Remarque writes at the front of his book, "This novel is to be neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It will simply tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped shells, were destroyed by the war." Explain, in your own words, what he means by men were "destroyed" by the war.

It simply means that, they lost out greatly in all things despite the fact that they were not killed by shells and bullets.

Explanation:

The word ''destroyed by the war'' could be likened to the fact that the men in question were total humbled by the loss of material assets like houses, means of livelihood, loss of relations and personal wealth (money) occasioned by the war. A situation where someone that was living comfortably was reduced to penury.

it increase by 12% a year from 1812-1820

google it and it will pop up