Type 97 Light Machine Gun
Encyclopedia
The was the standard machine gun
used in tank
s and armored vehicles of the Imperial Japanese Army
during World War II
, and also as a light machine gun
by infantry
forces.
was modified by the Army Technical Bureau for use in tanks and other armored vehicles, and was produced for this application under the designation “Type 92 Mobile Machine Gun”. However, the basic design issues with the Type 11 remained, including its tendency to jam because of the slightest amount of grit or dirt, and the low lethality and lack of stopping power of its 6.5x50mm Arisaka cartridge
s.
During the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War
, Japanese forces captured a number of Czech ZB vz/26 light machine guns from China
’s National Revolutionary Army
; its numerous design advantages led to the development of the Type 97. This was used in a modified form for armored vehicles until 1940, when the Japanese Army switched to a rimless 7.7 mm cartridge.
. The light gun barrel
could easily overheat, which meant the gunner had to fire in bursts, or the barrel would be shot out.
When fitted in a tank, a fixed focus 1.5x telescopic sight
with a 30° field of view was used. To prevent injury to the gunner, a rubber eye pad was attached to the rear of the sight.
When used as an infantry weapon, a bipod
was employed. Without the bipod, it weighed 11.25 kg (24.8 lb).
. It was much less common as a stand-alone infantry gun due to its weight. The Imperial Japanese Navy
also used the weapon in their combat vehicles such as the Type 92 Jyu-Sokosha
Heavy Armored Car (tankette).
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
used in tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
s and armored vehicles of the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and also as a light machine gun
Light machine gun
A light machine gun is a machine gun designed to be employed by an individual soldier, with or without an assistant, as an infantry support weapon. Light machine guns are often used as squad automatic weapons.-Characteristics:...
by infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
forces.
Development
Initially, the Type 11 Light Machine GunType 11 Light Machine Gun
The was a light machine gun used by the Imperial Japanese Army in the interwar period and during World War II.-History:Combat experience in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 had convinced the Japanese army of the utility of machine guns to provide covering fire for advancing infantry...
was modified by the Army Technical Bureau for use in tanks and other armored vehicles, and was produced for this application under the designation “Type 92 Mobile Machine Gun”. However, the basic design issues with the Type 11 remained, including its tendency to jam because of the slightest amount of grit or dirt, and the low lethality and lack of stopping power of its 6.5x50mm Arisaka cartridge
Cartridge (firearms)
A cartridge, also called a round, packages the bullet, gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the firing chamber of a firearm. The primer is a small charge of impact-sensitive chemical that may be located at the center of the case head or at its rim . Electrically...
s.
During the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
, Japanese forces captured a number of Czech ZB vz/26 light machine guns from China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
’s National Revolutionary Army
National Revolutionary Army
The National Revolutionary Army , pre-1928 sometimes shortened to 革命軍 or Revolutionary Army and between 1928-1947 as 國軍 or National Army was the Military Arm of the Kuomintang from 1925 until 1947, as well as the national army of the Republic of China during the KMT's period of party rule...
; its numerous design advantages led to the development of the Type 97. This was used in a modified form for armored vehicles until 1940, when the Japanese Army switched to a rimless 7.7 mm cartridge.
Design
The Type 97 was mechanically similar to the Czech ZB vz. 26, with a different stock and pistol grip. It had a straight, vertical, 20-round box magazine and used the same 7.7 mm cartridges used in the Type 99 rifleType 99 Rifle
The was a bolt-action rifle of the Arisaka design used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.-History:During the Second Sino-Japanese War in the 1930s, the Japanese soon found that the 8×57mm IS cartridge the Chinese used was superior to the 6.5×50mm cartridge of the Type 38 rifle,...
. The light gun barrel
Gun barrel
A gun barrel is the tube, usually metal, through which a controlled explosion or rapid expansion of gases are released in order to propel a projectile out of the end at a high velocity....
could easily overheat, which meant the gunner had to fire in bursts, or the barrel would be shot out.
When fitted in a tank, a fixed focus 1.5x telescopic sight
Telescopic sight
A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a sighting device that is based on an optical refracting telescope. They are equipped with some form of graphic image pattern mounted in an optically appropriate position in their optical system to give an accurate aiming point...
with a 30° field of view was used. To prevent injury to the gunner, a rubber eye pad was attached to the rear of the sight.
When used as an infantry weapon, a bipod
Bipod
A bipod is a support device that is similar to a tripod or monopod, but with two legs. It provides significant stability along two axes of motion .-Firearms:...
was employed. Without the bipod, it weighed 11.25 kg (24.8 lb).
Deployment
The Type 97 came into service in 1937, and was used on all Japanese tanks and other armored vehicles until the end of the warSurrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...
. It was much less common as a stand-alone infantry gun due to its weight. The Imperial Japanese Navy
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
also used the weapon in their combat vehicles such as the Type 92 Jyu-Sokosha
Type 92 Jyu-Sokosha
The was the Empire of Japan's first indigenous tankette. Designed for use by the cavalry of the Imperial Japanese Army by Ishikawajima Motorcar Manufacturing Company , the Type 92 was designed for reconnaissance and infantry support...
Heavy Armored Car (tankette).