Global General

Moscow marks legendary 1941 Red Square parade

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-11-08 10:36

People in historical uniforms take part in a military parade in Red Square in Moscow, November 7, 2010. Moscow marked the anniversary of a historical parade in 1941 when Soviet soldiers marched through Red Square to the front lines of World War II. [Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW - Nearly 5,000 Russian people in World War II-era uniform paraded across Red Square on Sunday, to mark the 69th anniversary of the legendary military parade in 1941.

The march started with a retrospective historic performance: Moscow residents voluntarily joined troops, dug anti-tank ditches and erected defense barriers on the streets.

Afterwards, young Muscovites from youth public associations, military patriotic groups and students of military schools, marched across the Red Square along with two T-34 tanks.

The T-34 Soviet medium tank, often referred as the best tank designed for the war, was the backbone of the Red Army during World War II.

Troops of the Moscow Military District, cavalrymen of the Presidential Regiment, guards from the Moscow Military Commandant's Office also attended the parade.

Some 5,000 spectators watched the parade, including at least 40 veterans who had taken part in the parade 69 years ago.

"We are paying tribute to your heroism and commemorating those who lost their lives in battle," new Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin addressed to the veterans.

The November 7, 1941 parade was held after Russia joined World War II and aimed to raise morale as Nazi German forces approached Moscow. The troops attending the parade headed straight to the frontline outside Moscow after the parade.