Final answer:
Himmelstoss is sent to the front as a punishment for his abusive behavior and to expose him to the same conditions that the soldiers he mistreated have to endure.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the novel All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, Himmelstoss is sent to the front because he is a strict disciplinarian and the main character, Paul, and his fellow soldiers rebel against his harsh training methods. Himmelstoss is a former postman who becomes their drill instructor during their training. He is despised by the soldiers because of his petty and abusive behavior.
When Himmelstoss joins the front, it is seen as a punishment for him as well. The intense and dangerous conditions at the front are a stark contrast to the power and control he had over the soldiers during their training.
So, in summary, Himmelstoss is sent to the front as a form of punishment for his abusive behavior and to expose him to the same conditions that the soldiers he mistreated have to endure.