Battles

Some of the scenes that are both very reminiscent of the past and somewhat fantasy are the battle scenes. Like we learn about in our history books, the characters in the scenes have weapons such as bows and arrows and catapults as opposed to bombs and guns. The difference is what they are battling. The battle scenes still give the feel of an old time battle by the look of the movies. The snippet I have attached is one of a battle scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAG5vBKmvcA&feature=related

It is important to remember that Tolkien was a Professor at Oxford. He had the ability to draw upon historical knowledge to help influence the books. When writing about the battle, why did he choose to write about bows and arrows as opposed to the guns and bombs that he himself had experienced during his time in the British army during World War I?