Demonstrations timed to 70th anniversary of Red Square parade in Moscow

Demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade were held in Moscow on November 7.

The Red Square parade on November 7, 1941 was a personal idea of Stalin. Preparation was made very secretly. There were many concerns about the parade, as Moscow was sieged and the enemy was just few kilometers away from the Kremlin. The weather services said the last word in discussions: a blizzard was expected on November 7 and the attacks of the enemy's aviation were unlikely.

The idea was kept secret until the start. The demonstration started surprisingly even for video operators. Until the last minute the participants did not know that they had to march on the Red Square.

28.5 thousand people, 140 weapons and 160 tanks marched on the Red Square. The parade was held under the enemy's very nose. 550 battle-planes guarded Moscow in the air. The parade was transmitted live by all radio stations of the Soviet Union. German command was in a fury.

Hitler heard about the parade on the radio himself. In the beginning he took the broadcast for some German parade, but when he found out that it was a parade on the Red Square, he ordered to immediately mobilize all aviation and destroy the Red Square, but Soviet army did not let it happen.

By its impact on the course of events this parade is treated as the most important military operation. It had a great value in increasing the morale of the army and the country in general, showing the world that Moscow did not give up and the Red Army's spirit was not broken. Many of the military divisions went directly to the front line right after completion of the parade. Most of the soldiers did not come back home.

Participants of the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade in Moscow. ©RIA Novosti

Participants of the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade in Moscow. ©RIA Novosti

Participants of the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade in Moscow. ©RIA Novosti

Participants of the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade in Moscow. ©RIA Novosti

Demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade. ©RIA Novosti

Demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade. ©RIA Novosti

Demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade. ©RIA Novosti

Tanks at the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade. ©RIA Novosti

Tanks at the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade. ©RIA Novosti

Tanks at the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade. ©RIA Novosti

Tanks at the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade. ©RIA Novosti

Participants of the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade in Moscow. ©RIA Novosti

Participants of the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade in Moscow. ©RIA Novosti

Participants of the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade in Moscow. ©RIA Novosti

Participants of the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade in Moscow. ©RIA Novosti

Participants of the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade in Moscow. ©RIA Novosti

Participants of the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade in Moscow. ©RIA Novosti

Participants of the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade in Moscow. ©RIA Novosti

Participants of the demonstrations timed to the 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade in Moscow. ©RIA Novosti

Demonstrations timed to 70th anniversary of the Red Square parade. ©RIA Novosti