This was the first ever Special Weapons & Tactics Unit, and served as the prototype for today’s S.W.A.T., and S.R.T. He founded, developed, trained, and headed the Shanghai Riot Squad called the His innovations in unarmed combat were taught not only to the nine thousand (9000) officers of the Shanghai Police, but also the famed 4th Marine Regiment known as the “China” Marines. During this period he participated in everything from routine patrol duty to major gambling raids in order to absorb as much as he could. In 1920, Fairbairn took an extended leave, during which time he was attached as a captain to the New York City Police Department for a ten-week period of observation. He completely revised the firearms training and instituted a method that reflected the actual conditions of real gun-fighting. Throughout his over thirty year career with S.M.P., Fairbairn not only made an in depth study of almost every known form of close-combat, but was also able to test these methods in actual combat against determined and often armed criminals who would rather kill an officer and make good an escape than be captured and face almost certain execution.įairbairn rose through the ranks and was charged with the duty of instructing firearms and hand-to-hand combat. Fairbairn’s certificates are signed by Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo. Fairbairn received a 3rd degree brown belt in January 1919, a 1st degree black belt in February 1926 and a 2nd degree black belt in February 1931. In 1918 Fairbairn applied for entrance to and was accepted by the Kodokan Judo University in Tokyo. The Chinese Tong and their infamous “Hatchet-men” were legend for their brutal and lethal manner of dealing with any opposition.įairbairn was overpowered, severely beaten, and left for dead.
While on routine foot patrol assigned to one of the notorious “Red light” districts of Shanghai waterfront he fell afoul of a group of Tong members. In Shanghai however, the odds against him proved greater. His record established the fact that he was already a rough customer in close combat in bayonet fighting while with the British Royal Marines. Fairbairn had always been considered by his peers to be a “good man in a dust-up”. Fairbairn to develop effective and practical methods of survival. It was this violent and deadly environment that forced W.E. Tong wars, dope smuggling, murder for hire, political assassination, prostitution, kidnapping, and a host of other underworld endeavors made Shanghai one of the most dangerous places in the world. The International Settlement was an open “port” city that was rife with every imaginable criminal activity and vice. Shanghai during this period was considered by most authorities to be the roughest police beat in the world. After his discharge from the Royal Marines, Fairbairn made his way to Shanghai, China and joined the Shanghai Municipal Police force (SMP) of the International Settlement. He also served as part of the legation guard for the British Consul in Seoul, Korea.
During his tour of duty he successfully competed in and developed new methods for bayonet fighting, for which annual international military competitions were held. As a teenager Fairbairn enlisted with the British Royal Marines. Colonel William Ewart Fairbairn.įairbairn’s experience is unparalleled in the annuals of close combat. The origin and development of this method rests in great part with the famed Lt. The foundation of the DEFENDU method was rooted in the harsh and brutal realities of real world violence.
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