The Two Sides of War

All sides of World War I were being fought by the same kinds of people. While their nationalities vary, most soldiers come from the same background of being relatively common folk. Those who do the most fighting are the lower down soldiers, the common people. Higher ups, like generals, were usually people who had come from a better off background. The generals and others in higher up position do much less of the actual physical fighting compared to the rest. This is a common theme that seems to be portrayed in almost all war situations, just like in All Quiet on the Western Front. 
The army at this time in history was seen as ultra-masculine, strong, and honorable. For a common man to be put into a position of some power within an organization that holds these values, it seems almost certain that he would therefore begin to exhibit more power. Himmelstoss is a prime example. A postman in real life, Himmelstoss has now been given the position of corporal, where he can exert power over other men. If a person is given something they wouldn't normally have, something as invigorating as power, it is not so easily given up. That is why men like Himmelstoss cling to their positions through brutal actions, because their position is the only taste of real power that they will know in their otherwise ordinary lives. 
Both sides of a war can be "right". This is because whatever "right" is, is simply an interpretation. What one side thinks is truly good, the other side may think is bad. When WWI first started, Austria-Hungary thought that they were in the right to have control over Serbia, and that Serbia was wrong. However, Serbia thought that it was wrong for Austria-Hungary to have control over them, and that therefor they were right in fighting for their freedom. While usually a "winner" is the outcome of a war, and their version of "right" is accepted, that doesn't necessarily mean they are truly correct, because "right" is all a matter of perspective.