I'm no H'expert but I reckon these are ranging shots. Far as I know, even until maybe late 70's/early 80's, The Chieftain MBT had a 0.5 inch ranging rifle alongside its main cannon.
Plus - they could be trying to rattle the enemy crew, maybe give themselves an extra second or two to knock them out with their main gun. Smash periscopes, maybe get that lucky shot into an opening?
[ December 12, 2003, 05:17 AM: Message edited by: Mirv Sheelon ]