All Quiet on the Western Front: Chapter 6

What is good preparation for an offensive?

at least a hundred new coffins

Why do German shells land on them?

Because the barrels are worn out and that makes the shots uncertain. They don't know where or when they will fall

How does chance rule their lives?

The soldiers don't know where the bombs are going to land so all they can do is duck. They don't know if it will hit them or not and this is their best chance.

Why do they call the rats "corpse rats?"

They call them that because they are fat, and live off of the dead corpses

How do the men end the rat attacks?

They gather their bread crumbs in the middle and when the rats come, they stab them with spades and pocket torches

What foreshadows a rough battle for the men?

The Edamer Cheese along with rum

Why do the men use spades rather than bayonets?

It is easier to stab a person and get the spade back because it is smoother than the bayonets. The bayonets can get stuck in people and are hard to get out. If the other side sees you with a saw-back blade bayonet, they'd stab your eyes out along with cutting your nose off and filling it wit sawdust.

Who can smell what is coming?

Kat

What new weapon interests Paul?

The new flame-thrower

Describe the new recruit's fit.

He is grinding his teeth and opening & shutting his fists. He has claustrophobia

How do the men know an attack is coming?

When the shelling stops and the heavy barrage falls behind them

Why does Paul hesitate before throwing the grenade?

Because he doesn't want to kill someone. For he has looked into the eyes of the enemy and sees that the man is innocent. "The eyes are the window to the soul"

How do the men react after waiting days for this attack?

They are beats and attack for themselves

Why do the advancing Germans suffer few casualties when reaching the front lines?

The Germans have better weapons

What prized item did the Germans take from the French lines?

Provisions- Tin cans of corned beef and butter

What are Paul's memories while he stands sentry duty?

A Cathedral and wonders if he has ever experienced love

Why does Paul say "I believe we are lost?"

He thinks that young men like him should never have experienced anything like war

Why do the soldiers search so thoroughly for a wounded man?

Because they get 3 days extra for leave or 3 days rest

What happens to the dead?

They get blown-up by shells because the soldiers don't know what to do with them so they leave them there

Why are there rats in no man's land?

they are feasting on human remains

Why do the men hate observation planes?

They put the artillery on them

Why are the reinforcements killed so rapidly

Because they get few training and they don't know what to do

Why do so many recruits die in a gas attack?

Because they don't know what to do

What happens to Himmelstoss during the attack?

He is scared of the war and he lies in the ground pretending to be wounded

What tricks do the vetrens teach the recruits? How do the recruits respond to this

tricks to save them from death; they listen but do everything wrong

How many men are left in Paul's company?

32