I was indeed very privileged to be chosen by Colonel Applegate to share in his life times work. The distance learning was essential with us living in different countries and now in some ways it is proven to be an excellent source of reference.
It is not only a source of technical information but also clarifies details as to communications between us in regards to others interested in close combat and their abilities and credentials.
This may well prove invaluable as after the passing of such a legend as colonel Rex Applegate there is bound to be those that lay claim after the fact to being trained by the great man.
Both the Colonel and I kept accurate records of all individuals either of us come in contact with in relation to close combat this included those that wrote phoned or visited and if either of us knew of such individuals back grounds they could be easily cross referenced. It’s amazing how someone can meet someone important such as Colonel Applegate at a trade show or visit him and then after his passing state or imply they had been trained personally by him when everyone in the know, knows this to be false and records can prove it.
After WWII, I know of no one else to be trained and instructor qualified by Colonel Applegate other than myself in close combat.
The Colonel had a few things that he considered were character faults that ruled the individual out of any training whatsoever and when he was made aware of any of these character faults in anyone, they certainly wouldn’t be privy to any training. These included assaulting, injuring or taking a life of a police officer. Acting against the armed forces, your government or country. Having any links to terrorist organizations. These were just some of the principles that the late great Colonel Rex Applegate stood for.
He also had some definite opinions on close combat and they went as follows.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it and by this he meant if the skill worked and worked well in combat or the weapon worked well then don’t mess with it.
He also had little time for tradition or competition, as he believed in combat its kill or get killed and everything you would not be allowed to do in competition would be your first option in combat. You don’t need all the athletic type flashy stuff when you simply want to take him out quickly and quietly, he said.
He also firmly believed that if it doesn’t work, don’t use it, nothing less than the most deadly would do.
The Colonel was a firm believer in having many weapons at your disposal and anyone who knew him well would not be surprised to find one of his treasured weapons strategically placed just in case he needed it. He was a master of his trade and having the right tool for the job.
I can remember showing him my close quarter firearms disarming skills and him asking me why I did it that particular way and on explaining he agreed it made good sense.
He never stopped learning and was committed to research and development for the safety and effectiveness of the police and military and this is why he frowned upon anyone who physically or verbally did them harm.
He also had very definite rules when it came to knife fighting.
He believed any knife in anyone’s hands were dangerous however he strongly believed in skills that were as safe at humanly possible. Principles like always applying thrusts, not slashes and taking the direct route to the target.
He was a firm believer in the theory that when two skilled knife fighters make a move on one another, if one uses a forehand or backhand round slash and the other opts for the tactically correct quickest way between two points straight thrust then the straight thrust is the primary option.
Colonel Applegate also was a firm believer in the orthodox gripping of the knife and thrusting with the blade flat, having at your disposal both cutting edges.
We were talking on one occasion of throwing your knife in combat and he agreed while it was not the norm there certainly were times at very close range and under life threatening situations where it would be the best and possibly only option, that is combat throwing not circus throwing.
These are a few of the principles and practices that the late great Colonel Rex Applegate lived by.
Getting back to our distance learning methods, well it was simple and to the point and he used to not only answer my questions, provide material for research and development but also organized meetings and set up demonstrations and seminars content.
The usual correspondence would go something like this, what are your ideas on this subject? Do you know of this individual and what’s his background? I have a referral for you, contact this person and set up the details. Will you be able to assist me at such and such convention? Contact this person and he will make all the arrangements for the association seminars etc. This is how you should perform this duty or execute this skill etc. Be aware of the application or teaching points.
Colonel Applegate thought the world of the International Close Combat Instructors Association and it was him personally that set up the association involvement at the 1997 Soldier of Fortune Convention and the making of the association video extreme CQB.
I remember at the association dinner how Colonel Applegate commented on the fact that he wouldn’t get a more deadly bunch of characters gathered together anywhere in the world today. While extreme CQB was being shot he got much pleasure in watching association members perform their skills and made the comment that while the flowing robe brigade may well not be impressed, any true military close combatant that knew his stuff certainly would be.
The week we spent in Las Vegas will stay with us forever, as this was the last time that senior association members collectively were to work with Colonel Applegate.
I was standing outside Colonel Applegates lodge overlooking the scenery with my assistant Howard Bell when as quietly as a mouse Colonel Applegate with one hand secured my nose and mouth and with the other hand demonstrated how he would take a sentry out with his knife. This was often how he would make a point, show a principle and then elaborate on the subject. His lessons were not formal, they were irregular like the purposes they had been used for and proven in.
On another occasion on the same day while standing out doors admiring the view and generally discussing skills I suddenly was a victim of an assassination. “That’s assassination knife style”, chuckled the Colonel and that opened the dialogue on spies and assassins close combat methods. That was generally how a subject would be introduced and detailed.
My instructors certificate from Colonel Applegate is one of my proudest mementos that hang high with my military qualifications at my residence in New Zealand. What makes it even more special is that it is a one off presented and signed by the legend himself Colonel Rex Applegate. This is something that any close combat lifer would have loved to have earned and received.
In order to have a future, one has to have a past and in order to be qualified one must have credentials like any profession. To have these under the belt is the ultimate.
In the next Close Combat Files column I will cover in more detail from my notes and files of material from Colonel Rex Applegate his work and his combined work and association with Fairbairn and Sykes.
Interested in Close Combat Training? Todd Group Depots are located throughout New Zealand and at various overseas locations.
For more information on Todd System of Close Combat see the following books, dvds and cds:
- Close Combat Books
The Do’s and Don’ts of Close Combat – Tactical C&R – Control and Restraint – No Nonsense Self Defence – Military Close Combat Systems Phase One – Combative Masters Of The 20th Century - Close Combat DVDs
Self Defence of the Elite – 80 Years of Combative Excellence – Primary Option Control & Restraint – Military Unarmed Combat – Phase 1 - Close Combat CDs
Technique To Command – Combative Code of Conduct
