The Foo Fighters of World War II

During World War II, Allied pilots reported encounters with mysterious balls of light that followed their aircraft. The objects, which they called “Foo Fighters,” appeared to be under intelligent control but never attacked. Both sides assumed the other had developed a secret weapon.

The Sightings

Beginning in late 1944, bomber and fighter pilots reported strange lights that paced their aircraft over Europe. The lights were typically orange, red, or white. They maneuvered in ways no known aircraft could match.

The Behavior

Foo Fighters would appear near aircraft and follow them for extended periods. They maintained formation regardless of evasive maneuvers. They never attacked or interfered with operations. When pilots attempted to engage them, they simply flew away at incredible speed.

The Investigation

Intelligence officers debriefed pilots extensively. Both Allied and Axis forces believed the other had developed advanced technology. German records after the war showed they were equally puzzled by the phenomenon.

The Name

The term “Foo Fighter” came from a popular comic strip phrase “Where there’s foo, there’s fire.” The 415th Night Fighter Squadron is credited with coining the term.

Natural Explanations

Proposed explanations included St. Elmo’s fire, ball lightning, and afterimages from antiaircraft fire. None adequately explained objects that followed aircraft for extended periods and maneuvered intelligently.

Assessment

Foo Fighters represent the first major wave of UFO sightings by trained military observers. The fact that both Allied and Axis pilots reported them eliminates secret weapon explanations. What they were remains unknown.