Battlefield: 1942

Work In Progress This article is still under construction. It may contain factual errors. See Talk:Battlefield: 1942 for current discussions. Content is subject to change.

Battlefield:1942 PC Boxart Release Date: 2002 Developer: DICE Publisher: EA Series: Battlefield Platforms: PC Genre: First-Person Shooter

The first game in the hugely successful Battlefield series, Battlefield: 1942 was released in 2002 for the PC, with two expansion packs (The Road to Rome and Secret Weapons of WWII) following later.

The base game follows the main theaters of World War II, focusing primarily on the Americans, British, and Soviet forces (patches later added a mission for Canada as well) facing off against the Axis powers, Germany and Japan. The first DLC, Road to Rome focuses heavily on the Italian campaign and introduces the forces of the Free French and Fascist Italy. Secret Weapons of World War II was the final expansion, and is a more fictionalized take on the war, with the British and Americans facing off against Nazi Germany, with both sides using increasingly more outlandish weapons. The game and both DLCs, alongside the Battlefield Vietnam: Redux were later made available in a box set, titled Battlefield Anthology.

The following weapons can be seen in Battlefield: 1942 and its two expansions:

Overview

Weapons in Battlefield: 1942 are class-locked and faction-locked. The equipment for a class is known as a kit, and there is no way to change individual weapons in the kit . A kit is dropped upon death, and other players can pick up their kit. There are five classes in total:

• Assault: Uses LMGs and automatic rifles.
• Engineer: Uses battle rifles (mostly bolt-action, some semi automatic rifles).
• Anti-Tank: Uses an anti-tank launcher.
• Medic: Uses submachine guns.
• Scout: Uses sniper rifles (all bolt action, and all come with scopes).

Between the factions, many of the weapons are also statistically identical. Some weapons for some reason feature left-handed bolts.

Handguns

Unlike many modern first person shooters, Battlefield treats handguns as a part of a player's "kit" and therefore switching to another faction's kit (i.e., playing as the Red Army, killing a German sniper, and stealing his rifle) will result in changing handguns. This is, in practice, purely cosmetic, as both sidearms are statistically identical, having the same damage, same 8-round capacity (technically incorrect for the M1911), same rate of fire, same accuracy, and even the same animations (including the always-DAO hammer animation error).

Being a 2002 video game, there is only one reload animation for all circumstances, and no tracking of chambered rounds like later Battlefield games. This animation shows the weapon immediately locking back at the start of the reload (the weapon's slide is always forwards when idle), the player character then replacing the magazines, the slide popping back in upon loading in the magazine, and ending with the player character giving the slide a rack.

Walther P38

The Walther P38 appears in the game with black grips and a silver finish. It is the standard pistol for all Axis forces, including the German, Italian, and Japanese forces, despite Japan never issuing it to their forces. The main sidearms for the Italians and Japanese were the Beretta M1935 and Nambu Type 14 respectively.

Walther P38 WWII dated with black grips - 9x19mm

A Russian soldier wields a Walther, taken from a German who doesn't need it anymore.

To prove a point, a very confused Japanese soldier also wields the Walther.

Not to be left out, an Italian anti-tank soldier begins the reload cycle for his Walther. Note that his slide has partially locked back, just like on the Colt. Almost as if they use the same animations...

Finishing the reload animation makes him look far too happy to be on a modern battlefield.

M1911

The M1911 (just referred as "Colt") is the standard sidearm for all Allied forces. The pistol is the standard handgun of all American military forces, but is also seen in the hands of Commonwealth, Soviet, and Free French soldiers as well. While it's possible in the case of the Canadians and French, the British should be using a Webley revolver or Browning Hi-Power (when playing as the SAS) and the Soviets should be using the Tokarev TT-33. The French could also use the MAB Model D if they're feeling more patriotic.

Original Colt M1911 (dated 1913) - .45 ACP

A Soviet soldier kills a German machinegunner during the Battle of Berlin; someone has seen fit to equip him with a weapon he'd never carry in reality, and, judging by the uncocked hammer, a broken one at that.

An SAS Commando begins the process of reloading his 1911, the slide helpfully locking back for him. It's possible this is accurate to the time, as the SAS did field a few Colts chambered in .455, although it's likely more a matter of DICE programming the wrong guns. The slide has already partially locked back, for no discernible reason. The streak to the player's right is from a bazooka, though perspective conspires to make it seem the Colt is firing rockets.

A US Army Ranger, likely a member of the 101st Airborne, finishes the reload animation for his 1911. He is preparing to rack the slide; he is not applauding the empty tank before him.

Submachine Guns

Submachine guns are the mainstay of Battlefield's Medic Class. SMGs have roughly equivalent stopping power (which is realistically depicted as identical to the handguns), so the only real difference between them is their capacity. Some of the expansion maps feature suppressed SMGs, for variety's sake.

Bergmann MP18

The Bergmann MP18 is the standard weapon for the Japanese and Russian Medic classes. Its magazine is the 32-round box type of the later MP28 rather than the original TM 08 drum used during WWI, and like the Sten the player grips the magazine which increases the risk of jamming the weapon. While the MP18 did see some use by both factions (the former in very limited capacity, the latter as a captured weapon), it would make much more sense for them to be using the Type 100 submachine gun and PPSh-41 respectively.

Bergmann MP18/I with 20-round box magazine accepting MP28 mag-well, what the MP18 was originally designed with and retrofitted with post-WWI - 9x19mm

A Japanese medic stands on guard at the tank bays at Iwo Jima, looking for anything out of place.

He soon finds something of that description, as he reloads he finds out that someone has stolen his front sight blade..

While angry, he simply tugs the bolt and makes do with what the Empire could give him.

MP40

The MP40 is the standard weapon for the German and Italian Medic classes. While the Italians used MP40s to some extent, their main submachine gun was the Beretta Model 38.

MP40 - 9x19mm Parabellum

An Italian Medic wields an MP.40 during the invasion of Anzio.

The same Medic aims his SMG at a mildly annoyed American M3 Grant, realizing this was probably not the wisest weapon to antagonize a tank with.

Having expressed his displeasure at the cranky Yanks in the clanky tank, the Medic ejects the magazine from his SMG.

He then manages to live long enough to shove a new magazine into place...

before chambering a round in the weapon. Since the MP.40 fires from an open bolt, this shouldn't be necessary or even possible.

Sten MK.II

The Sten Mk.II Submachine Gun (called the Sten SMG) serves as an alternative for the British and as the standard for the Free French Forces Medic class in the expansion pack Battlefield 1942: The Road to Rome and being statistically identical to the MP 40. A suppressed version, the Sten Mk.IIS (Called simply Sten to differentiate its RtR Counterpart) is also available in the expansion pack Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII for the SAS Medic class and is slightly more accurate than its unsilenced counterparts.

Sten Mk.II 9x19mm Parabellum

A British soldier holds a Sten by the magazine. Experience says that angry IMFDB complaints regarding hand positions will soon follow.

Sten Mk.IIS - 9x19mm Parabellum

An SAS Medic holds a suppressed Sten during a raid on a German weapons factory in Secret Weapons of WWII. He's holding it a bit more correctly than his Army counterpart, but the suppressor would burn his hand if it overheated. Fortunately, he has gloves to protect himself.

The same soldier "aims" his Sten, giving us a better look at the model, including its apparently empty magazine.

M1A1 Thompson

The M1A1 Thompson Submachine Gun is the standard weapon for the American, British, and Canadian Medic classes. While the latter two factions made use of Thompsons during the early part of the war, they later made much more use of the Sten after it was developed although Thompsons would persist in service with both until the end of the war.

M1A1 Thompson Submachine Gun - .45 ACP

A member of the 101st Airborne participates in fierce fighting to the south of the famous Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest), Thompson in hand. Such a battle is completely fictional, but makes for interesting gameplay, and is the closest to historical accuracy in Secret Weapons of WWII.

An American medic comes to his senses on the Omaha Beach after a close call with a coastal gun and gives his Thompson a reload.

Pulling the bolt handle back into position reveals that while the sight wings are modeled too small, they did put a teeny tiny notch sight so there's something there.

Shotguns

Browning Automatic 5

Introduced in the expansion pack Secret Weapons of WWII, the Browning Automatic 5 is issued to the SAS Engineer class and is simply called "shotgun." It is the first shotgun in the series, and is extremely lethal in close quarters. Due to the game not having the ability to keep tracking individual shells (as the only other internally fed weapons are bolt action snipers with stripper clips), the A-5 has an extremely odd reload, wherein the player awkwardly tilts the weapon, apparently inserts a few shells, then pulls the charging lever; ammo is represented in full magazines, as it is for all other guns, and reloading from a non-empty magazine will result in lost shells.

The A5 is the most powerful close quarters weapon in the game, and is surprisingly deadly at range as well, often lethal from the chest up even at medium range.

Browning Automatic 5 - 12 gauge

A British SAS Engineer wields a Browning Auto 5 in Secret Weapons of WWII.

The visible portion of the A5's reloading animation, which consists of dropping the weapon out of view, then raising it back up and pulling the charging lever. Somehow, this completely empties the weapon (and destroys any unfired shells) and refills it, all in the space of about three seconds, with no noise.

Rifles

There are several kinds of rifles in Battlefield 1942. Bolt-action rifles are only available to two classes: the Scout (who function as snipers) and the Engineer. The differences between the two is that Scout rifles (called Sniper Rifles in-game) are issued a scope, have a higher velocity of 2000 meters per second compared to the standard 1000 m/s for primary weapons and more accurate on the move; while Engineer rifles (labeled as Standard Issue Rifles in-game) have more ammo and a slightly higher rate of fire. Semi-Auto Rifles (again, labeled as Standard Issue Rifles) have a higher rate of fire compared to their bolt action rifles counterpart; but are slightly less accurate in general. Some factions' Assault classes use automatic rifles (Labeled as Assault Rifles in-game) instead of light machine guns.

Fallschirmjägergewehr 42

The Fallschirmjägergewehr 42 (using its long form name) serves as an alternative to the STG-44 that is given to the German Elite Forces Assault class in the expansion pack Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII.

Fallschirmjägergewehr 42 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

An SS soldier at Hellendoorn stands on alert for any potential SAS raids with his FG42.

After catching a faint whiff of tea on the air, he reloads his FG42.

Oddly, the last half of the reload has an odd bit where the rifle is held up, the soldier flicks a lever and releases the bolt.

Gewehr 43 w/scope

The Gewehr 43 w/ ZF4 scope (called Gewehr 43 ZF4 in-game) is the standard weapon for German Elite Forces Sniper class in the expansion pack Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII.

Gewehr 43 with ZF4 Scope - 7.92 x 57mm

While stationed at Essen, an SS sniper keeps watch with his scoped G43.

Always one to be prepared, he taps off his mag with a fresh mag...

With a little bit of clipping through the odd second scope mount as well as his arms revealing the fact he's a German ghost soldier.

Karabiner 98k

The Karabiner 98k is the standard weapon for all Axis Engineers, and the scoped variant is the standard weapon for all Axis Scouts. The Italians and Japanese should instead be using their own rifles, the Carcano and Arisaka respectively.

Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A German engineer holds his 98k atop the bunkers at Omaha Beach, perplexed as to how his rifle has grown a massive globe sight.

While pondering this perplexing purposeful placement of specific aiming devices, he remembers he's at war and quickly reloads his 98k to repel some angry Americans.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I

The Lee-Enfield No.4 MK I is the standard weapon for the US Army, British and Russian Engineer classes. A bayonet version is available in the expansion pack Battlefield 1942: The Road to Rome for the Allied Engineer classes. The US Army should be using the M1 Garand or M1 Carbine and the Russians should be using a Mosin-Nagant carbine.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I - .303 British

A US Army Ranger Engineer holds a Lee-Enfield while taking part in a battle near the Eagle's Nest, wondering why, if he must carry the wrong rifle, he can't at least have a full magazine for it.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I(T)

The Lee Enfield No.4 Mk.I(T) is the standard weapon for all Allied Scouts. This is highly incorrect, as it should only be available to British and Commonwealth soldiers; it also has a capacity of five rounds, half that of the real rifle. The American Scouts should instead be armed with scoped Springfield M1903 rifles and the Russian scouts should be armed with scoped Mosin-Nagant M91/30 rifles.

Lee Enfield No.4 Mk.I(T) - .303 British

A very confused US Army Ranger wields a scoped Lee-Enfield SMLE during an American raid on the Eagle's Nest. In reality, he should be carrying a scoped Springfield M1903 or M1 Garand; more bizarrely, the rifle only ever has five rounds in the magazine, despite the SMLE's main advantage being a 10-round capacity. This is likely for balance, as the rifle is functionally identical to the German Mauser 98k.

An SAS sniper, someone who should actually carry this rifle, works the bolt, while hunting the man who told him it can only hold five rounds at a time.

M1 Garand

The M1 Garand appears as the main battle rifle for the USMC Engineer class, although in real life the USMC didn't actually receive it until every order for the rifle in the US Army was fulfilled. It would make more sense for them to be using the Springfield M1903 for the time being.

M1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06

An American engineer stands on guard duty at Wake Island with his trusty M1 Garand he borrowed from some Army boys.

Noticing that the planes flying overhead seem to have meatballs on their wings instead of stars, he realizes he's under attack and shoves an en bloc into his M1.

He forcefully slams the bolt home, defying both the mechanics of the actual M1 Garand and physics as a whole.

Sturmgewehr 44

The Sturmgewehr 44 (Called StG-44 in-game) appears as the primary weapon for the Assault classes of the Wehrmacht, and to a more anachronistic extent, the Afrika Korps and even the IJN of all forces (prior to the Type 99 replacing it).

Sturmgewehr 44 - 7.92x33mm Kurz

A German soldier takes solace at Operation Market Garden, both in that he's in Belgium and his rifle is correct for the era.

Deciding to take a walk across the bridge, he swaps his mags and...

Gives the viewers at home a dramatic yank of the charging handle.

Type 5

The extremely rare Type 5, which never saw service, somehow replaces the equally incorrect Karabiner 98k as the Standard Issue Rifle for the Japanese Engineer class. While it has the correct 10-round magazine capacity, it also has the very incorrect detachable magazine when it should be non-detachable and loaded with two 5-round Arisaka stripper clips. A more plausible choice for the Japanese engineer would be the Type 44 carbine.

Type 5 - 7.7x58mm

A Japanese engineer holds his Type 5 while stationed at Mt. Suribachi at Iwo Jima on the prowl for American ships to pass so he can use his big naval gun.

Having decided that picking off wayward GI's is more fun, he then yanks the non-removable magazine out of his Type 5...

Before doing a similar thing to the USMC's M1 by slamming the bolt home against the laws of physics and mechanical engineering.

Light Machine Guns

Most "Assault Class" kits feature some form of easily man-portable LMG (called Assault Rifles in-game to the dismay of many). Unlike the rifles and handguns, these weapons for the most part of have variable stats in terms of performance.

Breda Modello 30

The Breda Modello 30 is the standard weapon for the Italian Assault class in the expansion pack Battlefield 1942: The Road to Rome. It is incorrectly shown with a detachable magazine in lieu of a stripper clip which gave the already troubled weapon even more reliability issues.

Breda Modello 30 - 6.5x52mm Mannlicher-Carcano

Glad he's been fortunate enough to be issued a weapon actually from his nation, an Italian assault gunner wields a Breda Modello 30 during the Battle of Anzio. Unfortanately, someone has seen fit to issue him and every other Italian in the game with a weapon whose magazine is on the wrong side.

He then immediately kills a fellow Italian because he didn't pay the "pizzo".

Che sera, sera he says, loading a new magazine into his LMG in a manner that should not work.

Bren Mk.2

The Bren Mk.2 Light Machine Gun under the name of simply "Bren LMG", is the standard weapon for the SAS Assault class in the expansion pack Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII. The Canadians also made use of Brens during the war, but they were slightly different from the British models.

Bren Mk.2 Light Machine Gun - .303 British

A British support gunner holds his Bren while on the watch for sneaky German soldiers.

An SAS support gunner reloads his Bren Mk.2 during an SAS raid on a German weapons plant, a burning Flak Panzer in the foreground.

Deciding to break the monotony with some short range target practice, the gunner reloads his Bren and gives the charging handle a tug.

Degtyaryov (DP) 28

The Degtyaryov Light Machine Gun (DP) titled simply "DP" in-game, is the standard weapon for the Russian Assault class.

Degtyaryov Light Machine Gun (DP) - 7.62x54mmR

A Soviet machinegunner supports his friends with his DP while assaulting Berlin.

Taking cover near what is presumed to be the River Havel, he reloads his DP.

Enjoying the river view alongside the two T34's while he finishes reloading.

M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle

The M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle under the name of "BAR 1918"; is the standard weapon for American, British, and Free French Assault classes. The Brits should be using the Bren as their main LMG and the French could use the FM 24/29 as they considered it superior to the BAR.

M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06 Springfield

A US Army Ranger carries a BAR during a battle near the Eagle's Nest in Secret Weapons of WWII.

The same Ranger removes the magazine from his BAR, having just provided the punchline to the old joke "So three Nazis walk into a BAR..."

He then loads a new magazine into his rifle and looks for more comedic potential.

A loading screen for Road to Rome when playing on a map featuring the United States depicts an American soldier carrying a wounded comrade and a BAR.

The American Assault Class pickup model is a very low resolution BAR.

M1941 Johnson Light Machine Gun

The M1941 Johnson Light Machine Gun, called simply "Johnson LMG", is the standard weapon for the Canadian Assault class. It erroneously holds 30 rounds when it should hold 20.

M1941 Johnson Light Machine Gun - .30-06 Springfield

A Canadian machinegunner holds the M1941 Johnson while the Canadian ensign flies beside him.

There are a few bizarre errors with the reload animation. The first is that the modelers apparently confused the magazine well with the magazine, so part of the model that was supposed to be the magazine well is removed with the magazine during the reload.

The second is that the charging handle is relocated to the left, when it's actually on the right.

Type 99 Light Machine Gun

The Type 99 Light Machine Gun, named simply "Type 99", is the main weapon for the Japanese Assault class, replacing the completely out-of-place Sturmgewehr 44. It is essentially a reskin to the Bren, but its fire rate sounds faster (which it actually was in real life), and its 30-round magazine holds only 20 as balance against the BAR.

Type 99 light machine gun 7.7x58mm Arisaka

While on guard duty on Iwo Jima, a Japanese support gunner shows the kids at home his Type 99.

Hearing the sound of tank treads and Glenn Miller music, he uses his power to remove the magazine without having to hit the mag release.

Then he gives the bolt a good old tug before moving out.

Launchers

Gewehrgranatengerät

The Gewehrgranatengerät Rifle Grenade Launcher is available for the K98k in the German engineer class with the expansion pack Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII.

Gewehrgranatengerät, mounted on Karabiner 98k rifle

A German engineer stands atop the high peak of the Eagle's Nest, prepared to chuck a ton of rifle grenades down on the unsuspecting Americans.

As shots draw near, he loads his launcher showing us at home that while he doesn't load a blank cartridge, he does at least load an actual grenade.

Panzerschreck

The Panzerschreck is the standard weapon for all Axis Anti-Tank classes. While it's moderately logical for the Germans and Italians to use these weapons in the numbers they do (a better choice would be the Panzerfaust), things take a turn for the surreal when Japanese soldiers wield them during the Battle of Wake Island.

Panzerschreck

"Aiming" the Panzerschrek results in the rather odd fact the model's sights are completely lined up due to the changed perspective...due to the game's mechanics, the shell will still not land anywhere near this point.

An Italian soldier armed with a Panzerschrek demonstrates what happens when it's fired at something not a panzer. Apparently someone was using this Jeep to smuggle the American invasion force's entire supply of dynamite.

A German soldier, having managed to schrek an actual panzer, reloads his AT launcher.

M1 Bazooka

The M1 Bazooka is the standard weapon for all Allied Anti-Tank classes. The bazooka is surprisingly accurate at range and is lethal anywhere, making it an oddly effective sniper rifle.

M1 Bazooka

An American Army Ranger holds an M1 Bazooka during a raid on the Eagle's Nest.

The same Ranger loads a new rocket into his launcher.

The Ranger completes his reload animation elsewhere on the map, having just put a rocket into the smoldering Sturm Panzer in the foreground.

The Ranger kills an enemy Sturm Panzer, one of the eponymous Secret Weapons of WWII with his not so secret M1 Bazooka, causing a spectacular explosion in the process.

A soldier aims his bazooka at a Tiger I during the game's opening cinematic. This is one of the few small arms shown in the FMV.

Explosives

Mk 2 hand grenade

The Mk 2 hand grenade is the standard frag grenade for Allied soldiers.

Mk 2 high-explosive fragmentation hand grenade

On one side of the Omaha beach, an American medic stares out at the ocean to ignore the carnage on the beach.

Realizing that's the reason why he has been violently sea sick this entire time, he uses Mr. Mk 2 frag grenade to get petty revenge on the sea for it's crimes against him.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate

The Model 24 Stielhandgranate is the standard grenade for the Axis.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate "Potato Masher" High-Explosive Fragmentation Hand Grenade

A German assault soldier wanders the bunker complex on the other side of Omaha Beach, on the prowl for Allies that tend to scale the right side cliff face.

Catching the sounds of freedom and apple pie, he takes direct German action by chucking a few Model 24's that way to soften them up..

Tellermine 35 (Stahl)

The Tellermine 35 (Stahl) is available for Allied and Axis engineers.

Tellermine 35 (Stahl) Anti-tank mine

A German engineer looks at a placed Tellermine.

Mounted Weapons

2cm FlaK 38

The 2cm FlaK 38 is mounted on German bases.

2 cm FlaK 38 in single mounting - 20x138mm B

A German base guard takes a gander at his mounted weapon of choice while planes lift off to go bomb England.

Deciding to wait until a new Stuka spawns, he shows the viewers at home both the entire FlaK 38 and his magical wrist that can constantly break itself if the weapon is spun in circles.

7.5 cm Pak 40

7.5 cm Pak 40 AT guns can be used on the "Monte Cassino" map.

7.5 cm Pak 40 anti-tank gun - 75x714mm R

A German soldier stationed at Monte Cassino gazes at a Pak 40, waiting for some wayward Frenchman to come in front of him so he can finally shoot it.

Browning M2

A Browning M2 is the mounted weapon for Allied bases and vehicles, ranging from the normal M4A1 Shermans down hilariously to the motorcycle side car that came with Secret Weapons of WWII.

Browning M2HB - .50 BMG.

An SAS assault soldier stumbles upon the true secret weapon, an anti gravity weapon mount that will be used by devious French Canadians to mount MG's to ANYTHING.

Deciding to see how this mount works, he's surprised to find that it does hold a 100+ pound MG to the motorcycle, and allows him to fit his legs through the sidecar with no problems!

Bofors 40mm

Several Bofors 40mm Anti-Aircraft Guns are seen on the battlefield.

Bofors 40mm L/60 AA gun in a wheeled trailer mounting - 40x311mmR

A British soldier wanders around a base on the Battle of Britain map before discovering a Bofors 40mm position.

Realizing he's on a map that's literally just plane fights, the Brit mounts his Bofors and shows us the lovely sight he will use to blow up random Stukas.

Degtyaryov DT

Soviet tanks are armed with Degtyaryov DT machine guns.

DT machine gun - 7.62x54mm R

On one side of a Russian field, a Russian tanker prepares to board his T-34, taking a slight glance at the pintle mounted DT before stowing in to give the Germans what-for.

MG34

The MG34 is mounted on German tanks.

MG34 Panzerlauf with stock fitted - 7.92x57mm Mauser

On the other side, a German tanker stares at the pintle mounted MG34 and wonders if this war in the East will turn around with this whole "Battle of Kursk" thing.

MG42

The MG42 is the Axis's pintle mounted machine gun in the same way the M2 is for the Allies, which does mean both the Germans, Italians and Japanese get these in both stock machine gun mounts as well as adorning the medium tanks of each faction.

MG42 Machine Gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A German engineer stands guard at the bunkers of Omaha beach, waiting to mount his MG42 at the sign of Allied invasion.

Hearing the sounds of small boats on the sea ahead, he mounts his infinite ammo MG42 to wreck some historic havoc.

Type 97

The Type 97 light machine gun is mounted on Japanese Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks.

Type 97 light machine gun 7.7x58mm Arisaka

Surrounded by German weapons and obscure prototypes, the IJA soldier takes solace in the fact there's at least an actual Japanese tank for him to use. Just ignore the MG42 on top and you'll be fine.