i read that the environment will be some what destructable and will be damaged by artillery fire and other types of explosions. Does this mean that you can blow a crater in the earth with a bazooka or grenade and use it to shelter yourself from enemy fire? Also on a less destructive note, bullet holes will be left on impact of buildings, fences, vehicles, etc. right? just wondering....

I don't think that grenades were used to make fox-holes in ww2, but some of the other guys at the office are better at history than I am. Damage effects are persistant, as far as technology allows... eventually they will have to disappear, because wallpapering an entire level in bullet holes would eat up way too much memory and rendering time.