Romford: Dual pilot encounters with unidentified aerial objects

Incident Overview On January 31, 1916, at approximately 8:25 p.m., two separate aerial encounters occurred near Romford and Rochford, Essex, during routine patrols for German Zeppelins.

First Witness: Lieutenant Reginald Maxwell Lieut. Reginald Maxwell piloted a B.E.2c biplane at 10,000 feet near Romford. He observed an artificial light to the north and pursued it northeast for approximately twenty minutes. The object ascended beyond his altitude and disappeared into cloud cover.

Second Witness: Sub-Lieutenant J. Eric Morgan Simultaneously, Sub-Lieut. J. Eric Morgan flew a B.E.2c biplane at 5,000 feet near Rochford. He encountered an object approximately one hundred feet distant displaying a row of illuminated windows resembling a railway carriage with drawn blinds. Morgan attempted to approach the object but experienced engine malfunction. He discharged his pistol at the phenomenon, which subsequently rose and vanished rapidly. Morgan subsequently executed a crash landing.

Historical Significance This incident represents one of the earliest documented military aerial encounters with unidentified phenomena and the first recorded instance of weapons discharge directed at such an object from an aircraft.