[2] He earned the degree of Doctor of Historical Sciences in 1973, became a professor in 1975[3] and was awarded the honorary title of Honoured Scientist of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic [ru] in 1990.

[4] Anfilov was born on 10 July 1919 in the village of Yakubovka, Buturlinskaya Volost, Knyagininsky Uyezd, Nizhny Novgorod Governorate.

After the capture of enemy airfields, he was worked in mine clearance and preparation for the deployment of Soviet aircraft.

[8] From 1957 to 1964 Anfilov was a senior researcher in the historical department at t he Military Scientific Directorate of the General Staff.

From 1964 to 1970 he was a senior lecturer in the history of wars department at the Military Academy of the General Staff.

He was the author of several books about the initial period of World War II (from summer - winter of 1941).