Bowie, Big Knife & Bayonet Fighting: TAKE THE HAND! Lessons from Biddle WW2

scholagladiatoria16 minutes read

Tony Biddle, a combat instructor to the US Marines, emphasized using the hand in knife fights with large knives, drawing on martial arts techniques and his book "Do or Die" from 1944. Biddle highlighted the importance of close combat training in wartime, influenced by fencing and swordsmanship techniques, to effectively counter stabs and disarm adversaries using bayonets as knives.

Insights

  • Tony Biddle, a combat instructor to the US Marines, advocated using the hand in knife fights with large knives, drawing from martial arts and his book "Do or Die" from 1944.
  • Biddle's emphasis on countering stabs with cuts to the hand, derived from swordsmanship, and using fencing techniques for knife fighting in World War II underscored the importance of strategic precision and defensive maneuvers in combat scenarios.

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Recent questions

  • How did Tony Biddle recommend using the hand in knife fights?

    In knife fights, Tony Biddle recommended using the hand to counter stabs with cuts, a technique derived from swordsmanship.

  • What martial arts did Tony Biddle have extensive training in?

    Tony Biddle had extensive training in fencing, bayonet fighting, jiu-jitsu, and boxing.

  • Why did Tony Biddle emphasize close combat training in his book "Do or Die"?

    In "Do or Die," Tony Biddle emphasized close combat training for soldiers during wartime, despite the focus on firearm usage, due to the prevalence of knives in certain regions.

  • How did Tony Biddle recommend disarming adversaries in combat?

    Tony Biddle recommended using the bayonet as a knife in hand to disarm adversaries by targeting their knife-holding hand, particularly when facing multiple attackers.

  • What defensive technique did Tony Biddle emphasize for defense against knife attacks?

    Tony Biddle emphasized intercepting incoming arms or hands with a blade, showcasing the universality of the principle in combat beyond just knife fighting.

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Summary

00:00

Biddle's Knife Fighting Techniques in WWII

  • Tony Biddle, a renowned combat instructor to the US Marines, recommended using the hand in knife fights with large knives, a technique found in various martial arts and his book "Do or Die" from 1944.
  • Biddle, a skilled combat instructor, had extensive training in fencing, bayonet fighting, jiu-jitsu, and boxing, and was a chief close combat training instructor to US Marines during World War II.
  • Biddle's book "Do or Die" was first published in 1937, updated in 1944, emphasizing the importance of close combat training for soldiers during wartime, despite the primary focus on firearm usage.
  • Knives were prevalent in certain regions where US military personnel were stationed, prompting the need for close combat training against knife attacks, as noted by Biddle.
  • Large knives, like bayonets used as knives, were common in World War II, with similarities to bowie knives in size and usage as fighting implements.
  • Biddle's teachings on knife fighting in World War II were influenced by bowie knife techniques, emphasizing the use of fencing techniques for combat.
  • The technique of countering stabs with cuts to the hand, a fundamental aspect of knife fighting, was highlighted by Biddle as a scientific movement derived from swordsmanship.
  • Biddle recommended using the bayonet as a knife in hand for disarming adversaries, particularly targeting their knife-holding hand to disarm multiple attackers in a group.
  • Distance management and chopping into incoming limbs with a long enough blade were emphasized by Biddle and aligned with traditional swordsmanship techniques for defense against knife attacks.
  • The defensive technique of intercepting incoming arms or hands with a blade, as taught by Biddle, can be applied with various objects, not limited to knives, showcasing the universality of the principle in combat.

14:12

Mastering Crucial Sword Technique for Combat Victory

  • A fundamental technique from the 19th century, applicable to various sword systems and weapons across different eras and regions, emphasizes a simple yet crucial move that, when mastered, significantly enhances survival chances in combat scenarios, highlighting the importance of strategic thinking and precision in executing attacks to ensure victory.
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