Valor | War History

French Cavalrymen Captured the Dutch Fleet in One of the Weirdest ‘Battles’ in Military History

AI rendering of French cavalrymen on horseback crossing the ice toward a fleet of Dutch warships

There have been many strange occurrences throughout military history, but none were as unusual as the Battle of Texel. Taking place in the waters off…

Jimmy Buffett Anonymously Donated Two WWII-Era Aircraft to a Museum Before His Death

Jimmy Buffett standing in aviation gear

Jimmy Buffett’s passing on September 1, 2023 was a shock to music fans across the world. The “Margaritaville” singer’s death was attributed to an aggressive…

Operation Market Garden Led to a Decades-Long Treasure Hunt That’s Still Ongoing

Close-up of the map detailing the possible location of the hidden treasure

In 2023, the Dutch National Archives unveiled a collection of documents that had previously been classified as “confidential,” as per the customary 75-year term. Among…

The M249 SAW Machine Gun Continues to Enhance the Role of Infantrymen in Combat

June Steele
Spc. Shawn Kennedy looking through the sight of an M249 SAW machine gun

The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) machine gun – also known as the Light Machine Gun, 5.56 mm, M249 – is a critical tool for…

Princess Mary Crowdfunded Personalized Gifts for Soldiers Serving On the Western Front

Princess Mary Gift Fund box open, with its contents showing + Portrait of Princess Mary in military uniform

During World War I, then-17-year-old Princess Mary began a mission to bring a glimmer of hope and joy to those fighting on the Western Front.…

The Japanese Bolt-Action Arisaka Type 99 Rifle Saw Extensive Use In the Pacific Theater

Soldier aiming an Arisaka Type 99 rifle

The Arisaka Type 99 rifle was a significant evolution in the realm of military armaments. Born out of necessity in the 1930s, its development reflected…

The Battle of France Saw a European Power Fall in Just Six Weeks

German soldiers driving tanks down a dirt road

One campaign changed the direction of the Second World War: the Battle of France. The period leading up to the engagement was known as the…

Shiro Ishii and the Dark Legacy of Japan’s Unit 731

Aerial view of the Unit 731 complex + Military portrait of Shiro Ishii

Japanese physician Shiro Ishii presided over a series of abhorrent medical experiments that stand as some of the most egregious atrocities in modern history. Ranging…

Forward-Swept Wings Gave the Sukhoi Su-47 ‘Berkut’ a Unique Appearance

Sukhoi Su-47 'Berkut' in flight

Continued advancements are the norm when it comes to military aviation, and some designs stand out for their unique features and designs. The Russian Sukhoi…

Kaiser Wilhem and Tsar Nicholas II Tried (and Failed) to Avert World War I

Tsar Nicholas II and Kaiser Wilhelm standing together on a ship

The First World War, commonly referred to as the Great War, was an era characterized by profound upheaval, wherein major global powers engaged in intense…

The Dear John Letter Was a Symbol of Heartbreak Amid the Terrors of War

British soldier reading a letter outside

When its comes to wartime communications, few carry the weight of the infamous Dear John letter. Originating during World War II, these correspondences have become…

20 Photos That Show the Remnants of World War I Scattered Across Europe

British soldiers running along a trench

The scars of the Great War, which raged from 1914-18, remain visible in Europe more than 100 years after the fighting stopped. The conflict left…