Michael Chappell

Michael Chappell (born 1935), better known as Mike Chappell, is an English military historian and illustrator of military books.

Early life and education
He comes from an Aldershot family with links to the British Army going back several generations.

Military career
In 1952, at age 17, he enlisted as a private in the Royal Hampshire Regiment, a British Army line-infantry regiment; and in 1955, transferred to the Gloucestershire Regiment, another British Army infantry regiment. During his 22-year military career, he saw service in Cyprus, Germany, Libya, Malaya, Swaziland, Ulster and various British garrisons.

He retired in 1974 as a Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion (Rifle Volunteers) of the Wessex Regiment, a British Army Territorial Army (or volunteer-force) infantry regiment.

Writing and illustrating career
He first began painting military subjects for his own interest in 1968, turning professional when he left the army. His many years of military service actually wearing the kit and using the weapons give him a unique insight in his illustrations. Consequently, Chappell has gained worldwide popularity as a military illustrator, having written and illustrated over 100 books, many for Osprey Publishing.

Personal life
He lives in France. He was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queens Birthday Honours List on 15th June 2013.

Osprey books written and/or illustrated by Chappell

 * Japanese Paratroop Forces of World War II
 * The British Army in World War I (1) The Western Front 1914–16
 * The British Army in World War I (2) The Western Front 1916–18
 * The British Army in World War I (3) The Eastern Fronts
 * British Tommy 1914–18
 * The Guards Divisions 1914–45
 * World War II Infantry Tactics Squad and Platoon
 * Wellington's Peninsula Regiments (2) The Light Infantry
 * Wellington's Peninsula Regiments (1) The Irish
 * Luftwaffe Air & Ground Crew 1939–45
 * The British Army 1939–45 (1) North-West Europe
 * The British Army 1939–45 (2) Middle East & Mediterranean
 * The British Army 1939–45 (3) The Far East
 * British Cavalry Equipments 1800–1941
 * Axis Cavalry in World War II
 * The Indian Army 1914–1947
 * The US Army in World War II (1) The Pacific
 * The US Army in World War II (2) The Mediterranean
 * The US Army in World War II (3) Northwest Europe
 * US Paratrooper 1941–45
 * The King's German Legion (1) 1803–12
 * The King's German Legion (2) 1812–16
 * British Infantry Equipments (1) 1808–1908
 * British Infantry Equipments (2) 1908–2000
 * French Foreign Legion 1914–45
 * French Foreign Legion Infantry and Cavalry since 1945
 * The French Indochina War 1946–54
 * The French Army 1939–45 (1)
 * The French Army 1939–45 (2)
 * The Algerian War 1954–62
 * Redcaps: Britain's Military Police
 * Junkers Ju 87 Stukageschwader 1937–41
 * Panzerkampfwagen III Medium Tank 1936–44
 * Army Commandos 1940–45
 * Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Aces of the Russian Front
 * US Marine Corps 1941–45
 * Scottish Divisions in the World Wars
 * International Brigades in Spain 1936–39
 * The Gurkhas
 * 18th-Century Highlanders
 * Churchill Infantry Tank 1941–51
 * Security Forces in Northern Ireland 1969–92
 * British Battledress 1937–61
 * Napoleon's Italian Troops
 * British Territorial Units 1914–18
 * The War in Cambodia 1970–75
 * The British Army in the 1980s
 * British Battle Insignia (1) 1914–18
 * British Battle Insignia (2) 1939–45
 * Modern African Wars (1) Rhodesia 1965–80
 * The Korean War 1950–53
 * The Canadian Army at War
 * Armies of the Vietnam War 1962–75
 * Armies of the Vietnam War (2)
 * Partisan Warfare 1941–45
 * German Airborne Troops 1939–45
 * British Cavalry Equipments 1800-1941
 * Germany's Eastern Front Allies 1941–45
 * Battle for the Falklands (1) Land Forces
 * The Israeli Army in the Middle East Wars 1948–73
 * Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars 1948–73
 * The Malayan Campaign 1948–60
 * The Australian Army at War 1899–1975
 * British Guards Armoured Division 1941-45
 * Allied Tank Destroyers
 * The Lee / Grant Tanks in British Service