Simple and stark, but this kind of story is very effective, and suits your style very well. the fantasies Freidrich has are a bit new though, I like that, he's obviously a romantic daydreamer and represents prewar idealism and the innocence of youth effectively. This reminds of me of something I read, either a primary source by WWI soldiers or a novel (maybe All Quiet on the Western Front?), the bit where all the young men in the classroom are encouraged to join up by their teacher. It's partly parodied in Starship Troopers. Anyway, another good one Franconicus, well done.
Maybe I'd make it a rifle bullet rather than a grenade? German forces advancing against the BEF lines in Belgium initially thought they were facing machine guns, rather than well-trained rifle troops.

Actually, I've just had another thought; did you mean he was blown up by an artillery shell? In which case ignore my above comment!