Summary

Chapter 3 – Reinforcements are brought in to replenish the Second Company. Many of them are seventeen and eighteen, and Paul –at nineteen –feels like a grizzled veteran. Paul reflects on Katczinsky, believing him to be the smartest man in the unit because Katczinsky is resourceful. The Second Company is bunked in small huts, and Paul remembers once when Katczinsky finds some horse flesh and two loaves of bread to eat.

Kropp and Katczinsky argue about war. Katczinsky believes if all men were given the same pay and the same job to do, including generals, the war would be over quickly. Kropp believes wars should be fought between politicians and generals, as in a boxing ring. The others reflect on drilling and training, and then Tjaden reveals Himmelstoss is on his way to the front.

Tjaden has a grudge against Himmelstoss. Tjaden was a bed-wetter. Himmelstoss took...