Cromwell tank use

I suppose at that point the USSR was mostly producing T-34/85's?

 

There is a Youtube film that shows these Cromwells on a train travelling through Iran. Cant find it at the moment.

Found it. At 4:35 and there are 6 Cromwells

 

And Valentines and Shermans? That is really quite incredible footage.

 

The Soviet report on the Cromwell can be found here:

Tank Archives: Cromwell: English Dictator in Soviet Fields

I think there was a basic difference in philosophy between the British and Soviets. The Cromwell was designed for durability - it was intended to just keep on running, whereas the Soviet tanks were more orientated towards slugging matches with enemy tanks. Hence what was unacceptable to the Soviets (e.g. riveted armour) was not really a deal breaker for the British.

There's also the fact that the Soviets far preferred diesel to petrol engines. I think this was mainly because they didn't have sufficient high quality petroleum to waste on powering tanks.