I looked through this sub and found this question here. However, I have further questions regarding the novel and just in general am seeking information regarding its accuracy:
Did German artillery pieces ever actually become so worn out as to hit friendly trench lines by mistake with any regularity?
Were German rations inferior to Allied rations?
What was the German opinion of Allied black/colonial troops actually like, and were they accurate? Remarque refers to black troops as being good patrollers but dumb enough to smoke on patrol, but I think that might be based in racism more than anything.
To what degree was the German rank and file aware of impending defeat in 1918, and what would have given them such an idea?
How frequent were sexual relations with women in occupied territories, consesual or forced?
If you have anything else to comment on regarding the novel, please feel free.
The general opinion on Blacks were rather negative since there were scientists in Germany at the time who said that negroes were indeed less intelligent than White people. Thus the blacks were reported to be really brutal and aggressive to the point that the Germans asked the French to stop using these (The French didnt answer ofc) And yes the rations were indeed inferior because the british had a sea blockade against germany and thus germany lacked important goods for both machines/tanks and food. The german rations thus were much smaller compared to allied rations since the sea blockade i mentioned above.
The german High Command was known that defeat was imminent in 1918 after the failed Spring Offensive which basically marked the german defeat. But specially General Ludendorff was very insecure about whether to sign an armistice or not since he changed his opinion a lot.
If you want to read more about the High Command and how it acted I recommend reading Hindenburgs/Ludendorffs/Groeners Biographies as all three wrote quite mich about that
First yes the German rations were inferior to Allied rations, The allies (the British specifically had a large and productive empire from which they imported sugar, Rum, meats, cloths, food, Chocolate. Whereas the Germans had only begun colonizing recently in Africa and they really didn't get many exports so most food in German Rations was grown on German soil for the army.