During World War I, German soldiers lacked the supplies they needed in order to stay healthy while they weren't on the battlefield. In All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque stresses the importance of boots during the war. If a soldier were to lose his boots, his feet would become horribly dirty and potentially infected because of all the dirt. Kemmerich's boots are discussed through chapters 1-3, because Remarque is trying to show the reader how important boots are to soldiers. In order for the soldiers to fight in the war, they needed well-made, comfortable boots. The boots have significance during the war, because they are prized possessions and soldiers display their pride in them. Albert Kropp, Muller, and Paul, go to see their friend Kemmerich who is in the hospital, and has recently had his leg amputated. Kemmerich's friends realize that he is about to die, so they bring him all of his belongings. Kemmerich's boots are still in great shape, and Paul notes to himself, "They are fine English boots of soft, yellow leather which reach to the knees and lace up all the way- they are things to be coveted  (Remarque 16). The first thing that Paul, Muller, and Kropp notice, are how good Kemmerich's boots are. Clearly, the soldiers' boots, are not nearly as in good shape as Kemmerich's boots are. His boots would be extremely helpful to a soldier during a battle. Muller asks Kemmerich for the boots, but, "Kemmerich doesn't want to. They are his most prized possessions  (16). Muller fails to empathize with Kemmerich, and doesn't realize that the boots have clearly played an importance in Kemmerich's life as a soldier. Muller tries to convince him to switch boots with his own, but Kemmerich refuses because of how important they are to him. The purpose of the scene is to show how materials could be vital to survival. Remarque shows the reader that soldiers valued boots, and anything that could help them get through the war