Francois d’Eliscu – Forgotten WWII Hand-to-Hand Combat Instructor

Francois d’Eliscu was one of the first official U.S. Army hand-to-hand combat instructors during World War II. In 1942, he wrote the manual Hand-to-Hand Combat, which trained American soldiers in close-quarters battle, bayonet fighting, boxing, and grappling techniques.

His system focused on speed, aggression, and survival skills — teaching troops to strike, throw, and disable an opponent quickly. D’Eliscu’s training also emphasized mental toughness, physical conditioning, and confidence, preparing soldiers for the brutal reality of combat.

Although often overshadowed by Fairbairn, Applegate, and O’Neill, Francois d’Eliscu played a crucial role in shaping early U.S. Army combatives training and deserves recognition as a forgotten pioneer of modern military martial arts.