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Battle of Los Angeles
Just months after Pearl Harbor, the US military opened fire on an unknown object over Los Angeles for hours. Over 1,400 anti-aircraft shells were fired. The object was illuminated by searchlights but never brought down. The Army blamed a 'weather balloon' but the explanation was widely mocked.
1942
Los Angeles, California, USA
1000000+ witnesses
The military fired on a UFO over Los Angeles for hours.
The Event
February 24-25, 1942:
- 3:16 AM air raid sirens
- Blackout ordered
- Los Angeles area
- Japanese attack feared
- Object appeared
The Response
Military action:
- 1,400+ shells fired
- Anti-aircraft barrage
- Hours of firing
- Searchlights locked on
- Object not hit
The Object
What was seen:
- Illuminated by lights
- Large object
- Stationary initially
- Moved slowly
- Survived barrage
The Casualties
Collateral damage:
- 5 deaths reported
- Car accidents in blackout
- Heart attacks from fear
- Building damage
- Shell fragments fell
The Explanation
Official story:
- “Weather balloon” claimed
- War nerves blamed
- False alarm declared
- Public skeptical
- Never satisfactorily explained
The Famous Photo
The image:
- LA Times front page
- Searchlights converging
- Object visible
- Shells exploding
- Iconic UFO photo