This Day in History: January 14

 

West of Stalingrad on January 14, 1943, in the 3rd Infantry Division (Motorized) the lack of fuel forced the division to abandon vehicles and heavy equipment; the division continued to retreat through deep snow on foot eastward toward the Rossoschka valley, pursued by the 96th Rifle Division and the 288th Rifle Division.  To the southeast was the 29th Infantry Division (Motorized); to the north was an open flank.  Enemy forces seized Hill 87.8.  (Stalingrad: The Death of the German Sixth Army on the Volga, 1942-1943)

**********

Fritz Bayerlein, Army Major General, born January 14, 1899 in Würzburg, chief of staff for the Africa Corps, commander 3rd Panzer Division and Panzer Lehr Division, commander LIII Army Corps, winner Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, died January 30, 1970 in Würzburg, last words:

“Every old dog has to die.”  (2,000 Quotes From Hitler’s 1,000-Year Reich)

**********

Chicago Crime Calendar

January 14, 1983 – Chicago Police Officer Larry J. Vincent was killed, and a fellow officer wounded in a gun battle with two burglary suspects at an apartment located at 5131 South Calumet Avenue.  They entered from the front and confronted two suspects in a first-floor hall area.  The gunmen leaped from windows and fired at the pursuing officers, wounding them.  Officer Vincent died in the emergency room of Billings Hospital from a gunshot wound to the right side of his face.  He had served with the department for 3 years, assigned to the Wentworth District.  He was survived by his expectant wife, two sons, father, and uncle.  His father and uncle also served with the Chicago Police Department.