1962 Szczecin military parade accident

The 1962 Szczecin military parade of 9 October 1962 led to a road traffic accident in which a tank of the Polish People's Army crushed bystanders, killing seven children and injuring many more.

Under Soviet pressure, the Polish authorities organized substantial military exercises in northwest Poland, in the area of Szczecin.

The exercises were observed by Marshal of the Soviet Union Andrei Grechko as well as several Polish officials, including Władysław Gomułka and Marian Spychalski.

City authorities adorned streets with flags of Poland, the Soviet Union, and East Germany; in schools, flowers had been given to children, who were told to wave them at soldiers.

Newspapers headlines told readers that they would witness "A parade of our might", "A symbol of brotherhood in arms that serves the peace", and that "Polish Szczecin welcomes allied forces".

It had been very carefully prepared, and Marshal Grechko wanted to present some of the best and most advanced weapons the Pact possessed in 1962.

Above the city, a few heavy Mi-6 helicopters flew, and warships of the Soviet Navy lay moored in the port.

A local daily Glos Szczecinski placed a small notice on 10 October stating that seven children died during a parade.