How Many Of These Facts About The Weirdest Event In American History Do You Know?

WWII's Battle of Los Angeles was a conflict like any other with civilian casualties, anti-aircraft missiles, and blackout protocol. The only thing awry was that there was no actual enemy. Yup, during a time of intense paranoia, the American army fired for hours at an imaginary target in what was one of the most bizarre examples of mass hysteria ever to occur. Thousands of people reported seeing enemy aircraft, some even claiming to have spotted several dozen flying overhead. Following some perplexing conflicting official statements, the whole incident was downplayed, swept under the rug, and largely forgotten. To remind you that everyone does indeed make mistakes, here are 20 weird facts about the Battle of Los Angeles. 

LA Times. on Wikimedia

1. It Wasn't A Battle At All

Until this day it's referred to as "The Battle Of Los Angeles," but there was no actual battle. No trace of enemy aircraft was ever found and the whole thing was chalked up to trigger-happy military personnel and "jittery nerves." 

Unknown author on Wikimedia

2. Thousands Claimed To Have Seen Aircraft

Despite there being no aircraft at all, an astounding number of people, from civilians to military personnel, swear to have seen something flying overhead. Some even claimed to have seen several dozen aircraft.

National Museum of the U.S. Navy on Wikimedia

3. Over 1,400 Rounds Of Anti-Aircraft Ammunition Was Fired

As the radar did pick up something, it's reasonable that a few or even a handful of nervous army personnel would have shot their weapons into the air. The reality was much more ridiculous, however, with over 1,400 anti-aircraft shells fired into the sky. 

Nemo5576 on Wikimedia

4. No Enemy Bombs Were Dropped & No Planes Were Shot Down

After the firing ceased and the smoke cleared, the light of day revealed there to be no enemy aircraft in sight. What's more, no bombs were dropped and the only damage found was caused by friendly fire.

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5. At Least Five People Died

At least five civilian deaths were confirmed that night but not by enemy fire or even directly by friendly fire. They were killed by heart attacks or car accidents that occurred during the extended blackout.

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6. There Were Contradictory Reports From Military Personnel

Directly after the incident, there were conflicting official statements regarding the "battle." The Secretary of the Navy called in a "false alarm" which the Secretary of War insisted there were up to 15 enemy aircraft. However, he later backtracked this statement.

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7. Radar Systems Picked Up Something

The initial alarm was raised by military radar operators who detected an unidentified object flying towards the coast, prompting the citywide blackout. However, it could've been a weather balloon, a bird, or just faulty early radar technology. 

US Army on Wikimedia

8. A Japanese Submarine Surfaced Off Californian Coast One Day Earlier

Influencing the paranoia within the American military was the fact that just one day earlier, a Japanese submarine surfaced off the coast of Santa Barbara and shot about a dozen artillery shells at an oil rig. It didn't cause any significant damage, but it was the first time that the US mainland had come under fire in WWII. 

Ellin Beltz on Wikimedia

9. It Was Likely Triggered By A Weather Balloon

Before the incident, meteorological balloons had been released into the air to assess wind conditions. Official reports cited this along with wartime nerves and disorientation caused by the blackout for the event.

Unknown author on Wikimedia

10. It Was Likely A Case Of Mass Hysteria

Experts cite this event as an interesting example of mass hysteria. The radar was likely triggered by weather balloons, but the panic and speculation that ensued were no doubt signs of a community in a state of psychological shock following Pearl Harbor and in the throws of a war that suddenly seemed much closer to home. 

Unknown author on Wikimedia

11. It Sparked UFO Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theorists were quick to assume aliens were behind this bizarre circumstance, especially with reports of "unidentified flying objects" that quickly disappeared without a trace. UFO enthusiasts to this day cite the photo published in the LA Times which seems to show a solid object in the middle of several searchlights as proof of extraterrestrial activity. 

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12. People Thought The Government Was Covering It Up

The whole weird air raid, and blackout scenario followed by conflicting reports didn't exactly instill a sense of trust. Many thought the government was trying to cover up a real Japanese attack to keep up morale.

Unknown on Wikimedia

13. It Inspired A Steven Spielberg Movie 

The bizarre situation struck Steven Spielberg as the perfect material for a comedy film. His 1979 movie 1941 was inspired by the panic. 

Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia

14. It Remains Officially Unexplained

Although it's been more or less explained by compelling theories and official reports, the "Battle of Los Angeles" remains officially "unexplained." To the delight of conspiracy theorists, the true cause remains debated.

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15. It Lasted For Hours

The "battle" was far more than a small skirmish, it lasted for hours from around 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. That's an astounding amount of time for a battle with an imaginary enemy.

Bernard Spragg on Wikimedia

16. An LA Times Photo Went Viral

The LA Times published a photo of searchlights honing in on what looked like something in the sky. The photo went "viral" 1940s style with newspapers across the country reprinting it, fueling nationwide speculation.

LA Times. on Wikimedia

17. There Was Widespread Damage 

Even though there was no trace of enemy aircraft, there was widespread damage caused by friendly fire. Falling shells damaged infrastructure and buildings, shattering windows and piercing through roofs.

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18. It Was A Full-Scale Military Operation

The Battle of Los Angeles was a full-scale military operation, meaning it was a large, coordinated use of military force. The US Army believed there was a real, immediate threat, fighter planes were on standby, and civilian air raid protocols were enforced. 

Unknown navy photographer on Wikimedia

19. People Thought It May Have Been A Cover-Up

Conspiracy theorists were quick to assume the bizarre scenario was a cover-up for something, whether aliens or some secret military technology. Still others thought it was a psychological operation, testing civilian and military response to an invasion. 

Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection on Wikimedia

20. It Was During A Period Of Intense Paranoia

The "battle" took place during one of the most paranoid periods in American history, shortly after Pearl Harbor and one day after the US mainland was fired at by a Japanese submarine. Everyone was tense and on edge, which explains the massive overreaction that ensued. 

PH1 Javner, U.S. Navy on Wikimedia