Albemarle Tradewinds February 2020 Web Final

History of Self Defense: The Origins of Fairbairn’s DEFENDU
The first appearance of the term DEFENDU was
as the title of W.E. Fairbairn’s 1926 publication on
his method of “scientific self-defence”. We are further
informed that this treatise is the “official text book for the
Shanghai Municipal Police, Hong Kong (sic) Police and
Singapore Police”.
The usage of DEFENDU is found twice in the forward
of the 1926 edition. However, in this context it would
be important to remember that Fairbairn claims almost
complete originality in the methods presented, stating
however that they are drawn from several different
sources. In this regard it would not be applicable to use
Asian terms or nomenclature, i.e. “Jiu jitsu” or Western
descriptive phrases such as “Chinese Boxing”. Fairbairn
claims originality in the methods presented, hence an
“original” descriptive term would be apropos.
This situation however caused confusion among readers
of this edition and hence in the 1931 edition of Fairbairn’s
work the title was changed to “Scientific Self-Defence”.
This was done to make the content of this edition
more clear to the average individual.
The term DEFENDU is found again in Biddle’s work “DO
OR DIE”(1937). Fairbairn is credited with developing
this method. It is interesting to note that Biddle makes a
clear distinction between “Jiu-Jitsu” and “Defendu”. The
1944 edition of Colonel Biddle’s book also uses the term
DEFENDU and the text is virtually the same as in the
earlier edition. Excepting one important point: In the later
edition Biddle refers to Fairbairn’s book “GET TOUGH”.
However, he does not correct the fact that Fairbairn by
this time was a Major serving with US Forces(not Assistant
Commissioner of the SMP). There are of course
obvious reasons for this lapse.
The point however is that the term DEFENDU relates
too much earlier methods espoused by Fairbairn and
did not reflect his thinking at this time (1944). The British
edition of “ALL IN FIGHTING” also mentions DEFENDU,
but just as a passing comment in reference to Fairbairn’s
earlier works. “GET TOUGH” the US reprint of
“ALL IN FIGHTING” refers to the close combat fighting
method present as the “Fairbairn System”.
So what is the point? Well here it is……… I believe that
the changes in terminology referring to LT. COLONEL
(NOT CAPTAIN, NOT MAJOR, as so MANY ill informed
individuals refer-DO YOUR DAMN RESEARCH!) Fairbairn’s
methods reflect a CHANGE (growth if you will) in
his COMPLETE ATTITUDE regarding close combat.
In describing his MOS for paperwork detailing his duties
and responsibilities in connection with being awarded
the “Legion of Merit”, Fairbairn refers to his methods of
close combat as “Gutter-fighting”. Consider if you will
the change in attitude from “Scientific Self-Defence” to
“GUTTER FIGHTING”. Fairbairn further elucidates his
feelings by describing two key elements: VEHEMENCE
and ARTIFICE! “SCIENTIFIC” self defense this is NOT!
Now for those who have proposed that DEFENDU remains
the POLICE “version” of the Fairbairn method and
make a distinction as to the military method, well consider
that after WWII the manual of choice used by POLICE
agencies under Fairbairn’s consult was “GET TOUGH”,
reprinted in the language of that particular agency.
Now as to the possible origins of the original term
DEFENDU. I have over the years heard several stories.
Some were simply ridiculous in light of the facts we
KNOW! Two however stand out as possible(and very
plausible) candidates. First, is the simple use of DE-
FEND combined with the well known term jiu-jits”U”.
Hence, DEFENDU. Aside from what others may claim,
Jiu Jitsu(of this period) influenced Fairbairn far more
than even he was willing to admit. And that goes for the
staple methods of the edge hand, chin-jab, and even
the “tiger” claw. Jiu jitsu had these very blows and gave
great credence to their effectiveness in “real” combat
(YES! this can be verified by books, manuals, etc. in the
writer’s possession) these “rock crushing” blows HANDS
OFF, however predated by usage in turn of the century
Jiu jitsu manuals describing these Atemi) were extant
in “real” Jiu jitsu for centuries. As far as the claims of
GREAT influence by “Chinese” boxing methods, such as
Chin-Na, Ba Gua, Hsing-I, etc., I feel that the evidence
denies this (Yeaton’s letter concerning Fairbairn’s
thoughts on the matter).
Hence, the use of DEFENDU pays some homage to Jiu
jitsu, as well as giving the Western flavor to Fairbairn’s
methods.
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