Anton Lopatin

Who was Anton Lopatin?

Anton Ivanovich Lopatin was a Soviet officer during the Second World War, and Hero of the Soviet Union.

Lopatin begun his service in the Red Army in 1918, and participated in the Russian Civil War. After completing his command courses in 1927.

From 1937 Lopatin was appointed commander of a cavalry division. He began the Great Patriotic War in the rank of General-Major, and was promoted to the rank of General-Lieutenant 1942.

During the war he commanded the 31st Rifle Corps of the Southwestern Front, 9th Army, 62nd Army with the mission, to defend Stalingrad, 34th Army, 11th Army, and 20th Army.

During January - July 1944 Lopatin served as the Deputy Commander of the 43rd Army, and from July 1944 as Commanding Officer of the 13th Guards Corps with the 1st Baltic and 3rd Belorussian Fronts.

He also completed the Higher academic course at the Military Academy of the General Staff in 1947.

After the war Lopatin commanded a Rifle Corps, and occupied high ranking positions in Staffs of several Military Districts before retiring in 1954.