Kurt Zeitzler (June 9, 1895 – September 25, 1963) was a top German general during World War II. He was almost exclusively a staff officer, not a commander, 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, serving directly under Hitler as commander-in-chief of the Army. Zeitzler replaced Franz Halder, who had criticized some of Hitler's plans and orders.