Slitherine

The AT guns are lacking in HE capability it seems, which renders them helpless when facing infantry forces. I haven't checked the 88 (which is AA) to see if it's the same way as I haven't played Germans yet. All of these guns obviously had HE ammo.

Is this a game play decision or a bug?

As far as I know, 17 pdr. & 88 mm. have HE shells!

It is only the 2pdr guns. They are basically large bullets so totally ineffective against infantry as they could not fire an explosive round. Its also why the Matilda & Crusader are hopless vs infantry unless they can get in MG range.