The Theft of Kemmerich's watch and boots

In chapter 1 & 2 of "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque the moral decay promoted by war is presented. While Kemmerich lays unconscious in his bed his watch is stolen from him and Müller asks to use his boots. This is a perfect example of the moral decay that happens during war and no one can really blame these soldiers for this. These "men" have experienced more deaths in a month than most people ever will in their lifetime therefore becoming oblivious to death. Death does not really faze these people anymore and these men are looking for any scraps to live off. Consequently, the incident with Kemmerich watch and boots occur. However, this is not the only reason for moral decay during wartime. The training that these soldiers go through to prepare for war
is grueling and petrifying. These soldiers egos are beaten down so that a sense of espirit de corps is felt. Nevertheless, through this training the soldiers feel that they need to take anything to survive and in this case it turned out to be Kemmerich's boots and watch.