penetration and crew quality

[Weasel]

In my game of ET against VB, his panthers were easily able to penetrate my T34/85 and SU85 at 2000m frontal. However, in my ET game with my Germans, my panther turrets (fortification) are bouncing rounds at 1700m off T80s, although still penetrating but bouncing more then in the first fight.

From what I can see the only difference here is that VB troops were elite with an added troop quality %, while my Germans are regular grunts.

So, does the crew quality somehow effect the penetration of the round? It shouldn't, but it kind of looks like it does.