Notes: Sometimes referred to as an antitank machinegun, the Type 97 was perhaps the most powerful rifle of World War 2, and also the most unpleasant to fire due to the power of its ammunition. Though several allowances were made for reducing recoil – gas operation, blowback recoil dampening, and a large muzzle brake – the recoil was so severe that later in the war, the Japanese devised a wheeled carriage for the weapon, calling it the Type 98 (not covered here). The Type 97 is also beastly heavy weapon, as is its ammunition, and normally a crew of four was assigned to one. They had some small success against US Marine light tanks, as well as light armor of the Chinese Army, but all in all saw little service.