Besa

[Anthony Kellett]

My original post has attracted no replies, which makes me think that it was highly unusual/unheard of to equip a carrier with a Besa. I have attached a photo sent me by a Dutch historian. It shows B Sqn 7th Recce in Oldeboorn (Friesland Prov) on 15 April 1945. Several people have identified the MG as a Besa. The two 7RR vehicles equipped with Besa were Humber IVs and Daimlers. The Humbers disappeared from the unit by Nov. Before they left some unit members may have decided to retain one or more of the Besas. A mystery.

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Anthony Kellett

My original post has attracted no replies, which makes me think that it was highly unusual/unheard of to equip a carrier with a ______ .

Anthony: consider reposting on FB Universal/Bren Carrier group.

Lack of exposure, lack of interest in the value of engaging you by others may not necessarily support your thought of BESA on universal carriers being unheard of.
.

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Would that be the same vehicle or a different one? There is just about in the two photos that overlaps so you can say whether or not it is, and I’m not good enough at recognising strangers’ faces to decide if the same people are in the vehicle I think the standing guy wearing the pulled-back beret and overalls is the same in both, but I’m far from sure.

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Jakko Westerbeke

Would that be the same vehicle or a different one? There is just about in the two photos that overlaps so you can say whether or not it is, and I’m not good enough at recognising strangers’ faces to decide if the same people are in the vehicle I think the standing guy wearing the pulled-back beret and overalls is the same in both, but I’m far from sure.

Hi Jakko
there are similarities in the modified/updated vehicle model, as well as crew headdress. Have a look at the coveralls with and without hood and revisit the images? Regrets I have not identified the source or description.

I recall other images of BESA guns repurposed into universal carriers: New Zealand Māori troops comes to mind.

Updated 09 Feb 2023: Māori BESA January, 1943 & July, 1944.

[Lynn Eades]

Michael, I believe the Maori Battalion Carrier picture shows a 50 cal. We had some 200+ Valentine tanks during WWII and they were fitted with Besa M.G.s.
Maybe you are referring to a different photo?

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Michael, I believe the Maori Battalion Carrier picture shows a 50 cal. We had some 200+ Valentine tanks during WWII and they were fitted with Besa M.G.s.
Maybe you are referring to a different photo?

Hello Lynn,
yes, thanks. I know we discussed this previously: these fighters had been victims of fratricide, now shown with enhanced allied recognition symbol.

Imagine the signature the aircraft Browning could produce !

[maple_leaf_eh]

One of my favorite YouTubers is a PhD historian Mark Felton. I've mentioned him here before. Not long ago I rewatched a piece he did on the introduction of the Centurion in spring 1945. He pronounced BESA as Bay-za. The only other form I'd ever heard was Bee-za. Anyone know the correct way?

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Michael, I believe the Maori Battalion Carrier picture shows a 50 cal.

Both of the Carriers in Michael’s photos have 7.92 mm Besas, by the looks of it, and the one pictures from the right front has (I think) a Vickers machine gun in the hull front instead of a Bren.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Wartime, or any historical, pronunciation can be interesting and not always what it is today. When you listen to old films or news stories you often hear a weird way of saying something, but is this just the reporter taking on a reporter's persona? You have to admit there was a very peculiar way they spoke.

One case in point, our famous (and still surviving) Tribal class destroyer HMCS Haida is now pronounced 'Hi-duh' but apparently throughout her service she was pronounced 'Hey-duh'.