Table of Contents

• The Rendlesham Forest Incident

• This Week in Weirdness

• Lore and Legends: Mantis Aliens

• Reader Story: The Hand Print

The Rendlesham Forest Incident

The Rendlesham Forest incident, often referred to as Britain’s Roswell, remains one of the most well-known and controversial UFO encounters in history. Occurring in late December 1980 near the RAF Woodbridge military base in Suffolk, England, the event has been the subject of countless investigations, documentaries, and books. The incident involved a series of strange occurrences that military personnel and local residents could not easily explain, including reports of UFOs, strange lights, and bizarre physical effects.

The Initial Sightings

The first reports of unusual activity in Rendlesham Forest began on the night of December 26, 1980. Several US Air Force personnel, who were stationed at the RAF Woodbridge base, were on duty when they saw strange lights in the forest. At around 3 a.m., Staff Sergeant Jim Penniston and Airman John Burroughs, both of whom were trained in radar and security operations, were sent to investigate the mysterious lights. As they entered the forest, they reported seeing a triangular glowing object. According to Penniston, the object was metallic and hovering about 8 feet off the ground.

When Penniston approached the craft, he described it as having an unusual pattern on its surface and a strange set of lights on its underside. Penniston claimed he touched the object which then lit up bright white, blinding him for a moment, after which he reported seeing a series of binary code flash in his mind.

Shortly afterwards, the object took off through the trees, leaving behind a trail of burnt impressions on the ground, which was later examined by military personnel. The next morning, the team returned to the site, only to find that the strange marks had vanished, though they were initially recorded by military investigators.

The Follow-Up Events

Over the next few days, more unusual sightings occurred. On December 28, 1980, Deputy Base Commander Lieutenant Colonel Charles Halt and a group of men returned to Rendlesham Forest to investigate further. Halt's team reported seeing more lights and an object that appeared to be flying through the sky. Halt later stated that the lights were moving erratically and could not be easily explained by natural or man-made phenomena.

What was particularly unsettling was the physical effects that some of the witnesses experienced. For example, it was reported that radiation levels in the area where the object was seen were higher than normal. Additionally, several of the witnesses, including Burroughs and Penniston, suffered from symptoms such as headaches and nausea, which they attributed to exposure to the mysterious object. A subsequent investigation by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) found no definitive answers, although it did acknowledge the unusual nature of the events.

Government Response and Public Interest

The Rendlesham Forest incident quickly garnered public attention, partly due to the involvement of military personnel and the fact that it occurred near a major US Air Force base. However, the UK government and military downplayed the significance of the event, stating that it was likely a combination of misidentified aircraft, weather balloons, and other natural phenomena.

In 1983, Halt recorded a memo known as the “Halt Memo,” which outlined the details of the incident and his personal beliefs about what had occurred. This memo was later released to the public, fueling speculation that the incident was more than just an ordinary military misidentification.

Despite official statements, many UFO enthusiasts believe that the Rendlesham Forest incident is one of the most credible UFO sightings in history. The fact that military personnel were involved, along with the physical evidence and the unexplained nature of the event, has led many to conclude that something truly extraordinary took place in Rendlesham Forest.

This Week in Weirdness

• Scientists claim to have discovered “alien technology” while x-raying a UFO

• A camper filmed a large figure (cough cough bigfoot) climbing a tree

• Photos of a 1000 foot long UFO taken by a pilot have been released

• A robot appears to throw a tantrum

• A strange bright object was photographed in California

Lore and Legends: Mantis Aliens

Throughout UFO lore and cryptid sightings, one of the most fascinating types of extraterrestrial beings are the so-called “Mantoids.” These beings, resembling large praying mantises, are part of the broader category of insectoid aliens that have been reported across various cultures and locations. Descriptions of these creatures are often highly unusual. Among the most well-known of these beings is the "Mantis Man" of New Jersey, but the concept of Mantoids extends beyond just this cryptid, appearing in many mysterious stories from around the world.

The Mantoid Phenomenon

Mantoids, as the name suggests, are typically described as humanoid versions of the praying mantis. They are often reported as having elongated bodies, large, insect-like heads, and sharp, angular features. Their eyes are typically described as black or entirely solid, giving them an alien and unsettling appearance. These beings are most often reported to stand between seven and eight feet tall, although some accounts describe them as being taller, even reaching up to twelve feet. Their arms are sometimes said to be disproportionately long, resembling the forelimbs of a mantis.

Many witnesses describe their encounters with Mantoids as deeply unusual but not overwhelmingly frightening. Rather, the presence of these beings often induces feelings of awe, wonder, or an uncanny sense of recognition. Some even report feeling a connection to the Mantoids, as if they are witnessing something ancient and profoundly intelligent. These encounters often leave an impression of being observed or studied, which some interpret as the Mantoids engaging in research or observation of human behavior and consciousness.

The Mantis Man of New Jersey

Perhaps one of the most famous stories involving a Mantoid is that of the "Mantis Man," a creature reported to have been seen in the woods near the town of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. The first widely known sighting occurred in 2001 when a local man reported encountering the Mantis Man while driving along a rural road. According to the witness, the creature was around seven feet tall, with a thin, humanoid body and the distinctive head of a praying mantis. The creature appeared to stand motionless in the woods before swiftly moving out of view.

Subsequent sightings of the Mantis Man have continued to make waves in UFO and cryptid circles. Local residents have claimed to have seen similar creatures in the area, and many have noted the strange sensation of being watched or followed when in the woods near Little Egg Harbor. Some accounts suggest that the Mantis Man is capable of moving with impressive speed and agility, making it highly elusive.

Theories Behind Mantoids

The origins of Mantoids remain largely speculative. Some UFO enthusiasts and researchers suggest that these beings are not from distant stars but could be interdimensional entities, existing in parallel dimensions and occasionally crossing over into our reality. Several theories have emerged regarding the Mantoids motivations:

1. Observation and Study: Many encounters suggest that Mantoids are observing or studying humanity in a manner similar to how humans study other species.

2. Communication: Some reports involve telepathic communication or the transmission of messages.

3. Genetic or Biological Interest: Some abduction accounts report that Mantoids are involved in medical procedures or genetic sampling. This could point to an interest in the biology of humans or Earth's life forms, possibly for research, preservation, or other unknown purposes.

4. Spiritual or Dimensional Work: The nature of some encounters has led to speculations that Mantoids may have interests beyond the physical realm. Some believe that these beings could be engaged in spiritual or dimensional work, influencing human consciousness or guiding individuals toward greater understanding.

The stories of Mantoid beings are a compelling part of UFO and cryptid lore. While evidence for their existence remains mostly anecdotal, the consistency in descriptions and reports from around the world suggests that they are more than just figments of imagination. Whether extraterrestrial, interdimensional, or part of some other cosmic mystery, Mantoids remain one of the more strange and enigmatic beings in the realm of the unknown.

Reader Story: The Hand Print

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