Morale: A Story of the War of 1941-43
by Murray Leinster (1896–1975)
- Free to read
- 40 min read
- 7 chapters
- Reading level: 6th grade
"Morale: A Story of the War of 1941-43" by Murray Leinster is a science fiction novel written in the early 20th century. The book tells a riveting tale of a futuristic war scenario where civilian morale significantly impacts military strategy and operations. By focusing on the enemy's psychological warfare tactics, specifically with a monstrous war-machine called the "Wabbly," the narrative illustrates the profound effects of fear and chaos on a population during wartime. The story centers around Sergeant Walpole, a member of a coastal observation post during an ongoing war. Initially enjoying a calm life, Walpole's world is shattered when the Wabbly—a menacing behemoth of a war machine—lands on the Eastern Coast, swiftly spreading panic and destruction. As Walpole witnesses firsthand the terror it inflicts, he takes it upon himself to track the creature in an attempt to counteract its devastating effect on civilian morale. Accompanied by a helicopter pilot, they devise a plan to set traps for the Wabbly, culminating in a tense battle that reveals not only the physical destruction wrought by the war machine but also its psychological ramifications on both the civilian populace and military forces alike.
- Science fiction
- War stories
Read the opening
Part I
"... The profound influence of civilian morale upon the
course of modern war is nowhere more clearly shown than
in the case of that monstrous war-engine popularly
known as a 'Wabbly.' It landed in New Jersey Aug. 16,
1942, and threw the whole Eastern Coast into a frenzy.
In six hours the population of three States was in a
panic. Industry was paralyzed. The military effect was
comparable only to a huge modern army landed in our
rear...." (_Strategic Lessons of the War of
1941-43._—U. S. War College. Pp. 79-80.)
Sergeant Walpole made his daily report at 2:15. He used a dinky telephone that should have been in a museum, and a rural Central put him on the Area Officer's tight beam. The Area Officer listened drearily as the Sergeant said in a military manner:
"Sergeant Walpole, sir, Post Fourteen, reports that he has nothing of importance to report."
+—————————————————————————+
|The Wabbly, uncombatable engine of war, spreads |
|unparalleled death and destruction—until Sergeant|
|Walpole "strikes at the morale" of its crew. |
+—————————————————————————+
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About this edition
This free edition of Morale: A Story of the War of 1941-43 by Murray Leinster comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #20920, released 2007-03-28. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Science-Fiction & Fantasy, Novels.
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