on the front. The strategy to victory over this "war of attrition" required wearing down the opposing army by bombarding their trenches continuously and relentlessly. For instance, at the battle of the Somme, the soldiers were "shelled steadily for seven days and nights (104)." During the landing of a shell in the trenches, the "hollow, furious blast [was] like a blow from the paw of a raging beast of prey (106)." However, the "most dementing convulsion of all (106)" may be the explosion of mines mixed with the gunfire. Modern trench-warfare, therefore, according to Remarque required knowledge and experience. A man must have the feelings for the contour of the ground, an ear for the sound and character of the shells and be able to decide beforehand where they will drop, how they will burst, and how to shelter from them, or else the he may cease to live. The front appeared to be "a cage in which [men] must await fearfully whatever may happen (101)." Soldiers had absolutely no control over the situati
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