Page 2 - Aerotech News and Review, December 18, 2020

War comes to our skies in Los Angeles

Reader’s
by Bob Alvis of sacrifice and hard labor were ahead, to give the American fighting man
special to Aerotech News the tools he needed to free the world from the grips of a worldwide insan-
ity. They always say that it’s the front line troops that sacrifice the most and Services
Here in the Antelope Valley, our Aerospace industries have always that is pretty much a given, but I always like to think of what we would do
hummed along without much worry about the battles of the world coming today if we found ourselves put in the same situation. Maybe we should give
to the skies over where we, the citizens, produce the products that keep us thanks that today, we in America do not have battles being waged over the How to contact
free, safe and well-defended. Aerotech News and Review
Looking over some old documents in my Dad’s collection of World War II roofs of our factories and our homes, as happens in so many other parts of • Mail: 220 E. Ave. K-4, #7
memorabilia, a bulletin dated 2-25-42 caught my attention. After reading it, the world. Our “Greatest Generation” was just that, and I sometimes wonder Lancaster CA 93535
I realized I was looking at a document that addressed the famous “Battle of if we measure up to their standards and could perform under pressure with • E-Mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
Los Angeles,” when it was thought that Japan was attempting an air raid on a only the resources they had. I guess the real wish is, I hope we never have • Phone: (661) 945-5634
major American population and manufacturing center here on the West Coast. to find out! • Fax: (661) 723-7757
The date is only two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, My Dad was working with Donald Douglas at the time of this bulletin
1941, and you can bet there were more than enough cases of war nerves setting up C-47 production lines in El Segundo, Santa Monica, Long Beach Advertising
among all the citizens on the West Coast of America. and Tulsa, Oklahoma. I tip my hat to him and all the factory workers that Corporate Headquarters:
Those who were working that night during blackout conditions, with anti- took Mr. Douglas’ recommendations and, for the duration of the war, kept (877) 247-9288
aircraft guns and air raid sirens wailing, had much more on their minds than
building airplanes. Families and loved ones were under a sky of falling anti- it up and kept them flying! Subscriber Services
aircraft shells and flak and wondering what the unknown invader was up to, Until next time, Bob out.... Subscriptions to Aerotech News
but they continued on working. It was just what that generation would do. and Review are $59 for six
Editor’s note: This story was first published on Dec. 7, 2018. months or $89 for one year. For
The Bulletin more information, contact the
After reading this, I was thinking to myself that this happened at the be- subscription department at:
ginning of America’s direct involvement in World War II. Four more years 220 E. Ave. K-4, #7,
Lancaster CA 93535

Story ideas, letters, editorials
Please address all letters and editorials
to Stuart A. Ibberson, editor, 220 E.
Ave. K-4, # 7, Lancaster CA 93535 or
email editor@aerotechnews.com.

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Courtesy photograph Web Updates, 220 E. Ave. K-4,
The Douglas C-47 production facility in Southern California. # 7, Lancaster CA 93535
or email editor@aerotechnews.com.
For questions concerning the web site,
TO: ALL EMPLOYEES contact the webmaster at
webmaster@aerotechnews.com.
AFTER A NIGHT OF EXCITEMENT AND DAY FULL OF TRAF-
FIC CONGESTION, DELAYS AND ENLESS RUMORS, I AM SURE Where you can get
YOU WILL BE GLAD TO HEAR SOME OFFICIAL NEWS FROM Aerotech News and Review
WASHINGTON.
A FEW MINUTES AGO WE RECEIVED A DISPATCH STATING For information on
THAT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY KNOX SAID AT HIS PRESS Aerotech distribution, call
CONFERENCE A SHORT WHILE AGO THAT THE ONLY REPORTS (661) 945-5634 or visit
HE HAD RECEIVED OF ENEMY AIRCRAFT ACTIVITY IN THE www.aerotechnews.com/distribution.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAST NIGHT WERE THAT IT WAS JUST A
FALSE ALARM.
“THERE WERE NO PLANES OVER LOS ANGELES LAST Aerotech News and Review is published
NIGHT”, SECRETARY KNOX WAS QUOTED AS SAYING. AT every other Friday, serving the
LEAST, HE SAID, THAT WAS THE NAVY’S UNDERSTANDING. aerospace and defense industry of
NO AIRPLANES HAVE BEEN FOUND, AND A VERY WIDE RE- Southern California, Nevada and
CONNAISSANCE HAS BEEN CARRIED ON, ACCORDING TO Arizona. News and ad copy deadline
SECRETARY KNOX. is noon on the Tuesday prior to
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED LAST NIGHT WE, HERE AT publication. The publisher assumes no
DOUGLAS DO NOT KNOW. ALL WE KNOW IS THAT WE ARE responsibility for error in ads other
MAKING AND WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE, IF IT IS WITH- than space used. Your comments are
IN OUR POWER, THAT HOSTILE AIRPLANES DO NOT APPEAR; welcomed and encouraged. Write to
OR IF THEY DO APPEAR, THEY WILL GET A WARM RECEP- the address below.
TION OVER LOS ANGELES WITH AIRPLANES MANUFAC-
TURED BY YOU. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS LIKE SECRTARY • Publisher ....................Paul Kinison
KNOX SHOULD KNOW, AND HIS STATEMENT, AS REPORTED • Business Manager ....... Lisa Kinison
IN WASHINGTON WIRES, SHOULD BE WELCOME ASSURANCE. • Editor .................... Stuart Ibberson
REGARDLESS OF WHAT DID HAPPEN, I WANT YOU TO KNOW • National Advertising
THAT THE SPIRIT AND CONDUCT OF DOUGLAS EMPLOYEES Manager .....................Paul Kinison
HERE IN THE SHOP LAST NIGHT AND TODAY WAS ENCOUR-
AGING AND GRATIFYING. LIKE SOLDIERS ON THE FIRING
LINE, THE MEN AND WOMEN IN OUR PLANTS REMAINED
CALM AND DETERMINED WHILE THE ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS Aerotech News and Review
WERE BLAZING ALL AROUND. THAT WAS A FINE SPIRIT AND 220 E. Ave. K-4, #7
I AM SURE IT IS A SAMPLE OF WHAT DOUGLAS EMPLOYEES Lancaster, CA 93535
WILL DO IN ALL EMERGENCIES. e-mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
Courtesy photograph KEEP IT UP AND LET’S KEEP THEM ROLLING AND FLYING! Visit our web site at
The SBD dive bomber production line in El Segundo, Calif, circa 1941. www.aerotechnews.com

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