What is "besal"

The Besal, properly named "Gun, Light, Machine, Faulkner, .303-inch" was a light machine gun of British origin. The weapon was intended as an alternative to the Bren gun as it was lighter, simpler, cheaper and easier to manufacture and therefore was not dependent on the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield which was within range of German bombers. As the threat to the supply of Brens receded, it was eventually deemed unnecessary.

The design was by Henry Faulkner of Birmingham Small Arms who also manufactured the larger Besa machine gun.