colorado Project called it “most puzzling”
• Never satisfactorily explained

Colorado Project Assessment

The 1968 Condon Report:

• Highlighted this case
• Called it “the most puzzling”
• Could not explain it
• One of few cases taken seriously
• Recommended as genuine unknown

Skeptical Explanations

Proposed theories:

• Anomalous propagation
• Meteor
• Technical malfunctions
• None adequately explain all data

Witness Credibility

The observers were:

• Trained military personnel
• Experienced radar operators
• Multiple independent witnesses
• No motivation to fabricate

Significance

Lakenheath-Bentwaters is significant for:

• Multiple radar confirmations
• Visual observations
• Jet pursuit documented
• Object outmaneuvered aircraft
• Officially unexplained

Legacy

The Lakenheath-Bentwaters incident stands as one of the most credible radar-visual UFO cases ever documented. The combination of multiple radar systems, visual confirmation, and jet pursuit makes it nearly impossible to dismiss.