March in honor of the historic November 7, 1941 military parade

On November 7, 2010, Moscow’s Red Square hosted a commemorative march to mark the 69th anniversary of the November 7, 1941 military parade, held at the height of the epic Battle of Moscow.

Forty World War II veterans, involved in the 1941 parade, were honored with front-row seats.

“We bow down to your feat and honor the memory of those who did not return from the battlefield,” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin (second right) said before the start of the parade. He said Moscow was a symbol of the struggle against the aggressor during the war and that the 1941 parade demonstrated the Soviet Union’s defiance, despite extremely difficult conditions. Right: Honorable Veteran of Moscow Vladimir Dolgikh.

Although a state of siege had been declared in Moscow in October 1941, the Soviet Government decided to hold a military parade on November 7, 1941 in commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution, to rally the spirits of the Soviet troops. Nazi leader Adolf Hitler planned to seize Moscow that same day and to march German troops through Red Square. The 1941 parade is considered by historians to have had a tremendous impact on the course of the war. Red Army soldiers marched through Red Square before departing for the front, located several dozen kilometers from central Moscow. Photo: Participants in the parade marking the 69th anniversary of the historic November 7, 1941 military parade on Red Square.

About 5,000 young Muscovites marched through Red Square. Among them were members of local youth organizations, the Sodruzhestvo public children’s organization, military clubs, and military cadet schools in Moscow.

Moscow Military District personnel dressed in 1941 uniforms also marched through Red Square.

An honor guard company from the Moscow Military Commandant’s Office marched in the commemorative parade.

A legendary T-34 tank rolling through Red Square during the parade.

Military personnel dressed in 1941 uniforms marching through Red Square during the parade.

Military personnel dressed in 1941 uniforms before the parade.

Cavalry units dressed in WWII-era Red Army uniforms taking part in the parade.

Military personnel dressed in 1941 uniforms before the parade.

Participants in the parade.