The original Paul Baumer

Rating: Null/10 (25 April 2004)

Novelist Erich Maria Remarque reportedly used his dentist's name for the protagonist of "All Quiet." The real Paul Baumer was a prewar dental assistant who learned to fly in early 1914. Nevertheless, he entered the infantry upon outbreak of war and only later joined the German Air Service. In 1917-18 he became one of the most successful German fighter pilots, credited with 40 or more aerial victories. After the war Baumer completed dental school but continued flying, established a small factory, and was killed in an accident in 1927 at age 31. Remarque so admired him that the name was perpetuated in the book, and subsequently in the movie.