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Close combat has two close meanings which sometimes overlap; close quarters battle and hand to hand combat.
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Armed combat
The basic meaning of the term close combat relates to a close battle between two or more combatants. Synonyms for close combat at that meaning are the medieval Mêlée and modern Close quarters battle (often abbreviated CQB). Military tactics generally perceived as close combat are Shock attacks and especially the Charge tactic using bayonets, dueling with swords and aerial dogfights between fighter aircraft. Urban warfare is considered a warfare environment saturated with close combats.
Unarmed or partially armed combat
In modern times, (since the World War II), close combat has also come to describe hand to hand combat, which is also known as close quarters combat. William E. Fairbairn, who organized and led the famous Shangai Riot Squad, devised the system of close-combat fighting which bears his name, "the Fairbairn System".
In this sense, close combat usually relates to people fighting outside a military environment. Hand to hand combat is usually carried out without the use of firearms, but using the body and sometimes utilizing cold weapons. The knowledge of martial arts is quite essential for an adequate implementation of hand to hand combat. Most modern armies train their soldiers, especially those belonging to special forces, for close quarters combat. The use of hand to hand combat in the military further dims the distinction between the two meaning of close combat.
Armed/Unarmed combat
- Close quarters battle (CQB)
- Mêlée
- Shock attack
- Charge (warfare)
- Urban warfare
- Dogfight
- Duel
- Shock troops
- Mêlée weapons
Unarmed or partially armed combat
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