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Until then, the war was half a world away and of, you know, distant concern to the average American.

But then, as the country began mobilizing for war, it was quickly realized that the western coast of the United States was particularly vulnerable to attack.

And sure enough, within weeks, Japanese submarines were lurking in the waters off the coast and attacking American merchant ships.

From the Mexican border all the way up to Alaska, many were convinced it was only a matter of time before the Japanese launched a full-scale attack against the mainland.

Everyone was on edge.

In response, the military constructed bunkers and installed batteries of anti-aircraft guns up and down the coast, while the public prepared by practicing their air raid and blackout drills.

Well, today we can easily look back and see that the anticipated Japanese invasion never took place.

Yet the Japanese did make some minor and mostly failed attempts, you know, such as with their Fugo balloon program that I wrote about years ago in my book, Einstein's Refrigerator,

or with their use of submarines to attack the US merchant ships, as I just mentioned.

But one event of the war that has mostly forgotten today was the major battle that took place over Los Angeles just a few months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

It was put a brief blip in the global conflict of the United States.

Yet the US used all of its might and attempt to shoot down the enemy planes that were detected overhead.

This guy was set ablaze with exploding shells as searchlights focused their beams and tracked the enemy aircraft high above.

I am Steve Sominant today. It presents you the story of the Great Los Angeles Air Raid.

This is the story of the Great Los Angeles Air Raid.

I am Steve Sominant today. It presents you the story of the Great Los Angeles Air Raid.

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Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate, of the health representatives.

Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy.

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