Hello from the USA

Hello gentlemen,

What a great forum you have here. For many years I thought I was the only one in the world interested in this stuff. The depth of knowledge here is remarkable.

It all started for me back in the early 70's when I was a kid and saw "The Devil's Brigade", and was quite captivated by the portrayal of Pat O'Neil. A few years later in junior high school I got my first two books on close fighting, Fairbairn's "Get Tough" and Styers' "Cold Steel". And my interest has just kept growing ever since.

Along with WWII Combatives I have trained in hikuta for quite a few years, also iron palm techniques. I've long wondered if Fairbairn may have learned iron palm techniques from Ku Yu Cheong, the well-known master in the 1920's. The thumb-up edgehand strike used by WEF is also used in at least some styles of iron palm. Just a theory of course...

I look forward to learning from all of you.

Best wishes from New York, USA!

Fred

Welcome aboard Fred.
While it's interesting to speculate as to the origin of Fairbairn's techniques, I always find it more significant what he rejected, what he regarded as too complex, or, impractical. Which was about 80% of what he'd been formally taught.
Cheers,