Against a fresh supply of American and British adversaries, the German army bleeds its life away. The Germans are running out of shells, have too few horses, and are helpless against the new and menacing machines of war — Allied tanks. Firearms are in short supply and barrels wear down, distorting the soldiers' aim. Germany is so strapped for replacement troops that the army drafts young boys, who are of little use. Military surgeons are so eager to return men to battle that they stamp men A1 without examining them. Paul despises the "fraud, injustice, and baseness" in the army and also blames the German factory owners who are getting rich while putting sawdust in the rations, which rip out the soldiers' intestines.
Lt. Bertinck, who has served as a worthy example for two years, dies while combating a flamethrower. The shot that hits his chin veers into Leer's hip and he bleeds to death. Paul bitterly recounts, "What use is it to him now that he was such a good mathematician at school."
Spring becomes the wretched summer of 1918. Cognizant of Germany's heavy losses, Paul is keenly aware of life. His descriptions of nature allude to its natural presence amid the carnage: red poppies, smooth beetles, black and mystic trees, stars, and flowing water. Rumors of peace encourage him to hang on in hopes of an armistice. By now English and American planes outnumber Germany's fleet five to one. Paul summarizes, "We are not beaten, for as soldiers we are better and more experienced; we are simply crushed and driven back by overwhelming superior forces."
Late in summer, Kat sustains a wound to the shin. Paul shoulders his buddy and hurries toward medical help, stopping occasionally to rest and reflect on their experiences. Because the two have been friends for nearly three years, Paul requests Kat's address so that they can remain in touch when they return to civilian life. Kat's condition worsens; Paul, without realizing that Kat has received a mortal wound to the skull, staggers on toward the dressing station. The orderly pronounces Kat "stone dead." Paul's mind, unable to cope with fatigue and, more importantly, the personal loss of his best friend, goes blank.
