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Kurt Zeitzler

Surname Zeitzler Given Name Kurt Born 9 Jun 1895 Died 25 Sep 1963 Country Germany Category Military-Ground Gender Male

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseKurt Zeitzler was born in Cossmar-Luckau, Germany to a pastor. Joining the German army on 23 Mar 1914, he commanded an infantry division in WW1. After the war, he was one of the early supporters of Adolf Hitler's rise. He reached the rank of lieutenant colonel at the dawn of WW2 in Europe.

ww2dbaseDuring WW2, Zeitzler commanded troops during the Poland campaign, then subsequently served in France, Balkans, and Russia. In Poland and France, he was the chief of staff of the First Panzer Group, then commanded the First Panzer Army in Russia, earning him credibility as an able armor commander and winning the Knight's Cross on 18 May 1941. During these early campaigns, he served under famed German generals such as Siegmund List and Paul von Kleist. On 1 Feb 1942 he was promoted major general, and in Apr of the same year he became the chief of staff under Gerd von Rundstedt. In Sep 1942, he was appointed the Chief of the Army General Staff by Hitler against the recommendation of Wilhelm Keitel and Alfred Jodl, although Zeitzler eventually confronted Hitler on the German leader's stubborn strategies in Russia. Albert Speer noted one strategy discussion between Hitler and Zeitzler:

"Zeitzler, his face flushed and haggard from lack of sleep, insisted that the Sixth Army (in Stalingrad) must break out to the west. He deluged Hitler with data on all that the army lacked, both as regards to rations and fuel, so that it had become impossible to provide warm meals for the soldiers exposed to fierce cold in the snow-swept fields or the scanty shelter of rums. 'The counterattack from the south that I have ordered will soon relieve Stalingrad. That will recoup the situation. We have been in such positions often before, you know. In the end we always had the problem in hand again' (said Hitler).... Zeitzler disagreed.... Hitler's patience snapped, 'Stalingrad simply must be held. It must be; it is a key position. By breaking traffic on the Volga at that spot, we cause the Russians the greatest difficulties.'"

ww2dbaseAfter the loss at Stalingrad materialized, Zeitzler submitted his letter of resignation, but it was refused by Hitler. On 20 Jul 1944, Zeitzler claimed that health conditions prevented him from serving his office; an angered Hitler dismissed him from the German army. The disillusioned Zeitzler announced his retirement from the German army in Jan 1945 before the war ended.

ww2dbaseZeitzler passed away in Upper Bavaria in 1963.

ww2dbaseSource: Spartacus Educational, Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Dec 2005

Kurt Zeitzler Timeline

9 Jun 1895 Kurt Zeitzler was born. 25 Jan 1939 The US Army Air Corps announced a new competition for a new fighter design. The requirements were 310-370 miles per hour top speed, 15,000 feet ceiling, and 2 hours endurance at cruise speed. The firm Curtiss-Wright would ultimate win the competition with the P-40 design. 24 Sep 1942 Adolf Hitler sacked General Franz Halder as Chief of Staff, replacing him with General Kurt Zeitzler. 25 Sep 1942 Hitler dismissed the Chief of the Army General Staff, Colonel-General Halder, and appointed General Zeitzler to succeed him. At the same time responsibility for the employment of General Staff Corps personnel was taken away from the Chief of the General Staff and given to the Army Personnel Office, which was directly subordinate to Hitler. 25 Sep 1963 Kurt Zeitzler passed away.

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