- Home
- Krav Maga Blog
- Krav Instructors
- Train in Israel
- Tour Train Israel
- Krav Shop
- DVD
- Kickboxing
- IKI Near Me
- Seminars
- IKI Membership
- On-Line Training
- Krav Maga Training
- Testimonials
- History Krav Maga
- Instructors Page
- Past Blogs
- Spanish
- Italian
- Certification
- Contact
- Holland Seminar
- Vienna Seminar
- Poland Seminar
- Italy Seminar
- Belt Requirements
Five Words that Changed the War
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
November 27, 2024, Israel
We are reluctant to change. We are reluctant to give up the way "we have always done it" and consider that another way might possibly be better. That is why I do not usually get invited to schools from "rival" Krav Maga associations as they do not want to see or learn anything new, they just want to justify what they are already doing.
But what if lives are on the line? Should this stubborn attitude be allowed? What if the lives of others are in your hands? Should your pig-headed stubborness and ego be permitted to guide your decisoins?
Sadly, that is often the case, until as Bob Dylan said, "Too many people have died".
Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows
That too many people have died?
Britain and the Allies were facing a desperate situation. The supply ships were being sunk on a regular basis by the German U Boats. Not only were tons of supplies sinking to the bottom of the ocean but valuable ships, military supplies, and thousands of men. If this situation continue for another few months the British population would have starved to death and the military would be without ammunition.
Convoy after convoy was attacked, ship after ship went down with crew and supplies. and yet, nothing changed, until one girl came along. Her name, Janet Patrician Okel, aged 19 years old. She worked for the Women's Royal Navy Service with other young women. She was a gifted mathematician and was chosen to evaluate the convoy situation. For eight months she ran simulations and predicted what would happen. She predicted every event, every defeat. And yet no one would listen to her. Convoys were being lost, merchant ships, battle ships, and yet the old guard refused to consider that perhaps something was wrong. They had their official doctrine; they had their manuals. They would not budge. Janet's voice went unheard, and then her 23-year brother was on one of those ships. He and his entire crew went down with the ship. Janet refused to take time off from work.
Janet Patricia Oakl, a 19-year-old mathematics student, revolutionized Royal Navy anti-submarine tactics during WWII by proving that aggressive pursuit of German U-boats was fatal.
No chasing after U boats - Defense - The official doctrine had been that when a U boat was spotted, it was to be pursued and eliminated, except that never happened. It was a decoy. The British broke formation and the German U boats were able to sink entire convoys.
Janet spoke but the commanders would not listen. They refused the idea of the Reevaluation of traditional tactics. These were officers with decades of experience, men, decorated veterans. They would not listen to a teenaged girl in Liverpool.
That was a mistake. Janet argued that a strong defense caused u boats to withdraw without attacking. Captured German prisoners and documents confirmed this. When the defense stood strong, the U boats backed down. But still no one listened. We have our techniques; we cannot be wrong.
Eventually she actually managed to get Admiral Max Horton to listen. He came to see her. They decided to have a battle, a simulation of an actual naval battle between German U boats and a British convoy, just as she and her coworkers had been doing for 8 months.
Janet played the German commander. She sent the bait, a single U boat, Horton took the bait and send ships to chase after the U boat, as the British had been doing in real combat. This had created a gap, as it has always. She saw the gaps in the British formation. Janet’s U-boats exploited the gaps created by Horton’s escorts chasing them, sinking 17 merchant ships in 47 minutes. Horton was stunned but acknowledged the results, stating, “This works. Teach every commander.”
This had a huge impact on the Battle of the Atlantic. The adoption of WATU’s tactics led to a dramatic reduction in Allied losses. In May 1943, German U-boat losses peaked, and by June, the wolfpacks withdrew from the North Atlantic. British merchant ship losses dropped by 73% between March and September 1943. The convoy routes became secure, supplies reached Britain, and the threat of starvation was averted.
Krav Maga Application
I am sure Admiral Horton has many achievements and a long illustrious career, but for me those words he spoke that day, are immortal. That, to me, was his defining moment, as a man, as a commander, and as a patriot. At that moment his concern was not his ego, not his status, not his age, and not his gender. For the sake of those sailors drowning at sea, for the sake of the British people running out of food at home, for the sake of the free world, he was willing to concede defeat to a teenage girl and admit that she was correct and he was wrong. We need Krav Maga instructors like this!
His five immortal words, “This works. Teach every commander.” This is what we need to hear from Krav Maga instructors. Put your ego aside, put your fake pride aside along with your pile of printed paper (diplomas), and ask - Will this new technique, this new approach save lives? yes or no!
The difference is British convoys were being sunk, British ships along with lifesaving supplies were sinking to the bottom of the ocean. After a while Britain was on the verge of starvation and losing the war. So they saw the loss, they could no longer ignore it!! With Krav Maga this does not happen. Most practitioners will never face a real attacker, and so they can continue with their delusions. Thus, they will never say the words - This - Works- Teach - every - instructor.
No one is dying. So the illusions and Delusions live on! (but the people will not.)
Moshe Katz, 7th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt hall of fame, USA and Europe.
Understand the Israeli Fighting Mentality - Israel a Nation of Warriors by Moshe Katz
What is the cultural background of Krav Maga? What makes it unique? What makes the Israeli military so effective? Why are Israeli security systems used all over the world?
What are the Biblical origins of Krav Maga and who was the first Krav Maga instructor?
What weapons and military strategies did our Biblical ancestors use?
How has Krav Maga developed in Israel and what are its goals?
All that and more in this unique book.
Start Your REAL Training TODAY
Or is someone coming to save you?
IKI Krav Maga online distance training - Leading to ranks and certification.
Tour and Train Israel Experience
Personal Training - If you are interested in personal Krav Maga training please contact us on the form below.
