Günther Viezenz

Kolonel Günther Viezenz (1921-1999) was a German officer and Colonel of the Bundeswehr, having fought in the Second World War as Commander of 10th Company in the Wehrmacht, where he was awarded the Tank Destruction Badge.

Early Life
Günther Viezenz was born to German parents in Göhlenau on the 1st February 1921. He was 18 when the war broke out.

World War II
In the outbreak of the Second World War, Viezenz joined the Wehrmacht in 1939, becoming the Commander of 10th Company, Grenadier Regiment 7 of the 252nd Infantry Division on the 7th January 1944 with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Single-handedly, Viezenz destroyed 21 enemy tanks using only explosives and grenades. He earned four gold Tank Destruction Badges and one silver one. Near the end of the war, he was promoted to the rank of captain.

Later Life
After the war, Viezenz joined the Bundeswehr on the 1st April 1956 and retired as a colonel on the 20th March 1980, aged 59.

Awards
Iron Cross II Class (1939)

Iron Cross I Class (1939)

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (7th January 1944)

21 Tank Destruction Badges (1944) Silver Infantry Storm Badge
 * 4 Gold
 * 1 Silver

Merit Cross 1st Class of the Federal Republic of Germany (1979)

Appearance
Viezenz was relatively tall with dark, closely cropped hair and a thin frame.

Personality
Viezenz was known to be strategically intelligent, as shown by his destruction of 21 tanks during the course of the war. He would also have kept a calm demeanour during the battles he faced.