While hand to hand combat was relatively rare in Europe during World War II, it was a harsh reality of fighting in the Pacific. Dense jungle terrain and Japanese tactics that emphasized close combat meant American Marines and soldiers needed to be highly trained to survive these encounters.

This FREE Outpost program offers visitors an opportunity to learn about hand to hand combat in the Pacific War. Guests can explore real artifacts while gaining insight into the weapons used, the training soldiers received, and the techniques developed for close quarters fighting, with live demonstrations illustrating how these skills were applied.

Outpost programs are educational, drop-in experiences held on select Saturdays on the Nimitz Platz at 340 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Visitors of all ages are welcome to stop by, ask questions, and engage directly with history.