So far the most illuminating evidence of Britten Austin’s War service that I have found comes from the introduction to his book The War-God Walks Again (London: Williams and Norgate, 1926), which is written by Major-General Sir Ernest Swinton, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., and which starts:
There exists at present in our midst a small but active and powerful band of writers who are striving to direct attention to the evolutionary changes now taking place. No mere recorders of the past, these earnest thinkers are rather distillers of the future from recent events.
Of this band Captain Britten Austin is one of the best known (1).
…
As a writer, Captain Britten Austin is well known both in this country and amongst all sections of the English-speaking people. Its popularity amongst those who read and think, and whose who only read, speaks for itself … Always deeply interested in military affairs, the events of the Great War (in which he played his part), more especially the trend of what was new, made an indelible impression on an observant, enquiring and speculative mind (3).
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers in the Great War 