The Besa Machine Gun

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by Uncle Target, Aug 30, 2019.

  1. JDKR

    JDKR Member

    The mention of ‘IA’ brings memories. tumbling back...GPMG IA training went something like this:

    “Gun firing alright. Gun STOPS!”
    “Butt in the shoulder. Working parts to the rear. Lower the butt. Open the top cover. Clear the feed tray. Open the feed tray. On looking inside you see...[stoppage details then described from which hapless gunner has to make decision on what subsequent drill to follow].

    All etched in my memory, which probably explains why I tend to forget to get the car taxed, walk the dog, mow lawn etc etc.
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  2. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    Just so long as you don't mow the dog
     
  3. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Weapons a bit like mobile phones reveal clues to ones age. Lewis Gun, Bren, LMG, GPMG, no LSW yet.
     
  4. ceolredmonger

    ceolredmonger Member

    From the rest of the sequence - the Besa looks Carrier mounted. There is a .30 Browning on a similar Carrier featured twice - appears to be badged with AoS 174. This AoS is problematic to the resources I have to hand as it was 144 RAC when they operated Shermans in 33 Brigade which this clearly isn't. I'll need to consult my better sources when home.
     
  5. JDKR

    JDKR Member

    On reflection, it’s possible the Besa shown in the clip was taken from a Cromwell of 6th Airborne Recce Regt. Why? By this stage of the advance the regiment’s armoured squadron had lost most, if not all, of its Cromwells and this resulted in the division having to be allocated 15 (Scottish) Recce Regt to conduct its mechanised recce. The Cromwells’ Besas would therefore have been available and the paras would not have been slow in grabbing them to beef up their fire power.
     
  6. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    That is certainly possible. I looked at some online accounts of the operation in question, and 4th Grenadiers of 6th Gds Tank Bde were along to give support, so maybe they had a spare Besa or two.
     
  7. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    I've shot a bow and handled a Brown Bess.
     
    Dave55 likes this.
  8. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Found this today
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    Last edited: Sep 11, 2023
  9. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Tower flintlock for me :)
     

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