Rattenkrieg was the term used by German soldiers during the battle for Stalingrad to describe the type of vicious, close quarters battle they experienced there while fighting a determined force of Russian soldiers and partisans street by bloody street. That term has been adopted for the title of this book because the true art and science of close quarters battle pistol skills can only be found when the techniques practiced and employed are based not on unrealistic range training protocols, but on the vivid realities experienced when engaged in a life or death fight for survival and total victory.

Prospective students are advised that RATTENKRIEG! is not a basic pistol course and that very little time is spent reviewing those skills. Students must be able to hit the ground running and physical fitness is a definite asset when challenged by some of the more dynamic aspects of this training. While primarily focused on the handgun, many of the drills and techniques shown in this book are adaptable to the long gun as well.