Navy Defense Tactics

This is a synopsis of the text of the classic 1942 training film, Defensive Hand-to-Hand Combat, a three-part United States Navy Bureau of Aeronautics training film. It is a live-action version of the U.S. Naval Institute’s Hand-to-Hand Combat manual. The film presenter is Lt. Commander Wesley Brown Jr. who authored the manual and another book, Self -Defense. Lt. Commander Brown's civilian career included:

• Police Officer in Evanston, IL
• Wrestling coach at Northwestern University
• Assistant Director of Training at Northwestern University Traffic Institute where he taught advanced physical fitness and self defense courses for police
• Assistant Professor of Public Administration at the University of Southern California
• Chief of Police in Redlands, California

Whereas ground forces and specialty fighting groups, such as Seals, are on the ground and facing the enemy in combat situations on a daily basis, pilots are usually flying combat missions high off the ground and performing administrative duties while on the ground. They are not normally facing the enemy in combat. However, when shot down, naval pilots are on their own in enemy territory and must fend for themselves. They must depend on their own training and abilities to survive, evade the enemy, fight the enemy, escape from capture, and make their way back to friendly territory. Whereas ground forces face the enemy daily, they are usually a part of large group with support. A downed pilot has nothing but his or own wits upon which to rely.