Heinz-Günther Guderian

Heinz Günther Guderian (August 23, 1914 – September 25, 2004) was a German officer in the Wehrmacht and later a Major General and Inspector of Panzer Troops in the West German Bundeswehr and NATO. He was the son of World War II General Heinz Guderian.

Born in Goslar, Lower Saxony, Heinz Günther Guderian entered the German Army as an officer cadet on April 1, 1933. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant in 1935 and served as a platoon leader, battalion and regimental adjutant and company commander in Panzer Regiments 1 and 35. He saw combat during the invasion of Poland and was wounded twice during the Battle of France in 1940. He graduated from the General Staff College in 1942 and served as a staff officer in various armored units until being assigned as the Operations Officer for the 116th Panzerdivision ("The Greyhounds") in May 1942, a position he held until the end of the War.

After the creation of the Bundeswehr, Guderian returned to the army and was given command of Panzerbattalion 3 (later 174) and, later, Panzerbrigade 14. He also served in a variety of staff assignments, culminating in service as Inspector of Panzer Troops—the same job his father held during World War II—for the Bundeswehr. He retired in 1974.

Guderian's World War II decorations include the Iron Cross Second and First Classes, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the Wounds Badge in Silver. After the war he received the Federal German Grand Cross of the Order of Merit on 21 December 1972.

Guderian wrote From Normandy to the Ruhr: With the 116th Panzer Division in WWII (The Aberjona Press, 2001) ISBN 0-9666389-7-2