[ WP ] In an alternate universe , gunpowder was never invented . What does warfare look like ?

Now for the second set in 1941 
 
 `` Are you sure this thing will work'' I asked `` I ai n't Flash Gordon you know'' 
 
 `` Look Rodgers'' the Sergeant grated, he'd taken a round from a German air rifle some time ago and his voice sounded like K rats being opened `` I do n't trust the tech boys any more than you do but the Brass trusts Tesla and we are stuck with it.'' He reached in his belt and handed me his pistol,.32 caliber 10 shots at 600 feet per second, better than nothing.'' `` Take my sidearm if that directed light thingy does n't work, run like hell.'' 
 
 I had a small sword too having studied the French style in college but it was nerve racking to go against Waffen SS armed with an under powered pistol and a far from deadly enough small sword while they were equipped with Mauser Sturmgewehr Air Rifles and Donnar electric Bolt Throwers. They probably had a gasoline powered Engine Gun too, full automatic firing explosive tipped arrows at 10 per second. 
 
 The Jeep drove me into position, the Driver, Parsons said `` Watch your ass Buck'' 
 
 `` Its Tony, George. Buck's the guy with the space weapon.'' 
 
 `` If the shoe fits.'' He grinned `` Here take these you might need em.'' He handed me a couple of petrol bombs than sped off 
 
 I moved into my position, sand bags. I was grateful to put the thing down l, Tesla's advances in battery tech made it portable but only if you do n't mind lugging eighty pounds.'' 
 
 I had a non regulation welding mask too and lowered it. 
 
 The death ray made buzzing noise as it powered up. I put the center on the Engine Gun and held it down. There was a satisfying explosion but I did n't have time to enjoy it as all hell broke loose. There were three more Engine Guns, damned Krauts and pretty soon my sandbags were being blow to bits. 
 
 A fire a few more second from the laser than it exploded, sending molten slag all over my cuirbolli suit and ruining my mask but saving my eyes I had got about twenty five seconds from the thing and than ran Jerry hot on my trail. One of the SS guys a fleet footed son a bitch caught up with me, 
 
 I shot him twice with the pistol but he was wearing a great coat and he laughed it off. We met sword, his schalger to my small sword and in the end i stabbed him hard enough for me to cover my escape with a couple of petrol bombs and make it to the waiting jeep. 
 
 The Jeeps flame thrower lit up the night sky and we were off. Mission accomplished. The Death Ray had worked but it was still back to the drawing board. 
 
 Mr. Telsa would not be happy.
