Combat Dealers Season 4 Episode 2 WWI

Combat Dealers is a thrilling history channel show that follows Bruce Crompton, a military enthusiast and dealer in military antiques, as he travels across Europe to unearth rare military artifacts from wars gone by. In season 4 episode 2 titled WWI, the charismatic dealer sets his sights on digging up artifacts and weapons from the First World War.

The episode kicks off with Bruce and his trusty assistant, Polly, traveling to France in search of rare and prized weapons from WWI. Bruce takes us back in time as he explains how the war started and how it marked the beginning of modern warfare. He explains how this war marked the first time that airplanes, tanks and poisonous gas was used on the battlefield and how it completely revolutionized warfare.

In their quest to find rare WWI artifacts, the dynamic duo scout out various antique stores and flea markets in France. They come across a trove of unique items including a rare 1917 Lewis Gun, which was used by the British Army. The gun was in perfect condition and is a significant find for Bruce and Polly, who quickly negotiate the best price possible.

The episode takes a more serious turn when Bruce and Polly visit the Somme battlefield. The Somme is synonymous with WWI, being one of the most important battles of the war. Bruce takes a moment to reflect on the horrors of the war and how the battle claimed the lives of thousands of soldiers, many of whom were just young boys.

Bruce and Polly then visit the Thiepval Memorial, which is dedicated to the British and South African soldiers who died on the Somme battlefields. The memorial is a sobering reminder of the sacrifice, bravery, and valor of these young men who fought for their country but never made it back home.

After an emotionally draining morning, Bruce and Polly head to a local museum to see a rare Vickers Machine Gun which was used by the British Army during WWI. Bruce is amazed by the condition of the machine gun and realizes that it is an opportunity not to be missed. After negotiating the price with the museum curator, Bruce and Polly add the valuable machine gun to their collection.

We are taken back in time once again as Bruce shares a fascinating story of how the German army came close to winning the war through their use of deadly poisonous gas. He shares details of a small device called the Trench Periscope, which soldiers used to peep above the trenches and see if the enemy was advancing. This small device was a game-changer in the war and is highly sought after by collectors.

Bruce continues his WWI quest and finds himself in Belgium, the site of another significant battle of the war. He visits a WWI museum and shares that he is looking for a rare 1918 Barbed Wire Cutter. The cutter was used by soldiers to cut through barbed wire during battles, and finding one intact is a rare occurrence.

With the end of WWI, many weapons and artifacts were stockpiled by armies and were only recently released for private acquisition. Bruce and Polly have been lucky to come across some rare and sought-after items during their journey. The episode ends on a triumphant note as Bruce and Polly celebrate their finds and the spirit of remembrance for the soldiers who paid the ultimate price during the First World War.