(публикуемая впервые в Интернете легендарное пособие, до сих пор служащее настольной книгой по рукопашному бою в спецчастях большинства армий Запада)

As taught to the british commandos and the U.S. armed forces

 

PREFACE

The method of hand-to-hand fighting described in this book is the approved standard instruction for all members of His Majesty's forces. The Commandos, and parachute troops, harrying the invasion coasts of Europe, have been thoroughly trained in its use. Britain's two-million Home Guard are daily being instructed in its simple but terrible effectiveness. The units of the United States Marine Corps who were stationed in China between 1927 and 1940 learned these methods at my own hands when I was Assistant Commissioner of the Shanghai Municipal Police.
There will be some who will be shocked by the methods advocated here. To them I say "In war you cannot afford the luxury of squeamishness. Either you kill or capture, or you will be captured or killed. We've got to be tough to win, and we've got to be ruthless - tougher and more ruthless than our enemies."
It is not the armed forces of the United Nations alone who can profit by learning how to win in hand-to-hand fighting. Every civilian, man or woman, who ever walks a deserted road at mid-night, or goes in fear of his life in the dark places of a city, should acquaint himself with these methods. Once mastered, they will instil the courage and self-геliаnсе that come with the sure knowl-edge that you are the master of any dangerous situation with which you may have to cope.
The methods described in this book I have carefully worked out and developed over a period of many years. They owe something to the famous Japanese judo (jiu-jutso), and something else to Chinese boxing. But, largely, they were developed from my own experience and observation of how most effectively to deal with the ruffians, thugs, bandits, and bullies of one of the roughest water-front areas in the world.
Although every method described in the following pages is practicable - and so proved by the author and his students by years of experience, it is not essential to master them all. I suggest that at first you select about ten which, for reasons of your height, weight, build, etc., seem most suitable, and specialize in mastering these thoroughly.*
Do not consider yourself an expert until you can carry out every movement instinctively and automatically. Until then, spend at least ten minutes daily in practice with a friend. At first, practice every movement slowly and smoothly. Then gradually increase your speed until every movement can be executed with lightning rapidity.
I should like in conclusion to give a word of warning. Almost every one of these methods, applied vigorously and without restraint, will result, if not in the death, then certainly in the maiming of your opponent. Extreme caution, then, should be exercised in practice, care being taken never to give a blow with full force or a grip with maximum pressure. But, once closed with your enemy, give even'' ounce of effort you can muster, and victory will tie yours.

CAPTAIN W. E. FAIRBAIRN

* The author will be glad to answer questions from readers concern-ing the execution of the methods described in this book. Address the author in care of the publisher, enclosing a self-addressed stamped envelope.

CONTENTS

BLOWS

1 Edge-of-the-Hand

2 Chin Jab

3 Boot (Side Kick)

3A Boot Defense

3B Boot ("Bronco Kick")

4 Knee

 

RELEASES

5 From a Wrist Hold (One Hand)

5A. From a Wrist Hold (Two Hands)

6 From a Strangle Hold (One Hand)

6A From a Strangle Hold (Two Hands)

7 From a Bear Hug (Front, Over the Arms) .

7 A From a Bear Hug (Front, Over the Arms) alterna-tive release

8 From a Bear Hug (Front, Arms Free)

9 From a Bear Hug (Back, Over the Arms)

9A From a Bear Hug (Back, over the Arms) alternative release

10 From a Bear Hug (Back, Arms Free)

11 From a Hair Hold (Back)

 

HOLDS

12 Thumb Hold

12 Thumb Hold (cont.)

13 Sentry Hold

13 Sentry Hold (cont.)

14 Japanese Strangle Hold

14A Japanese Strangle Hold Applied from in Front

15 Handcuff Hold

16 Bent-Arm Hold

17 Head Hold

 

THROWS

18 Hip Throw

19 Wrist Throw

20 Back Break

 

MISCELLANEOUS ADVICE

21 Chair and Knife

22 The Match-Box Attack

23 Smacking the Ears

24 The Art of Getting Up from the Ground

24A Getting Up from the Ground (Backwards)

25 Attack with a Small Stick or Cane

25 Attack with a Small Stick or Cane (cont.)

25 Attack with a Small Stick or Cane (concl.)

26 Various Methods of Securing a Prisoner

26 A - From the Handcuff Hold

26 B -"The Grape Vine"

26 C - The Chair

26 D - A Substitute for Handcuffs

27 Break-Aways from "Come-Along" Grips

27 A - Your Opponent Has Hold of You as in Fig. 108

27 B - Your Opponent Has Hold of You as in Fig. 109

 

USE OF THE KNIFE

28 Use of the Knife

28 Use of the Knife (cont.)

28 Use of the Knife (concl.)

 

THE SMATCHET

29 The Smatchet (Carrying, Drawing, and Holding)

29 The Smatchet (Close-in Blows)

29 The Smatchet (Attacking Blows)

 

DISARMING AN OPPONENT OF HIS PISTOL

30 Disarming an Opponent of His Pistol

30 A - Disarming from in Front

30 B - Disarming from in Front (Alternative Method)

30 C - Disarming from Behind

30 D - Disarming from Behind (Alternative Method)

30 E - Disarming a Third Party