AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
12 MAR 1942
AHQ MELBOURNE
UNARMED COMBAT
UNARMED COMBAT
The general principles are:-
Unarmed combat has hitherto been considered as a means of defence in close-quarters fighting, when no weapons are at hand. Its use as a means of attack, however, cannot be overlooked, particularly on such occasions as those when weapons cannot be conveniently used - as, for example, the stalking of a sentry, when no noise must be made. Moreover, it should be noted that every defensive movement is invariably followed, if successful, by an offensive movement, whereby absolute mastery of an opponent should be obtained.
War is a matter of life and death, even where unarmed combat is concerned; hence there must be no scruple or compunction over the methods employed. Complete ruthlessness is necessary in order to gain the mastery over one's opponent. Such brutal methods of attack as kicking, gouging the eyes, etc., though foreign and detestable to the Britisher, must be used without hesitation against a desperate enemy. At the same time, one must not underestimate the value of a good solid punch, should an opportunity for its use occur.
Surprise, speed, and smoothness of execution, and, possibly most important of all, the gaining and retention of the initiative, are all essential if success is to be achieved. These cannot be attained without a thorough knowledge of the art, allied to constant practice with a variety of partners and under different conditions; as, for example, in the matter of dress, or when one is tired, or when it is dark.
No two opponents will attack in precisely the same manner; but the skilled exponent of unarmed combat will, by virtue of his continual practice under all conditions, have a variety of moves at his command.
Although the initiative of an attack may appear to be with the combatant who is armed, the unarmed man can, and should, by a skilfully timed offensive action, seize the initiative, disarm his opponent, and thus secure the upper hand
Great care must be taken during practice to avoid injuries: hence the speed of a movement may have to be partially sacrificed. Nevertheless, all movements should be made as realistic as possible. In an actual combat, do not be misled, by the false cries of an artful opponent into relaxing a lock or a hold until full control has been obtained.
The steel helmet can be used with great effect as a weapon of offence, as well as serving its usual role as a means of protection. Even when kept on the head it can still be used to deal a vicious blow. Similarly, it can be used in the hand to deliver blows, full use being made of its sharp cutting edge.
Finally it can be used as a shield, particularly against bayonet or dagger thrusts, or even against a thrown knife. The rubber lining of the steel helmet is intended as a shock absorber which makes its use as a shield all the more suitable.
Whenever it is used in the hand, the chinstrap should be wound around the wrist, to avoid dropping and possibly losing the helmet. For this reason the steel helmet should never be thrown.
In the early stages, unarmed combat may be practised in PT kit. Later, however, it may be performed in any type of dress, gradually working up to battle dress and equipment.
Attached hereto are –
Appendix A - Suggested timetable for 7 days for NCOs Cadre or a list of subjects which should be embodied in a training syllabus.
Appendix B - Trained Soldier's Physical Training Table ~ Table 1.
Appendix C - (a) Description of Tng.
(b) Counters to Frontal Holds, Kicks, Strangle Holds and Bear Hugs.
(c) Disarming opponent with rifle and bayonet, or revolver or knife.
9 AUST INF TNG BDE B
|
MONDAY 0900 Fall In 0910 Physical training and games 1010 Spell 1025 Lecture
1310 Physical training and games 1430 Smoko 1445 Bayonet training 1515 Break off – dismiss |
TUESDAY 0900 Fall In 0910 Physical training and games 1010 Spell 1025 Wrist locks, breaks, arm bars
1310 Physical training and games 1400 Spell 1415 Strangleholds front and rear 1500 Dismiss |
|
WEDNESDAY 0900 Fall In 0910 Physical training 0940 Clothes and hair grips 1025 Bayonet training
1330 Physical training 1400 Spell 1415 Disarming man with rifle 1530 Dismiss |
THURSDAY 0900 Fall In 0910 Physical training 0940 Disarming opponent with knife or 1025 Use of steel helmet, careless |
|
FRIDAY 0900 Fall In 0910 Physical training 0925 Bayonet training 1025 Recapitulation stranglehold front
1330 Physical training 1345 Recapitulation counter against a 1445 Spell 1500 Recapitulation disarming opponent 1530 Dismiss |
FRIDAY 0900 Fall In 0910 Physical training 0925 Recapitulation disarming opponent 1025 Recapitulation disarming opponent
1330 Physical training 1345 Mutual Instn. 1530 Dismiss |
MONDAY
Examination and checking.
TRAINED SOLDIERS TABLE
TABLE 1
Running in single file changing to pairs then threes Halt squad Backward running in threes arms on shoulders support or hopping in threes changing leg on order
Astride trunk bending from side to side with one arm reaching downward and one arm under bending 3 bends each side
Astride jumping with arms raising sideways and forwards 1-4
One of the following; a) crews and cranes b) Do this do that c) Back see-saw
(Double circle, both ranks feet forward wrists grasp, inner rank backward hanging) inner rank arm bending
a) (Astride forward bend) Trunk and head turning from side to side with alternate arms swinging sideways or
b) (Back lying, knees raised, neck rest, elbows supported) Leg swinging from side to side to touch ground (in pairs)
a) (Front support) Astride jumping (1-4) followed by one foot placing forward to crouch, left and right (5-8) or
b) (Back lying, arms upwards) Trunk swinging forward-downward, reaching as far as possible, followed by leg raising
a) (Astride upward bend trunk forward) relaxed trunk bending downward to touch ground
One of the following a) Squat tug of war b) peison
c) Sitting boat race d) pushing contest in pairs shoulder to shoulder
Cruising action
(Astride low hands on hips or with neck rest trunk rolling)
Astride jumping with hands swinging sideways-upward to clap hands over head 1-8
One of the following a) Sprint relay b) In and out files relay
c) Team dodge ball d) Tunnel Ball returning ball through legs
(Back lying, knees bent, or astride, low hands on hips) deep breathing
Position of attention.
UNARMED COMBAT
Stress the necessity to kill or maim. Give slogan ‘Destroy the enemy’ Insist on completing every move. It is not enough to disarm enemy once advantage gained. Kill. Emphasise the fact that these methods are not novel.
Good for patrols
A man is never helpless
Quick thinking and action always.
The only unsuccessful method is the one which fails in its object
Windpipe Point of chin
Sides of throat Eyes
Testicles Solar plexus
Knee Shin
Instep Heel
Toes Kneecaps
Front of throat
Teach that a kick by knee in the testicles or kick on shin, kneecap is most effective.
Stamp on a man's toes, jab a boot on an opponents heel.
Grip him by the testicles.
Gouge his eyes with your thumbs.
Stick fingers up his nose.
Place fingers in either side of mouth making sure he does not bite.
Tear his face.
Bite him on the face or his ear.
Harden up the heel of the hand by chopping at a man's throat across the front with the edge of the hand will either drop him or kill.
Teach how to deliver a punch with speed and accuracy.
Attention to be paid to speed and accuracy.
Teach the use of the steel helmet. Butt a man in the face. Chop him with the edge.
Warn the men against careless kicking.
FRONTAL HOLDS
Release:- By a sudden downward and outward movement, always working against his thumbs.
your knee in his face.
Immediate action: (1) Parry and grasp his wrist with left hand.
(2) Grasp his hand with both hands palm downward both thumbs pressing
into back hand
(3) Turn hand up and out, and throw opponent
(4) Kill.
Alternative No. 2
(1) Grasp opponents hand with both hands and pull across your chest with left arm under his and across his chest making a lever of your left shoulder and chest
(2) Press back to right shoulder and break arm.
(2) Turn quickly in until your shoulder is under his arm.
(3) Apply sudden pressure and break the arm. Then kill.
Alternative to 3. (1) Pull opponent quickly towards you with left hand grasping his wrist.
(2) Strike his arm behind the elbow.
(3) Force him to ground
(4) P1ace your knee on arm apply pressure and break the arm
Counter to kicks always watch the rear foot of your opponent.
If kicked at:
(1) Turn slightly away.
Alternative to 4. (1) Side step quickly
(2) Seize the kicking leg.
(3) Thrust foot outward this turns him simultaneously push opponent
backward.
(4) Cross both legs quickly
(5) Fall on top of them
(6) Reach forward and strangle him by placing right forearm under throat and force head down with left hand.
COUNTERS TO STRANGLE HOLDS
(1) Place right arm over his left
(2) Grasp his right wrist
(3) Bring your left arm under his right wrist
(4) Grasp his left
(5) Force downwards to your right
(6) Release left wrist
(7) With your left hand bend his right arm up his back
(8) Simultaneously pull opponent under your bent knees.
Alternative to 5.
(1) Grasp opponents right arm with your left hand
(2) Swing your right arm with a circular movement quickly aver both his arms
(3) Still retaining the grip with your left hand. Quickly grasp the shoulder socket of his right arm
(4) Apply pressure force him to the ground face downwards
(5) Place arm on your knee
(6) Break arm.
(1) Seize opponents thumbs
(2) Turn them outwards and draw his arms over shoulder making sure palms are uppermost
(3) Apply pressure
(4) Throw opponent overhead
This either throws him over head or breaks both arms
(1) Take deep breath
(2) Force upwards and backwards
(3) Suddenly drop down and grasp opponents ankle quickly,
(4) Pull foot upwards retaining hold on ankle
(5) Throw him on his back
(6) Thrust foot outward heel uppermost to turn on to stomach
(7) Fold both his legs back said drop on them
(8) Reach forward and strangle
Alternative to 7.
(1) Grasp thumbs
(2) Turn outward
(3) Turn quickly and face opponent
(4) Turn opponent around
(5) With disengaged hand place pressure on shoulder socket and force face downward
(6) Place knee in shoulder
(7) Pull arm back and break.
(1) Take deep breath and force upwards
(2) Suddenly drop down
(3) Grasp your opponents ankle
(4) Pull quickly upwards throwing him on his back
(5) Retain hold and twist the foot to turn him on his stomach
(6) Then as for rear hug.
Alternative to 8.
(1) Place hand on face sharply force head backward placing fingers in eyes and nose (make sure opponent does not bite you)
(a) Opponent rushing in with Rifle and Bayonet
(b) Opponent rushing in or pointing at close quarters
(c) Confronted with Rifle and Bayonet
(d) Left Parries
(e)
In all disarming make parry and first grip on rifle with utmost speed and the same time turning side on to make smaller target.
(1) Try and district opponents attention either by:-
(b) Other means
Then
(2) Swing to the left
(3) With straight arm parry the rifle
(4) Grasp rifle quickly with left hand at about the band further down with right
(5) Jerk quickly upward and backward
(6) This twists rifle from possession
(7) Then kill.
(1) Parry with right or left hand
(2) Then same as for (10)
For rear movement left arm parry is preferable to right which leaves you open to a quick butt strike.
Lessons to be learnt from 10 and 11
(1) When challenging keep the man away out of reach.
(2) When forcing a man along don't get within hand reach.
By observing how knife is held you can forecast how knife will be used
(a) If forefinger to the front an upward or forward stab will be made
(b) If forefingers to rear a downward stab will be made
(A) 1. UPWARD
(1) Parry downwards with left hand striking as close as possible to the wrist
(2) Grasp wrist with both hands Thumbs uppermost and force inward and out thus forcing
release of knife
(3) Retain knife and kill.
(A) 2. DOWNWARDS
(1) Parry with bent left arm across flight of thrust, necessary to make contact as
close as possible to wrist
(2) Opponents arm bent slip disengaged under his elbow
(3) Grasp wrist
(4) With left arm force elbow down and back
Alternative
< can not read this line >
Should opponents arm straighten.
(a) Parry and step aside
(b) Grasp wrists as before and throw opponent
REVOLVER IN FRONT
Note: When hands are up at command of man with revolver make sure your arms are well apart
(1) Parry with left hand and turn body sideways
(2) Grasp wrists thumbs uppermost
(3) Throw opponent forcing revolver in face
(4) Kill
Right hand parry similar manner except that arm is not swung over
REVOLVER BACK
(1) Parry with straight arm whilst turning around
(2) Grasp wrists and proceed as in 13