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Introduction possible to take a peek inside the mystery. The lid was then slammed back down so firmly and so authoritatively that nearly everyone soon forgot it had ever been off. The completely unexpected development came from the Public Information Office at the Roswell Army Air Field in southeastern New Mexico. The press release, distributed by public information officer 1st Lt. Walter Haut on the direct orders of base commander Col. William Blanchard, was a shocker: Fee A FEW HOURS on July 8, 1947, the lid was off and it was The many rumors regarding the flying disc became a reality yesterday when the Intelligence office of the 509th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force, Roswell Army Air Field, was fortunate enough to gain possession of a disc through the cooperation of one of the local ranchers and the sheriff's office of Chaves County. The flying object landed on a ranch near Roswell sometime last week. Not having phone facilities, the rancher stored the disc until such time as he was able to contact the sheriff's office, who in turn notified Maj. Jesse A. Marcel of the 509th Bomb Group Intelligence Office. Action was immediately taken and the disc was picked up at the rancher's home. It was inspected at the Roswell Army Air Field and subsequently loaned by Major Marcel to higher head- ne netans quarters. The news shot out over the teletype wires to every news- paper and radio station in the country. After two weeks of xiii