Post by logan on Apr 2, 2023 10:39:12 GMT -6
What if any such training was given to troopers during the Indian wars when warriors might get within reach of revolvers and carbines, necessitating the use of close combat, either with clubbed carbines, knives, fists, etc.
When thinking of the British in the Zulu War 1879, especially at Isandhlwana and Rorke’s Drift, the engagements became almost medieval , resorting to fighting closely without the ability or time to load and fire guns, I tend to consider the techniques taught by Fairbairn several years later known as ‘gutter-fighting’ as likely examples, either learned or survival instinct.
Victorian Britain was a tough place to live on the streets too, likely involving many a fight using ‘ungentlemanly’ techniques and weapons, such as bludgeons, knives or even knuckledusters.
Anyone joining the army around then would’ve been familiar with this sort of life-learned street-fighting, so when revolvers and rifles fixed with bayonets are no longer able to be used on a battlefield, likely would be employed by the men.
Or was this type of training during the Indian wars considered irrelevant, as never really expecting warriors to get that close to them ?
When thinking of the British in the Zulu War 1879, especially at Isandhlwana and Rorke’s Drift, the engagements became almost medieval , resorting to fighting closely without the ability or time to load and fire guns, I tend to consider the techniques taught by Fairbairn several years later known as ‘gutter-fighting’ as likely examples, either learned or survival instinct.
Victorian Britain was a tough place to live on the streets too, likely involving many a fight using ‘ungentlemanly’ techniques and weapons, such as bludgeons, knives or even knuckledusters.
Anyone joining the army around then would’ve been familiar with this sort of life-learned street-fighting, so when revolvers and rifles fixed with bayonets are no longer able to be used on a battlefield, likely would be employed by the men.
Or was this type of training during the Indian wars considered irrelevant, as never really expecting warriors to get that close to them ?