🗓 On November 7, 1941, a historic military parade took place on the Red Square in Moscow to mark the 24th anniversary of the October Revolution.

The parade was organised and held under challenging conditions amidst the advance of the German Nazi invaders, who were just a few dozen kilometers away from Moscow. The preparations were carried out in the strictest secrecy, with public announcement made only in the evening of November 6.

⚜️ The parade lasted only 25 minutes, but proved to the world that the Red Army’s morale remained unbroken. In total, 28,487 people took part in the march, along with 140 artillery guns, 160 tanks, and 232 vehicles. From the Red Square, the soldiers headed to the front to defend the city.

The parade was broadcast on the radio worldwide, with many foreign newspapers writing about this important event. For the Nazis, it came as a complete surprise which demoralised the enemy. Hitler had planned to capture the USSR's capital by November 7 and hold his own celebration on the Red Square. Upon learning about the parade he ordered for it to be bombed. However, as a result of the unprecedented security measures and bravery of Russian pilots and anti-aircraft gunners, several dozen German planes were shot down on the city's outskirts. On that day, not a single bomb fell on Moscow.

🛡 The Red Square parade on November 7, 1941, demonstrated the unwavering spirit of the Red Army soldiers and officers, inspired the Soviet people to defend their Motherland against the Nazi aggression, contributed to the international prestige of the USSR and strengthened the anti-Hitler coalition. A mere month later, the allegedly invincible Wehrmacht suffered its first major defeat at the hands of the Red Army.

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