Besa

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Anthony Kellett

In 1948 Pavey wrote that the Besa was a "wicked little weapon...without a doubt, one of the most demoralizing pieces of equipment owned and operated by the regiment."

While the effectiveness of the BESA would be broadly similar to an M1919 Browning (BESA had 2 rates of fire; 500rpm or 800rpm, Browning was 500rpm), the real difference lay in the supplied ammunition. The BESA was more intended as an Armour weapon, and was fed anti-armour ammunition in a combination belt of Armour Piercing, Incendiary, Tracer and Ball, and while such individual ammunition types were available for the 30-06 Browning, it was not typically supplied in a mixed belt.