Moscow Re-Enacts Famous 1941 Military Parade on Red Square

About 4,000 people marched on Red Square, including members of historical clubs, youth troops, the presidential cavalry, the Moscow military orchestra and more. Kirill Zykov / Moskva News Agency

Moscow Times: Moscow Re-Enacts Famous 1941 Military Parade on Red Square

Thousands of troops, historical re-enactors and more marched across Red Square today to mark the 78th anniversary of one of the most famous Soviet military parades.

On Nov. 7, 1941, the Soviet Union held the October Revolution Parade, its first military parade during World War II. It's best known for taking place during the Battle of Moscow. Units marched from Red Square to the front, and many of the soldiers who marched were killed in the battle.

Nearly 80 years later, Moscow’s most famous square is once again hosting this march — but this time, it’s just a re-enactment.

Here's a look at the highlights from this year’s event:

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Update #1: Russia re-enacts legendary World War II parade in Moscow -- AP
Update #2: Russian re-enacts famous World War II parade with vintage tanks, uniforms in Moscow -- FOX News

WNU Editor: This is always an impressive event to see.

Update #3: This is an interesting read .... How the Kremlin Was Hidden From Nazi Bombs (Sputnik).

China's Military Parade Was Huge. Here Are Some Other Parades To Compare

Soldiers of People's Liberation Army (PLA) march in formation during the military parade. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Business Insider: China's epic military parade makes Trump's July 4 bash look puny. Here's how 15 parades for dictators compare.

* China held a massive military parade on Tuesday to celebrate its 70th National Day. 15,000 troops and several new weapons systems were part of the demonstration.
* US President Donald Trump observed France's Bastille Day celebration in 2017. He wanted a similar event in the US, but critics were concerned about the cost — and parallels to military parades in totalitarian countries. Trump's "Salute to America" took place on July 4, 2019, and featured flyovers from Air Force One, a B-2 stealth bomber and the Blue Angels.
* Here's a look at how military parades in states led by strongmen compare to Trump's July 4 event.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held a massive 70th anniversary parade on October 1, featuring 15,000 troops and several pieces of cutting edge military technology.

US President Donald Trump held a military parade on July 4th with tanks and flyovers. But it wasn't without its critics — some said it was reminiscent of the military parades dictators and other strongmen hold.

Still, it wasn't close to the scale held by authoritarian states. Trump's parade had roughly two dozen military aircraft, China's had 160. Trump's had two parked tanks and two static fighting vehicles, China's had combat drones, tanks and intercontinental missiles that could strike the US.

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WNU Editor: China's military parade today was definitely impressive.

Presdient Trump Cancels Military Parade

The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up! I will instead...

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018

....attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th. Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018

Politico: Trump cancels military parade, will go to Paris instead

‘When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it,’ says president.

President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has canceled a planned military parade in Washington, accusing “local politicians” of price gouging and announcing that the government will redirect funds from the parade to the purchase of additional fighter jets.

“The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it,” Trump wrote on Twitter Friday morning. “When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up!”

CNBC reported Thursday that the expected cost of Trump’s planned parade had ballooned to $92 million, significantly higher than previous estimates of $12 million and $30 million.

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Update: Trump nixes $92M parade, says 2019 costs will be ‘WAY DOWN’ (AP)

WNU Editor: $92 million for a parade?!?!?! I know that Russia's military parade on Red Square in May costs about $2 - $3 million .... but so what .... that is Russia. I have been told that the French Bastille Day military parade is about $12 - $15 million .... and that is a big parade. But $92 million for a smaller military parade in Washingon?!?!?! Yesterday US Defense Secretary Mattis disputed that figure .... Mattis Disputes $92M Military Parade Cost Report (AP), but everything is now moot. The parade has been cancelled.

Russia Will Reveal Its Newest Military Hardware In This Year's Victory Day Parade

Sputnik: Su-57s & Terminators: MoD Reveals New Hardware Taking Part in Victory Day Parade

This year's parade dedicated to the 72nd anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War will feature over 10,000 troops, more than 120 vehicles and 70+ aircraft, including over half a dozen pieces of equipment never seen before on Red Square before.

Russian Ground Forces Commander in Chief Col Gen. Oleg Salyukov confirmed what new hardware will appear in the parade in an interview with Krasnaya Zvezda, the official newspaper of the ministry of defense.

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WNU Editor: For those who do not know .... Russia and other republics of the former Soviet Union celebrate Victory Day on May 9, marking the Allies' victory over Nazi Germany on May 9, 1945.

President Trump's Proposed Military Parade Will Be Held On Veterans Day

L.A. Times: Pentagon proposes scaled-down military parade, not one with tanks and firepower that Trump envisioned

Pressed by President Trump, the Pentagon is proposing to stage a military parade in November with veterans in historic uniforms and warplanes, but no tanks — a scaled-down version of the grand display of military might the president envisioned, according to a memo released by the Pentagon on Friday.

Veterans in "period uniforms" from past wars would march from the White House to the Capitol on Nov. 11 — Veterans Day — joined by "wheeled vehicles only, no tanks," to "minimize damage to local infrastructure," the planning document says.

Trump asked the Defense Department to plan a parade of the U.S. armed forces to celebrate military strength, much like France's annual Bastille Day parade that he and First Lady Melania Trump attended in July in Paris as the guests of French President Emmanuel Macron.

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More Details Emerge On President Trump's Proposed Military Parade

Exclusive: Trump getting a parade but tanks won't roll down Pennsylvania avenue -- CNN
Trump's Military Parade Plans Come Into Focus: Planes, but No Tanks -- New York Times
Trump will get the military parade he wanted — just not the tanks -- Washington Post
Trump's Military Parade Is Set For Veterans Day -- NPR
President Trump's military parade will feature period uniforms but no tanks -- USA TODAY
Thanks but no tanks: Trump's military parade will not include heavy vehicles -- The Guardian
No tanks for Trump: Pentagon planners tell the President that his controversial Veteran's Day military parade through the streets of Washington can't include armored vehicles... but he can have an Air Force flyover -- Daily Mail
Trump's military parade set for Veterans' Day -- BBC
Memo: No Tanks, 'Older' Aircraft at Trump's Military Parade -- Military.com

President Trump’s Proposed Military Parade Would Cost Between $10 Million And $30 Million

NEW: OMB Director Mulvaney says President Trump's military parade would likely cost between $10 million and $30 million. pic.twitter.com/DnHTHjjMTG

— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 14, 2018

The Hill: Mulvaney says Trump's military parade could cost as much as $30 million

President Trump’s proposed military parade could cost as much as $30 million, budget director Mick Mulvaney said Wednesday.

Mulvaney told the House Budget Committee that the parade's cost would vary depending on length, but could be anywhere from $10 million to $30 million.

Pentagon officials reportedly said in an early meeting about the parade that they did not know how they would pay for it. The administration is reportedly targeting Veterans Day for the parade.

Mulvaney told the committee after questioning from Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee (Calif.) that the cost would depend on the length of the parade and the cost of the equipment.

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Update #1: Trump parade could cost $30 million, top advisor says (L.A. Times)
Update #2: Mulvaney: Trump's military parade could cost $30 million -- UPI
Update #3: Trump’s military parade would cost between $10 million and $30 million, White House budget director says -- Washington Post

WNU Editor: The military personnel are already being paid. DC law enforcement is already being paid. Equipment is already there. Some fuel will need to be used .... but I  doubt that we are going to see a hundred planes and hundred tanks down Pennsylvania Blvd (which actually will be cool if you ignore that cost). So .... closing down some of Washington DC .... and maybe some overtime for law-enforcement .... and some fuel .... will cost up to $30 million?!?!?!

Here Are Some Historical Military Parades

President Bush greets General H. Norman Schwarzkopf who leads the Desert Storm Homecoming Parade in Washington, D.C (Wikipedia)

Madison Horne, History.com: These Historic Military Parades Turned Heads

Whether a victory march, a commemoration of past conflict or a showy flexing of military muscle, the tradition of soldiers publicly parading with their weapons goes back for millennia. Long designed to stir flag-waving fervor and impress enemies, such lockstep processions have especially been a favorite vehicle for authoritarian regimes throughout history.

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WNU Editor: Military parades have been with mankind since the beginning.

Should The U.S. Military Have A Parade?

The Hill: Mattis dodges on cost of military parade

Defense Secretary James Mattis on Wednesday dodged a question about why the Pentagon should spend time and money planning a military parade requested by President Trump.

Asked during a White House press briefing why the Pentagon would "divert time, energy, financial resources" to fulfill Trump's request for a military parade amid defense budget woes, Mattis responded that the parade request is an example of Trump's "respect" for the military.

“I think what my responsibility is to make certain I lay out the strategy and make the argument for the oversight of Congress to make the determination of fully funding us. As far as the parade goes again, the president’s respect, his fondness for the military, I think is reflected in him asking for these options,” Mattis told reporters.

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Update #1: 'Tanks but no tanks!' say critics of Trump's plan for military parade (Reuters)
Update #2: Trump's military parade draws bipartisan rebuke (Politico)

WNU Editor: The Air Force has its air shows. The US Navy has Fleet Week. So why not the Army (and Marines) having a show. But considering the outcry against it .... I guess there are a lot of people out there who do not like parades.

President Trump Wants A Military Parade

Politico: Trump tells Pentagon to explore staging military parade

The White House confirmed on Tuesday that President Donald Trump has asked the Pentagon to explore organizing a major military parade -- a desire he first expressed after the martial welcome he received on a visit to France last year.

“President Trump is incredibly supportive of America’s great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. “He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation.”

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WNU Editor: Being one who has seen his fair share of military parades .... I know that this U.S. military parade will be a success with the American public and with those who serve in the military.

More News On President Trump's Request To The Pentagon To Explore Staging A Military Parade

Trump's 'marching orders' to the Pentagon: Plan a grand military parade -- Washington Post
Pentagon considering Washington military parade at Trump's request -- NBC
Pentagon evaluating dates for military parade in Washington at Trump's request -- CBS
Trump tells Pentagon to plan a military parade -- CNN
Pentagon planning grand military parade for Trump -- The Hill
Trump orders military 'celebration' in Washington, DC -- FOX News
Trump asks Pentagon to explore plans for a military 'celebration' -- USA Today
Donald Trump orders Pentagon to plan grand military parade -- The Guardian
The military parade that Trump envisions was more common in another era -- Washington Post

President Trump Envisions A Military Parade Down Pennsylvania Avenue On The Fourth Of July

The Bastille Day parade in Paris in July, which President Trump said gave him the idea of staging a display of American might. Credit Stephen Crowley/The New York Times

New York Times: Trump Envisions a Parade Showing Off American Military Might

WASHINGTON — President Trump said on Monday that he was looking into staging a display of American military might in a Fourth of July parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.

In remarks during a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron of France at the United Nations, Mr. Trump said he got the idea after watching the Bastille Day parade in Paris with Mr. Macron in July. During the parade, he could be seen gesticulating and whispering to Mr. Macron at the elaborate display of tanks, soldiers on horseback and military jets flying overhead.

“I came back and one of my early calls were, I think we are going to have to start looking at that ourselves,” the president told Mr. Macron. “We are actually thinking about Fourth of July, Pennsylvania Avenue, having a really great parade to show our military strength.”

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WNU Editor: I have seen my share of military parades in Moscow .... exciting at the beginning .... but now as I grow older .... a nuisance. But I will admit that I am a minority on this issue .... the mass majority of Russians love them. As for a military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue .... I suspect that opinion will be the same .... most would favor such a display.

More News On President Trump Envisioning A Military Parade Down Pennsylvania Avenue On The Fourth Of July

Tanks and missiles on Pennsylvania Avenue! Trump says he may have a giant military parade next Fourth of July like Macron's show of strength on Bastille Day -- Daily Mail
Trump says he wants to have a military parade on July 4 -- CBS/AP
Trump eyes military parade for July 4 celebrations -- AFP
Trump praises Macron, considers July 4 military parade like one he saw in Paris -- Reuters
Trump considering holding DC military parade on July 4th -- The Hill
President Trump wants 4th of July parade to show off country's military might -- USA Today
Donald Trump considering military parade for Fourth of July -- The Guardian
Trump Says He Wants July 4th Military Parade in Washington -- Bloomberg
Trump Wants to Celebrate July 4th With a French, Bastille Twist (VIDEO) -- Sputnik International