Paul Baumer is a 19 year old German student who is convinced by peers and his schoolmaster to enlist in the German army during World War I. The story follows him and his fellow soldiers throughout their struggles in the war. The book is written through his eyes, which is also known as a first person account.?
             Baumer is sent to the war front where he is placed under the command of Corporal Himmelstoss. Himmelstoss does not like Baumer because he feels that the young soldier is too defiant. Later in the story, Baumer is some friends attack Himmelstoss in the street in an act of revenge for the unnecessary torment he had put
             While on the front, Baumer and company get trapped in a shell hole for a night. A Frenchman finds his way into the hole, whereupon, Paul stabs him. He then has to comfort the Frenchman while he slowly dies, which is very hard for him and wrestles with his emotions throughout the night.
             Later, Paul is sent to defend a village. There is no one left in the village, so everyone on the mission is able to ransack the village and do with the villagers? belongings as they please. The French start to attack the village, and Paul one of his friends, Albert Kropp, are injured during the attack. During the train ride home, Kropp becomes very ill with infection to his leg wound. He is told that he will be dropped off sooner than the rest of the company so that they can treat him. Paul desires to stay with his friend, so he tells the nurse that he needs to be dropped off as well, due to his injuries suffered.
             Kropp's infection becomes so bad that he has his leg amputated, but Baumer heals with no problem. Baumer is sent back to the front to continue fighting. It has grown very difficult and cold at this point, and all of his friends are dying off in battle. The last of those friends, Kat, is injured in a battle. So, Paul carries him a few miles to the nearest dressing outpost. All alo
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