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Japanese attack California...
Japanese attack California...
Item # 670747
February 24, 1942
LOS ANGELES HERALD EXPRESS, California, Feb. 24, 1942
* Attack on California coast
* Ellwood oil field shelling
* Japanese submarine I-17
* Best title to be had ? (rare)
The bold headline proclaims: "HUNT JAP U-BOAT IN RAID ON SOUTHLAND" with a smaller banner: "2 U.S. Ships Wrecked; 189 Die". One of the subhead notes: "Sub Shells Oil Field Near Santa Barbara" with other related subheads.
This brief yet very historic shelling only caused minor damage to the oil field—a pump house and a single oil derrick were destroyed—but its implications were severe. The bombardment at Ellwood was the first shelling of the mainland United States during World War II, and it sparked an invasion panic among an American populace not used dealing with war on the home front. A day later, reports of enemy aircraft led to the so-called “Battle of Los Angeles,” in which American artillery was discharged over Los Angeles for several hours due to the mistaken belief that the Japanese were invading.
This is the complete first section (of 2 with pages 1-16, very nice condition. Terrific to have this report in a Los Angeles newspaper.
Category: World War II
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