Smoke Bomb Shuts Down Adolf Hitler Birthday Party in Illinois

A party marking the birthday of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler in a town outside Chicago was brought to an abrupt end by a smoke bomb attack, The Chicago Tribune reported Monday.

At Saturday's bash in Lyons, Illinois, about 60 people gathered to celebrate the 122nd anniversary of the murderous German leader's birth -- flying swastika banners even organizing a cake decorated with the words, "Happy Birthday Adolf Hitler."

They also set out to celebrate the start of the American Civil War, according to party host Art Jones, of the America First Committee. A second cake marking the war's outbreak on April 12, 1861, had the logo: "The South Was Right. White Men Fight," Jones said.

But the early-evening party at P.J. Klem's Restaurant And Banquet Hall came to a swift end when a mystery man walked in, ordered a grilled cheese sandwich then set off a smoke bomb in a restroom, forcing an evacuation and the closure of the hall.

The man, who was carrying a backpack, was being sought by police -- but officers admitted the description of him was "very vague."

Nobody was injured and there was no serious damage to the restaurant. A spokesman for the premises said staff were unaware of the party's purpose when the booking was made -- although the group has rented the hall in previous years.