Cpl. John Tomikel

Diary of a U.s. Soldier in Germany: 1952 - 1954 Cpl. John Tomikel

The Diary of a U. S. Soldier in Germany by Cpl. John Tomikel is a historical document. It describes the life of a soldier in the occupation of West Germany and its relationship to East Europe controlled by the Soviet Union. The Korean War is in progress. The daily life of the soldier and the contacts with German civilians are noted. Halfway through his tour of duty, John is joined by his wife. They rent a room in the city of Wiesbaden and mingle with the natives. John is able to join his wife on most weekends and they enjoy the cultural offerings of the city as well as trips to different areas. This is an excellent documentary of the time and place as well as the life of a soldier. Two momentous events occurred during this time period, the death of Josef Stalin and the cease-fire in the Korean War. This is an interesting adventure as well as a historical document.