A World in Dust - 1937 to Present Day Dust 1947 is set in a uchronic diesel-punk alternate 1947 where World War II rages on. Alien technology has enabled super-weapons, walking tanks and other awe-inspiring machines of destruction. 1937 July: Japanese forces invade mainland China. World War II starts in Asia. 1938 March: A German military expedition led by Manfred Kreuzer returns from Antarctica under great secrecy. A U-boat bearing “vital cargo” is sent directly back to Germany.