About WW2 Combatives

What Are They?

The cover of Get Tough, a World War II fighting manual by Fairbairn and Sykes, shows two men. One man is being struck in the chin with a palm strike while simultaneously being kneed in the groin.

World War II Combatives refers to a system of close-quarters combat techniques developed and refined during World War II. They were designed to equip soldiers with practical, efficient, and often lethal skills for battlefield encounters.

Rooted in real-world necessity, WWII combatives emerged from the brutal and unpredictable nature of close combat. Unlike traditional martial arts, which often emphasise sport, ritual, and competition,  WWII combatives prioritise effectiveness, simplicity, and speed—qualities crucial for a soldier’s survival in chaotic, life-or-death situations.

Who Created Them?

In the UK These techniques were created and adapted by military experts Lieutenant Colonel William E. Fairbairn and Sergeant Eric A. Sykes, who drew on their extensive experience in law enforcement and hand-to-hand combat.

Fairbairn and Sykes incorporated methods from various fighting styles, including jujutsu, boxing, wrestling, and knife fighting into WW2 Combatives, with the goal of making it easily learnable by anyone, regardless of prior combat experience.

The combatives system was designed to train soldiers within weeks rather than years, ensuring they could face any threat with confidence and decisiveness. This direct, no-nonsense approach was crucial for commandos, paratroopers, and resistance fighters who needed to neutralise threats in confined quarters, urban environments, and rugged terrains where traditional weaponry might fail.

In The Modern Day

A hand to hand combat manual from world war two it shows two men in black and white on a red background. The men are wrestling over a dagger one man is clearly winning having put the other in an arm lockAt our school, we honour this legacy by teaching WWII combatives with the same focus on practicality and real-world application. Our program covers core techniques including strikes, throws, joint locks, knife fighting, weapon disarming and bayonet fencing, which were all designed to neutralise threats with minimum effort and maximum impact.

Using the principles and mindset developed during WWII, our training places an emphasis on the importance of situational awareness, improvisation and adaptive thinking. We offer students the opportunity not just to learn a set of physical skills, but a time-tested approach to self-defence and resilience under pressure.

For those seeking a martial arts system that combines historical significance with real world application, WWII combatives provide a unique and impactful path.