just my 2 cents worth, wouldn't it have been the better strategy to defend from the hill top itself? rather than wait for the germans to 'go over the top'?
i don't know if this counts, but i have often had my armour button up after firing a shot, when it was close to trees, houses or embankments. (it was not a sniper...)
while playing le lorey-a hard stand, my panther was slugging it out face-to face (or gun mantle-to-gun mantle). needless to say, the sherm bought it....