Close-quarters combat training aid examples

[mrtnira]

These scans come from different periods in Russian training. The older images show World War II period methods of training for close-in combat. Those soldiers are wearing garrison caps. The World War II Soviet reconnaissance men were the raiders mentioned in other posts that referenced http://www.vrazvedka.ru/.

A newer graphic shows how to turn a blade in the hand, and it is followed by a diagram showing how to run through a series of stand-up targets. It's for training against multiple opponents. The guy in the baseball cap-style hat is a post-1990 graphic.

The images are interesting, but you won't see me in a knife fight. And, at 47, my days of active training are behind me. However, the pursuit of truthful knowledge about how training was conducted in different periods of military history by different nations is fascinating.

At some point, I'll scan in relevant texts from my inventory of period bayonet manuals. Military history -- there is a reason the History Channel is so popular. And, for someone not given to lifting weights and running, using these patterns for personal exercise is a benefit.

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[mrtnira]

These are from Russian sources, although in various publicly available information I have seen similar in Chinese martial artists clubs.

The training aids are inexpensive in real terms, and allow a martial artist the practice of balance and timing while impacting a solid object, instead of just boxing the air. (I box the air.... My days of pretending to be a combatant are long ago). So, this is for you young guys with the energy!

Training aid graphic 6 is a representative room for station training. That will cost more, and is probably only going to work with well funded clubs.

The last image is a graphic of what was supposed to have been (emphasis on supposed to have been) the Shaolin testing hall. I used 250 dot per inch scan, so you might be able to enlarge it some and see some details of the obstacles in the maze. The document was sourced, but was in Russian. I put it in for interest, not for serious consideration.

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Shaolin -- I wouldn't put too much stock in it, but it's an interesting concept.
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[nbk2000]

That last picture looks like something out of a Dungeons and Dragons game manual! :D

[mrtnira]

The following 20 tinypic link-lines are to images scanned in from the 1927 U.S. Navy Landing-Force Manual. It's from the days of gunboats on Chinese rivers. Sailors would have secondary assignments for landing party and boarding party, to secure ports and wharves, to restore order, or to inspect shipping and seize contraband.

There is a lot of text about how to train, how to do repetition drills, make an assault course, and howto make a wooden training dummy. The described assault course included trenches, walls, and wire. There are instructions about how to go over walls, and how to clear trenches.

It's for educational purposes (my comment is genuine). The validity of this material is in understanding how training was done in the 1920s. It does show you how things have changed. Also, I cannot see anyone doing it for real today, unless it is in a limited fashion for physical fitness.

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The manual also has diagrams of how to set up road blocks, strong points, check points, and how to set-up buildings for urban combat. They are of interest because it does two things: 1. shows how some things have not changed; and 2., shows detailed diagrams of things photographed during the 1920s and 1930s in China, which show up on the History Channel or in history books. I will scan those in later, and would come under a different topic header.

[mrtnira]

This is the last of the bayonet training-related scans. It comes from a 1950s book by Lt. Col. Robert Rigg. If you can find a copy of it, Realistic Combat Training is a very valuable book for reference, or for ideas on how to make your own ranges (night, urban, patrol, unit, individual, etc.)

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[barrettm203]

:DHere are some basic concepts on CQ Tactics

Smart Movement is a vital part of success for a CQ Op. Movement in CQ is swift and silent. There should always be a purpose for movement. Never move unnecessarily because it just puts your team in danger. When moving be sure to stay low and present as little of target as possible to the enemy. Running is usually a last resort. Quick and silent movements are preferred to running which is more noticeable and makes more noise. Of course if your team is compromised (discovered), running is required because you need to get some cover to engage and neutralize the packages.
Covering areas is a crucial aspect of movement. If you approach an open hallway, staircase, intersection or some form of open area, your team's movement needs to be covered. Hallways and intersections are the most commonly encountered obstacles. When moving across a "T shaped" hallway, the point man approaches the area and peeks around the corner. If a tango is there, the scout should neutralize the threat. If not, the scout should drop to a knee and cover the corner he just cleared. The next man in line should cross the open hallway and leave enough room for the rest of the team on the other side. Once across the other side, the OIC (second man in formation) is responsible for covering directly ahead of the way he just came. Once the point man gives the word, the next man crosses. He then aids the point man in covering the open area. The team crosses the open area one by one until the point man comes across and assumes the position of point and the "patrol" continues.

Clearing and covering corners

Clearing and covering corners is another important aspect of movement. If you approach a corner, the point man should tell the rest of the team they've reached a corner. The point man then "slices the Pie" on the corner. Slicing the pie involves maximizing the team members view while limiting the reaction time of the tango. Slicing the pie involves making a 90 degree movement around the corner. In other words, the point man takes a step back from the corner turns his body so his point of view is looking directly past the edge of the corner. He then side steps turning his body slightly as he moves to maximize his field of vision.

When encountering opposite corners as in the "T Shaped" hallway, you need to separate the team. The OIC and one other team member goes to the opposite corner as the point man. On a three count, the Point man and the OIC slice the pie at the same time which prevents the chance of a rear ambush. The man coupled with the OIC covers the OIC's movements remaining approximately three steps behind the OIC incase the OIC goes down. After both corners are clear, the OIC or point man decides which way to proceed and the team regroups and begins the "patrol" again.

Clearing Rooms

Clearing rooms can be very difficult. If you approach a room with an open door the team needs to set up on both sides of the opening. When moving across the opening, do not be detected. If you are, you're screwed. The point man should give warning to the team when he first sees the doorway and the team should act appropriately. When the team splits up, an assaulter should accompany the OIC to the opposite side of the door opening as the point man. On the OIC's order, the Point man swings in through the doorway making a 90 degree turn to his nearest side. For example, if the point man is on the left side of the doorway, he'll enter and turn left. Right after the point man enters, the OIC follows and turns to the opposite side of the point man. Be sure to make those turns 90 degrees because room corners are a favorite for tango campers. After the OIC, the next man on the point man's side enters and follows the same path as the point man but makes approximately a 60 degree turn focusing more on the center of the room. The next man on the OIC's side enters in the same fashion but follows the OIC's path instead of the point man. This continues until the entire team is in the room and the room is deemed clear by the OIC. Example of entry based on six man team: Point man goes left, OIC goes right, Corpsman left, 1st Assaulter right, 2nd Assaulter left, Rear Security, right.

Finally

A closed door is handled differently however. If a closed door is encountered, the point man and OIC line up on the opposite sides as before. The OIC moves first and positions himself on about a 45 degree angle opposite the door swing. In other words, if the door opens and swings left, the OIC will be on the right side of the doorway. The OIC then kneels and has his weapon trained (aimed) directly ahead into the open space laying beyond the door. The OIC must leave enough room for the door to open! The point man opens the door on the OIC's order. At about .5 seconds after the door is opened, the point man makes his normal entry procedure as above and the operation continues as normal with exceptions to the OIC and the 2nd Assaulter. Instead of the OIC clearing the room, the next man in the line, in the case above, the 1st Assaulter clears in the OIC's place. Everything goes accordingly except for the 2nd Assaulter who positions himself next to the OIC and covers the team's rear. Once the room is clear, the OIC and 2nd Assaulter move in with the rest of the team and the "patrol" continues.

An important point to remember is when clearing a room; do not engage targets of opportunity. Engage targets that lie in your path only. If you turn to shoot the package, you'll hit your own man before you hit the enemy. Strict fields of fire are required in order for this method of room clearing to be efficient. Rear should DT (double tap) each package in the cranial cavity as insurance. These are US tactics on engagement.

[condor_b75]

I'd like to add a few things about CQB.

- Double tap. Works fine for SWAT teams, but in the real world you shoot until the target goes down. It is more important to knock the target down he can get off a few shots (You never want that.) that to kill him with a surgicaly placed shot (Aim small miss small).

- Magazine change. Before you enter the next room you should always put in a fresh mag. Might seem like common sense, but that should become a second nature. Same goes for speed in changing the mags.

- Handgrenades. Never "roll" a handgrenade into a room, throw it high. There is a god chance it will bounce back off the furniture or intentionally placed baricade to block your path. The thickness of walls is another thing you should be concerned about when using handgrenades.

- The enemy. Never underestimate the enemy! Think of him as better or at least equal to you ...