Close combat

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Close combat has two close meanings which sometimes overlap; close quarters battle and hand to hand combat.

Armed combat

The basic meaning of the term close combat relates to a close battle between 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 close combat has also come to describe hand to hand combat (which is also known as close quarters combat). 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 of the modern day 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.

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Close combat

Armed combat

Unarmed or partially armed combat

See also

Armed/Unarmed combat

Unarmed or partially armed combat