do tank crew get used to being shot at?

[poesel]

I have a Panther ditching it out with a few Shermans on the other side of a valley. The Panther was ordered to a position.

When the fight began the Panther was hit (no damage) and started to retreat. I ordered him back to the original position.

As the shooting goes on the Panther is hit (again no damge) several times (and has also dealt some damage). The crew is a bit annoyed (so to say) but they don't retreat.

Was that a coincidence or has the crew 'learned' that they are relativly save? Does destroying an enemy tank raise the morale of the crew?

[Vark]

I would have though a competently trained crew would be aware of their tanks capabilities, as well as their opponents, their lives, after all depended on such knowledge. Is there any evidence of the tank cower routine, or JSII's bane as it should be known?

[Wego McPbem]

Did the first hit come from a threat the panther hadn't seen? I think tanks\infantry are more shaken up if the fire takes them by surprise.

[poesel]

Did the first hit come from a threat the panther hadn't seen? I think tanks\infantry are more shaken up if the fire takes them by surprise.

I can't remember if he could see the first shooter. But the Panther came out of hiding and attacked. So he shouldn't have been too surprised to be shot at...

[MikeyD]

Don't know for sure but the theory about the first shot being from an unspotted source sounds lke a good one. Think of is as a 'fight-or-flight' response, you can't fight what you can't see so there's only one alternative.