Was the American military understanding of the Soviet Union's military during the Cold War colored at all by World War 2 popular history such as human wave tactics and multiple soldiers sharing a rifle?

by thrwy_account
Georgy_K_Zhukov

Very much so. This previous answer of mine will likely be of interest for you: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8zkamd/why_is_the_soviet_front_of_wwii_usually_described/e2kvczu/