Donetsk, May 3 - DAN. The legendary Soviet command and staff car GAZ-67 of the World War II era will take part in the Victory Day parade in Donetsk on May 9, a Donetsk People’s Republic Operations Command representative told the Donetsk News Agency on Thursday.
“We’ve given the GAZ-67 a new lease on life,” the officer said adding that the vehicle had used to be scrap metal and that it would join the column of military equipment at the parade for the first time".
Earlier reports said the DPR capital would hold the fourth Victory Day military parade in its history to mark the 73rd anniversary of the Great Victory. More than 70 pieces of equipment and weapons will be displayed, including the legendary Katyusha multiple rocket launcher, the one-and-a-half-ton truck “polutorka” and the T-34 tank. The first large military parade drill was held in central Donetsk earlier on Thursday.
GAZ-67 is a 4WD roofless and doorless car with a wooden wheel enabling the driver not to wear gloves in winter. It was widely used during WWII for reconnaissance and transportation of the wounded. The Soviet Union produced more than 4,800 such vehicles. It was praised for dependable performance and easy repairs. Popular in the Soviet army, it was dubbed pygmy, kozlik (“billy goat”) and KhBW which stood for “I want to be Willis.” *jk