Back to Events
UFO

Ghost Rockets of Scandinavia

In 1946, over 2,000 sightings of 'ghost rockets' were reported across Scandinavia - cigar-shaped objects with flames trailing behind. Swedish military investigated seriously, suspecting Soviet missile tests. Despite intensive searches of reported crash sites, no debris was ever recovered.

1946
Sweden
2000+ witnesses

A wave of mysterious rockets over postwar Scandinavia.

The Wave

1946:

  • Peak in summer months
  • Over 2,000 reports
  • Sweden, Norway, Finland
  • Military concern
  • International interest

The Objects

What was reported:

  • Cigar/rocket shape
  • Flames or trails
  • High speed
  • Low altitude
  • Various directions

The Suspicion

What authorities thought:

  • Soviet missile tests
  • German V-2 development
  • Secret weapons
  • Cold War beginnings
  • Serious concern

The Investigation

Swedish military:

  • Took reports seriously
  • Collected testimonies
  • Searched crash sites
  • Lakes dredged
  • No debris found

The Searches

Lake investigations:

  • Multiple lakes searched
  • Reports of crashes
  • Extensive operations
  • Nothing recovered
  • Deepened mystery

The US Interest

American involvement:

  • Sent investigators
  • Gen. Doolittle visited
  • Shared concern
  • No conclusions
  • Files classified

The Legacy

What remains:

  • First postwar UFO wave
  • Predates Arnold sighting
  • Government involvement
  • Never explained
  • Still discussed

Sources