World War I was one of the worst wars that has ever taken place. All Quiet On The Western Front , written by Erich Maria Remarque , truly described what the war was really like. Paul Baumer , the main character, enlisted in the war at a very young age with the rest of his classmates. Throughout the story Paul experienced many horrors such as seeing his closest friends die, living in unsanitary conditions, and losing his own identity.
             Paul, having lived so long in the war, saw many of his closest friends die. Kemmerich , one of Paul's classmates, had his leg amputated at the beginning of the war. Paul says," Kemmerich groans. He is feverish. We get hold of an orderly outside and ask him to give Kemmerich a dose of morphia." (17) Paul said that he died an extremely painful, senseless death. Paul has an extremely hard time telling his mother the truth about her son. Kropp , another one of Paul's classmates, suffers a slight wound on his leg and it is amputated. Paul arranges to recuperate in the same hospital so he could be with him. Paul says," I manage to slip the major two of my cigars with belly bands, and then tip the word to him."(244) Paul tries everything to be with Kropp so he is not alone. But, eventually he does not make it and he dies. Kat, a resourceful, inventive 40 year old, with a family at home becomes one of Paul's closest friends. He always managed to find food, clothing, and blankets whenever his friends needed them. He got a wound in the leg and it had bleed quickly. Paul tries to carry him to safety. Paul says," Kat isn't very heavy; so I'll take him up on my back and start off to the dressing station with him."(287) Even when Paul is injured himself, he still tries to be the best friend that he could be. But while Paul is carrying Kat he gets hit by bullet fragments without him knowing and he dies. Paul is extremely heart broken.
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