The T-55 in Danube Front

[Volcano Man]

You have to also consider that the internet was not available back then and the soviet government could certainly control the information that its people consumed. For the most part, in 1985, I am sure the average soviet conscript believed what they were told -- that they had the best equipment in the world. Truthfully, who knows what they were told. They may have been intentionally not told about M1 and Leo2, or they may have been fed misinformation that their armor was lesser than the T55.

But really, what is the difference from this and a M4 Sherman versus the German Panther (or Tiger II for that matter) of World War 2? It made no difference on the quality of the crew, they still overcame the threat with numbers and tactics. It kind of makes you respect the World War 2 allied tanker and the cold war soviet tanker even more when you think about it.