When there was a parade in 1945. A victory parade took place on Red Square. The Supreme Commander ordered

Today, June 24, on this day 71 years ago, a historic Victory Parade was held, held in Moscow, on Red Square, to commemorate the victory of the USSR over Germany in the Great Patriotic war.

At 10 o'clock in the morning, Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov rode a white horse from the Spassky Gates to Red Square in Moscow. After the command "Parade, at attention!" The square erupted in thunderous applause. Parade commander Konstantin Rokossovsky submitted a report to Georgy Zhukov, and then together they began to detour the troops. Following this, the signal “Listen to everyone!” sounded, and the military band played the hymn “Glory, Russian people!” Mikhail Glinka. After Zhukov's welcoming speech, the anthem of the Soviet Union was played, and a solemn march of troops began.

The parade was attended by consolidated regiments from each front operating at the end of the war, as well as military academies, military schools and parts of the Moscow garrison. The regiments included Heroes of the Soviet Union, holders of the Orders of Glory, renowned snipers and the most distinguished order bearers. In addition, there were infantry, artillerymen, tankers and pilots, cavalrymen, sappers and signalmen. 36 combat banners of the formations and units that distinguished themselves in battles were carried by specially trained standard bearers with assistants.

The Red Banner of Victory was also brought from Berlin, which was hoisted over the Reichstag. Following the regiments of the fronts and the Navy, a consolidated column of Soviet soldiers entered Red Square, carrying 200 banners of the Nazi troops lowered to the ground, defeated on the battlefields. To the beat of drums, these banners were thrown to the foot of the Mausoleum.

The decision to hold a parade in honor of the victory over Germany was made by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin shortly after Victory Day - in mid-May 1945. The Deputy Chief of the General Staff, General of the Army S.M. Shtemenko recalled: “The Supreme Commander ordered us to think over and report to him our thoughts on the parade to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany, while indicating: “We need to prepare and hold a special parade. Let representatives of all fronts and all branches of the armed forces take part in it ... "

On May 24, 1945, the General Staff presented to Joseph Stalin their views on holding a "special parade." The Supreme Commander accepted them, but postponed the date of the parade. The General Staff asked for two months to prepare. Stalin ordered the parade to be held in a month. On the same day, the commanders of the troops of the Leningrad, 1st and 2nd Belorussian, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Ukrainian fronts received a directive from the Chief of the General Staff, General of the Army Alexei Innokentyevich Antonov, to hold a parade:

The Supreme Commander ordered:

1. To participate in the parade in the city of Moscow in honor of the victory over Germany, allocate a consolidated regiment from the front.

2. Form a consolidated regiment according to the following calculation: five two-company battalions of 100 people in each company (ten squads of 10 people). In addition, 19 people commanders from the calculation: regiment commander - 1, deputy regiment commanders - 2 (for combat and political affairs), regimental chief of staff - 1, battalion commanders - 5, company commanders - 10 and 36 people of bannermen with 4 assistant officers. In total, there are 1059 people in the consolidated regiment and 10 spare people.

3. In the consolidated regiment, have six companies of infantry, one company of artillerymen, one company of tankers, one company of pilots and one company of combined (cavalrymen, sappers, signalmen).

4. The companies should be staffed in such a way that the commanders of the departments are middle officers, and in each department - privates and sergeants.

5. Personnel for participation in the parade should be selected from among the soldiers and officers who have most distinguished themselves in battles and who have military orders.

6. Arm the consolidated regiment: three rifle companies - with rifles, three rifle companies - with machine guns, a company of artillerymen - with carbines behind their backs, a company of tankers and a company of pilots - with pistols, a company of sappers, signalmen and cavalrymen - with carbines behind their backs, cavalrymen, in addition - checkers.

7. The front commander and all commanders, including aviation and tank armies, arrive at the parade.

8. The consolidated regiment to arrive in Moscow on June 10, 1945, having 36 combat banners, the most distinguished in the battles of formations and units of the front, and all enemy banners captured in battles, regardless of their number.

9. Ceremonial uniforms for the entire regiment will be issued in Moscow.

Defeated standards of the Nazi troops

AT celebratory event ten combined regiments of the fronts and a combined regiment of the Navy were to participate. Students of military academies, cadets of military schools and troops of the Moscow garrison were also involved in the parade, as well as military equipment including aircraft. At the same time, the troops that existed as of May 9, 1945 of seven more fronts of the USSR Armed Forces did not take part in the parade: the Transcaucasian Front, the Far Eastern Front, the Transbaikal Front, Western Front Air Defense, Central Air Defense Front, Southwestern Air Defense Front and Transcaucasian Air Defense Front.

The troops immediately began to create consolidated regiments. The fighters for the main parade of the country were meticulously selected. First of all, they took those who showed heroism, courage and military skill in battles. Such qualities as height and age mattered. For example, in the order for the troops of the 1st Belorussian Front dated May 24, 1945, it was noted that height should not be less than 176 cm, and age should not be older than 30 years.

At the end of May, the regiments were formed. By order of May 24, there should have been 1059 people and 10 spare people in the consolidated regiment, but in the end the number was increased to 1465 people and 10 spare people. The commanders of the consolidated regiments were determined:

- from the Karelian Front - Major General G. E. Kalinovsky;
- from Leningradsky - Major General A. T. Stupchenko;
- from the 1st Baltic - Lieutenant General A. I. Lopatin;
- from the 3rd Belorussian - Lieutenant General P.K. Koshevoy;
- from the 2nd Belorussian - Lieutenant General K. M Erastov;
- from the 1st Belorussian - Lieutenant General I.P. Rosly;
- from the 1st Ukrainian - Major General G.V. Baklanov;
- from the 4th Ukrainian - Lieutenant General A. L. Bondarev;
- from the 2nd Ukrainian - Guard Lieutenant General I. M. Afonin;
- from the 3rd Ukrainian - Guard Lieutenant General N. I. Biryukov;
- from Navy- Vice Admiral V. G. Fadeev.

The Victory Parade was hosted by Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov. Marshal of the Soviet Union Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky commanded the parade. The entire organization of the parade was led by the commander of the Moscow Military District and the head of the Moscow garrison, Colonel-General Pavel Artemyevich Artemyev.

Marshal G.K. Zhukov takes the Victory Parade in Moscow

During the organization of the parade, a number of problems had to be solved in a very short time. So, if students of military academies, cadets of military schools in the capital and soldiers of the Moscow garrison had parade uniforms, then thousands of front-line soldiers had to sew them. This task was solved by garment factories in Moscow and the Moscow region. And the responsible task of preparing ten standards, under which the consolidated regiments were to come out, was entrusted to a unit of military builders. However, their project was rejected. In an emergency order, they turned for help to specialists from the art and production workshops of the Bolshoi Theater.

The head of the art and props shop V. Terzibashyan and the head of the locksmith and mechanical shop N. Chistyakov coped with the assigned task. On a vertical oak shaft with a silver wreath that framed a golden five-pointed star, a horizontal metal pin with “golden” spiers at the ends was fixed. A double-sided scarlet velvet banner of the standard was hung on it, bordered with gold patterned hand knitting and with the name of the front. Separate heavy gold tassels fell down on the sides. This sketch was accepted.

Hundreds of ribbons, which crowned the shafts of 360 combat banners, which were carried at the head of the consolidated regiments, were also made in the workshops of the Bolshoi Theater. Each banner represented a military unit or formation that distinguished itself in battles, and each of the ribbons marked a collective feat, marked by a military order. Most of the banners were guards.

By June 10, special trains with parade participants began to arrive in the capital. In total, 24 marshals, 249 generals, 2536 officers, 31,116 privates, sergeants participated in the parade. Hundreds of units of military equipment were prepared for the parade. The training took place at the Central Airfield named after M.V. Frunze. Soldiers and officers trained daily for 6-7 hours. And all this for the sake of three and a half minutes of an impeccable march through Red Square. Parade participants were the first in the army to be awarded the medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945", established on May 9, 1945.

At the direction of the General Staff, about 900 units of captured banners and standards were delivered to Moscow from Berlin and Dresden. Of these, 200 banners and standards were selected, which were placed under guard in a special room. On the day of the parade, they were taken to Red Square in covered trucks and handed over to the soldiers of the parade company of "porters". Enemy banners and standards soviet soldiers carried in gloves, emphasizing that even in the hands of the shafts of these symbols it is disgusting to take. At the parade, they will be thrown onto a special platform so that the standards do not touch the pavement of the sacred Red Square. Hitler's personal standard will be the first to be thrown, the banner of Vlasov's army will be the last. Later, this platform and gloves will be burned.

The parade was planned to start with the removal of the Victory Banner, which was delivered to the capital on June 20 from Berlin. However, the standard-bearer Neustroev and his assistants Yegorov, Kantaria and Berest, who hoisted him over the Reichstag and sent to Moscow, went extremely poorly at the rehearsal. The war was not up to drill. The same battalion commander of the 150th Idritsa-Berlin Rifle Division, Stepan Neustroev, had several wounds, his legs were damaged. As a result, they refused to take out the Banner of Victory. By order of Marshal Zhukov, the banner was transferred to the Central Museum armed forces. For the first time, the Banner of Victory was taken to the parade in 1965.

Victory parade. standard-bearers

Victory parade. Build sailors

Victory parade. Line of tank officers

Kuban Cossacks

On June 22, 1945, the order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief No. 370 was published in the central newspapers of the Union:

Order of the Supreme Commander
« To commemorate the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War, I appoint a parade of troops of the army, the Navy and the Moscow garrison on Red Square on June 24, 1945 - the Victory Parade.

Bring the combined regiments of the fronts, the combined regiment of the People's Commissariat of Defense, the combined regiment of the Navy, military academies, military schools and troops of the Moscow garrison to the parade.

The Victory Parade will be hosted by my Deputy Marshal of the Soviet Union Zhukov.

Command the Victory Parade to Marshal of the Soviet Union Rokossovsky.

I entrust the general leadership for organizing the parade to the commander of the troops of the Moscow Military District and the head of the garrison of the city of Moscow, Colonel General Artemyev.

Supreme Commander
Marshal of the Soviet Union I. Stalin.

The morning of June 24 was rainy. It started to rain fifteen minutes before the start of the parade. The weather improved only in the evening. Because of this, the aviation part of the parade and the passage of Soviet workers were canceled. Exactly at 10 o'clock, with the battle of the Kremlin chimes, Marshal Zhukov rode on a white horse to Red Square. At 10:50 a detour of the troops began. The Grand Marshal greeted the soldiers of the combined regiments in turn and congratulated the Parade participants on the victory over Germany. The troops responded with a mighty "Hurrah!"

Having traveled around the shelves, Georgy Konstantinovich went up to the podium. The Marshal congratulated the Soviet people and their valiant armed forces on their victory. Then the anthem of the USSR was played by 1,400 military musicians, 50 volleys of artillery salute rolled like thunder, and three Russian “Hurrah!” resounded over the square.

The solemn march of victorious warriors was opened by the parade commander, Marshal of the Soviet Union Rokossovsky. He was followed by a group of young drummers, pupils of the 2nd Moscow Military Music School. They were followed by the combined regiments of the fronts in the order in which they were located during the Great Patriotic War, from north to south. The first was the regiment of the Karelian Front, then the Leningrad, 1st Baltic, 3rd Belorussian, 2nd Belorussian, 1st Belorussian (it had a group of soldiers of the Polish Army), 1st Ukrainian, 4th Ukrainian, 2nd th Ukrainian and 3rd Ukrainian fronts. The combined regiment of the Navy brought up the rear of the solemn procession.

The movement of troops was accompanied by a huge orchestra of 1,400 people. Each consolidated regiment passes under its own combat march almost without pauses. Then the orchestra fell silent and 80 drums were beaten in silence. A group of soldiers appeared who carried 200 lowered banners and standards of the defeated German troops. They threw the banners on the wooden platforms near the Mausoleum. The stands burst into applause. It was an act full of sacred meaning, a kind of sacred rite. The symbols of Nazi Germany, and hence the "European Union-1", were defeated. Soviet civilization proved its superiority over the West.

Then the orchestra played again. Parts of the Moscow garrison, the consolidated regiment of the People's Commissariat of Defense, students of military academies and cadets of military schools marched along Red Square. The students of the Suvorov schools, the future of the victorious Red Empire, brought up the rear.

Then a combined cavalry brigade headed by Lieutenant General N. Ya. Kirichenko passed by the stands at a trot, anti-aircraft installations on vehicles, batteries of anti-tank and large-caliber artillery, guards mortars, motorcyclists, armored vehicles, vehicles with paratroopers passed. The parade of equipment was continued by the best tanks of the Great Patriotic War T-34 and IS, self-propelled artillery mounts. The parade on Red Square ended with the passage of the combined orchestra.

IS-2 tanks before entering Red Square

Heavy tanks IS-2 pass through Red Square during the parade in honor of the Victory on June 24, 1945

The parade lasted 2 hours in heavy rain. However, this did not bother people and did not spoil the holiday. Orchestras played, the celebration continued. The fireworks began late in the evening. At 11 p.m., out of 100 balloons raised by anti-aircraft gunners, 20 thousand rockets flew in salvos. Thus ended the great day. On June 25, 1945, a reception was held in the Grand Kremlin Palace in honor of the participants in the Victory Parade.

It was a real triumph of the victorious people, the Soviet civilization. Soviet Union survived and won in the most terrible war in the history of mankind. Our people and army have defeated the most efficient military machine in the Western world. They destroyed the terrible embryo of the "New World Order" - the "Eternal Reich", in which they planned to destroy the entire Slavic world and enslave humanity. Unfortunately, this victory, like others, was not eternal. New generations of Russian people will again have to stand in the fight against world evil and defeat it.

As Russian President V. Putin rightly noted in his written address to visitors of the exhibition “Victory Parade on June 24, 1945”, which opened at the State Historical Museum on the eve of the 55th anniversary of the Victory Parade:

« We must not forget this powerful parade. Historical memory is the key to a worthy future for Russia. We must adopt the main thing from the heroic generation of front-line soldiers - the habit of winning. This habit is very necessary in our today's peaceful life. It will help the current generation build a strong, stable and prosperous Russia. I'm sure the spirit Great Victory will keep our Motherland in the future in the new, XXI century».

The decision to hold a parade of winners was made shortly after Victory Day - May 15, 1945 Deputy Chief of the General Staff General of the Army remembered : “The Supreme Commander ordered us to think over and report to him our thoughts on the parade to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany, while indicating: “We need to prepare and hold a special parade. Let representatives of all fronts and all branches of the armed forces participate in it ... ".

May 24 I.V. Stalin was informed of the proposals of the General Staff for holding the Victory Parade. He accepted them, but did not agree with the timing. While the General Staff set aside two months for preparation, Stalin ordered the parade to be held in a month. On the same day, a directive was sent to the commander of the troops of the Leningrad, 1st and 2nd Belorussian, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Ukrainian fronts signed by the Chief of the General Staff of the Army General:

The Supreme Commander ordered:

1. To participate in the parade in the city of Moscow in honor of the victory over Germany, allocate a consolidated regiment from the front.

2. Form a consolidated regiment according to the following calculation: five two-company battalions of 100 people in each company (ten squads of 10 people). In addition, 19 officers from the calculation: regiment commander - 1, deputy regiment commanders - 2 (for combat and political affairs), regimental chief of staff - 1, battalion commanders - 5, company commanders - 10 and 36 deputies of flagmen from 4 assistant officers. In total, there are 1059 people in the consolidated regiment and 10 spare people.

4. The companies should be staffed in such a way that the commanders of the departments are middle officers, and in each department - privates and sergeants.

5. Personnel for participation in the parade should be selected from among the soldiers and officers who have most distinguished themselves in battles and who have military orders.

7. The front commander and all commanders, including aviation and tank armies, arrive at the parade.

9. Ceremonial uniforms for the entire regiment will be issued in Moscow.

ANTONOV

It was supposed to bring ten combined regiments of the fronts and a combined regiment of the Navy to the parade. Students of military academies, cadets of military schools and troops of the Moscow garrison, as well as military equipment, including aviation, were also involved in it.

At the fronts, they immediately began to form and staff consolidated regiments.

At the end of May, the combined regiments of the five-battalion fronts were formed.

The commanders of the consolidated regiments were appointed:

- from the Karelian Front - Major General G.E. Kalinovsky
- from Leningradsky - Major General A.T. Stupchenko
- from the 1st Baltic - lieutenant general
- from the 3rd Belorussian - Lieutenant General P.K. Koshevoy
- from the 2nd Belorussian - Lieutenant General K.M Erastov
- from the 1st Belorussian - Lieutenant General I.P. Tall
- from the 1st Ukrainian - Major General G.V. Baklanov
- from the 4th Ukrainian - Lieutenant General A.L. Bondarev
- from the 2nd Ukrainian - Guard Lieutenant General I.M. Afonin
- from the 3rd Ukrainian - Guard Lieutenant General N.I. Biryukov.

Most of them were corps commanders. The consolidated regiment of the Navy was headed by Vice Admiral V.G. Fadeev.

Although the directive of the General Staff determined the strength of each consolidated regiment in the amount of 1059 people with 10 spares, during the recruitment it increased to 1465 people, but with the same number of spares.

IN VERY A lot of problems had to be solved in a short time frame. So, if students of military academies, cadets of military schools of the capital and soldiers of the Moscow garrison, who on June 24 were to pass through Red Square, had parade uniforms, regularly engaged in drill training, and many participated in the May Day parade of 1945, then with the preparation of more than 15 thousand front-line soldiers, everything was different. They had to be accepted, placed, prepared for the parade. The most difficult thing was to cope with the tailoring of ceremonial uniforms in time. Nevertheless, the sewing factories of Moscow and the Moscow region, which started sewing it at the end of May, managed to cope with this difficult task. By June 20, all parade participants were dressed in new parade uniforms.

Another problem arose in connection with the production of ten standards, under which the consolidated regiments of the fronts were to go to the parade. The fulfillment of such a responsible task was entrusted to the unit of Moscow military builders, commanded by Major Engineer S. Maksimov. They worked around the clock to make a sample, but it was rejected. But there were about ten days left before the parade. It was decided to seek help from the specialists of the art and production workshops of the Bolshoi Theater. The head of the art and props shop V. Terzibashyan and the head of the locksmith and mechanical shop N. Chistyakov were involved in the manufacture of standards. Together with them we made a new sketch of the original form. On a vertical oak shaft with a silver wreath framing a golden five-pointed star, a horizontal metal pin with “golden” spiers at the ends was attached. A two-sided scarlet velvet panel of the standard was hung on it, bordered with gold patterned hand-knitting and the name of the front. Separate heavy gold tassels fell down on the sides.

The sample was immediately approved, and the masters completed the work even ahead of schedule.

The best of the best front-line soldiers were instructed to carry the standards at the head of the consolidated regiments. And then not everything went smoothly. The fact is that when assembled, the standard weighed more than 10 kg. Not everyone could walk along Red Square with a drill step, holding it on outstretched arms. As always happens in such cases, people's ingenuity came to the rescue. The standard-bearer of the cavalry regiment I. Luchaninov recalled how the unfolded knife banner is fastened on the march. According to this model, but in relation to the foot formation, the saddlery and saddlery factory made special sword belts in two days, thrown on wide belts over the left shoulder, with a leather cup in which the flagpole was attached. And many hundreds of ribbons crowning the shafts of 360 combat banners that had to be carried across Red Square at the head of the consolidated regiments were made in the workshops of the Bolshoi Theater. Each banner represented a military unit or formation that distinguished itself in battle, and each of the ribbons marked a collective feat, marked by a military order. Most of the banners were guards.

By June 10, special trains with parade participants began to arrive in Moscow. The personnel were placed in the Chernyshevsky, Aleshinsky, Oktyabrsky and Lefortovo barracks, in the towns of Khlebnikovo, Bolshevo, Likhobory. As part of the consolidated regiments, the soldiers began combat exercises and training at the Central Airfield named after . They were held daily for six to seven hours. Intensive preparation for the parade demanded from its participants the exertion of all physical and moral strength. Honored heroes did not receive any indulgences.

For the host of the parade and the commander of the parade, horses were picked up in advance: the marshal - a white light gray suit of the Terek breed named "Idol", the marshal - a black cracian suit named "Pole".

Starting from June 10, 1945, the medal "For the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945", established on May 9, 1945, was the first in the Armed Forces to be awarded to front-line soldiers - participants in the Victory Parade. Along the way, orders and medals that had defects, as well as those awarded back in 1941-1943, were exchanged for new ones that appeared after the introduction of order bars in 1943.

At the direction of the General Staff, about 100,000 were delivered to Moscow from units of the 1st Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian fronts (from Berlin and Dresden). They were received in the gym of the Lefortovo barracks by the commander of the 181st rifle regiment 291st Rifle Division Colonel A.K. Korkishko. 200 banners and standards, then selected by a special commission, were placed in a special room and taken under guard by the military commandant of Moscow. On the day of the Victory Parade, they were taken to Red Square in covered trucks and handed over to the personnel of the parade company of "porters".

On June 10, a company was formed from the soldiers-front-line soldiers of the combined regiments (10 lines, and in the line - 20 people). It was located in the front line opposite St. Basil's Cathedral. On the parade ground, where training began, the front-line soldiers did not look the best, but after all, aces were required, and not just combatants. Things went well when, at the suggestion of the commandant of Moscow, Lieutenant General K. Sinilov, an excellent combatant was appointed commander - Senior Lieutenant D. Vovk, deputy commander of a guard of honor company. They trained with sticks-struts from soldiers' tents 1.8 m long. But some could not withstand such physical exertion, while others did not go well with drill training. I had to do a partial replacement. The company included a group of tall warriors of the 3rd regiment of the division named after F.E. Dzerzhinsky. With their help, single combat training began. <Кавалер двух орденов Славы С. Шипкин вспоминал: “We were drilled like recruits, our tunics did not dry out with sweat. But we were 20-25 years old, and the great joy of victory easily overcame fatigue. The classes were beneficial, and we were sincerely grateful to the Dzerzhinsk guys ”. The company was prepared for the day of the parade. June 21, late in the evening, Marshal G.K. Zhukov on Red Square examined the training of "porters" and was satisfied.

Unfortunately, not everyone "passed the exam" at the dress rehearsal. According to the plan of the organizers, the procession of troops was to begin with the removal of the Banner of Victory, which was delivered to Moscow on June 20 from Berlin.

But due to poor drill skills, S.A. Neustroeva, M.A. Egorova and M.V. Kantaria Marshal G.K. Zhukov decided not to take him to the parade.

Two days before the parade, on June 22, signed by the Supreme Commander Marshal of the Soviet Union I.V. Stalin issued order No. 370:

ORDER
Supreme Commander

To commemorate the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War, on June 24, 1945, in Moscow, on Red Square, I appoint a parade of troops of the Army, the Navy and the Moscow garrison - the Victory Parade.

3 years ago, the Victory Parade took place on Red Square in Moscow. Marshal of the USSR Konstantin Rokossovsky commanded the parade, Marshal of the USSR Georgy Zhukov received the parade.

The DECISION to hold a parade of winners was made by I.V. Stalin shortly after Victory Day - May 15, 1945. Deputy Chief of the General Staff, General of the Army S.M. Shtemenko recalled: “The Supreme Commander ordered us to think over and report to him our thoughts on the parade to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany, while indicating: “We need to prepare and hold a special parade. Let representatives of all fronts and all branches of the armed forces participate in it ... ".

May 24 I.V. Stalin was informed of the proposals of the General Staff for holding the Victory Parade. He accepted them, but did not agree with the timing. While the General Staff set aside two months for preparation, Stalin ordered the parade to be held in a month. On the same day, a directive signed by the Chief of the General Staff, General of the Army A.I. Antonova:

The Supreme Commander ordered:

1. To participate in the parade in the city of Moscow in honor of the victory over Germany, allocate a consolidated regiment from the front.
2. Form a consolidated regiment according to the following calculation: five two-company battalions of 100 people in each company (ten squads of 10 people). In addition, 19 officers from the calculation: regiment commander - 1, deputy regiment commanders - 2 (for combat and political affairs), regiment chief of staff - 1, battalion commanders - 5, company commanders - 10 and 36 deputies of flagmen from 4 assistant officers. In total, there are 1059 people in the consolidated regiment and 10 spare people.
3. In the consolidated regiment, have six companies of infantry, one company of artillerymen, one company of tankers, one company of pilots and one company of combined (cavalrymen, sappers, signalmen).
4. The companies are to be equipped so that the commanders of the departments are middle officers, and in each department - privates and sergeants.
5. Personnel for participation in the parade should be selected from among the soldiers and officers who have most distinguished themselves in battles and who have military orders.
6. Equip the consolidated regiment: three rifle companies - with rifles, three rifle companies - with machine guns, a company of artillerymen - with carbines behind their backs, a company of tankers and a company of pilots - with pistols, a company of sappers, signalmen and cavalrymen - with carbines behind their backs, cavalrymen, in addition - checkers.
7. The front commander and all commanders, including aviation and tank armies, arrive at the parade.
8. The consolidated regiment to arrive in Moscow on June 10, 1945, having 36 combat banners, the most distinguished in the battles of formations and units of the front, and all enemy banners captured in battles, regardless of their number.

9. Ceremonial uniforms for the entire regiment will be issued in Moscow.

ANTONOV

At the fronts, they immediately began to form and staff consolidated regiments.

The commanders of the consolidated regiments were appointed:

- from the Karelian Front - Major General G.E. Kalinovsky
- from Leningradsky - Major General A.T. Stupchenko
- from the 1st Baltic - Lieutenant General A.I. Lopatin
- from the 3rd Belorussian - Lieutenant General P.K. Koshevoy
- from the 2nd Belorussian - Lieutenant General K.M Erastov
- from the 1st Belorussian - Lieutenant General I.P. Tall
- from the 1st Ukrainian - Major General G.V. Baklanov
- from the 4th Ukrainian - Lieutenant General A.L. Bondarev
- from the 2nd Ukrainian - Guard Lieutenant General I.M. Afonin
- from the 3rd Ukrainian - Guard Lieutenant General N.I. Biryukov.

Most of them were corps commanders. The consolidated regiment of the Navy was headed by Vice Admiral V.G. Fadeev.
Although the directive of the General Staff determined the strength of each consolidated regiment in the amount of 1059 people with 10 spares, during the recruitment it increased to 1465 people, but with the same number of spares.

The sample was immediately approved, and the masters completed the work even ahead of schedule.

By June 10, special trains with parade participants began to arrive in Moscow. The personnel were placed in the Chernyshevsky, Aleshinsky, Oktyabrsky and Lefortovo barracks, in the towns of Khlebnikovo, Bolshevo, Likhobory. As part of the consolidated regiments, the soldiers began combat exercises and training at the Central Airfield named after M.V. Frunze. They were held daily for six to seven hours. Intensive preparation for the parade demanded from its participants the exertion of all physical and moral strength. Honored heroes did not receive any indulgences.

For the host of the parade and the commander of the parade, horses were picked up in advance: Marshal G.K. Zhukov - a white light gray color of the Terek breed, nicknamed "Kumir", Marshal K.K. Rokossovsky - black crab suit named "Pole".

The period of preparation for the parade was marked by a particularly joyful and exciting event for its participants - the presentation of awards. May 24, 1945 Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR N.M. Shvernik handed the marshals G.K. Zhukov, I.S. Konev, R.Ya. Malinovsky, K.K. Rokossovsky and F.I. Tolbukhin of the Order of Victory. June 12 M.I. Kalinin awarded Zhukov the third Golden Star, and Rokossovsky and Konev the second. At the same time, this award was received by I.X. Bagramyan and A.I. Eremenko.

Starting from June 10, 1945, the medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945", established on May 9, 1945, was the first in the Armed Forces to be awarded to front-line soldiers - participants in the Victory Parade. Along the way, orders and medals that had defects, as well as those awarded back in 1941-1943, were exchanged for new ones that appeared after the introduction of order bars in 1943.

At the direction of the General Staff, about 900 units of captured banners and standards were delivered to Moscow from units of the 1st Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian fronts (from Berlin and Dresden). The commander of the 181st Infantry Regiment of the 291st Infantry Division, Colonel A.K., received them in the gym of the Lefortovo barracks. Korkishko. 200 banners and standards, then selected by a special commission, were placed in a special room and taken under guard by the military commandant of Moscow. On the day of the Victory Parade, they were taken to Red Square in covered trucks and handed over to the personnel of the parade company of "porters".

On June 10, a company was formed from the front-line soldiers of the consolidated regiments (10 lines, and in the line - 20 people). It was located in the front line opposite St. Basil's Cathedral. On the parade ground, where training began, the front-line soldiers did not look the best, but after all, aces were required, and not just combatants. Things went well when, at the suggestion of the commandant of Moscow, Lieutenant-General K. Sinilov, an excellent combatant was appointed commander - Senior Lieutenant D. Vovk, deputy commander of a guard of honor company. They trained with sticks-struts from soldiers' tents 1.8 m long. But some could not withstand such physical exertion, while others did not go well with drill training. I had to do a partial replacement. The company included a group of tall warriors of the 3rd regiment of the division named after F.E. Dzerzhinsky. With their help, single combat training began. <Кавалер двух орденов Славы С. Шипкин вспоминал: “We were drilled like recruits, our tunics did not dry out with sweat. But we were 20-25 years old, and the great joy of victory easily overcame fatigue. The classes were beneficial, and we were sincerely grateful to the Dzerzhinsk guys ”. The company was prepared for the day of the parade. June 21, late in the evening, Marshal G.K. Zhukov on Red Square examined the training of "porters" and was satisfied.

But due to poor drill skills, S.A. Neustroeva, M.A. Egorova and M.V. Kantaria Marshal G.K. Zhukov decided not to take him to the parade.

Two days before the parade, on June 22, signed by the Supreme Commander Marshal of the Soviet Union I.V. Stalin issued order No. 370:

ORDER OF THE Supreme Commander-in-Chief

To commemorate the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War, I am appointing a parade of troops of the Army, the Navy and the Moscow garrison on Red Square on June 24, 1945 - the Victory Parade.
Bring the combined regiments of the fronts, the combined regiment of the People's Commissariat of Defense, the combined regiment of the Navy, military academies, military schools and troops of the Moscow garrison to the parade.
The Victory Parade will be hosted by my Deputy Marshal of the Soviet Union Zhukov.
Command the Victory Parade to Marshal of the Soviet Union Rokossovsky.
I entrust the general leadership for the organization of the parade to the commander of the troops of the Moscow Military District and the head of the garrison of the city of Moscow, Colonel General Artemyev.

Supreme Commander
Marshal of the Soviet Union I. STALIN

And then came the morning of June 24, 1945, cloudy and rainy. Water flowed down the helmets and uniforms of the consolidated regiments of the fronts built by 8 o'clock, students of military academies, cadets of military schools and troops of the Moscow garrison. By nine o'clock, the granite stands near the Kremlin wall were filled to overflowing with deputies of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the RSFSR, employees of the people's commissariats, cultural figures, participants in the anniversary session of the USSR Academy of Sciences, workers of Moscow plants and factories, hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church, foreign diplomats and numerous foreign guests. At 9:45 a.m., to the applause of those gathered, members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of the Soviet Union, headed by I.V. Stalin.

Parade commander K.K. Rokossovsky, on a black horse under a crimson saddle, took a place to move towards G.K. Zhukov. Exactly at 10 o'clock, with the battle of the Kremlin chimes, G.K. Zhukov rode a white horse to Red Square. Subsequently, he recalled the first minutes of the historic Parade as follows:

Zhukov G.K. Memories and reflections. - M., 1969.

“Three minutes to ten. I was on horseback at the Spassky Gate. I distinctly hear the command: “Parade, at attention!” The team was followed by a roar of applause. The clock strikes 10.00 ... Powerful and solemn sounds of the melody “Glory!”, so dear to every Russian soul, burst out. M.I. Glinka. Then absolute silence immediately reigned, clear words were heard from the command of the parade commander Marshal of the Soviet Union K.K. Rokossovsky ... ".

At 10:50 a detour of the troops began. G.K. Zhukov alternately greeted the soldiers of the combined regiments and congratulated the Parade participants on the victory over Germany. The mighty "Hurrah" thundered over Red Square. Having traveled around the troops, the marshal went up to the podium. On behalf of the Central Committee of the Party and the Soviet government, Georgy Konstantinovich congratulated the Soviet people and their valiant Armed Forces on their victory. After that, the Anthem of the Soviet Union was solemnly sounded by 1,400 military musicians, 50 volleys of artillery salute were heard, and a triple “Hurrah!” was heard over the square.

The solemn march of the winners was opened by the parade commander Marshal of the Soviet Union K.K. Rokossovsky. He was followed by a group of young drummers - students of the 2nd Moscow Military Music School, followed by a combined regiment of the Karelian Front, led by Marshal K.A., commander of its troops. Meretskov, and then the combined regiments of the fronts in the order in which they were located during the war, from north to south - from the Barents Sea to the Black Sea. Behind the Karelian Front marched the combined regiment of the Leningrad Front, led by Marshal L.A. Govorov. Further, the consolidated regiment of the 1st Baltic Front, led by General of the Army I.Kh. Bagramyan. Marshal A.M. walked in front of the consolidated regiment of the 3rd Belorussian Front. Vasilevsky. The consolidated regiment of the 2nd Belorussian Front was led by the deputy commander of the front, Colonel-General K.P. Trubnikov. Ahead of the consolidated regiment of the 1st Belorussian Front was also the deputy commander of the troops, General of the Army V.D. Sokolovsky. The regiment also included a group of soldiers of the Polish Army, which was led by Armor General V.V. Korchits. Then followed the combined regiment of the 1st Ukrainian Front, led by Marshal I.S. Konev. The consolidated regiment of the 4th Ukrainian Front was led by General of the Army A.I. Eremenko. It was followed by a combined regiment of the 2nd Ukrainian Front with its commander, Marshal R.Ya. Malinovsky. And, finally, the southernmost of the fronts - the 3rd Ukrainian, led by Marshal F.I. Tolbukhin. The procession of the combined regiments of the fronts was brought up by the combined regiment of the People's Commissariat of the Navy, headed by Vice Admiral V.G. Fadeev.

A gigantic orchestra of 1,400 musicians accompanied the movement of the troops. Each consolidated regiment passes under its own combat march almost without pauses. And suddenly the orchestra fell silent, and in this silence 80 drums began to beat. A special company came forward with two hundred enemy banners. Their cloths almost dragged along the wet paving stones of the square. At the foot of the Mausoleum there were two wooden platforms. Having caught up with them, the fighters made a turn to the right and forcefully threw the pride of the Third Reich at them. The poles fell with a dull thud. Cloths covered the platform. The stands burst into applause. The beat of the drums continued, and in front of the Mausoleum grew a mountain of ignominious enemy banners. And over the years, this act full of deep meaning, captured in photographs, posters, paintings, immortalized in books and films, does not fade.

But then the orchestra played again. Parts of the Moscow garrison, led by the commander of the Moscow Military District, Colonel-General P.A., entered the square. Artemiev. Behind him - the combined regiment of the People's Commissariat of Defense, students of military academies and cadets of military schools. In black and red uniforms and white gloves, pupils of the Suvorov military schools closed the procession. Then a consolidated cavalry brigade headed by Lieutenant General N.Ya. Kirichenko, anti-aircraft installations on vehicles, batteries of anti-tank and large-caliber artillery, guards mortars, motorcyclists, armored vehicles, vehicles with paratroopers passed. The parade of equipment was continued by T-34 and IS tanks, self-propelled artillery mounts. The parade on Red Square ended with the passage of the combined orchestra.

It lasted 2 hours (122 minutes) in pouring rain, but the thousands of people who filled Red Square did not seem to notice it. However, the overflight of aviation over Red Square and the demonstration of the workers of the capital were canceled due to bad weather. By evening, the rain had stopped, and the celebration continued on the streets of Moscow. Orchestras blared in the squares. And soon the sky above the city was lit up with festive fireworks. At 11 p.m., out of 100 balloons raised by anti-aircraft gunners, 20 thousand rockets flew in salvos. Thus ended that historic day. On June 25, 1945, a reception was held in the Grand Kremlin Palace in honor of the participants in the Victory Parade.

The military parade on June 24, 1945 is a triumph of the victorious people, the military art of the Soviet generals, all the Armed Forces, and their fighting spirit. It was attended by 24 marshals, 249 generals, 2536 other officers, 31,116 sergeants and soldiers.

On May 9, 1995, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, a jubilee parade of participants in the war and home front workers of the war years with units of the Moscow garrison was held in Moscow on Red Square, which, according to the plan of its organizers, reproduced the historical Victory Parade 1945. The consolidated regiments of veterans (457 people each) again represented all 10 fronts of the war years with their battle colors, the Banner of Victory, the battle flags of 150 military units and formations were carried out. The order of construction of consolidated regiments was preserved. The parade was attended by 4939 war veterans and home front workers of the war years from various regions of the country and neighboring countries. The total number of participants was 6803 people. Among them are 487 Heroes of the Soviet Union (including 5 people awarded this title twice), 4 Heroes of the Russian Federation and 109 full holders of the Order of Glory. The parade was hosted by Marshal of the Soviet Union V.G. Kulikov, General of the Army V.L. Govorov. The honor to carry the Banner of Victory at this parade was awarded to the participant of the Victory Parade of 1945, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, retired Colonel-General of Aviation M.P. Odintsov.

Copy of someone else's materials

Exactly 70 years ago, on June 24, 1945, the historic Victory Parade took place on Red Square in Moscow. This event, friends, is dedicated to this photo selection.

1. Victory parade. Soviet soldiers with the defeated standards of the Nazi troops.
The march of the combined regiments during the Victory Parade completed the formation of soldiers carrying 200 lowered banners and standards of the defeated Nazi troops. These banners were thrown on a special platform at the foot of the Lenin Mausoleum to the gloomy beat of drums. Hitler's personal standard was thrown first.

2. Victory Parade. Soviet soldiers with the defeated standards of the Nazi troops.

3. Group portrait of pilots - participants in the Victory Parade. From left to right in the front row: three officers from the 3rd APDD (long-range air regiment), pilots of the 1st Guards APDD: Mitnikov Pavel Tikhonovich, Kotelkov Alexander Nikolaevich, Bodnar Alexander Nikolaevich, Voevodin Ivan Ilyich. In the second row: Bychkov Ivan Nikolaevich, Kuznetsov Leonid Borisovich, two officers of the 3rd APDD, Polishchuk Illarion Semenovich (3rd APDD), Sevastyanov Konstantin Petrovich, Gubin Petr Fedorovich.

4. Ceremony of farewell to the soldiers of the Red Army with the Banner of Victory before it was sent to Moscow. In the foreground is the Soviet self-propelled gun SU-76. Berlin, Germany. May 20, 1945

5. Banner group of the combined regiment of the 1st Ukrainian Front at the Victory Parade. First on the left - three times Hero of the Soviet Union, fighter pilot Colonel A.I. Pokryshkin, second from left - twice Hero of the Soviet Union, fighter pilot Major D.B. Glinka. Third from left - Hero of the Soviet Union Guard Major I.P. Slavic.

6. Heavy tanks IS-2 pass through Red Square during the parade in honor of the Victory on June 24, 1945.

7. Solemn construction of the Soviet troops before the parade dedicated to sending the Victory Banner to Moscow. Berlin. May 20, 1945

8. IS-2 tanks in Moscow on Gorky Street (now Tverskaya) before entering Red Square during the parade in honor of the Victory on June 24, 1945.

9. Line of Soviet soldiers and officers at the Victory Parade in Moscow.

10. The head of the political department of the 4th Ukrainian Front, Major General Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev (center), the future leader of the USSR in 1964-1982, during the Victory Parade. At the parade, he was the commissar of the combined regiment of the 4th Ukrainian Front. The far left is the commander of the 101st Rifle Corps, Lieutenant General A.L. Bondarev, Hero of the Soviet Union.

11. Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov takes the Victory Parade in Moscow. Underneath it is a light-gray Terek horse breed named Kumir.

12. Pilots - Heroes of the Soviet Union - participants in the Victory Parade. 06/24/1945
Fifth from the right is Guard Captain Vitaly Ivanovich Popkov, commander of the 5th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, twice Hero of the Soviet Union (personally shot down 41 enemy planes). While there is only one Golden Star on his chest, the second one will appear in 3 days. Facts from his biography formed the basis of the film “Only Old Men Go to Battle” (the prototype of the commander Titarenko (“Maestro”) and the Grasshopper). Sixth from the right is Colonel General, Commander of the 17th Air Army Vladimir Alexandrovich Sudets (1904-1981).

13. Victory Parade. The formation of sailors of the Northern, Baltic, Black Sea fleets, as well as the Dnieper and Danube fleets. In the foreground, Vice-Admiral V. G. Fadeev, who led the combined regiment of sailors, Captain 2nd Rank V.D. Sharoiko, Hero of the Soviet Union Captain 2nd Rank V.N. Alekseev, Hero of the Soviet Union, lieutenant colonel of the coastal service F.E. Kotanov, captain 3rd rank G.K. Nikiporets.

14. Victory Parade. Soviet soldiers with the defeated standards of the Nazi troops.

16. Victory Parade. Build tank officers.

17. Soldiers of the 150th Idritsa Rifle Division against the background of their assault flag, hoisted on May 1, 1945 over the Reichstag building in Berlin and which later became the state relic of the USSR - the Banner of Victory.
In the photo, participants in the assault on the Reichstag, who escorted the flag to Moscow from the Berlin Tempelhof airfield on June 20, 1945 (from left to right): captain K.Ya. Samsonov, junior sergeant M.V. Kantaria, Sergeant M.A. Egorov, senior sergeant M.Ya. Soyanov, captain S.A. Neustroev.

18. Victory Parade. Deputy Supreme Commander-in-Chief Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov accepts the parade of troops of the Army, Navy and Moscow garrison to commemorate the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War.

19. Hero of the Soviet Union Major General A.V. Gladkov with his wife at the end of the Victory Parade. The original title is "The Joy and Pain of Victory".

20. IS-2 tanks in Moscow on Gorky Street (now Tverskaya) before entering Red Square during the parade in honor of the Victory on June 24, 1945.

21. Meeting of the Banner of Victory at the airport in Moscow. The Banner of Victory is carried along the Central Moscow airfield on the day of its arrival in Moscow from Berlin. At the head of the column is Captain Valentin Ivanovich Varennikov (future First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the USSR Armed Forces, General of the Army, Hero of the Soviet Union). 06/20/1945

22. Warriors carry the Victory Banner along the Central Moscow airfield on the day it arrives in Moscow from Berlin. June 20, 1945

23. Troops at the Victory Parade.

24. Guards mortars "Katyusha" at the Victory Parade.

25. A column of paratroopers and submariners on Red Square.

26. A column of Red Army officers with defeated Nazi banners at the Victory Parade.

27. A column of officers of the Red Army with defeated fascist banners at the approach to the Lenin Mausoleum.

28. A column of Red Army officers throwing fascist banners at the foot of the mausoleum of V. I. Lenin.

29. Marshal of the Soviet Union Zhukov GK welcomes the troops taking part in the Victory Parade.

30. A rally at one of the airfields near Berlin before the departure of the Victory Banner to Moscow for the Victory Parade.

31. German banners thrown by Soviet soldiers on Red Square during the Victory Parade.

32. General view of Red Square during the passage of troops on the day of the Victory Parade.

34. Victory Parade on Red Square.

35. Before the start of the Victory Parade.

36. Consolidated regiment of the 1st Belorussian Front during the Victory Parade on Red Square.

37. Tanks at the Victory Parade.

38. Solemn ceremony of handing over the Banner of Victory to the military commandant of Berlin, Hero of the Soviet Union, Colonel-General N. Berzarin to be sent to Moscow. 20 May 1945

39. Participants of the Victory Parade pass through Manezhnaya Square.

40. Consolidated regiment of the Third Belorussian Front, led by Marshal of the Soviet Union A.M. Vasilevsky.

41. Marshal of the Soviet Union Semyon Budyonny, Supreme Commander of the USSR Armed Forces Joseph Stalin and Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov on the podium of Lenin's Mausoleum.

On June 24, 1945, the legendary first Victory Parade took place in Moscow. On that rainy day on Red Square, the capital honored the victors of fascism. The parade was commanded by Marshal of the Soviet Union K.K. Rokossovsky, and received by Marshal G.K. Zhukov.

In theory, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief was to take over the parade on a white horse, i.e. I.V. Stalin, but as the son of the leader, Vasily, later told Zhukov, supposedly Stalin was supposed to take the parade himself, but while training, he fell off his horse and, arguing that he was “already old to take parades,” entrusted this matter to Zhukov.

An interesting detail: marching across Red Square, our troops turned their heads to the trumpeter of the Mausoleum, greeting and saluting the Politburo, and passing by the representatives of the allies (who delayed the opening of the second front for so long), no matter how pointedly they did it, holding their heads straight.

~40,000 people were involved in the first Victory Parade. According to the recollections of the participants, the main task of the marchers was not to stray from the step and keep the formation. To do this, those walking nearby grappled with each other with their little fingers, which made it possible to walk more smoothly.

It is also curious that the gloves of the standard-bearers who threw 200 captured German banners on special platforms to the Mausoleum (Hitler's personal standard was thrown first) were burned after the Parade, like the platforms themselves. Such is the disinfection from the fascist infection.

It is only incomprehensible why, having held such a grandiose parade in 1945, Stalin no longer held such celebrations either on June 24 or May 9. And only in 1965 Victory Day became our official holiday and parades began to be held on May 9 on a regular basis.

The first Victory Parade was filmed by numerous photographers, and was also filmed on video, incl. and color trophy film (video links are also included).

ORDER OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

"In commemoration of the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War, I am appointing a parade of troops of the active Army, Navy and Moscow garrison on Red Square on June 24, 1945 - the Victory Parade.

To bring to the parade: the combined regiments of the fronts, the combined regiment of the People's Commissariat of Defense, the combined regiment of the Navy, military academies, military schools and troops of the Moscow garrison.

The Victory Parade will be hosted by my Deputy Marshal of the Soviet Union Zhukov. Command the victory parade to Marshal of the Soviet Union Rokossovsky. I entrust the general leadership for organizing the parade to the commander of the troops of the Moscow Military District and the head of the garrison of the city of Moscow, Colonel General Artemyev.

Supreme Commander
Marshal of the Soviet Union
I. Stalin
June 22, 1945. N 370

Marshals Zhukov and Rokossovsky on horseback. Manezhnaya Square
(on the left - Zholtovsky's house, where the American Embassy was, in the background - the National Hotel):

Georgy Zhukov listens to the report of Konstantin Rokossovsky:

These guys won the war
(probably not even 20 yet):

And their "fathers-commanders"

Tankers at the Victory Parade:

Sailors at the Victory Parade:

Kuban Cossacks at the Victory Parade:

Artillerymen and their cannons at the National Hotel are preparing to enter Red Square
(on the site of the house to the right of the hotel, the now broken Intourist will be built later):

Memoirs of an old Muscovite who took part in the first Victory Parade:

"The day of June 24, 1945, when the Victory Parade took place, turned out, unfortunately, overcast, it's been raining since morning. On Red Square, occupied by consolidated regiments, according to our disposition, we ended up next to the Execution Ground, on which, for some reason, a fountain was arranged. It worked and made a great noise, the jets rose up to twenty meters, and this, together with the rain, created the impression that streams of water were falling on you. Nevertheless, it was difficult to cool our anxious mood!

The day before it was published order of the Supreme Commander on the Victory Parade, and we finally officially learned that G.K. would be hosting the parade. Zhukov, and commanded by K.K. Rokossovsky. Many of us thought that maybe Stalin would accept it. I also admitted such an idea, but it was not entirely clear how he would look on a horse. This parade has been repeatedly and officiously described, therefore, for me, its everyday details, perceived from the point of view of an ordinary participant, are of their own value; they make this event mine.

Consolidated regiments stood on the square in relation to the Mausoleum in two rows: the 1st row corresponded to the northern half of the former Soviet-German front, the second - to the south. Our consolidated regiment of the Navy stood behind the regiment of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, that is, in the second row (behind us was already a company carrying enemy banners and military relics). So we could see the rear side of the first row. I was fascinated by the magnificent immediacy of front-line soldiers: hidden from the eyes of their superiors, some of them managed to quietly smoke into their fists, and one, apparently tired of standing, even took off his helmet and, putting it on the pavement, sat down. From the cadet's point of view, such liberties were impossible.

Until the movement "along the solemn march" began, I kept looking at the German banners and especially at Hitler's personal standard. We saw these priceless trophies for the first time, and their spectacle was amazing. It was impossible to look away from the dazzling whiteness of the silk banners that touched the wet, almost black paving stones of Red Square. The white color on the banners was an unexpected dominant. I thought that red and black should prevail, as on the former state flag of the Nazi III empire.

After Zhukov's speech, the performance of the anthem and the roar of artillery salute troops began to march. I really wanted to get a better look at Stalin. With greedy interest, while we were passing by the Mausoleum, I stared at his face for several seconds without stopping. It was thoughtful, calm, tired and stern. And motionless. The pockmarks on the cheeks were very clearly visible. No one stood close to Stalin, there was some kind of space around him, a sphere, an exclusion zone. And this, despite the fact that there were a lot of people at the Mausoleum. He stood alone. I looked at him for these few seconds, turning my head to the right in alignment, raising my chin and touching my neighbor in line with my elbow so that she, the line, would in no case lose its ideal straightness. I did not experience any special feelings, except for curiosity. The Supreme Commander was inaccessible.

As soon as our regiment passed the Mausoleum, the orchestra fell silent, and a thunderous crackle of drum roll was heard over the quiet square. The culmination of the parade came: the banners of defeated Germany were thrown onto the wooden platforms at the foot of the Mausoleum, towards its stands, towards Stalin.

Radio report from the Victory Parade well-known writers, poets and journalists led: Vs. Ivanov, A. Tvardovsky, L. Kassil and a few others. The passage of our regiment was commented on by the author of "The Optimistic Tragedy" and the screenplay "We are from Kronstadt" Vs. Vit. Vishnevsky. Of course, during the march, fragments of phrases from the speakers reached my ears, but attention was not focused on them. The text of that commentary was later published. It contains these words:

"A battalion of cadets of naval schools is coming - the future officers of the Big Fleet of the USSR, those who will lead ships into the open ocean, those who will show the flag of the USSR in the waters and ports of the whole world. Greetings to you who shed blood in the battles for Russia!"

From Red Square I left elated. The world was arranged correctly: we won. I felt like a part of the victorious people, and what could be sweeter than a sense of accomplishment!

We were soaked to the skin: having taken off the flannel, I saw with some sadness that the new snow-white uniform under it on the shoulders and on the chest was covered in purple stains, but the vest was in order, only wet. At dinner we received the festive "one hundred grams", and then we handed over parcels from American Christian Baptists. Of course, it was pleasant, despite the fact that the boxes had previously been opened (they said that either the special officers or the political officers seized the Bibles).

The parcels contained: a pack of "Old gold" cigarettes, "Pearl" soap, sweets, a bar of chocolate, granulated sugar, a small towel and some other little things. We all laughed that many of the parcels contained knitting needles and white gloves. This somehow resonated with my idea of allies: well, which of ours will be engaged in knitting during the war, it is necessary to fight! They don't quite understand what war is. And white gloves not of our cut were useless: it may be convenient to play golf in them, but we have nowhere to put them (we go to the parade in white cotton gloves, but these American ones have completely different cut and shade). So most of all I was happy with cigarettes, and my mother, as I noticed when I came home - with granulated sugar, although she and Nonna said that they were not at all interested in sending, it was important that I, at least for a while, was at home.

The next day for the parade participants was arranged reception at which Stalin delivered his famous toast about the patience of the Russian people. Naturally, the authorities were invited to the reception, and even then not all of them, and by order of the People's Commissar of the Navy, we were thanked, which, frankly, is very dear to me.

There were two receptions in honor of the Victory: on May 24 and June 25, 1945, both of them were held in the St. George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. Stalin made his famous toast about the patience of the Russian people at the first.

Unprecedentedly quickly written a huge picture dedicated to this significant reception, I saw her in the Tretyakov Gallery later, in September or November. If my memory serves me right, it was called "For the Russian people!". Stalin, Molotov, Beria, Zhukov, all the marshals, members of the Politburo and the Council of People's Commissars, commanders of the fronts and fleets, in general, all the celebrities of that time are depicted at a huge table in the St. George's Hall of the Kremlin with photographic accuracy. Some kind of hard bluish radiation emanated from the picture. There were no people in the picture ... It is a pity that this picture is not exhibited, it managed to preserve the hypnotic charm of that year.

After the second admission, on June 26, 1945, the military rank of Generalissimo of the Soviet Union was introduced by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, and on June 27, 1945 this title was awarded to Stalin.

The painting took up the whole room. The visitors spoke only in whispers and moved around the hall almost on tiptoe: the picture was overwhelming. A whole gamut of thoughts was born - from admiration for the brilliance of victory, to ... to "to whom is war, and to whom is mother dear." It was this picture that involuntarily and gradually led me in the end to the idea that for Stalin she, the war, was "mother of her own." But this understanding came much later.

When there was a parade in 1945. A victory parade took place on Red Square. The Supreme Commander ordered

The Supreme Commander ordered:

ORDER Supreme Commander

The Supreme Commander ordered:

ORDER OF THE Supreme Commander-in-Chief

ORDER
Supreme Commander