1943
A formation of Lily bombers, on a mission from the home islands of Japan, was approached by a number of small, round, dark, flying objects that maneuvered all around the formation. The objects passed between the aircraft, apparently under intelligent control. The round bodies seemed too small to have occupants inside them, and they were unable to establish communication or shoot any of them down. They were believed at the time to be a new enemy weapon, and the mission cameramen tried to photograph them for study before they disappeared. These objects were photographed several times and the pictures were carefully studied, but no definite conclusions could be drawn.