Paul's luck changes when he is assigned to the supply depot and enjoys food and comfortable beds. While evacuating a village, Paul and Kropp are shot and sent by train to St. Vincenz Hospital. Kropp's leg is amputated. Paul recovers and goes on leave, but sorry to leave his friend behind, he returns to front-line duty.
In the summer of 1918, the war goes badly for Germany. Even rations, which are adulterated with unwholesome additives, are in short supply. Troops suffer dysentery and nervous exhaustion from the seemingly endless assaults of the Allies. Paul is the last remaining member of his schoolmates. He carries Kat to an aid station to be treated for a shin wound. On the way, Kat is hit in the head by a tiny splinter of shrapnel and dies. Paul collapses.
In October 1918, Paul, recently returned from two weeks' leave to recover from poisonous gas, is killed on a quiet day, shortly before armistice ends the war.
