The Father Gill Sighting

On the evenings of June 26-27, 1959, Anglican missionary Father William Gill led one of the most documented mass UFO sightings in history. Over two nights, he and 37 other witnesses observed a structured craft with humanoid occupants who appeared to respond to their waves.

The Witness

Father William Gill:

• Anglican priest
• Australian missionary
• In Papua New Guinea
• Excellent reputation
• Impeccable credibility

The Location

Boianai:

• Remote mission station
• Papua New Guinea
• British territory then
• Isolated village
• Clear tropical skies

First Night - June 26

Around 6:45 PM:

• Venus bright in sky
• Another light appeared
• Much brighter
• Moving toward mission
• Not Venus

The Object

Witnesses saw:

• Large disc-shaped craft
• Four legs visible
• Glowing intensely
• Hovering overhead
• Structured appearance

The Figures

On top of craft:

• Humanoid figures visible
• Four beings
• Moving about
• Apparently working
• Silhouetted against glow

Father Gill’s Action

He decided to wave:

• Raised arm
• Waved at figures
• One figure waved back
• Then another
• Apparent response

Waving Back

The beings:

• Returned wave
• Raised arms
• Seemed to acknowledge
• Gill waved with both arms
• Both beings did same

The Witnesses

That evening:

• 25 witnesses signed statement
• Including teachers
• Medical assistant
• Indigenous staff
• Multiple observers

Second Night - June 27

Object returned:

• Similar time
• Same appearance
• Same figures
• Multiple witnesses again
• Pattern continued

Additional Witnesses

Total of 38 people:

• Over two nights
• Signed statements
• Documented observations
• Various backgrounds
• Mass sighting

Duration

Both nights:

• Several hours viewing
• Object moved slowly
• Returned multiple times
• Extended observation
• Plenty of time to study

Gill’s Written Account

Father Gill:

• Wrote detailed report
• Same night
• Before any investigation
• Primary documentation
• Excellent record

The Royal Australian Air Force

Investigated:

• Interviewed Gill
• Reviewed statements
• No explanation
• Case unexplained
• Official interest

Dr. J. Allen Hynek

Later reviewed:

• Found compelling
• Credible witnesses
• Multiple observers
• Extended duration
• Classic case

The Venus Explanation

Skeptics suggested:

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

The Figures Problem

Venus doesn’t explain:

• Humanoid shapes
• Responsive waving
• Structured craft
• Multiple witnesses
• Detailed observations

Gill’s Character

Assessment:

• No history of fabrication
• Respected priest
• Rational observer
• No motive to lie
• Career unblemished

Papua Context

The witnesses:

• Indigenous and Western
• Various education levels
• All saw same thing
• Cultural differences
• United in observation

Significance

Father Gill case significant for:

• Priest as witness
• 38 total observers
• Interaction with beings
• Two-night duration
• Excellent documentation

Legacy

The Father Gill sighting remains one of the most credible mass UFO sightings on record. A respected priest, dozens of witnesses, apparent interaction with beings, and detailed documentation make this case remarkably difficult to dismiss.