Chapter 6 All Quiet on the Western Front

Chapter six of the novel All Quiet on the Western Front is truly eye opening. This chapter is the first chapter to really describe just what type of conditions that the soldiers were facing while being engaged in trench warfare. The chapter is brutally realistic and graphic with its descriptions. The reader feels like they themselves have been placed into the midst of battle as description after description depict the harsh and relentless conditions of World War I trench warfare. The characters in this chapter are first faced with the issue of rats. The rats continually eat their food in the middle of the night. Along with the rats, the French enemy continually fires artillery upon the German troops. Trench after trench is destroyed, only to be quickly repaired, even though this is almost useless. Finally, the French army charges the trenches of the Germans. A bloody battle occurs. Hand grenades are thrown throughout the battle field, tearing full limbs clean off from their former bodies. The Germans withstand the French attack, and deliver a counter attack of their own. The Germans quickly overtake the French trenches, and take all of the food and supplies that they are able to before heading back to their trenches. That night, the German soldiers recover their strength and stamina with some well-deserved food and drink. They also take the moment of silence to reflect upon childhood memories, wishing that they were able to return to them. Their visions are cut short however, as a fresh French bombardment begins. New recruits are mowed down due to their inexperience. After this second barrage, which the Germans once again prevail through, the Second Company is relieved. The Second Company is the company which stars the main characters of the novel. The end of the chapter reveals that the Second Company has been cut down from one hundred and fifty men to just thirty two men throughout the course of the trench warfare.