World War II combatives

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/world-war-ii-combatives

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the combat specialization?Development of systematic techniques for close-quarters combat scenarios
2. What is the foundational instructors?William Ewart Fairbairn and Rex Applegate
3. What were World War II close‑up fighting skills called?They were called "combatives" and were special techniques for fighting very close to the enemy.
4. Why did soldiers need combatives during World War II?Because in trenches and cities, guns were hard to use, so soldiers needed quick ways to stop enemies up close.

Close-quarters combat (CQC): A tactical field of combat focused on engagements at extremely short ranges, often involving physical contact and confined spaces.
Point shooting: A firearm technique that relies on instinct and body alignment rather than precise sight alignment for rapid engagement at close distances.
Improvised weapons: Objects not designed as weapons that are utilized for offensive or defensive purposes in combat situations.
Tactical doctrine: A set of guiding principles and methods for conducting military operations or combat.