Germany's only "Dirty Tricks" facility is celebrating its first successful year. In June 2004, Ken Oesterreich, currently a Phase II exponent, started the German depot conducting its first intensive two-day outdoors CQB camp. Since then, several other seminars have taken place, attracting people from all walks of life, including social workers, martial artists, office workers and future military policemen.

All participants were surprised how easy effective self-defence can be, although most of them were shocked in the beginning, 2005 has already seen some intensive training sessions. Further projects include co-operations with tertiary education facilities interested in CQB as relates to stress management and the prevention of physical conflicts.

Since day one, the depot is committed to provide the right skills for responsible realists.

Due to the sensitivity of the training matter, training is for the responsible and the democratic minded only. Therefore instruction is limited to either individual tuition, or small group seminars, following an intensive background check.

Germany's only depot offering the exclusive skills of the Todd System of European Close Combat is located in Saxony, a former part of East Germany, which also has an impressive tradition of combat sports such as wrestling and boxing as well as Olympic Judo.

Although interest in self-defence and martial arts has always been strong and became even stronger since the reunification of both countries fifteen years ago, training is mostly limited to eastern systems or hybrid styles. European Close Combat practises have been almost unknown, up until now.

The German depot does not intend to become another commercial and political institution, but to simply offer training in the necessary skills to either prevent conflicts, or to win them at any cost.

Furthermore, as recent developments indicate, the need for realistic training as relates to the prevention of sexual assaults and violence against women in general is growing steadily. Therefore the German depot's training is focusing predominantly on this sensitive matter in order to arm the public with knowledge.

Last but not least, I would like to thank Tank Todd for his support during the last months. I really appreciate your advice as well as the additional amount of time you sacrifice in order to support my personal training and teaching on the other side of the world.