Close Combat Files

The Close Combat Files covers all aspects of close quarter combat and self defence. Close Combat is known by many names, including unarmed combat, hand-to-hand combat, combatives, close quarter battle, and close quarter combat. Although some martial arts use this terminology in recent times, the articles in this column are specific to military combatives, which stems from the World War II pioneers such as W.E. Fairbairn, E.A. Sykes, Colonel Rex Applegate, and Charles Nelson.

The author of these articles is Geoff ‘Tank’ Todd, who has trained and qualified with both Col. Applegate and Charles Nelson. Tank is the Director of Overseas Affairs for the International Close Combat Instructors Association (ICCIA), which is comprised of former and current military close combat instructors.

For further information or training opportunities, see the Todd Group website.

Close Combat Kit — Part 34 of the Close Combat Files

Caution:The contents of this article are for education purposes only. The principles described are extremely dangerous and are for military close combat training and operations only. Their application applies solely to the military. Military close combat is all about taking out the enemy at all costs and training the way one intends to operate, "Kill […]