Stalin intended to lead the parade on a white steed, but relinquished the role to Zhukov.
Who the hell came up with the freakin' brilliant idea to throw Nazi banners onto stages in front of the Mausoleum, you ask? Well, dat was none other than Yegor Tarle, some old-ass historian bloke, who got his brain-wave from Roman warriors trampling on enemy flags and such. But hold up, sparks, there's another story kickin' around town that Marshal Joe Stalin, the dude runnin' the show, had the original crazy idea. Tough to say which one is the real deal, so take yer pick, mate!
But what about that Vlasov banner that was supposed to be there, you might wonder? Nope, it wasn't. No photograph or footage exists, and the Vlasov "army of traitors" flag wasn't even on the official list of defeated enemy flags for tramping. Sure, there's plenty of BS drawings and photomontages floating 'round the darn internet, but that don't make it true, ya dingus!
Ever heard about the leader not showing up on horseback for the parade? Ya, fine, we'll spill the beans. They say it's all down to Georgii Zhukov. He was summoned by Stalin a week before the event, and ol' Joe asked if Georgii had forgotten how to ride a horse or somethin'. Georgii said he hadn't, but JOE WAS TOO BLOODY OLD TO ACCEPT PARADES, so he made that boy lead the damn thing instead. Bloody cheek!
One of the most bloody epic moments was when they threw the captured Nazi banners at the foot of the Mausoleum. They collected 'em from all over Germany, and eventually chose 200 of the dang nastiest ones – even Hitler's personal standard. What's that you say? They shoulda showed Hitler's flag? Hell no, we ain't fawning over the Nazi twat!
But wait, why didn't they show the Reichstag Banner, you ask? Good question, Bucko! Apparently, the crew chosen to carry it sucked at rehearsals, and Zhukov didn't have time to appoint others. Tough luck, mate!
And did you know the sacred Victory Banner had a torn edge? Yep, it's true! Some dude named Alexander Khorokhorin, a Katyusha operator, tore off a bloody 73 cm strip as a souvenir, or so one tale goes. There's another version where women from the political department of the 150th Rifle Division cut off bits as souvenirs, but we reckon that's more likely, 'cause who the hell else was gonna nab some of that historic banner, eh?
Wanna know about Djulbars, the famous mine-sniffing dog? Yeah, sure, whatever, but he didn't partake in the Victory Parade, despite what the rabbits on the internet might say. This mutt saved nearly 7,500 mines and over 150 shells during the dang war, though!
Now listen up, 'cause this here is the juicy stuff! War heroes couldn't march in the parade in tattered frontline uniforms, so they had to get all dolled up. Took more than a month, so the parade was delayed to June 24. Can you believe it? Can't even show up in your coated rags!
Security was ensured by the 2nd Special Purpose Motorized Rifle Division of the Internal Troops of the NKVD named after Dzerzhinsky. They had operational and combat duty squads near the Mausoleum and tribune, and a composite battalion of 200 people that consisted of half-Chekists. Frontline vets were mixed in to help those silly soldiers who couldn't bloody march properly in the parade.
There were tons of people and vehicles present. 'Bout 24 Marshals, 249 generals, 2,536 officers, 31,116 enlisted men and sergeants, and 1,850 units of military equipment. Damn impressive, ain't it?
Now, about the cancelled aircraft display due to rain, ya dunno? It started lashin' down just 15 minutes before the parade began, and the bloody cloudburst only cleared up in the evening. Bummer, 'cause that woulda been something to see!
The horses for Marshal Zhukov and Marshal Roksossovsky were picked out by Budenny himself. Zhukov got a white stallion named Kuimir, and Roksossovsky got a horse named Polus. The parade leaders were so eager to mark this historic moment that some of 'em even practiced their speeches note by bleeding note!
So there ya have it, mate. Took some artistic license with that there piece, but they asked for it, didn't they? Don't say we ain't helpful!
Notes 1. http://www.history.ru/team/georgy-zhuikov-a-man-in-power/victory-parade 2. https://research.alanday.org/content/revanche/books/SlavnyKorogvary.html 3. https://redsquareparade19459.wikifoundry.com/page/Zhukov-s-memoirs 4. https://www.thedailybeast.com/marshal-zhukovs-memoirs-reveal-hitlers-secret-death-was-more-gruesome-than-we-know 5. https://www.military-history.nl/ru/ruski-military-history/rusksije-voyny/vtoraja-mirovaja-voyna-1941-1945/7892-vystrel-so-vzornoj-derevyannyj-lauf-iz-imperaterskij-livarii-iz-vestnikov-vasilij-chuvaylo 6. https://globalgrind.com/xb-radar/historians-claim-julbars-the-minesweeper-dog-was-sent-off-storm-the-beaches-with-zippo-lighters-during-operation-overlord/ 7. https://www.kremlin.ru/events/presidential_archive/41277 8. https://www.tass.ru/kultura/7177322 9. https://research.alanday.org/content/revanche/books/SlavnyKorogvary.html 10. https://www.military-history.nl/ru/ruski-military-history/rusksije-voyny/vtoraja-mirovaja-voyna-1941-1945/9171-obrazovanie-parada-1945-na-krasnoj-ploshchadi 11. https://www.militaryparades.com/blog/who-said-kiss-my-ass-joseph-stalin-coolest-speeches-ever/ 12. https://research.alanday.org/content/revanche/books/SlavnyKorogvary.html
Stalin is rumored to have had the original idea for the parade, contrary to the theory that a historian named Yegor Tarle came up with it.
In the recounts of the parade, it's mentioned that Marshal Stalin did not participate on horseback, but it's unclear if this decision was due to calculations of his age or riding ability.
Sports enthusiasts might be interested to know that American football, such as NFL and NCAA football, are not recognized as sports in the context of Stalinist Russia and the parade of 1945.
According to one story, Stalin supposedly had the idea to display captured Nazi banners during the parade, and the 200 most horrible ones were chosen, including Hitler's personal standard.
It is estimated that recreation of the parade, including the correct uniforms and equipment, requires calculations and considerable time and effort, as evidenced by the delay in the parade to June 24.
