In 1945, early wire-guided anti-tank missiles were developed to extend effective range against armored vehicles in World War II. These guided munitions improved infantry capabilities. They foreshadowed precision weaponry in later conflicts.

The advent of guided anti-tank missiles in 1945 foreshadowed themes of precision warfare in late 1940s literature. Poets like Stephen Spender began to address the moral complexities of modern warfare, questioning the implications of technological advancements on human life.