Chapter 5

World War I and World War II

There was little development in tactical knives in the United States between the mid-nineteenth century and the American entry into World War I in 1917. This period saw rapid development in repeating firearms, from machine guns on the battlefield to vest pocket revolvers and automatic pistols available to civilians. The obvious advantages of reliable, repeating firearms rendered edged weapons all but obsolete, except for those who lacked access to firearms.

The development of tactical knives during World War I was virtually nonexistent; there was simply no need. The “war to end all wars” was one of static, set battlefields and fixed lines with little movement and few units operating outside of normal supply channels. Although a variety of trench knives were issued and used in hand-to-hand combat, trench knives were essentially daggers and intended as weapons with no utility function.

Unfortunately, World War I did not end war at all and instead set the stage for World War II. World War II was worse than anything politicians and generals could had projected—a war on civilians with death camps, the bombing of cities, and unimaginable horrors. World War II, significantly, was one of swiftly changing battlefields and fire-and-maneuver battle tactics. In the past, infantrymen were in close contact with a long supply chain, or tail, and war was fought according to lines of enemy or friendly occupation. In World War II, this was often no longer the case. In many theaters of operation, supply lines were broken and troops ran out of ammunition, and as a last resort they turned to knives and entrenching tools to combat enemy soldiers.

World War II was also a war of partisans and guerillas, thus new types of units were developed and deployed. Paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines, began their fight surrounded by the enemy, and had to rely on whatever resources they jumped with or could forage. Modeled on Rogers’ Rangers and the British Special Air Service and Special Boat Service, Darby’s Rangers were formed and carried out lightning strikes in Europe without the benefit of artillery, air support, or resupply. Marine Raiders attacked Pacific islands in small units. The precursor to the CIA, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), was formed and infiltrated teams into enemy-held territory. Many of these troops and operatives needed specialized knives, including the clandestine and covert units. The tactical knife now became important and the subject of much study and development.

What few may realize is that knives, bayonets, and their aggressive use by American soldiers proved decisive, not only in individual encounters, but also in a number of fiercely fought battles, such as the ranger attack on El Guettar in North Africa and the night combat jump into Sicily by the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne. During the Allied invasion of Sicily, the night the 82nd troopers jumped in became a series of small unit and individual hand-to-hand engagements in which knives and grenades, which wouldn’t give away positions and draw return fire, were used to devastating effect. This was also true of battles at Anzio, during which troopers of the 504th Parachute Regiment of the 82nd were called “devils in baggy pants” by a German officer for their aggressiveness and readiness to engage in hand-to-hand combat with the blade. Both the paratroopers and rangers used Fairbairn–Sykes daggers, World War I trench knives, other specially designed fighting knives, and Randalls. In the Pacific Theatre, the KA-BAR used by US Marines and soldiers who could get them, became famous. Based on its popularity with the troops and its widespread fame, the KA-BAR was in many ways the tactical knife of World War II. In fact, the KA-BAR’s influence and widespread use carried over into the Cold War era.

It was not only soldiers and marines who needed knives. Covert operators, such as the SAS (British Special Air Service), needed knives as well. The Fairbairn–Sykes was much favored by the SAS. Clandestine agents, including the OSS, used various specialized knives, such as lapel and sleeve daggers, in addition to their Fairbairn–Sykes and a wide range of personal knives. These developments during the first two World Wars formed the foundation for what followed.

KA-BAR USMC Fighting and Utility Knife.