Nikolay Nikolaevich Velikolepov was born on December 20, 1902 in the provincial town of Lipetsk, Tambov province. He came from a family of educated and creative people. Among his ancestors were teachers, artists, and architects.
Nikolay Nikolaevich had an outstanding life and a military career that matched the fate of his family members. Velikolepov distinguished himself mostly during the Great Patriotic War. On the first day of war, Nikolay Nikolaevich a major in the area of the city of Bialystok. And two days later he received a new appointment — he became the head of the intelligence department of the artillery headquarters of the Western Front.
At the first stage of the war, which was one of the most difficult and tragic ones for the Red Army, Nikolay Velikolepov had to solve the problems of anti-tank defense. In January 1942, he had an experience, which later became one of the most memorable for the future Major General of Artillery.
On January 11–12, he accompanied the head of the artillery of the front — General Ivan Pavlovich Kamera. Nikolay Nikolaevich was in the offensive zone of the tank group of General Mikhail Efimovich Katukov. There he came across a trophy — a Mauser, taken from a Nazi officer.
Upon returning to Ivan Pavlovich, Velikolepov reported on the completion of his mission and handed him the Mauser. The latter immediately returned the trophy with the words:
Nikolay Nikolaevich had an outstanding life and a military career that matched the fate of his family members. Velikolepov distinguished himself mostly during the Great Patriotic War. On the first day of war, Nikolay Nikolaevich a major in the area of the city of Bialystok. And two days later he received a new appointment — he became the head of the intelligence department of the artillery headquarters of the Western Front.
At the first stage of the war, which was one of the most difficult and tragic ones for the Red Army, Nikolay Velikolepov had to solve the problems of anti-tank defense. In January 1942, he had an experience, which later became one of the most memorable for the future Major General of Artillery.
On January 11–12, he accompanied the head of the artillery of the front — General Ivan Pavlovich Kamera. Nikolay Nikolaevich was in the offensive zone of the tank group of General Mikhail Efimovich Katukov. There he came across a trophy — a Mauser, taken from a Nazi officer.
Upon returning to Ivan Pavlovich, Velikolepov reported on the completion of his mission and handed him the Mauser. The latter immediately returned the trophy with the words:
