Kurt Zeitzler
Kurt Zeitzler (9 June 1895 – 25 September 1963) was a Chief of the Army General Staff in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II.
Kurt Zeitzler | |
|---|---|
| Chief of the General Staff of the German Army High Command | |
| In office 24 September 1942 – 10 June 1944 | |
| Leader | Adolf Hitler |
| Preceded by | Franz Halder |
| Succeeded by | Adolf Heusinger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 June 1895 Goßmar, German Empire |
| Died | 25 September 1963 (aged 68) Hohenaschau, West Germany |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | German Empire Nazi Germany |
| Branch/service | German Army |
| Years of service | 1914–45 |
| Rank | Generaloberst |
| Battles/wars | |
Zeitzler was almost exclusively a staff officer, serving as chief of staff in a corps, army, and army group. In September 1942, he was selected by Adolf Hitler as Chief of the Army General Staff, replacing Franz Halder. In early 1943 he was one of the key figures in the decision to launch Operation Citadel, the last major German attack on the Eastern Front, which ended in defeat. Zeitzler lost faith in Hitler's judgement, and abandoned his position in July 1944 after suffering a nervous breakdown. Zeitzler was regarded as an energetic and efficient staff officer, noted for his ability in managing the movement of large mobile formations.