Charlie Nelson

From Den

Today being the third anniversary of the death of legendary WW-2 Combatives instructor Charlie Nelson, we have published an profile of him written by the late Pete Robins several years ago.
To read this classic article check here
Enjoy
Den
_________________
www.CqbServices.com

From Blackbird

Nice one Den. I hadn't heard of this guy before. He must have been as sharp and crafty as they come. I was impressed by his thinking towards deception and artifice and how we can use these skills to gain real advantage. To me it really highlights the difference between sport and self-protection.

Interesting to read about the guys who earned all that knowledge in the field and were good enough to pass it on to others.

Respect,

Rob

From Kemlyn

Some of Charlie Nelson's stuff is pure gold.
I incorporate elements of it into my own 'system',and strongly recommend looking into this guy's methods.
Kemlyn.


From thebristolbloke

Charles Nelson's Little Red Manual.

Not well known outside of WW2 circles but highly prized amongst Instructors and Students is "the little Red Manual" of Charles Nelson. It is a gem of information resulting from over half a century of research and study into the close combat forms of World War Two and real life self protection in modern Western Society.

For those who haven't heard the name before Charles Nelson joined the Marine Corps in 1934 and was a Close Combat Instructor training Marines during World War Two. He studied under such greats as A.J Drexel-Biddle, was a bunkmate of John Styers in Quantico and also learned the techniques of defendu from a Marine Corps Sergeant who had been attached to the Shanghai Municipal Police. After the war Charlie set up the "Charles Nelson School of Self Defense" in New York City. The school ran for many years and many students came to learn the realistic and street-effective techniques. This manual is a result of Nelson's research into real world close combat and self protection spanning over half a century.

The manual itself is forty five (45) pages long and A5 in size, it's red cover has the emblem of the New York School and the proper title "Self Defense by Charles C. Nelson".

The first page in the inside cover has information on the history of "The Nelson System", about the system itself and real life advice on martial artists and how sometimes their skills aren't enough to help them in real encounters. Nelson stresses that he is a firm believer that anyone can learn to defend themselves in real encounters.

There are 44 techniques in the manual, each showing defenses against common attacks prevalent in today's western society, not against a bamboo armored Samurai on horseback waving a three foot Katana!
There aren't any chapters in the manual but the techniques are shown in a progression from Unarmed to Blunt Trauma to Firearms defense escalating levels of potential violence against the defender by an attacker. I have broken them down into groups as they are shown in the manual and they are described as they are shown;

Unarmed Defenses against common attacks 10 techniques
Defenses whilst hindered (While carrying bag of groceries) 4 techniques
Defenses against Common Holds and locks 12 techniques
Defenses against attacks by Baseball Bats/Hammer/Sticks 5 techniques
Defenses Using Umbrella's 1 technique
Defenses against edged Weapons/Knives 9 techniques
Pistol Defenses 3 techniques
Total of 44 techniques

Defense against grabs, pulls pushes, punches, chokes, holds and locks are depicted. Whether hindered by carrying groceries or with both hands free Nelson shows how to effectively defend yourself and win the encounter.

He shows this by using classic World War Two Close Combat blows such as the edge of the hand blow (referred to as a chop), chin jab (referred to as a heel of the hand blow), punches, elbow and knee strikes and low line kicking techniques. Most of these techniques are readily recognizable and easily learned; most importantly they are easily retainable and can be performed under stress.

Weapons of opportunity include using a bag of groceries and Full Size umbrella's (not folding). The Umbrella sequence is very similar to the stick sequence in "All-In Fighting" and "Get Tough" by W.E Fairbairn. The Striking sequences for the Umbrella could also be duplicated with any stick or bat of similar length.

Nelson was extremely well known for his work into static mugging and his highly respected techniques are shown in this next portion of the manual in defense against edged weapons, clubs, baseball bats, sticks and hand guns. From a static "Hold-Up" position Nelson shows how to defend against Knives to the throat, back, stomach etc. Baseball bat swings to the head, attacks with a hammer and standing and seated chokes with sticks are shown and dealt with. Three defenses against being held up with a pistol are also shown.
Nelson's expertise with World War Two Close Combat was his foundation for self protection. The walls of his gym were also plastered with reports and stories about crime and violence from the New York Times. Time was given in classes to work out defenses and scenario's against attacks that had occurred in real life to people living and visiting New York. This is why the static defenses were worked on and so highly developed simply because that's how many attacks happen.

People who are looking for fancy flying kicks and "Dim Mak" death-touches will be sadly disappointed if they buy this manual. It is bare bones close combat with no frills and pulling no punches. The most effective techniques are most often not the prettiest, but they are the most workable. One thing that can be said about Nelsons techniques is that all of them work, and all have been tested in combat whether in the Leafy Jungles of Iwo Jima or the Concrete Jungles of New York City. Charlie has many letters of commendation from Armed Forces Personnel, Law Enforcement Officers and Civilians alike praising his protection methods and how they have helped keep them safe.

Two of Nelson's long term students Paul Gerasimczyk and Al Tino helped put together the little red manual some years ago. Paul with the photography and Al who wrote the text, they still train in World War Two close Combat today. When Charles Nelson moved to Arkansas some of the original photo's were lost, his daughter added some older photo's of John McWilliams with Charley to fill in the gaps.

Elsewhere it has been said that the manual is "Short and pricey but contains a lifetime of work."

As anyone involved with World War Two Close Combat knows short means nothing wasted, a lifetimes work from an expert means a lot of tested experience. Pricey well what price would you put on knowledge that could very well save your life one day? The Manual is all meat with no feints or wasted maneuvers in special ritualised fighting stances. It just contains the physical Skills necessary to ensure that you don't become just another statistic, personally I can't recommend it enough.

To get a price on Nelson's manual, send a self addressed stamped envelope (USA only) or Self-Addressed envelope and International Reply Coupon to;

Charles Nelson
C/O Carol Nelson-Randall
2700 West Main Street
Little Rock
AR 72076

Phil Matthews thebristolbloke@yahoo.com

Copyright 2001
_________________
--------------------
take care


phil

From Den

Thanks for your review Phil.
The "Red Book" should be in the collection of everyone interested in self-protection
Cheers,
Den
_________________
www.CqbServices.com

From Dik

To echo what Phil said, you can reliably send your cash to Little Rock. I did only a couple of years ago and got my copy.

This is something that you need to have a copy of.

Dik

From Dave McC

Lee Morrision
http://www.urbancombatives.com/
met Charles Nelson a few times I belive and there is a write up on his web Page above.
I even have his orginal interview in Fighting Arts or Combat which is worth a read when he met the great man.

Dave McC

From Blackbird

Thanks for posting the info Phil. I'll be following up on that.
Rob