MovieChat Forums > All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) Discussion > Why was the plane harassing them?

Why was the plane harassing them?

posted 8 years ago by dayvit78
3 replies | jump to latest

Near the end of the movie, when Paul met Kat in the field, a single biplane was dropping bombs near them. I don't understand that - there wasn't a mass of troops or anything remotely strategic there. Why was he wasting bombs trying to kill two soldiers?

[–] Ranb (9595) 2 years ago

Pilots do not like to land with bombs still attached to the plane. If a pilot needs to return to base for reasons like fuel or engine problems, they will probably drop their bombs on anything befoe they go home. Or perhaps he was aiming poorly and did not mean to hit those men?

[–] xergan (1067) 2 years ago

No, this was clearly a planned drop before landing. Especially back then landing with load was quite a risky business.

[–] Ranb (9595) 2 years ago

Perhaps they were the best target available prior to returning to base?

But the best reason for it was that the plot required it.