The one thing that helped me in fight situations, I had done it many times, over and over.
At the age of 33 visiting England 1968, stayed with the Mother in Law, out for supper with Brother in Law, and Wife, my Wife's Sister.
Indian Restaurant, Town St Helens. Name The Moonglow.
Cut to the chase, I was dragged into a confrontation with 4 young toughs (Youths here!) the leader of these 4, wanted to cause trouble, beat up guy in Sports Coat and collar and tie, wearing glasses (Me) with shinny black shoes (steel toe caps, left at M in L's when I left England in 1965)
It started as an appeasement move on my part, approaching the 4 sitting at a booth (empty plates in front of them!) with 10 shilling note showing in top pocket, would have bought 4 pints then.
Me with smile on face, no thought, plan, nothing at all.
As the mouth/leader, suddenly noted how close I was getting to him, his legs already swung out, started to rise, fists coming up.
My flat foot, heel first hit him center chest. (3 ribs broken) his head flew backwards, hitting bad guy #2 in nose (broke nose #1) guy on left side of booth, feet now facing out, hands on knees to stand (lazy move, plus bad one)
my overhand right fist crushed his nose (broke nose#2) his companion on that bench climbed over the booth, walked on table, among plates of the 3 young people eating there. Who started to stab him in the legs, with forks they had in their hands! And they were noncombatants!
When he had arrived at the end of the table, with much aw-aw-ing! those fork hits hurt. As he jumped, I swung the chair I had collected (broken arm #1)
That is when I kicked a man in a brown suite, sat with his Wife, on my right, in the chest (he had jumped to his feet, combatant?) he sat down against the wall, trying to breath.
As this was happening, a young chap had a fork half way to his mouth, wall seat on my left. His only comment "Just like Gun Smoke" Dessie Arness?
I chased them out of the door with chair. Called 999 Police.
"I have been attacked by 4 men in the Moonglow"
Five minutes, Police sirens, two cars two Officers. I was corrected "You are not in America Sir, Constables"
After hearing my version, punctuated with a Lady saying "What did you kick my Husband for" One Constable went outside to consult his Radio.
The only apparent damage to me, cut knuckles, right hand.
Cop now consulting his notes, "Those 4 ruffians who attacked you, early 20s, medium height, blue jeans, white tee shirts?"
Yes Sir. Said I. "Well they are in the Cottage Hospital, Emerg".
"Three broken ribs, same person, two broken noses, one broken arm" "And various cuts, and contusions" "A Question, was you the attacker, or the attacked?"
Much thanks from the owner? Escorted to my rented VW, advice on the way to Liverpool City, who had way more Indians. Hard to drive that stick shift, after adrenalin kicked in.
Why was it so easy? I had been in dozens of fights prior to this one. It just flows, almost like a dance. Would a gun fight be as easy? I honestly do not know. I have been through the motions, in IDPA matches hundred's of time, with a real antagonist? that is the 64,000 question, yes?
At the age of 33 visiting England 1968, stayed with the Mother in Law, out for supper with Brother in Law, and Wife, my Wife's Sister.
Indian Restaurant, Town St Helens. Name The Moonglow.
Cut to the chase, I was dragged into a confrontation with 4 young toughs (Youths here!) the leader of these 4, wanted to cause trouble, beat up guy in Sports Coat and collar and tie, wearing glasses (Me) with shinny black shoes (steel toe caps, left at M in L's when I left England in 1965)
It started as an appeasement move on my part, approaching the 4 sitting at a booth (empty plates in front of them!) with 10 shilling note showing in top pocket, would have bought 4 pints then.
Me with smile on face, no thought, plan, nothing at all.
As the mouth/leader, suddenly noted how close I was getting to him, his legs already swung out, started to rise, fists coming up.
My flat foot, heel first hit him center chest. (3 ribs broken) his head flew backwards, hitting bad guy #2 in nose (broke nose #1) guy on left side of booth, feet now facing out, hands on knees to stand (lazy move, plus bad one)
my overhand right fist crushed his nose (broke nose#2) his companion on that bench climbed over the booth, walked on table, among plates of the 3 young people eating there. Who started to stab him in the legs, with forks they had in their hands! And they were noncombatants!
When he had arrived at the end of the table, with much aw-aw-ing! those fork hits hurt. As he jumped, I swung the chair I had collected (broken arm #1)
That is when I kicked a man in a brown suite, sat with his Wife, on my right, in the chest (he had jumped to his feet, combatant?) he sat down against the wall, trying to breath.
As this was happening, a young chap had a fork half way to his mouth, wall seat on my left. His only comment "Just like Gun Smoke" Dessie Arness?
I chased them out of the door with chair. Called 999 Police.
"I have been attacked by 4 men in the Moonglow"
Five minutes, Police sirens, two cars two Officers. I was corrected "You are not in America Sir, Constables"
After hearing my version, punctuated with a Lady saying "What did you kick my Husband for" One Constable went outside to consult his Radio.
The only apparent damage to me, cut knuckles, right hand.
Cop now consulting his notes, "Those 4 ruffians who attacked you, early 20s, medium height, blue jeans, white tee shirts?"
Yes Sir. Said I. "Well they are in the Cottage Hospital, Emerg".
"Three broken ribs, same person, two broken noses, one broken arm" "And various cuts, and contusions" "A Question, was you the attacker, or the attacked?"
Much thanks from the owner? Escorted to my rented VW, advice on the way to Liverpool City, who had way more Indians. Hard to drive that stick shift, after adrenalin kicked in.
Why was it so easy? I had been in dozens of fights prior to this one. It just flows, almost like a dance. Would a gun fight be as easy? I honestly do not know. I have been through the motions, in IDPA matches hundred's of time, with a real antagonist? that is the 64,000 question, yes?