ON FEBRUARY 25, 1942 THEY ARRIVED…

On February 25, 1942 a total blackout was ordered across Los Angeles after information centres were inundated with sightings of unknown objects flying off the coast of Santa Monica Bay. US Naval radars tracked the unidentified aircraft as they approached Los Angeles and their anti-aircraft batteries opened fire as they crossed the coastline in the early hours of the morning. Thousands of witnesses observed swarms of aircraft over the L.A. skyline, while the anti-aircraft fire continued until dawn. Although 1,440 rounds of ammunition were fired by U.S. forces, no enemy aircraft losses were reported and no damage was inflicted by the enemy. Frank Knox, secretary of the Navy, claimed in a press conference the next day that the whole event was “a false alarm”. However, War Department officials disagreed and conceded that between one to five unidentified aircraft had been spotted over L.A.

The conflicting reports and censorship of information by officials lead local press to begin suspecting the event was subject to a government cover-up. The incident came three months after the attack on Pearl Harbour, but when questioned after WWII, the Japanese stated they did not send aircraft over the area at the time of this alert. Although several theories have been put forward over the years, including stray weather balloons, no official explanation of the objects has been proven.

The incident is now known as ‘The Battle of Los Angeles’ and 2011 marks the 69th anniversary of the mysterious event.

In Australia, unknown flying objects have been reported on for decades, most notably ‘The Westall Incident’ on April 6 1966, where 200 students and teachers witnessed a UFO during recess; and the disappearance of a 20 yr-old pilot over the Bass Strait on October 21, 1978 following a radio transmission reporting a “strange aircraft”, known as ‘The Valentich Disappearance’.

THE QUESTION IS, WHAT IF ALL THESE INCIDENTS ARE LEADING TO A WORLDWIDE INVASION?

BATTLE: LOS ANGELES ONLY AT THE MOVIES! MARCH 17

Synopsis:

For years, there have been documented cases of UFO sightings around the world – Buenos Aires, Seoul, France, Germany, China. But in 2011, what were once just sightings will become a terrifying reality when Earth is attacked by unknown forces. As people everywhere watch the world’s great cities fall, Los Angeles becomes the last stand for mankind in a battle no one expected. It’s up to a Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his new platoon to draw a line in the sand as they take on an enemy unlike any they’ve ever encountered before.

Release date: March 17, 2011
Rating: TBC
Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, Ramon Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan, Ne-Yo, and Michael Peña
Directed by: Jonathan Liebesman