SHORT HISTORY - DEFENDU

W. E. Fairbairn and the Development of Defendu for British Soldiers

Defendu (aka Close Quarter Fighting System), developed by British police and military instructor William E. Fairbairn in the early 20th century, became one of the most influential close-quarters combat systems for soldiers. After serving in Shanghai, where he worked as a police officer and experienced intense and violent confrontations, Fairbairn realized that traditional martial arts and wrestling techniques were insufficient in real-life combat situations. His experiences led to the creation of Defendu, an effective and brutal self-defense system designed to neutralize threats quickly and efficiently, with no room for formal rules.

Fairbairn began instructing British soldiers in these techniques during World War II. He was entrusted with training the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and other elite units within the British army. The training emphasized aggressive and simple techniques that were easy to learn and apply under stressful situations, such as chokeholds, knife defense, and the use of everyday objects as weapons. Defendu was not only a physical combat art but also a mental approach to swift and decisive action, designed to ensure survival in the chaos of battle

Defendu's Influence on Modern Military Combat Systems

After World War II, the core principles and techniques of Defendu spread worldwide and influenced the development of modern military combat systems such as Krav Maga and the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). The military training philosophy behind Defendu—speed, brutal efficiency, and using every available means to survive—became a fundamental component of these combat systems.

MCMAP, developed by the U.S. Marine Corps, is a prime example of how Defendu paved the way for modern combat systems. MCMAP combines hand-to-hand combat techniques with discipline and ethics from various martial arts and self-defense systems, but the core of the program is reminiscent of Fairbairn's Defendu: it's about quickly neutralizing an opponent using both weapons and bare hands. This evolution demonstrates how Defendu, despite being created over 80 years ago, still has a direct impact on how modern soldiers are trained and prepared for combat.

The Modern Civilian Adaptation of Defendu for Self-Defense

As Defendu became a central part of military training during wartime, the system was later adapted for civilian use and self-defense. In today's world, where the nature of threats has changed but the dangers in everyday life persist, Defendu has found its place in modern self-defense courses. The modern adaptation is no longer focused solely on military close-quarters combat but on practical self-defense techniques that can be applied in various scenarios, from street confrontations to defense against armed attackers.

Modern self-defense instructors have taken the core principles of Defendu—simplicity, efficiency, and the use of minimal force for maximum effect—and implemented them into courses aimed at ordinary people. These lessons focus on teaching basic skills such as blocking, evading, and countering attacks, while also emphasizing mental confidence and quick decision-making. In this way, Defendu continues to evolve and remain relevant in the modern world, providing people with the tools to protect themselves in unpredictable environments.