Lopatin, Vsevolod Nikolaevich
From OnAirpower.org
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[edit] Biography
Lopatin entered military service in 1916 and attended the Kazan Military School, which he completed by the end of the year. He participated in World War I in the infantry, taking part in battles at Riga and Dvina[1].
Lopatin entered the Red Army in February, 1918. He participated in the Russian Civil War in the infantry and cavalry. In November, 1919, he attended the Red Army General Staff Academy, and afterward served in various staff positions[1].
After the Civil War ended, Lopatin attended the Red Army Military Academy and then became commander of a Rifle Regiment[1].
In 1923, Lopatin volunteered to serve in aviation and became chief of staff for the 1st Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron. He then became assistant commander of the operations section in the Red Army Air Force headquarters. In 1924, he qualified as a pilot-observer at the Advanced Military School for Pilot-Observers. He then commanded the 14th Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron until March, 1925, the 2nd Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron in Turkestan until March, 1926, the 1st "Ultimatum" Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron until November, 1926, the 2nd Aviation Brigade until October, 1927, and the 15th Aviation Brigade until 1929. He completed the Frunze Military Academy in 1929. At the end of 1930, he became commander of the 3rd Orenburg Military School for Pilot-Observers. From December, 1931 to June, 1932, he served as chief of the air force training directorate. In October, 1933, he became chief of training for the Leningrad Military District[1].
Lopatin was promoted to the rank of Division Commander on November 21, 1935[2].
From May to September, 1937, Lopatin served as a volunteer in the Spanish Civil War, as a military adviser for aviation[1].
On January 14, 1938, Lopatin was arrested, and executed on July 29, 1938[1].
