<P> Professor Kantorek gives an impassioned speech about the glory of serving in the Army and `` saving the Fatherland '' . On the brink of becoming men , the boys in his class , led by Paul Baumer , are moved to join the army as the new 2nd Company . Their romantic delusions are quickly broken during their brief but rigorous training under the abusive Sergeant Himmelstoss , who bluntly informs them , `` You 're going to be soldiers -- and that 's all . '' </P>
from whose perspective is the story of all quiet on the western front told
Paul Baumer