When former soldiers reminiscences in print about causes lost, we are treated to an unique perspective of the losing side. These writers wrestle with the question were the sacrifices made in vain? Paul Baumer is Erich Maria Remarque’s spokesman in the German author anti war classic, All Quiet on the Western Front. The book follows this young German soldier from the time of his enlistment to the very bitter end of the war. Carl Melcher is Paul Clayton’s spokesman in his book, “Carl Melcher goes to Vietnam" as this Vietnam veteran explores the sacrifices made by his fellow soldiers.
In both books, what the soldiers share is camaraderie. In All Quiet Of The Western Front, the young soldiers are classmates when they join the war. Throughout the war, they find that only through each other can they survive the carnage. In Carl Melcher Goes to Vietnam, Paul Clayton brings together a racially diverse group who find that regardless of the diversity that seperates them, all they have each other.
Most of the band of brothers will not survive their tour of duty. Paul Baumer’s friends are killed one by one and most of Carl Melcher's new found friends die as well. The bitter lessons that both learn is that friendship is but a fleeting thing.
However, there are differences to behold. In the beginning, Paul Baumer and his friends join the war at the exhortation of their school master Kantorek. Kantorek implores his students to fight for the fatherland as they go to war with enthusiasm. At the beginning of World War I, each nation’s soldiers exhibit nationalistic fever as they are convince of the righteousness of their countries’ cause. The war that was supposed to last just a short period, proved to be the bloodiest war in history. The glory of war crumbled in the trenches of France.
Carl Melcher just dropped out of college and received his draft notice. With no real option since National Guard duty was ruled out, Melcher goes off to war. Unlike Baumer, Melcher has no illusion about Vietnam and he is not certain of the righteousness of his nation cause. He goes because he has to and because he will not refuse his country's call. He does not seek glory, just to survive his tour of duty.
Article comments