Bill Underwood

Captain

Canadian-British instructor who developed the WWII combatives systems Combato and Defendo.

Quick Facts

Date of Birth9/26/1895

Date of Death2/8/1986

Era20th century

Country of OriginCanada / UK

Rank / TitleMilitary Instructor

Active Years1914–1980s

Biography

William E. Underwood developed Combato during WWI and WWII for Allied soldiers, later adapting these pragmatic techniques for civilians and police as Defendo.

Associated Martial Arts

Combato (Canadian Tactical Combat)Founder→

A Canadian close-combat system from the early 20th century. It rests on leverage, not strength; after the war its author softened it into police-oriented Defendo.