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Pre-WWII Judo was a far different thing than what we see now.
The
Japanese in particular, being on a global war footing, praticed a type
of Judo that has little in common with the "sport" of today.
Japanese
"bujin" particularly those situated in China during this period had to
be the BEST they could be. The Japanese police were renonwed for having
among their ranks many of the top Judoka.
The
Japanese presence in Shanghai insured that the quality of Judoka
practicing there was of the highest caliber. Shanghai during this
period was a volatile, beguiling and dangerous place.
Into
this mix comes a young Irishman named Dermot Michael O'Neill. He joins
the SMP in 1925 at age twenty. He rises in rank, secures a respected
position on the SMP Riot Squad, is recognized as a protege' of W.E.
Fairbairn and earns a reputation as a "good" man in a dust up. Besides
his recruit training and his assignment under WEF on the Riot Squad, he
becomes a dedicated devotee of Japanese and Chinese combatives,
especially Kodokan Judo.
He
becomes an acknowledged expert, a true expert, proven both on the
tatami of various "dojo" and on the streets of Shanghai. He trains
under some of the BEST native Japanese sensei available. He travels to
mainland Japan testing his skill in shiai and randori, often winning
against some of Japan's best. He trains diligently at the Kodokan.
Becomes a protege' of the famed Uchijima Sensei, a master of Judo, in
particular "newaza" or ground grappling. He gains a working practical
knowledge of Judo, Jujutsu, Karate, Chinese Boxing and who knows what
else. In 1938 he leaves the SMP after 13 years service and heads up the
security detachment for the British Legation in Tokyo. He serves in
this position for two years. Living and training in Japan, access to
the BEST of his time(and ours too probably)!
FAST FORWARD..........
The
world is at war. The Allied powers against the Axis. O'Neill is now in
the US, seconded to the OSS, working under WEF. A new "COMMANDO" unit
is being formed. Headed by a man named Fredericks. This composite group
of assault raiders matches US and Canadian forces under the banner of
the FIRST SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE. They will become LEGEND!
Then
Colonel Fredericks contacts General Donovan of the OSS and requests
WEF's services in training these troops. Fairbairn recommends D.M.
"Paddy" O'Neill. O'Neill accepts and goes a step further......He just
doesn't "train" these men, HE JOINS THEM!
O'Neill
gave great thought to the needs of these special troops as it related
to close quarters combat. He was instrumental in developing the V-42
Fighting Knife. But it was the "system" of close combat he devised that
was his genius!
The
entire O'Neill system as taught then is little known today. But suffice
to say that this method was a blend of tactics, strategy and physical
combatives that was astounding, and PROVED EFFECTIVE in REAL COMBAT
countless times.
Now this isn't about the nuts and bolts of the O'Neill method.
The
point is this: With ALL of O'Neills experience and expertise the method
he devised for all intents and purposes was devoid of any Judo or
grappling like techniques(and remember the Forces initial contact with
the enemy was to be the Japanese). AND JUDO WAS HIS FORTE. Why? Because
he perfectly knew and understood what the mission of the 1st SSF was
all about. He tailored the training to address needs as would be faced
in REAL COMBAT by these troops!
O'Neills
logic and genius is evident in the complete method(not just dribs and
drabs from various FM's and TM's). But more importantly what lessons
are to be garnered from this? What can be learned? WHY did O'Neill
chose the methods and tactics(more important than the technique) that
he did?
Without a doubt O'Neill knew his business and knew it well. So why? That's the question. And what will the answer teach US, now?
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