The parade began at nine o'clock. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

As the first bell rang from Sparsco's bell tower, Stalin and the members of the Supreme High Command stepped up to the viewing platform at the top of Lenin's tomb.

Rokossovsky took a closer look, and in addition to several marshals such as Budyonny and Voroshilov, there were several leaders in civilian clothes. He easily recognized Kalinin and Molotov, after all, they had dealt with each other. And standing behind Stalin, a man in a tweed shirt and a pair of round-rimmed glasses, Rokossovsky did not recognize.

He gently touched one of the generals standing next to him, bowed his mouth to the top of Lenin's tomb, and asked in a low voice: "Who is the leader in civilian clothes and glasses behind Stalin?" ”

The general turned his head to look at it, turned to Rokossovsky: "Why, don't you even know him?" It was Alexander Sergeevich Shcherbakov, Deputy People's Commissar of Defense, Head of the General Political Department of the Red Army and Chief of Intelligence, First Secretary of the Moscow Oblast Party Committee and City Committee. ”

After listening to the other party's series of titles, Rokossovsky was about to speak, but he heard the sizzling of electricity on the radio, which indicated that the microphone had been turned on and Stalin was ready to speak, so he obediently closed his mouth, ready to listen to what Stalin would say at today's military parade.

"Comrades," Stalin's voice came out of the loudspeaker: "We are gathered here today to celebrate the great May Day. Over the past year, we have been subjected to perfidious aggression by the German fascists, and the German attempt to occupy Moscow has been dashed by the stubborn resistance of our military and civilians......"

While Stalin was speaking, Rokossovsky's attention was focused on the phalanxes lined up on Red Square. Although he did not have the opportunity to participate in the great military parade on November 7 last year, he could see from the equipment and spirit of these soldiers that the strength of the reference troops this time was a cut above last year's troops.

After Stalin finished speaking, Budyonny, who was in charge of reviewing the troops, rode out of the side gate on a white horse, stopped in front of Lenin's tomb to listen to the report of the commander of the Moscow garrison, and the two rode again to inspect the infantry phalanx in Red Square, and finally stopped again in front of Lenin's tomb. Budyonny rolled over and dismounted, ascended the steps to the reviewing stand, and reported to Stalin.

After completing this series of procedures, the parade officially began.

Behind the military band, one phalanx after another of soldiers of all arms marched with orderly steps and raised their chins high in front of Lenin's tomb. After the infantry passed, the armored units that appeared immediately after, the T-34 tank, which shone on the battlefield, slowly drove through Red Square in a four-wheeled column. Behind it were artillery of various calibers towed in the back of the truck......

Watching the armored troops drive in front of him, a local leader said: "I participated in the military parade in November last year, and the troops at that time can only be described as shabby compared to now. The militia units that passed through Red Square were even armed with World War I rifles; I even saw the artillery pulling horses from the Tsarist era as the artillery units passed through Red Square......"

"This leading comrade," Rokossovsky could not help but interject when he heard this: "Although last year's parade seemed hasty and shabby, you also have to see under what circumstances it was carried out. Through that review, the morale of our army was greatly enhanced, and at the same time, the military and people of the whole country were full of confidence in defeating the fascist aggressors.

Moreover, on the battlefield, it is not only the weapon that determines the victory, but also the person who uses it. You just mentioned how rudimentary our militia is, but it is these militias with rudimentary weapons, in conjunction with our main forces, that defeat the Germans who attacked Moscow. ”

"Yes yes, Comrade General, you are quite right." The leader quickly glanced at Rokossovsky, who had four Red Banner Medals and one Lenin medal hanging on his chest, and said with some embarrassment: "It is not only the advanced weapons that decide the outcome of the war, but also the people who use them." ”

Last year's parade ended abruptly after the infantry and armored units passed through Red Square. And today, after the troops, there was actually a crowd dressed in festive costumes, which opened Rokossovsky's eyes.

Finally, after the parade was over, Rokossovsky was considering whether to go to the parking lot next to the Vasily slope to find Lyonka and his driver, and then decide whether to go to the staff headquarters or go back to the hospital.

As soon as he took a few steps down the viewing platform, he saw a major officer running quickly against the crowd, while shouting loudly: "General Rokossovsky, General Rokossovsky, where are you?" …”

Borisova, who was walking towards Rokossovsky, heard the shouts of the officer, quickly stopped, stood where she was, and tried to figure out what was going on.

"I'm here," Rokossovsky waved desperately as he squeezed towards the major's position, "I'm Rokossovsky, I'm here!" ”

The major squeezed in front of Rokossovsky, because there were so many people, his hand could not be raised at all, so he could only stand up in place and say respectfully: "Comrade General, I came to you on order." ”

"Looking for me?" When Rokossovsky heard the major say this, his heart couldn't help but sink, and he knew that he wanted to have lunch with Borisova, and it was probably a waste. He asked with some dissatisfaction, "I don't know who is looking for me?" ”

"Timoshenko," replied the major, "it was Marshal Timoshenko who asked me to come to you, and he said that he had something important to look for you, and that you would like to come with me." ”

Rokossovsky turned his head to look at the top of Lenin's tomb, hoping to see Timoshenko, who knew that it was empty, there was no one, and the leaders above had already left first after the ceremony.

As there were fewer and fewer people on the viewing platform, Borisova easily came to Rokossovsky's side and asked with concern: "Koschika, do you have something important?" ”

"Yes, Marshal Timoshenko has something important to ask me for." Rokossovsky said apologetically to Borisova: "I'm sorry I can't have lunch with you." ”

"It's okay!" Borisova stepped forward to help Rokossovsky tidy up his military appearance, and said thoughtfully: "Work is important, we have time to eat in the future, you better go to the marshal to report first!" ”

Rokossovsky nodded, and then said to the major: "Major, now please take me to the marshal." ”