Father Gill’s Papua New Guinea Sighting

On June 26-27, 1959, Anglican missionary Father William Gill led 37 witnesses in observing a UFO with visible humanoid figures. The beings’ apparent response to their waves remains one of the most remarkable details in UFO history.

The Witness

Father William Gill:

• Anglican missionary
• Australian citizen
• Excellent reputation
• No prior UFO interest
• Impeccable credibility

The Location

Boianai Mission:

• Papua New Guinea
• Remote coastal station
• Native congregation
• British territory (then)
• Isolated setting

June 26, 1959

First night:

• Around 6:45 PM
• Clear tropical evening
• Father Gill noticed light
• Called others
• Mass observation began

What They Saw

A craft appeared:

• Large disc shape
• Four legs visible
• Extremely bright
• Hovering overhead
• Clearly structured

The Figures

Most remarkable:

• Humanoid figures visible
• On top of craft
• Four beings
• Moving about
• Apparently working

Father Gill’s Response

He decided:

• To wave at them
• Raised his arm
• One being responded
• Waved back
• Remarkable interaction

The Wave Exchange

The communication:

• Gill waved both arms
• Beings did same
• Others joined waving
• Response continued
• Apparent recognition

The Witnesses

That first night:

• 25 people signed statement
• Teachers present
• Medical assistant
• Indigenous staff
• Multiple observers

The Duration

Extended viewing:

• Several hours
• Multiple passes
• Came and went
• Returned repeatedly
• Thorough observation

June 27, 1959

Second night:

• Object returned
• Same approximate time
• Additional witnesses
• Same phenomenon
• Pattern confirmed

Total Witnesses

Over both nights:

• 38 people
• Signed affidavits
• Various backgrounds
• Consistent accounts
• Mass sighting

Father Gill’s Written Account

Documented:

• Same night
• Before any investigation
• Detailed observations
• Primary source
• Excellent record

The Investigation

Examined by:

• Royal Australian Air Force
• No explanation found
• Witnesses credible
• Case significant
• Officially unexplained

The Venus Explanation

Skeptics suggested:

• Venus misidentified
• But Gill knew astronomy
• Both visible that night
• Object moved differently
• Not satisfactory

The Figures Problem

Venus cannot explain:

• Humanoid shapes
• Responsive behavior
• Structured craft
• Extended observation
• Detailed description

Character Assessment

Gill was:

• Rational observer
• Educated man
• No motive to fabricate
• Career unblemished
• Believed to end

Significance

Father Gill case significant for:

• 38 witnesses
• Priest credibility
• Interaction with beings
• Excellent documentation
• Classic case

Legacy

Father Gill’s sighting remains one of the most credible mass UFO observations. The apparent communication with beings aboard a craft, witnessed by nearly 40 people, has never been explained.