Joint UK US WWII Combative Pioneers

Tank Todd The following is a brief outline of the life and times of three of the most important pioneers in modern military close combat. While there have been and will continue to be historic writings on these individuals from historians, there is only one living post-World War II instructor qualified descendent of the late and great Colonel e! "pplegate. This individual Tank Todd of #ew $ealand learnt his lessons directly from Colonel "pplegate and while he did gain a personal look at the history of these great pioneer%s times, it was the specialist skills that he was most interested in. &rom Colonel "pplegate he was allowed to note any of the deadly sub'ects of instruction from his WWII programs and personal notes before much of this information was destroyed when he was refiling over () years of paper war. The reason the Colonel allowed access to such information was because Tank was the only instructor qualified in *uropean military close combat that was a +pecial ,perations -roup Chief Instructor and who operated a fulltime training facility. .uch of the information Tank learned from Colonel "pplegate is only for +pecial ,perations, however the basic armed and unarmed skills have been preserved with Tank now being the only instructor qualified descendent. This preserved information includes the systems of other e!pert instructors such as &airbairn and +ykes as taught to Tank by Colonel "pplegate. Tank has original programs and taken notes from the WWII programs of &airbairn, +ykes and "pplegate. The information for this article is from notes taken by Tank from Colonel "pplegate and researched by /ames Webb with the pictures as supplied to Tank by Colonel "pplegate from his collection. &or any inquires regarding the systems outlined in this feature contact tank0toddgroup.com

Fairbairn demonstrating on Applegate. Fairbairn training an OSS Operative.

Captain William Fairbairn

Captain William Fairbairn William *wart &airbairn was born on 12 &ebruary 322(, in +urrey, *ngland. "t age 3(, &airbairn was an apprentice leather worker in 4ondon, *ngland when he saw a oyal .arines recruiting poster. +ince &airbairn was underage the local recruiter forged &airbairn%s paperwork and he 'oined the oyal .arines. It was here he got his beginning in close combat. &rom 35)3 to 35)6, &airbairn was assigned to 7orea, where he studied the different .artial "rts practiced there. 8is e!ploits in combatives was further developed during this period. In 7orea &airbairn was assigned to the 9ritish 4egation -uard and he was later stationed in +hanghai, China. &rom 35)6 to 35:), Captain W. *. &airbairn was assigned to the International ;olice &orce in +hanghai, China. This was known as the toughest ;olice assignment in the world. The city was overrun with gangsters and killers and he had e!perienced a gang attack that near left him for dead as a constable in +hanghai. The criminals were involved in strong-arm tactics, e!tortion, slavery, prostitution, kidnapping and smuggling. To contend with these gangsters, &airbairn organi<ed and led the famous +hanghai iot +quad. The gangsters in +hanghai earned the reputation as being the most ruthless in the world. &airbairn%s fighting system was developed to enable the ;olice to counter the gangsters they had to control. It had to be effective in hand to hand and with weapons. It had to be effective and get results fast. +ometimes &airbairn%s ;olice ,fficers had to fight one or several gangsters by themselves, without assistance. &airbairn became famous during this time frame for his toughness and ruthlessness. &airbairn studied numerous .artial "rts. 8e studied with the chief 7ung &u instructor to the *mpress of China and with her personal bodyguard =in &u. In 351(, the infamous +hanghai riots occurred and mob violence was rampant. &airbairn%s +hanghai iot +quad was instrumental in quelling this riot. In 351(, &airbairn wrote his first book on the use of the .3533, :( caliber pistol in combat. In 351>, he wrote the book ?@efendo? on hand to hand combat. This book became the training manual for several ;olice departments. @uring this period, &airbairn also wrote ?+hooting to 4ive?. &airbairn was a bayonet specialist who wrote the 9ritish 9ayonet program. 8e spent three and a half years training with professor ,kada in /u /utsu and was only the second Westerner ever awarded his 9lack 9elt in /udo and /u'itsu personally from /igaro 7ano. 8e trained at the 7odokan in /apan from 3532 until 35A3. This honor in itself is worth telling and provides an e!ample of &airbairn%s fighting skills. &airbairn graded to 3st @an in 351> and 1nd @an in 35A3.

With hostilities between /apan and China beginning &airbairn was in a particularly dangerous position. ,ne incident was when &airbairn met a /apanese ,fficer, who was a fellow /udo e!ponent on a pier. They e!changed pleasantries and &airbairn noticed 3() Chinese men, women and children with their hands tied behind their backs sitting by a /apanese #aval vessel. &airbairn asked what was to become of them. The /apanese ,fficer said they would be shot. &airbairn asked if he could take them. The /apanese ,fficer said no, they are to be shot. &airbairn very calmly said that if they were shot he would meet the /apanese ,fficer some night and they would settle the score. The threat was implicit and the /apanese ,fficer later gave the Chinese captives to &airbairn. Colonel 9iddle of the B.+. .arines trained under &airbairn during this time as well as &airbairn%s unorthodo! and respected assistant when it came to close combat, @ermot .. ?;at? ,%#eill. When the +econd World War was declared &airbairn moved back to *ngland to teach his fighting system to the 9ritish Commandos and ;arachute &orces. &airbairn started teaching combatives at the +pecial Training Center at 4achailort, +cotland. &airbairn trained such specialist units as the +ecret +ervice, +pecial ,peration *!ecutive, 9ritish Commandos, the .35 saboteurs, the +pecial "ir +ervice C+"+D including the +tirling 9rothers and .ad .ike Calvert, the Canadian +pecial +ervice, the ,ffice of +trategic +ervices C,++D, the B.+. .arines and numerous law enforcement agencies. ,ne of &airbairn%s students was Ian &leming who went on to write the /ames 9ond series of books. &airbairn taught his famous silent killing course. 8e taught here in con'unction with the legendary *.". +ykes. This fighting system was designed for use when you have lost your firearms, or when the use of firearms is undesirable. This course was divided into si! segments of instruction. In 35:3 Wilkinson +word made the first of the &airbain +ykes daggers designed by &airbain and +ykes referred to as the Commando @agger. &airbairn and "pplegate later designed the superior "pplegate &airbairn but it was never mass produced as the war was near an end, that is until many years after the war and after &airbairn%s death. &airbairn met e! "pplegate with the ,++ and together they taught "merica%s +pies and "ssassins. &inally Wild 9ill @onovan of the ,++ persuaded the 9ritish to allow &airbairn to work e!clusively with the ,++ on their secret operations. &airbairn was promoted to the rank of Colonel. &airbairn then wrote a book on his fighting system called, ?-et Tough?. This was his definitive civilian work on hand to hand combat. It was filled with graphic easy to follow instructions to win an encounter and put your opponent away before he knew what hit him. When World War Two ended &airbairn was in his si!ties and still a man of action. In 35(), &airbairn moved to +ingapore and was instrumental in developing a riot squad for their ;olice &orce. In 35(>, he was employed by the Cyprus ;olice teaching combatives, riot control and combat shooting. &airbairn passed away on 1) /une 35>) at his home in *ngland. 8e is definintly one of the chief pioneers in combatives in the twentieth century. &airbairn%s fighting methods worked and are still taught today. 8is students nicknamed &airbairn ?@eacon?. &airbairn never swore, never drank or boasted. 8e was a quiet man with the manners of a gentleman. &airbairn spent all of his time involved with close combat and had no other hobbies or interests. 8e was not an academic man or did he read books, he was a man of action and a pioneer in his field. &airbairn is probably the most famous unarmed hand to hand combat instructor in the twentieth century. 8is e!ploits and teaching methods are still talked about by elite units the world over.

Captain Eric Anthony (Bill) Sy es

Captain Eric Anthony Sykes In the 351)%s to the 35A)%s, *ric "nthony C9illD +ykes worked with &airbairn in +hanghai, China as part of his +hanghai iot +quad. +ykes was a +ergeant and commanded the sniper unit. 8is e!ploits during this period are famous and respected. +ykes worked with &airbairn in developing his unarmed and armed combat courses. 8e had plenty of opportunity to put these techniques to actual use in the streets of +hanghai. When World War Two broke out +ykes moved back to *ngland to instruct the 9ritish Commandos and later the +pecial "ir +ervice C+"+D in weapon usage and hand to hand combat. +ykes worked with &airbairn at the 4ochailort and "chnacarry Training Centers. 8is specialty was armed combat and he developed sights for firearms to use in the dark, also silencers and covert weapons. +ykes was a pioneer of the point instinctive shooting firing methods. 8e was a pioneer in combat weapon craft. When &airbairn moved over to the ,ffice of +trategic +ervices with Wild 9ill @onovan, +ykes went with him. It was the early 35:)%s that +ykes and &airbairn developed and made the famous &airbairnE+ykes combat dagger that was used e!tensively by "llied Commandos during World War Two. This was a double edge knife and made specifically for killing. +ykes, &airbairn and "pplegate developed a complete method of knife fighting around this dagger. The &airbairnE+ykes dagger is still used by elite forces world wide. +ykes was an e!pert on knife fighting and trained with a live blade. When +ykes taught knife fighting he first instructed the students on how to hold the knife, how to pass it from one hand to another, how to thrust, and how to use the free hand. The ne!t step was the correct method of knife carry and concealment. The final stage of training was taught on sentry neutrali<ation. The students were also taught how to search prisoners, securing a prisoner and movement with a prisoner. 8is Commando e!ploits are well known and respected. +ykes also worked closely with Colonel "pplegate of ,++ fame and with &airbairn on the +ilent 7illing Course. e!

+ykes did bodyguard work for Winston Churchill on several occasions. 8e worked closely with the Cloak and @agger @ivision of the ,++. +ykes and co designed the first kill house and urban warfare training cities.

+ykes was a very private and quiet man. 8e never boasted or bragged of his skills. @uring World War Two, +ykes rose in the ranks and by the end of the war was a Captain. 8e was noted for his toughness and accepted all missions with enthusiasm. 8is reputation was one of a true professional. 8e personally trained thousands of men in combat warfare. +ykes will go down in history as one of the key pioneers in unarmed and armed combat of the twentieth century.

Colonel !e" Apple#ate

Colonel Rex Applegate

Colonel Rex Applegate and Geo

!odd

Colonel e! "pplegate was born on 13 /une 353: in ,regon. 8is e!pertise is world renowned. 8is family heritage dates back to the first ,regon settlers in 32:A and Colonel "pplegate owned ,regon%s oldest colonial home. 8e ensured this family home was always maintained in its original form e!cept for the addition of a shooting range on the property. Colonel "pplegate spent most of his youth in ,regon hunting and following pursuits in the outdoors. "s a teenager he assisted his uncle the famous "merican e!hibition sharp shooter, -us ;eret, by loading his guns for him and learning shooting techniques. 8e graduated from the Bniversity of ,regon with a degree in 9usiness "dministration and then 'oined the B.+. "rmy. @ue to his large build and aggressive nature he was assigned to the .ilitary ;olice. 8e served in this capacity until he was recruited by Wild 9ill @onovan for duties with the ,ffice of +trategic +ervices C,++D. The ,++ was the forerunner to the Central Intelligence "gency CCI"D. Colonel "ppegate was recruited to form the section in ,++ known as ?The +chool for +pies and "ssassins?. 8e was involved with developing skills and weapons for covert operations for worldwide use. .any of these trade methods are still being used today. While serving as the director of close combat training for clandestine operations, he was given free reign and finances to develop the best training center and methods available. Colonel "pplegate was selected by Wild 9ill because of his large stature, shooting e!pertise, fighting skills and all around temperament to cause mayhem. Colonel e! "pplegate had no *astern martial arts background and all his training was of *uropean military origins and combat sports. 8e was si! feet three inches tall and 1A) pounds of muscle. 8e was a crack shot and wasn%t afraid to mi! it up. The first thing Colonel "pplegate did was enlist the help of &airbairn and +ykes from the 9ritish Commando +chool. These three men developed and

instructed in unarmed combat, close quarter shooting, knife fighting, espionage, intelligence, assassination and sabotage. Colonel "pplegate was instrumental in the development and making of the famous dagger called the ?"pplegateE&airbairn &ighting 7nife?. 8e also along with &airbairn made the famous fighting weapon called the ?+matchet?. 8e also developed numerous covert weapons. "pplegate worked closely with 4ord .ountbatten in espionage operations. The Colonel was not only involved in the development and instruction of Commando ,perations training but also involved with missions deep behind enemy lines which gave him a first hand chance to put his skills to use. 8e was even assigned to protect ;resident oosevelt and ;rime .inister Winston Churchill when they secretly met during the war. In 35:A, he was heavily involved with "rmy Intelligence and had their e!pertise and equipment at his disposal. 8e had a fully equipped machine shop where he could design and construct realistic training aids, simulators, covert weapons, and moving and disappearing targets. "pplegate created an entire -erman town that his operatives could use to train in. This also became the very first fully automated 7illing 8ouse. 8e was also in command of two units that speciali<ed in -erman and /apanese tactics. These units were comprised of military personnel who could speak -erman and /apanese and wore these nation%s uniforms and used their weapons. "pplegate would use these units to train his operatives. 8e continued to develop and refine close combat training techniques into a fine art. 8e was constantly upgrading and reviewing field reports to determine what methods worked the best "pplegate%s entire career has been involved with instruction, invention, development, training and implementing covert and combat operations. 8e would compile reports from returning operatives and modify techniques that would meet realistic requirements. 9attle proven techniques was what counted to him and he was no fan to what he described as ?the flowing robe brigade?. 8e was a master of his trade, close combat and silent killing. "pplegate has written numerous te!ts that have become the &ield .anuals for military units the world over. 8is most famous is the book, ?7ill or -et 7illed?. This book has been translated into several languages and is a best seller. 8e also wrote ?Combat Bse of the @ouble-*dged &ighting 7nife?, ?+couting and ;atrolling?, ?-et Tough and +hooting to 4ive?, and ?9ullseyes @on%t +hoot 9ack? and ?The Close Combat &iles of Colonel e! "pplegate?. Colonel "pplegate%s personal museum of firearms and knives was world renowned and featured many originals. 8is collection was priceless and a true labor of love. 8e had antiques and modern weapons in his collection. It was the most comprehensive collection of weapons ever compiled. "pplegate is known as the &ather of Close Combat and had a long and distinguished career that spanned the total twentieth century. 8e was a man whose e!pertise was sought out until the day he died, in advising governments, stopping riots, instructing special units, teaching close quarters battle, or as a public speaker. 8is associations with men like oosevelt, Wild 9ill @onovan, Churchill, ;atton and *isenhower are testament to his e!pertise knowledge and demand for the best man for the 'ob. The Colonel was a personal friend of /ohn Wayne and assisted as an advisor on his movie ?The "lamo?. The late Ian &leming, author of the /ames 9ond series of books and movies, said that e! "pplegate was where he got the ideas for some of his characters. "pplegate was also associated with the famous 9order ;atrolman, 9ill /ordan. 9ill /ordan autographed a copy of his book for "pplegate and in it he said, ?To e! "pplegate, the only real soldier of fortune I ever knew?. Colonel "pplegate was a close friend of -. -ordon 4iddy and described him to Tank as one of the smartest and toughest men on the planet.

"pplegate was an advocate of instinctive shooting that he, &airbairn and +ykes developed and used during the +econd World War. These methods are still used by ;olice ,fficers and soldiers worldwide. They give the person the best chance of survival in a hostile environment. Colonel "pplegate was on the 9oard of @irectors for the #ational ifle "ssociation to mention but one of the many prestigious positions he held. 8e was also the developer and first used dye markers and loading systems based on paint ball technology. 8e has been involved in the development of protective helmets for police and military personnel, riot sticks, knives, guns, sighting devices, and silencers. 8is early instructing at the +chool for +pies and +abotage included the use of killer dogs, booby traps, crossbows, poisons and e!plosives. 8e worked with a &innish soldier who killed twenty-si! ussians with his knife, the +tirling brothers Cwho founded the +pecial "ir +ervice C+"+D for the 9ritish "rmyD, and those individuals responsible for the assassination of -estapo Chief einhard 8eydrich. 8e has touched shoulders with the meanest and dirtiest fighters the world as ever known. "pplegate was given the mission by Wild 9ill @onovan, commander of the ,++, to learn all he could about armed and unarmed combat. 8e continued this mission throughout his lifetime. 8e developed a system that was brutal, simple, effective, and made to cripple, maim, or kill your enemy without flashy stances or techniques. 8e deployed dirty tricks, feints, methods of deception, anything to get the 'ob done and quick. 8e used to say, ?"gainst a knife, if you%re armed, shoot him, if you%re unarmed use a chair or some improvised weapon, plus throw anything available, then kick his knee, follow up with more kicks, after he is on the ground.? "pplegate always said many fights can be stopped before they begin by a well placed knee kick. ,nce an opponent is down, the 'ob should be finished with your boots. 8e also said your teeth, in spite of any mental qualms as to their use, are great weapons. ,ne of the basic principles of his fighting method is to retain your own physical and mental balance while destroying the balance of your enemy. "nother facet of his method is to pit your strongest weapon against an enemy%s weakest point. "fter the end of the +econd World War, "pplegate spent over fifteen years in 4atin "merica and .e!ico involved in advising governments and in the armaments business and training various military units. 8e was given the honorary rank of -eneral by the .e!ican government for his work there. When he returned to the Bnited +tates he was sought out by ;olice &orces and &ederal "gencies for training and his e!pertise. When the Fietnam War broke out he was once again consulted by the Bnited +tates government. "pplegate was respected by the B.+. +pecial &orces soldier and knife innovator, "l .ar, as the best knife fighter and knife maker in the world. "l .ar is famous in his own right and made the first knife accepted by Colonel #ick owe for the +pecial &orces +* * Instructor +chool at Camp .cCall, #orth Carolina. In 352), "pplegate began to release his new versions of fighting knives to the military and general public. These knives are still sold today and are very popular. 8e knew that his knives needed to have basic attributesG must be strong, easily maintained, capable of retaining an edge under normal combat operations, and have a clean and functional design. 8e was a proponent of the double edge blade and must be long enough to reach vital organs when stabbed or thrust into a body. 9alance, weight and handle design are very important features. &or a person with sweaty palms a non-slip surface for the handle is required. "pplegate is the scientist of knife fighting. ;ost WWII Colonel "pplegate instructed many people in instinctive shooting but he only trained and certified one instructor in his %7ill or -et 7illed% Close Combat +ystems. This instructor is Tank Todd of #ew $ealand who worked with him for the ten years leading up to his death on pro'ects and as his trade show assistant. The WWII knife fighting program complete film footage was destroyed and Tank is the only recipient of this entire program and other specialist programs of "pplegate, &airbairn and +ykes directly from Colonel "pplegate.

The International Close Combat Instructors "ssociation CICCI"D made Colonel "pplegate its patriarch and senior member. 8e was instrumental in this "ssociation%s development including naming the association and his advice was always sought out. .uch of his work can never be revealed for security reasons but no other individual has accomplished so much or has been so instrumental in the development of Close Combat over such a long period of time. Colonel e! "pplegate is truly the 7ing of .ilitary Close Combat in the twentieth century. 8e was a dirty fighter and the worst enemy the bad guys could ever have the luck of coming up against. In 3552, he was made a member of the Cutlery 8all of &ame by 9lade maga<ine. 8e developed a combat folder that won international acclaim. 8e also won the #ational iflemen "ssociation%s ?,utstanding 8andgunner "ward for his lifetime contributions.? "pplegate and Chuck .elson wrote the book, ?The Close Combat &iles of Colonel e! "pplegate.? 8is teachings are based on .ilitary science and battle proven e!perience. ,n 3: /uly 3555, while working at +an @iego, California, e! "pplegate passed away. This ended the era of a true Combat .aster. "##$ %ill see the p&blishing o the book 'Combative (asters o the "#th Cent&ry' by !ank !odd and )ames Webb that %ill incl&de chapters on over "$ o the leaders in the ield o military armed and &narmed combat. Watch this space or the release o this book.