While both Krebs and Baumer fought in World War 1, they did not fight in the same side, but opposing ones, Krebs for the Americans and Baumer for the Germans. Baumer died back in 1918 while Krebs lived and went back home in 1919. Both characters went through similar expiriences, but both saw things differently, Krebs felt distant when he got back from the war, Baumer felt a similar when he left to war, and other examples I wont get into. Braumer and Krebs both had very hard youths, with very similar situations and feelings, but still somehow manage to have different outcomes and journeys throughout their experiences.