i have noticed the same thing base flashing for hours on end, this gets old fast, no one there ive spent alot of time looking around town is up,ack is up, later it is captured.
the other problem with the sirens had me thinking i was going crazy taking off headphones to see if the cops were here! i checked and it doesnt matter how far from an alerted base you are on the map can still here the siren.
i use the glich tiger described all the time in early war by watching the roster. i just dont think it is a glitch i thought it was a way of not letting someone sign on and killing you instantly if i sign on i go to all the bases that could be attacked and look around before i start on anything else.