Science and Modern Warfare
Introduction: Like all the branches of life, war has also come under the impact of science. Science plays a leading role in the warfare in the modern age. In consequence, the talents and energies of some of the most outstanding scientists of the world have been engaged in the production of weapons and arms. Sometimes, the development of science in this direction causes a great fear in the hearts of peace-loving persons and they begin to look upon science as a curse.
Science and Land Forces: Tthe modern army comprises three branches. Land forces, the Navy and the Air Force. Mechanization in all three branches has brought about a great change. The motor cycle or a truck has very sufficiently replaced the horse or mule as a means of transport. Destructive rifles and Tommy guns have thrown the swords and the spears out of existence. In Land forces, long range artillery and tanks are the other specimens of the use of science.
Science and the Navy: The service of science has become very essential to the Navy and the Air Force. The construction of a huge ship being equipped with the latest means of attack and defense is a wonder of science. Again, submarines and torpedo boats show how science has made naval warfare deadly and intricate. The use of radar is a commendable achievement of science.
Science and Air Force and Medical Units: Science has made Air force very much technical and complicated. Going up in the air is in itself one of the glaring achievements of science and its use in the war is a step further. To see an airliner, a fighter, a bomber is to feel astonished at the skill of scientists and technicians. Parachutes again have made warfare more scientific. The wireless, telephone, the photography and many other things also render an indispensable service in all the branches of modern army. Besides, indispensable service in all the branches of modern army. Besides, sciences work miracles in the supply lines and the medical units. Scientists have made chemical foods, which can give necessary nourishment to a standard soldier for many days and weeks. One tablet of concentrated food is equal to many ounces of common food. Likewise, surgeons and physicians have found out methods of speedy and quick cures for the wounded and the sick soldiers.
Science has changed Human Values: Science has thrown eternal human virtues like strength and valour into the background. A physically weak and a cowardly soldier having a modern rifle or a bomb are more powerful than a strong and valorous soldier without these weapons. Now, victory or defeat in a modern war does not depend upon manpower, courage or heroism alone because everything is highly mechanized and destructive. Now, victory depends upon organization, planning and the efficiency of scientist inventing more dangerous and destructive weapons. One scientist sitting and working in the laboratory with the help of minerals and other resources is much more useful than a soldier fighting with a rifle on the front. Thus, human values are changing fast. A nation which was militarily weak in the past is now powerful and vice-verse.
Conclusion: The use of science in modern warfare has resulted into colossal destruction. The two great cities of Japan, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, were reduced to ashes in no time by atom bombs. A small nation, Israel, with a population of 35lakhs of people, brought 8crores of people of Arab countries to their heels within seventy-two hours. It is a miracle of science. If science goes on progressing like this and becomes a permanent tally of war, the future of mankind and civilization seems to be in dark. The modern world is burning inside like a volcano and it may erupt at any moment. We are under constant fear of complete destruction because science has combined with war without wisdom. If the situation takes an early turn and the global war breaks out, mankind may be compelled to go back to the primitive stage of civilization.
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