The Battle Of Los Angeles

Searchlights pierced the sky in coordinated arcs, converging on indistinct shapes—if shapes there were. Moments later, anti-aircraft batteries opened fire. Shells streaked upward in bright, arcing trajectories, exploding in bursts of orange and white high above the city. For nearly an hour, more than a thousand rounds were fired into the night.

To residents below, the scene felt apocalyptic. The booming of artillery echoed off buildings. Shrapnel fragments rained down on rooftops and streets. Windows shattered. Some civilians believed they could see aircraft silhouettes; others saw only light and smoke. Official confirmation never came.