Type 92 Battalion Gun

The Type 92 Battalion Gun could be used at a low angle in a direct fire role to take out MG nests and light armor, but could also be used at a high angle in an indirect fire support role. It was a short barreled weapon with a split trail carriage that was lightweight enough to be pulled by a single horse if required. The weapon had a maximum effective range of 2,785m and could fire HE, AP and smoke rounds.

A large amount of these infantry support howitzers remained in China following the end of World War II and were utilized by the People’s Liberation Army who began manufacturing ammunition for the surviving weapons for use in their military. The weapon was used as late as the Vietnam War by the Viet Cong.

Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun

This weapon was based on the French Hotchkiss M1914 and utilized the 7.7X58mm Arisaka cartridge. It was introduced into service in 1932 as a replacement for the Type 3 HMG. Nicknamed the “Woodpecker” by Allied forces due to its distinctive sound, it was capable of firing 400-450 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 800 m/s and was deployed on a tripod.

Type 96 Light Machine Gun

This weapon was based on the French Hotchkiss M1909 and utilized the 6.5X50mm Arisaka cartridge. It was introduced into service in 1936 as a replacement to the inferior Type 11 which had issues with jamming in various battlefield conditions. It was capable of a 450-500 rounds per minute firing rate with a muzzle velocity of 735 m/s and employed a detachable top mounted 30 round box magazine.

Type 94 37mm Anti-Tank Gun

This weapon was developed based on the design of the German 3.7cm Pak 36 anti-tank gun to improve upon and replace the Type 11 37mm Infantry Gun that had been in service since 1922. That weapon was considered an inferior substitute for an AT capability due to its low muzzle velocity, poor range and slow reloading time.

The Type 94 began production in 1936 with approximately 3,400 units produced. It could fire both HE and AP rounds and was usually assigned in groups of four to combat infantry regiments. Although the weapon had performed well against Soviet light armor, it was obsolete when facing Allied armor such as the Sherman tank.