The Project Gutenberg EBook of Morale, by Murray Leinster

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Title: Morale
A Story of the War of 1941-43

Author: Murray Leinster

Release Date: March 28, 2007 [EBook #20920]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MORALE ***

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|Transcriber's Note: |
| |
|This etext was produced from "Astounding Stories", |
|December 1931. Extensive research did not uncover any |
|evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was|
|renewed. |
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Morale

_A Story of the War of 1941-43_

By Murray Leinster

[Illustration]

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:

[Illustration: _It spouted a flash of bluish flame._]

"Sergeant Walpole, sir, Post Fourteen, reports that he has nothing of
importance to report."

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|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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