Güstrow is the capital of the Rostock district and the seventh largest town in what is now Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It has a current population of about 30,000 making it the largest town in the vicinity of Groß Wokern the home village of August Heiden and Heinrich Rambow. Güstrow is about 17 miles from Groß Wokern.

The paper that discharged August Heiden from his military commitment was issued from Güstrow.