I heard Theres a shortage for smoke rounds and at the request of the Fuhrer all smoke should be allocated in large amounts for tanks and their defensive smoke.
SO when the crew is firing HE,they're doing their absoulute best to listen to your order,they just dont have enough smoke to shoot.
Dont blame relic,blame war shortages.
Finally, the game is realistic!
IMO smoke also needs to fire faster. I often wanted to do a nice push covered by smoke but the mortar literally needs about 30 seconds until the first smoke pops out. It's mostly too late then.
Making them absolutely reliable in placement, like Smoke Bombs, would be nice too. I remember a long time ago placing a smoke barrage in front of an MG crew only to find it could still shoot at my units right on its center...that was embarrassing.