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The Origin of the

"O'NEILL TO THE NUTS"

By Carl Cestari The "O'Neill" method is a consistent source of debate and speculation.

Owing to the fact that most people have only been exposed to limited information concerning

this method, many "false" opinions have been

expressed concerning its value and/or effectiveness.

The Army 21-150 manuals offer little in the way of a "complete" method and the USMC

"proposed" manual adds some info but certainly not anywhere near the whole "picture".

Aside from non-fictional works on the First Special Service Force that add bits and pieces to the puzzle, there exist other "technical" sources.

Besides the fairly well documented Judo background of D.M. O'Neill and his service with the SMP and as a "protg" of WEF, little else is really known about

the elements that comprise his method.

Quotes like this: ".........the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) improved version

of kick and poke judo. This hand to hand unarmed combat method was developed and taught by a former Shanghai police inspector, British embassy

security expert, and OSS contract employee named Dermot Michael "Pat"

O'Neill." Offer some more insights into the man and the method.

The system that O'Neill "developed" was born during his time in Shanghai.

Charlie Nelson relates that his introduction to O'Neill's method was through a Sgt. Kelly who learned this method from O'Neill during Kelly's tour of duty in

China. Since we know that O'Neill left for Japan in 1938, the "training" between Kelly and O'Neill must have occurred prior to that. So we can presume that the

O'Neill method came into its own sometime during the mid 1930's.

Many reference sources containing information on ONeills method as recalled by Forcemen of the 1st SSF refer to similar phrases as the one quoted above. Terms like "jab and kick", "gouge and kick", "poke and kick" are constantly used

when describing this method. Now we KNOW what the elements of the "Fairbairn" system are (though even here there is much misconception as well)

and when would be hard pressed to describe WEF's approach as "kick and poke".

Though the O'Neill method may have included elements of Fairbairn's system

(though there is documentation to the contrary), it is clear that the O'Neill

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method is materially different. The difference in "needs" as it relates to close

combat between front line rapid assault "shock" troops like the "Devil's Brigade" and the nature of clandestine special operations as waged by the OSS and SOE

explains to great degree the dis-similarity in choice of method.

Chinese foot-fighting or Chinese Boxing is mentioned in various manuals

attributed to O'Neill. CHI-CHI SHU another reference to Chinese combatives is also mentioned in the AID/IPA manual. Material extant from the WWII era

mentions this specifically. Charlie Nelson always said that this method was based on Chinese Guerilla warfare.

So where does the O'Neill method originate from? What may be the original source of this system?

To fully understand the possible connections to Chinese Boxing, we must FULLY understand the complete original syllabus of this method.

We will begin to discuss that aspect in Part II. Hopefully, we will also dispel "mis-informed" opinions concerning the combat validity and effectiveness of the

O'Neill "method".

In the years leading up to WWII, Japan was already flexing its military might in China.

The Chinese, in addition to the growing threat from Japan was dealing with a number of internal conflicts as well. The Nationalist movement vs. the growing

Communist "revolution", and the ongoing battle to oust all colonial influence and "foreign devils".

As Japan's invasion of China grew in both size and brutality, it became obvious to western powers that Japan would in short order be a serious threat to global

stability.

The Chinese for all of their "internal" battles were waging war against the

Japanese on all levels. This included covert or clandestine intelligence missions. The British SIS had strong ties in Shanghai and even stronger ties with the SMP.

Since the SMP had a large contingent of Chinese officers and these men were certainly involved to some degree in fighting to "protect" their homeland against

the Japanese invasion, it is not a stretch to assume that the SMP "special

branch", British SIS and various Chinese military and intelligence groups shared a common "working" interest.

As the Chinese did all they could to gear up for war against the Japanese, they sought to use every advantage they could. Since it was impossible to match the

might of the Japanese military machine directly, the Chinese adapted highly effective methods of "guerrilla" warfare. These methods were so impressive and

effective that they formed the genesis of Evans Carlson's concept for the USMC "Raiders". Though Carlson's relationship was through the Mao led "communist"

People's Army, the Nationalist's under Chek were involved in similar pursuits.

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This point should be well taken since it shows that the "Chinese" methods of

warfare were thought highly of by western military professionals.

The Chinese USED every advantage they could. This included using their cultural

heritage of "martial arts". The Chinese developed "systems" of physical training and close combat based on their "rich" martial tradition.

In the book "Chinese Boxing: Masters and Methods", Robert W. Smith introduces the reader to Yuan Tao, the "Guerilla General". Smith goes on to tell

us that during WWII Yuan taught Nationalist troops "Yunnan Lien Pu Ch'uan" or Yunnan Consecutive Step Boxing. He goes on to tell us that this was a

"standardized" form based mainly on Shaolin, but also including some "internal" influence.

In describing the elements of this "form" Smith tells us that it is an "extremely rational" method. It uses "hand, fist, elbow, and shoulder strikes; pushing;

locking; and advancing and retreating methods". He goes on to tell us that it has only one "kicking" technique and that Yuan believed "kicking is only

effective if done in conjunction with the hands" and that you should "retract the

foot swiftly". We will refer back to these comments later.

Dennis Rovere in an article published in "Inside Kung Fu" concerning Lien Bu

Ch'uan and its use during WWII and titled the "Chinese Commando Method" adds the following:

"To neutralize the superior strength of the Japanese forces, the Chinese army adopted a strategy of hit and run."

"........This close combat requirement dictated that troops be trained in a form of unarmed/minimally armed combat superior to those of the opposing forces. It

had to be easy to learn, simple to apply, and effective and practical in life and death, close combat situations."

Further, "With no ceremonial motions, elaborate stances, and complicated techniques, all movements of this single form are for fighting."

Lastly, "Emphasizing the use of the weapons of the upper body and close quarters techniques, hands, shoulders, forearms and elbows all provide for a

versatile response to a variety of situations, even when wearing full combat

gear."

".....The legs are used sparingly and movement kept simple".

Again, we will be referring back to these elements later.

During his service with the 1st SSF, O'Neill made the following comment to a

fellow officer. He said that though he had spent his life in "intelligence", he would only be remembered for his work in hand to hand combat.

Since O'Neill's "career" or life had been spent nearly entirely in Shanghai up to this point, we can only assume that he was referring to his duties with the SMP.

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This is important because it gives us a basis for explaining ONeills involvement with various Chinese "groups" fighting against the Japanese.

It was in this capacity as "liaison" that may very well explain ONeills "connection" to the close combat methods being developed and employed by the Chinese during this period. Since he was already an avid Judoka and

acknowledged "protg" to Fairbairn, it is natural that he would find this training of particular interest and value.

It is also very feasible to presume that ONeills close working relationship with the officers of the Chinese "branch" opened doors to him that may not have

been available to other "westerners".

Lastly, ONeills fellow SMP officers included John Percy Poole, a fellow member of the SMP "Judo" team. Poole was a yudansha like O'Neill and was of the same age. We can assume that Poole and O'Neill had a close friendship. Poole was

married to a Chinese woman. This relationship may also have helped O'Neill gain access to sources native in origin.

In Part 3, we will attempt to tie all this together by comparing the actual

methods contained in O'Neill's original WWII syllabus with what we have already discussed. We will also explore the "Shandong" connection and "modifications"

to O'Neill's methods over the post war years.