Tanks

fiction, science, history · EN

In Tanks, Murray Leinster delves into the future of warfare, envisioning the grim consequences of technological advancement in combat. Written in the 1920s, he reflects on the devastating innovations of World War I—like armored tanks and poisonous gas—and speculates how these developments will shape conflicts to come. Set in 1932, this gripping tale portrays a war between the United States and the so-called Yellow enemy. Published in the inaugural issue of Astounding Stories of Super Science in January 1930, this story stands as a thought-provoking piece of science fiction, offering a glimpse into a future shaped by the burgeoning technologies of its time. The narrative opens with a striking quote from a future historian ... The deciding battle of the War of 1932 was the first in which the use of infantry was practically discontinued ... —History of the U.S., 1920-1945 (Gregg-Harley).