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Invasion Literature
The War in the Air
and particularly how Mr Bert Smallways fared while it
lasted.
by HG Wells
published 1907
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CONTENTS
I. OF PROGRESS AND THE SMALLWAYS FAMILY
II. HOW BERT SMALLWAYS GOT INTO DIFFICULTIES
III. THE BALLOON
IV. THE GERMAN AIR-FLEET
V. THE BATTLE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC
VI. HOW WAR CAME TO NEW YORK
VII. THE "VATERLAND" IS DISABLED
VIII. A WORLD AT WAR
IX. ON GOAT ISLAND
X. THE WORLD UNDER THE WAR
XI. THE GREAT COLLAPSE
THE EPILOGUE
The War in the Air is a novel by H. G. Wells,
written in 1907, serialized and published in 1908. Like many of Wells’
works, it is notable for its prophetic ideas, images, and concepts, in this
case, the use of the airplane for the purpose of warfare and the coming of
World War I. The novel's hero is Bert Smallways, a forward-thinking young
man, a "kind of bicycle engineer of the let's-have-a-look-at-it and enamel
chipping variety."
Wells envisions a world in which China and Japan form an alliance of Eastern
Asia; Germany is aggressive and thrusting; and the United States is a
country torn apart "in violent conflict between Federal and State
governments upon the question of universal service in a defensive militia."
The British Empire is a more pacific power, whose possessions are scattered
across the globe, and distracted by "insurrectionary movements in Ireland
and among all its Subject Races. It had given these subject races
cigarettes, boots, bowler hats, cricket, race meetings, cheap revolvers,
petroleum, the factory system of industry, half penny newspapers in both
English and the vernacular, inexpensive university degrees, motor-bicycles
and electric trams…" France and the Latin Powers (Italy, Spain, Portugal)
are militarized, but reluctant to fight; Russia is divided within itself,
torn apart by conflict between revolutionaries and reactionaries. Other
smaller states have armed themselves as best they can.
War erupts when German aerial forces, built and supported by aeronautical
parks and foundries, and consisting of airships and Drachenflieger, attempt
to seize control of the air before the Americans build a large-scale aerial
navy. The Germans assume that the Chinese and Japanese have no air forces.
Tensions between Japan and the United States, exacerbated by the issue of
American citizenship being denied to Japanese immigrants, also lead to war.
The "Confederation of Eastern Asia" (China and Japan) turns out to possess
aerial forces, and their aircraft and tactics have been seen as a portent to
the kamikaze of World War II. The United States therefore have to fight on
two fronts: the Eastern and the Western, in the air as well on sea.
Bert Smallways becomes entangled in the German plot to bomb New York City
when he accidentally falls into the hot air balloon of Alfred Butteridge, a
British aviator who is apparently the only man with the "secret of the
flying machine". The hot air balloon is whisked off and lands in the German
aeronautic foundries in Franconia. Mistaken by the Germans as Alfred
Butteridge, he is taken onboard and questioned by the German ambassador Von
Winterfeld. He also comes into the presence of Prince Karl Albert, the
German commander of the plot. However, his disguise is foiled, and he
becomes stuck onboard the Vaterland, the German flagship. After witnessing
the Battle of the North Atlantic and the bombing of New York, as well as an
aerial battle between German and American forces, Bert Smallways realises
the true horror of war.
After New York City is bombarded by the German flying machines, the Asiatic
aerial forces fly over the Rocky Mountains, and engage the Germans in dog
fights above Niagara Falls. The Asiatic fleet also attacks a combined
Anglo-Indian aerial force, and in Australia as well, capturing the Pacific
islands. In Europe, Great Britain, France and Italy fight the Germans and
Swiss forces, leading to the destruction of London, Paris, Hamburg and
Berlin. Through generousity and luck Smallways returns to his now desolate
home. The story advances a few years into the future to find humanity
resembling barbarians maintaining a brutal feudal society after the war's
destruction.
Herbert George Wells (September 21, 1866 – August 13, 1946) was a British
writer best known for his science fiction novels such as The War of the
Worlds, The Invisible Man, The Island of Doctor Moreau and The Time Machine.
He was a prolific writer in the history of literature, and wrote works in
nearly every genre, including short stories and nonfiction. He was an
outspoken socialist, and most of his works contain some notable political or
social commentary.
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