World War II Database

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:

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.

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Kurt Zeitzler Timeline

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1.  Alan Chanter says:
27 Mar 2016 12:04:38 AM

Having taken over day-to-day control of the Eastern front, General Zeitzler had the courage to insist on certain measures, warning Hitler that if a particular tactical withdrawal was not made, the troops would lose confidence in their commanders. The Führer predictable outburst that Zeitzler was nothing but a staff officer, who could not possibly know anything about the troops, produced the uncompromising retort that he, Zeitzler, had commanded a company in action for three years during the Great War, had then become regimental adjutant for a year, had been twice wounded and promoted for gallantry.' I think my combat experience is as good as yours.' Hitler turned pale and said no more - on that subject.

2.  Alan Chanter says:
6 Oct 2019 04:30:29 AM

Having lost the argument with Goring over the ability of the Luftwaffe to airlift sufficient supplies into besieged Stalingrad, General Zeitzler made a courageous act of solidarity. He put himself on a Stalingrad diet, refusing to eat any more than the ration received by the men of the Sixth Army. In the mess hall of the general staff he insisted that that he be served only the same rations. He visibly lost weight. Hitler informed him that he considered it unbecoming for his Chief of Staff to use up his strength on such gestures and ordered Zeitzler to start eating properly again. At the same time Hitler decreed that for a few weeks no Champaign or Cognac was to be consumed in the Mess.