Light tanks were fast and manoeuvrable and avoided combat with heavier tanks because they wouldn't stand a chance.
The lights prey was infantry, trucks and other light tanks.
Sure their guns were small (some had only machine guns) but they were invulnerable to rifle fire which means if you were an infantryman and a light tank was spraying you and your buddies from 500 yards beyond bazooka range, there'd be zilch you could do about it except cower in a ditch until your own side brought up tanks or guns to deal with it.

Originally posted by Waymarker
Light tanks were fast and manoeuvrable and avoided combat with heavier tanks because they wouldn't stand a chance.
The lights prey was infantry, trucks and other light tanks.
Sure their guns were small (some had only machine guns) but they were invulnerable to rifle fire which means if you were an infantryman and a light tank was spraying you and your buddies from 500 yards beyond bazooka range, there'd be zilch you could do about it except cower in a ditch until your own side brought up tanks or guns to deal with it.

In the first place, it's unthinkable to fight a tank using an infantry. That's why they either call air support or a tank division for support.