# DEFENSIVE HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT

## Part 5

Chapters 8 & 9

Standing Defences Against Firearms

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This chapter contains the complete text and some of the graphics from a US Navy Aviation Bureau training film dated 1942. The presenter of this film is Lt. Commander Wesley Brown jr.

CHAPTER 8

DISARMING ASSAILANTS ARMED WITH RIFLES

8-1. Disarming Assailant With Bayoneted Rifle – Frontal Approach

First move in to deflect the bayonet with a quick inside blow.

Then seize the rifle with one hand under the barrel and the other hand at the breach.

Twist the rifle overhead, then as the assailant resists, reverse the twist.

Wrest the rifle from his hands.

Points to note.

Deflect the rifle.

Secure weapon.

Twist from grasp.

Complete with backstroke.

8-2. Disarming Assailant With Bayoneted Rifle – Rear Approach

In a counter against a rifle or bayonet at your back, the first sweep knocks the barrel out of the line of fire or thrust.

The hands are then shifted to the breech and barrel and the rifle twisted to the left.

In a quick reverse twist, step across the front of the assailant, throw him off balance, crossing his arms to break the grip[.

The leg actions are very important in this maneuver.

Points to note.

Turn and block.

Secure weapon.

Twist out.

Counter if you wish.

CHAPTER 9

DEFENCE AGAINST HAND GUNS

9-1. Disarming Assailant With Gun In Shoulder Holster

As the assailant starts to reach for the shoulder holster, knock his elbow up and outward with your hand.

This action does not prevent the draw, but it will throw him off balance and position his arm for you to slip your arms through and under to apply a reverse wrist lock.

Pulling down and swinging backward with twisting pressure on the wrist forces the elbow and shoulder joints and keeps the gun pointed constantly away from you.

Inward pressure on the gun wrist breaks the hold and makes disarming easy.

By maintaining the wrist lock, the assailant can be disposed of with the captured weapon or taken prisoner.

Points to note.

Knock elbow up and out.

Apply reverse wrist lock.

Break the gun hold.

Disarm.

9-2. Disarming Assailant With Gun In Side Holster

When the assailant attempts to draw a gun from a side holster, your initial move is to block this movement by seizing the gun arm at the bend in the elbow. Step to the side of the assailant and slightly to the rear.

Then force the assailants arm up and over into a twisting hammer lock.

Your other hand applies additional force, pressing the shoulder downward.

Your elbow and body lock the assailant’s gun arm. Your right hand is free to twist the gun from the opponents grip.

Points to note.

Seize the gun arm.

Apply the hammer hold.

Disarm.

9-3. Disarming An Assailant With Pistol In Back – Outside Turn

Preparing to counter gives your assailant the impression of surrender. But by raising your arms and turning your head enough to see which of the assailant’s hands actually holds the gun.

Strike with the corresponding arm, deflecting the gun and turning out of the line of fire.

Follow through to apply a bar hammer lock from which the opponent can neither escape nor use the gun against you.

Reaching over, immediately twist the gun free and step out of reach.

Points to note.

Give the impression of surrender.

Turn and deflect the gun.

Lock the arm.

Twist the gun from his grasp.

9-4. Disarming Assailant With Pistol In Back – Inside Turn

An effective defence against a gun in your back is the inside turn.

By turning into your assailant, you are again turning out of the line of fire and clamp the gun hand under your arm with an elbow lock.

From this position, counterattack with hands to face and knees to groin, forcing him back and causing him to loose his grip on the gun.

Points to note.

Turn in.

Clamp gun arm.

Frontal counterattack.

Retrieve firearm.

Liquidate.

9-5. Disarming Assailant With A Pistol At Your Head

In this surprise counterattack, it is important not to betray your intentions.

Notice that the eyes should be steady ahead, even though the counterattack has already started.

The upward throw of the arm breaks the gun grip and places you in a position to deliver a punishing kick to the groin.

No further action is necessary.

Points to note.

Bring arm up quickly.

Kick to groin.

CONCLUSIONS

In this analyses of hand-to-hand combat tactics, basic manoeuvres were illustrated as applied to certain specific combat situations.

Obviously however, there can be no predetermined procedures to fit all circumstances.

You must master the basic techniques so thoroughly as to be able to improvise the best counterattack as required.

And such flexibility of adaptation means practice, practice and more practice.

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